Crystal, MN
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The following report comes to us from team leader Sharon with our St. Raphael parish team in Crystal, MN:
Our Drive Thru prayer team consisting of regulars Lisa, John, Pete, Phil & myself were joined by Phil’s friend, Jesús. We’d barely set up when we had our first vehicle pull up. “Bryce” was recently evicted and is now homeless. He spends his nights in a shelter. His needs are many: he’d been incarcerated (not sure when), has medical issues, attends a community college, and is seeking justice regarding property taken while in prison. He has a good attitude and if blessed with a little money, he buys items to hand out to other homeless people as he’s fortunate to have a mother who can help him. He’s trying to start a ministry to help others who’ve been incarcerated. Phil took his email address to pass onto a man in our parish who does prison ministry. We gave him a Miraculous Medal and a Guardian Angel Medal along with information regarding social services available in our area. During our long conversation, we had heavy drizzle and Pete held an umbrella so we could continue to minister to Bryce.
Next, we had two kids bike by, followed by their mom and another child on foot. The mother, “Tina”, wanted us to pray that they’re able to see how God moves in their lives and to respond. Sharon gave each of them a Holy Spirit medal on a chain to help them gain assistance in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Tina has occasionally attended St Raphael as they live nearby and has a friend who’s a lector at our parish.
Last, we had three Native American siblings, a sister “Lena” and two brothers “Denny” and “Leon”, drive up. One of the brothers believed they were meant to talk to us as they saw a hawk that seemed to be directing them to drive up. They wanted prayers for “health positivity” for their mother who has health issues. They were raised Episcopalian and one brother proudly showed his cross tattoo. I gave them a St Raphael medal and prayer card for their mother explaining St Raphael is an angel of healing found in the book of Tobit in the Catholic Bible. I gave each of them a Guardian Angel medal on a chain. In appreciation for the medals and prayers for their mother, one brother pulled a drum out of the vehicle and sang a song he’d written in their native language (Ojibwe or Lakota.)
After ending our session by praying for the people we encountered, we also prayed for the intentions of Lisa and Jesús. Despite the intermittent heavy drizzle, we were able to minister to people on this soggy day. God is good.
Praised be Jesus Christ!