We spent three hours on Main Street and had many encounters! We have a few notable highlights:

I spoke to a young woman who took a rosary and who said she and her family sometimes attend Holy Mass. We spoke briefly and then I offered to pray for her and her intentions. She said asked for prayers for herself as she had just enlisted with the Marine Corp and was heading off to bootcamp. We prayed together and before we parted, I gave her the Confession pamphlet and encouraged her to go to Confession before boot camp, as she will need to be strong not only physically and mentally, but also most importantly, spiritually. She thanked me as she left.

Albert spoke to two young women in a lengthy conversation. They both were Catholic but did not regularly attend church. They both shared that they were feeling like they were called by the Lord to do something, but they weren’t sure what. One spoke about how she just noticed this morning that her rosary was broken and how she had to get another one, and here we were on Main Street, giving out rosaries. They said they actually were headed in the wrong direction before turning around and encountering us and they felt like it wasn’t an accident that we met and spoke. They looked genuinely happy with the conversation that we had and went away thinking about our encounter.

I spoke to two young ladies, one who was on the cusp of a life change of graduating high school. Although she didn’t go to church, her family was Eastern Orthodox and she happily took a Miraculous Medal with Our Lady. The other girl was a Christian, but not Catholic and also seemed interested in the medal. We spoke about Our Lady. They both said that they had a personal relationship with Jesus and were believers, but not really church goers. We spoke about the Mass, and how as Catholic Christians, that is how we worship. We prayed with them and they were grateful for the prayers, and both took a Why Be Catholic brochure.

We spoke to a couple who asked for prayers for their niece, but they were in a hurry. We said we would pray for their niece, and as we started with the sign of the cross, the woman looked back at us and said “Are you Catholic?” and we said “Yes.” She called back her husband and we all prayed together for the healing of her niece and she thanked us profusely and was grateful for the Catholic presence out on Main Street.

Rosa spoke to three Spanish speakers and their families, we prayed together and gave them bulletins to our church as well as rosaries. All were very happy with Rosa and being able to communicate freely in Spanish and not having a language barrier.

We spoke to a trio of walkers. One was a practicing Catholic who had just been to an ordination that very morning! His friends however, although they identified as Catholic, went to church only 5 or 6 times a year. When we spoke to one of the young men, he said that although he was a Christian and nothing, nothing could stop him from believing in God, he was lazy in attending Mass. He said he knew once he had children he would have to do it every week, but for now, he was okay with not going. We spoke to him about his soul and how it matters, and how the Lord loves him and wants a relationship with him. We asked him to start by asking the Lord into his life every morning with a short prayer and he was open to that. Albert said that without the Lord, we can't do anything. He said he could never get to Mass every morning if he depended on himself alone, but with God, he can do it. This surprised the young man, and he said “You go to mass EVERY DAY?” When Albert replied “Yes”, he said “Wow”.

Lord, we know You love your people. We offer them up to You and pray that You continue to move and work in their life so that they come to know You and Your Holy Church!