Indianapolis, IN
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The following story comes to us from team leader Peter with our team in Hamilton County, IN:
St. Paul Street Evangelization was front and center at the Italian Street Festival hosted by Holy Rosary Church in Indianapolis. This festival is one of the largest in the city, attracting thousands of people with its authentic Italian food, wine, and live music. Holy Rosary, founded by Italian immigrants in 1909, has been hosting this festival for 40 years, including a traditional Marian procession.
We encountered all kinds of people while handing out rosaries, Miraculous Medals, and most importantly, praying for those in need of the Lord’s touch. Prayers for loved ones navigating old age, Alzheimer’s disease, or the death of a spouse; a daughter with mental health issues, and a daughter having twins; a young, engaged couple just starting in life, and extra grace for several work situations. Miraculous Medals were given for a grandson in jail, another grandson who had attempted suicide, and a granddaughter who had just lost her mother to heart disease. And prayers were said for family members who have left the faith, a young woman seeking to “find her faith,” and for friends struggling with their faith.
We also saw the Good Shepherd at work going after the “one who is lost.” A woman, who was baptized Catholic but not raised in the Church, discovered that she could begin her journey into the Church through OCIA. She received a rosary and a brochure on how to pray it. And at the end of our prayer, she asked how to make the sign of the cross.
Another young man approached the table requesting information on St. Francis of Assisi. I told him we did not have any information on St. Francis and asked him why he was interested in this particular saint. He explained that they shared the same astrological sign, Pisces. I explained to him that, rather than getting knowledge about your life through astrology, we know a better way, and that is through Jesus. As soon as the name above all others was spoken, the young man jumped back. I then shared with him that I, too, had been involved in similar interests in college, and at that time, I asked Jesus to take over my life. He came into my life like a white tornado and completely changed me. I asked him if he would like to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and he said yes! I then asked if he wanted to pray right then and there to invite Jesus into his life. He said no, but I am certain the seeds of the gospel were planted and that Jesus is at work in his life.
Parish festivals present excellent opportunities for evangelization. People from every “tribe” need the Lord and are seeking to fill the spiritual void we all have experienced that led us to Him. Praised be Jesus Christ!