I felt the need to step up my intensity so I prayed to Jesus to help me reach out more deeply to another passerby. A short while after I presented a free rosary and miraculous medal to a fallen away Catholic who clearly was at discord with Catholics. She stated more than once people in general were nicer than Catholics as if it was rehearsed. Her bias was based on the impression of Catholics as a whole. She believed the church is money greedy and driven. That with the combination of the poor care her mother received while at a Catholic elderly home for retired priests run by nuns, she was at an impasse in her belief. She believed the organization did not display the appropriate charity one would expect to be given from such an organization. I explained to her that we all have our trials, especially I, being a fallen away Catholic for more than 18 years. It was for painful reasons and also that I thought I wasn’t a sinner. I explained I came back after I learned more about Jesus and forgiveness. She wasn’t aware that we now have a radio station. I gave her a Catholic Radio card and she was impressed with my ability to reach out in a friendly way. After some reflection I realize, the discussion was approximately 15 minutes long and was a true test for me to invest into another’s account of how fragile the faith can be shaken for some. I am thankful for Jesus and forgiveness in my life after speaking with her. Thank you Jesus!

Two women wanted to donate money and refused at first to take a free rosary. I explained I do this out of the love of Jesus Christ. What I offer is free and of no charge. They were astonished, as one would trade looks with the other. The other wanted the blue rosary, but the first woman was still reluctant until she realized how freely I gave her the rosary. After a small chuckle she switched to Spanish saying to her friend “Without shame I want to trade him for the black”, and then in English “Can I have the black one instead?” I exchanged it freely. Then the first woman says “Can I have the pearly colored one?” Each now had their rosaries and they revealed they were Catholic. I offered them a miraculous medal and a card of the Catholic Radio station, Immaculate Heart. They were both surprised and couldn’t be thankful enough for the display of generosity as they resumed walking their path.

One gentlemen holding a fishing rod and some tackle crossed by and accepted a free rosary. He was catholic and was very enthusiastic about his faith. I found it the perfect opportunity to give to him the miraculous medal. Since he had such a devotion to our Blessed Mother and I, being part of the Militia Immaculata, offered him a brochure about the organization. He wondered why we were doing this. I explained it was to reach out to those people who may need Jesus. He was unaware that Immaculate Radio is our new Catholic Radio station. I gave him approximately 20 Immaculate Heart Radio cards for him to help spread the word and he took them graciously. This is another good example of the way the faithful help propagate the Lord’s message and good works. Thank you Jesus for making my job easier!

When asked if she had ever considered becoming Catholic, a bus driver on her brake chuckled and told me how as a baptist in her childhood, she loved spending the night at her friend’s house and attending Mass with her family because it was only an hour. She circled back later and said she also really liked the Eucharist. She expressed gratitude for the question about becoming Catholic and seemed anxious to check out Catholic Radio.

I met a Presbyterian who admitted that he goes to Mass on Christmas. He really enjoys the sensory and reverence of the Mass. We were in strong agreement in our admiration and love for Jesus. He accepted a Rosary along with a pamphlet on how to pray it. I emphasized how it was a meditation on the life of Christ and also shared how praying to saints is just like asking your own mother to pray for your family.

Encountered a young man with two school aged children and a Pit-bull. We discussed the challenges of getting to church with a busy life. He and his son and daughter all accepted Rosaries and a Rosary Pamphlet.

Adjacent to us was a mini-catering trailer. The gentleman was selling food and drinks to folks who were fishing off the pier. He accepted a Rosary and informed me that he was Muslim. In addition he asserted that it was all the same. He was referring to religions. He went on to describe how he performs charitable acts and that it is part of his faith. I asked him if he had been to Mecca and what that was like. He was somewhat dismissive about the experience. I asked him if he had an active prayer life, to which he readily agreed. I gave him the Rosary Pamphlet and he later read it with great interest.

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