Somerville, NJ
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This report comes to us from team leader Alpa with our Somerville-Immaculate Conception parish team in NJ:
We had our first outing at the local mall and it was very fruitful. Our prayer warriors asked the Holy Spirit to work in the hearts of those we’d encounter. Here are a few highlights:
Ingrid: I met a guy from Manville who attends an English Mass, and he was grateful to learn where he could attend Spanish Mass. I gave him a card listing the nearby churches that offer Spanish Masses. His gratitude was a reminder of how even small acts make a difference. I also met two young men in their 20s passing by, one joyfully receiving a rosary and sharing that he prays it every Saturday with his mom. The other stayed at a distance but later when we saw them again, and this time, the young man who had stayed away was open and received a rosary from Alpa while speaking with her. God’s timing is perfect. Later, I met a young man who knew his Catholic faith, praying the rosary and spending time in adoration…yet he doesn’t attend Mass. I shared with him God’s deep desire to remain with us through the Eucharist.
Alpa: One joy-filled encounter was with a South American woman who took a rosary, saying that she prays it daily. She also prays the Divine Office, also prays almost constantly all day long, and she loves her Catholic faith. I asked her if she goes to Mass on Sunday and she said no. She hasn’t been to Mass since coming to America, as she doesn’t feel welcome at her parish. She says people judge her on her appearance and the priest isn’t welcoming. We spoke for a while and then I felt it was time to talk seriously to her about her situation. I told her that it’s good she’s praying so much, but she’s separated from God and all of her beautiful actions don’t bear any fruit. Surprisingly, she hugged and kissed me and held my hand thanking me profusely. Her fiancĂ© doesn’t want to get married in the Catholic Church because he’s a Protestant, so we prayed for him that his heart be open to getting married in the Catholic Church, even if he doesn’t convert. We had a very grace-filled and joyful encounter and she was open to going to Confession and Mass. It was beautiful and I was in awe of God’s goodness and love for his people.
Michael: We met with Adrina, who emotionally conveyed she’ll be having surgery tomorrow and that her friend’s son, Austin, recently died. She wanted prayers for both intentions. After praying with her, we reminded her that God’s with her in these tough times and that He’ll give her strength to endure. She seemed grateful for our encounter.