Lockport, IL
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This story comes to us from team leader Nick with our team in Joliet, IL:
I was able to go with my family (wife and five sons). My wife stayed at the table with the baby, while I walked around with my four older sons. Then we switched off. We also got a lot of help from three Knights of Columbus Councils in manning the booth! (A big thanks to Councils 18043, 18037, and 1176!)
We got off to a slow start both days, but as time went on, a variety of people came to the booth. Many pamphlets were given away, especially on how to pray the rosary, but also quite a few on “Praying to the Saints”. Many rosaries and Miraculous Medals were given away, and many people requested saints. One man asked if we had St. Christopher after a lengthy conversation with his Catholic lady friend. Fortunately, we had a few and he was very glad to take one! Many people came up for prayer, and one young lady in particular really wanted a “Why We’re Catholic” book by Trent Horn as she walked up to the booth. We gladly obliged! The parishes in Lockport all have Formed.org, so throughout the weekend, we gave away postcards to many people who came to the booth. Most weren’t familiar with Formed, and I told them that they could use this for their kids and their own spiritual growth. Many took the sign up info and were excited to share Formed’s children’s shows with their little ones. One woman, Maria, said that her kids had just convinced her last year to go back to church, and said they’ve been going to Mass every Sunday! She gladly took the Formed.org info and said she was looking for good things for her kids to watch.
A group of young adults visited. One man, Ramon, said he wanted to pick out a rosary for his 13-month old niece, who his sister was holding next to him. He finally found a pink one and also took some other materials from the table . Another young man, Tyler, lingered as his friends walked away. He couldn’t have been more than 20 years old. He finally said he’d like a rosary, and I asked if he knew how to pray it. He answered “no”, and said he doesn’t really know a lot about the rosary, but his girlfriend would as she’s a Mexican Catholic. I handed him the pamphlet and told him the Rosary is a walk through Scripture, and that we meditate on the mysteries of Jesus’ life while asking His Mother to pray for us. I asked him if he was Catholic or baptized…he said no, but added he wanted to learn more. His friends were beckoning to him to follow them, but I asked if I could share why I was a Catholic. He said “yes”, and I told him that following Jesus has brought joy and peace to my life. I told him by following in His footsteps we walk the right path, and since we mess up a lot, Jesus came to heal us and take that away. I encouraged him to talk with his girlfriend more about it, and I also gave him a “Why Be Catholic” pamphlet. He still lingered, seeming pensive, and I asked him if I could give him my contact info if he has more questions. He said he’d appreciate that, and he repeated that he wanted to “learn more” and that he might reach out to me. We shook hands, and I told him I’d be praying for him and he walked away to join his friends. Please pray for Tyler’s conversion!
Praised be Jesus Christ!