Duluth, MN
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The following story comes to us from team leader Deb with our team in Owatonna, MN:
A team of evangelists went to the University of Minnesota, Duluth campus to set up a table and meet with students. Bishop Felton brought his Ask the Bishop sign, and he was ready to go for the questions that came his way. Father Sekhar met us on campus and joined in our outreach. Many students avoided eye contact with us all together, some responded to our “good morning” shoutout, and some stopped to talk to us. Our conversations were fairly steady throughout the morning, although between classes, it got much busier.
Bishop Felton responded to several questions that were asked by those who stopped by. Father Sekhar interacted with many students and gave many blessings, too. Often, we asked students who stopped by what their major was and what grade they were in. One young man, originally from Bangladesh, asked Father what his major was, and Father had to explain that he was a priest and not a student. We talked to and prayed with many students and adults. Grace stopped by to see the Bishop and received a blessing. She stopped by the wagon where the medals were and was excited to get a new Miraculous Medal, because she lost hers. Aiden stopped to talk to the FOCUS team and the Bishop. He asked for prayers for the soul of his grandfather, Thomas. His grandfather passed away earlier in the year. The Bishop prayed for his grandfather’s soul and blessed Aiden.
Blaise stopped by to talk and to pick out a blessed medal. We didn’t have a St. Blaise medal, but his middle name was Anthony, so he took one of those. The Bishop looked up St. Blaise and told Blaise about his namesake’s background and what he was the patron saint of. He said he lost his crucifix, so we also gave him one of those as well as a Padre Pio medal. I told him, I like to carry extra medals with me because the Lord often sends someone my way that needs one. Blaise thought that was a good idea. Before leaving, he received a blessing from the Bishop.
These are only a few of the encounters I was a part of or witnessed. There were many other encounters with the FOCUS team and students. After we finished our time in the student center, we went back to the Newman Center and were able to celebrate Mass with the Bishop and Fr. Sekhar. What a beautiful way to complete a morning of mission.
Praised be Jesus Christ!