“¡Gracias a Dios!”

Saint Paul Street Evangelization is an apostolate with international reach, with the goal of bringing the Gospel message of salvation and the truths of the Catholic faith “to all nations” (Mt 28:19). Sometimes when the Holy Spirit is gently calling a person to consider starting a SPSE team, it is helpful to have some time to let the calling “marinate” and to sit with it. Many of our evangelists have gone through such a period of discernment for weeks or months when faced with the opportunity to step out in faith and start a local team. Our Lord tells us to “consider the cost” (Lk 14:28) when it come to following him. Thankfully, many do heed the call and respond to the need, as we will see in this unique story from one of our new evangelists:

The following report comes from evangelist Cathy of the newly formed Mulege, Mexico SPSE team:

“In April of 2016, I attended St. Paul Street Evangelization training in Denver and enjoyed the the talks as well as the practice session at a park. There were no chapters in Oklahoma at that time and I didn’t feel called to start one. About the same time, my husband started spending 7 months a year in Mulege, Mexico and I would visit on and off for a few weeks at a time.

About a year ago I read the story (below) about the first SPSE chapter in Mexico. I thought if in Tijuana, why not in Mulege, the site of once thriving mission built by Jesuits in 1705? My first step was to contact the SPEI office and learn the options for signage in Spanish. I ordered 500 Miraculous Medals and Holy Cards and 500 Gospel Holy Cards, all in Spanish. A rosary making apostolate in my diocese offered to give me 500 rosaries. My husband left in October with the goods. During my visits December through April I met multiple times with Norma, a devout woman and with the priest, Padre Francisco. He first “blessed” the concept and later blessed all the items. He serves 8 churches, none which have any Mass time signage, weekly bulletins, hymnals or missals. So, we made handouts with the weekly schedule of Masses and Adoration. My husband, as president of the Rotary, designs banners frequently so he made one with the Virgen of Guadalupe and had two copies printed. Fortunately, he is a woodworker so he also made a simple frame to hold the banners.

Finally, everything came together on April 30th (my birthday). Norma, two others from our little church and I met in the town square. There was a steady stream of people crossing the square but the three ladies seemed hesitant. A 30’s something couple walked by and I approached them, offering rosaries. They were most friendly and interested, ignoring my challenges with Spanish. I gave them two of everything except the Mass schedule. Their enthusiasm was contagious and our little group became like the apostles at Pentecost. We spread out all over the square, each talking to different people. All of our experiences were very positive. The vendors in three taco stands across from us took turns coming over and talking. A young gal with a child said that she was protestant but ended up asking for one of each of the items we had. A grandmother came up to me, thanked me profusely, told me how great it was that we were doing this and how badly it needs to be done. After an hour and a half, our little group reconvened. Each one of us was thrilled at the many successful encounters we had. We were surprised that so many of our contacts were shocked to learn we were giving the items away free of charge. We only had a handful of polite rejections – all in their 20’s and 30’s.

As I had hoped, the Virgin of Guadalupe is in the DNA here. It makes evangelization so easy! The little group wants to start going to each community – at the bus stop of one and the grocery store of another, whatever the hub is. They even wanted to start the next day! All three gave me huge hugs and thanked me over and over before we parted ways. It turned out to be an evening well worth the year in the making and a very memorable birthday…Gracias a Dios!

Please see attached photo of Norma, myself and Isabel. Reina was deep in conversation with someone when the photo was taken.”

Praised be Jesus Christ! When we step out in faith, God provides for our needs and sends us the grace to do the work. We are given the courage by virtue of our Confirmation to be witnesses to Christ like the apostles at Pentecost. Then whether in our own country or another, wherever we are called, we will respond, “Lord, I will go. Send me!” Join us!