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This report comes to us from team leader Nancy in Lower Bucks County, PA:
Dcn. Mark and I set up a prayer station on the sidewalk in Ambler, PA this past weekend. His parish, St. Joseph, was about a 1/2 block away. It was the first time that he’d done “sidewalk prayer station” evangelization near his parish. Usually the evangelization effort here is on door-to-door parishioner visits, but with the nice weather, it seemed an opportune moment to get out on the sidewalk and bear public witness on the main town thoroughfare. While there were many people that weren’t receptive, there were some who certainly were. We met a young nursing student, Katherine, who gladly accepted a crucifix with a Miraculous Medal and prayers for her success in school. Another young woman, Elizabeth, asked for prayers to conceive. The team chatted with her about how joyful this prayer answered would be, about how St. Elizabeth had difficulty conceiving, but God pulled through answering that prayer in a big way. God please hear and answer our prayers!
An older couple walking with a baby stroller went by and the husband seemed a bit irritated by our presence. After passing, the wife came back and the team offered a crucifix and a Miraculous Medal. She asked for prayers for her daughter Melissa’s healing from syncope. She mentioned that the grandbaby was a true miracle because her daughter, who was away for a birthday weekend, was quite disabled from her illness. Her daughter’s name is Melissa, which was quite a blessed coincidence as I also have a daughter Melissa, whose birthday was this weekend! The mom left then came back a little later, asking for a blessed medal for her daughter also. She exclaimed that if she got one and she didn’t have one for Melissa, she would be so disappointed. Of course our little team was happy to oblige. It is such a privilege for Our Lord to allow us to serve others through prayer, faith sharing, compassion, and little blessed anchors (medals) in life! The team also prayed with Sonny who goes to Dcn. Mark’s parish and owns an Indian Restaurant in town. A young woman named Kate prayed with the team for peace on earth, in nation, in community, in life, in family, all around. What a kind and needed prayer. Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us.
The team was asked to move after a little over an hour. The owner of the storefront was not pleased with the team there. The store had been vacant on the last outing in March, but despite looking vacant, it was not. The team apologized and offered prayer for his new business. He did not want to pray, so the team crossed to another fairly empty looking sidewalk area. We met a joyful couple (Heidi and Michael) walking their dog who they wanted to pray for their upcoming wedding, taking place on Christmas Eve. The couple wanted prayers for patience with one another, for health and a lifetime together. The man had a crucifix on already and the woman was glad to accept a crucifix from the team.
Praised be Jesus Christ! God shows up, and our teams like this one merely spread the seeds and expect and thank God for doing the rest.