Mesa, AZ
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The following report comes to us from team leader Nancy with our team in Mesa, AZ:
Evangelizing during Lent made me realize that what we’re really offering people is the opportunity for us to suffer with them. I think we’d attract more evangelists if Catholics understood the vast majority of our encounters with people is simply listening to people’s sufferings and sharing their load of grief. To quote from Don Quixote, “for it is the only comfort of the miserable to have partners in their woes.”
Two years ago in November, a persistent nudge told me to hold up a “Free Rosary Free Prayers” sign on Southern Avenue in front of my church, St. Edward the Confessor after 7 AM Mass until noon every Sunday during Lent. My mission was two-fold: invite people to get a free rosary, materials, prayers, etc. but also to see if parishioners would be curious as to who I was and perhaps join me. There was some curiosity but no one from the parish helped for more than maybe half an hour. If I didn’t have the help in 2024 of Victoria and Susan, who drove 45 minutes most Sundays, I couldn’t have done it. This year, Carol Ann, who is in her early 70s, was there every Sunday. With two Sundays left, Garcelia joined our group. Thanks to new team members Lizette and her husband Irus for their enthusiastic help and powerful prayer warriors and as always, Susan (Phoenix team leader) for being there and encouraging us all.
2025: Six Sundays of three hours each: 297 rosaries, 50+medals and holy cards, and a page every Sunday of prayer requests – here are just a very few:
We met Dave who was in his 20s and wants to be a better man.
A woman stopped and approached us crying and told us, “I never go this way. I was leaving my son’s home and I always turn left but I kept getting a nudge to turn right. I couldn’t understand it but I did and here you are. I just left my son who was contemplating suicide. Can we pray together?”
A man got out of his car and fell into Susan’s arms crying because his mother was dying.
Brandon in his 20s walking along the sidewalk in his Betty Ann memorial tee was so open to what we had to offer by way of advice, prayers, materials.
Marianna who burst into tears because as a young woman she is twice divorced with two young children.
So many are struggling with life’s illnesses, job worries, family problems, and purpose in life.
The man who asked us to pray that he would honor his parents for the rest of his life.
The last two Sundays of Lent we decided to walk up half a block to the entrance to a cemetery. We discovered this was a great idea because people were already in a thoughtful state of mind.
I encourage fellow teams to consider evangelizing in front of their church or local cemetery and to follow whatever nudges come their way.
Praised be Jesus Christ!