Downers Grove, IL
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This story comes to us from team leader Nick with our team in Joliet, IL:
I was only able to come out for one day this year, and brought my family with me. My wife and I switched off, taking our children to the carnival while the other watched the table. My sons had a great time staying at the booth after my wife went home, putting together medals and chains for the many folks that visited. My cousin, John, engaged with quite a few people while we manned the booth.
One conversation I overheard was an elderly woman who was with her high school-aged grandson. John asked if she wanted a rosary, and she told us she’d left the Catholic Church. John asked why, and she said that they’re unfair to women and now she goes to a non-denominational church. John asked her to explain what she meant, and she said the popes have said women can’t “minister” and be deacons. John tried to engage her more, and while she was polite, she wouldn’t go much farther. He offered her a “Reasons to Return to the Catholic Church” pamphlet, and she kindly accepted it. Please pray for her (and her grandson) so that she may return to the one true faith.
One woman came up to the booth from a nearby vendor who was selling pizzas, and I told her I was a fan of that restaurant. She said she wanted some rosaries as her daughters would love them. Some of her daughters were still young and I asked her if she was familiar with Formed.org. She said she wasn’t, so I gave her one of the postcards we had and let her know the parish has this great tool and she can use it to watch many shows with her kids, and it can help her grow in faith as well. She was very appreciative!
Another woman came up with her high school-aged daughter, and said she wanted a St. Michael medal. I gave her one with the corresponding holy card. I asked where she went to church, and she mentioned a parish in a neighboring town. I asked if there was any way I could pray for her and her daughter. She then said that her husband recently died, and that his name was Michael, and asked if we could pray for his soul. I told her absolutely, and asked if we could pray together right there. She burst into tears and agreed, so we prayed right there on the spot asking God to have mercy on his soul. We also prayed for strength in the Lord for both her and her family during this difficult time. She was very grateful. Just from that one encounter alone, I realized that even if she was the only person we talked to that weekend, it would’ve been totally worth it. Truly, this is what SPSE is all about. Building up the Body of Christ, strengthening the brethren, and leading people into all Truth!
Praised be Jesus Christ!