January Outing
We only did one outing for the month of January due to the Walk For Life West Coast falling on one of our normal evangelizing dates.
On January 9th, we actually had 4 evangelists working at El Cerrito Plaza, David, John and two new faces, Paul from Napa and Steve from the Diocese of Oakland. We worked at the plaza because of the threat of rain and because a wide open space could accomodate 4 evangelists. Since Paul and Steve were out for the first time, they wanted to whatch what we do for a little while and then jumped into it.
Here are some high lights.
Steve did a great job of engaging with people. His gift was a willingness to offer to pray with poeple right on the spot as part of gathering prayer intentions. At our closing prayer he commented about how much this seemed to help people and help him connect.
Steve prays with a woman he met while John prays as well while waiting for a chance to engage.
Here is what John had to share:
Speaking to Gladys, she reminded me of myself, I explained. She acted surprised because she had been raised Catholic by her mother and could not explain why she had fallen away from the Catholic faith. She accepted a rosary. I got her easily to come to the table and then I offered one of pamphlets to her. At first it was “Why Be Catholic,” and since “Reasons to Return to the Catholic Church“ was right next to it, she took that one also. I then gave her something she needed, The Miraculous Medal. I explained about the graces from heaven and the Blessed Virgin Mary’s promise for those who wear it around their neck. When I gave her the Catholic Immaculate Radio Card, I challenged her to listen to our radio station and tune in on some of the programs with non-Catholic Q/A sessions. She was very grateful and went along her way. Thank you, Lord Jesus Christ, for allowing me to do your work.
Paul shares and asks questions while “on the job”.
Paul was full of nervous energy. He had his own prayer back-up system going, his wife was sending him texts letting him know she was praying for him.
Here are his comments:
“I am Paul from Napa. I have been thinking of starting a new chapter in Napa. God has been calling me to do something like this. When God calls you to do something you know nothing about, fear sezzzts in big time. Through the web site I got in touch with David and he called me right back and invited me to go out that Saturday and evangelize in El Cerrito. My first thought was, “No thank you, I will stay home and get some chores done”. But I went. There was David, John and Steve spreading the Good News like I have never seen before. I was ready to leave at any moment without any notice. But as I got talking with Dave about how things are done. Watching all the time, not missing anything, like watching the Super Bowl. I also talked with John and Steve. We were just sharing our Faith in Jesus with each other, and all the little miracles that go with it. I went from fear to, I can do this. To witness these three God loving men spreading the Good News. Now my life will never be the same. I am so motivated to start this new chapter in Napa. We reached a few people that day, but truly I say to you, that I was totally reached and beyond. Please pray for me and all the people in Napa as I start this new chapter.”
Steve shares at the table while Paul observes.
And from Dave:
I met with a woman who said she was Baptist and said her daughter had become Catholic. She expressed that she was so greatful that her daughter was involved in some form of Christianity. She took a Rosary and Rosary manual. I later met her husband not knowing they were together till she came by to fetch him. He started the conversation praising Jesus with a warm smile, Christ in his eyes and a hand shake. He took a Roasary as well.
A young lady while passing by mentioned that she was a “recovering Catholic”, a label that I have some issues with. Now we have working in this area for some time and I could sware I had heard this gal come by on a previous date mentioning this while passing by. It can be challenging to try to engage with people who make comments while walking in full stride because I do not want to badger people. But this time, I had Paul standing right next to me, so when she made her comment I immediately turned to Paul and said, “I hear that a lot, what exeactly is a ‘recovering Catholic’ ?” She immediately stopped and responed by explaining how she had been all the way through Catholic School, having an uncle who was a priest that she had had extensive discussions with and said, “Its just not for me.” My response was, “Do you consider yourself an open minded person?” She answered yes immediately. At this point I gave her a Good News and Why be Catholic pamphlets. I hope she reads something in there that can spark her mind or heart. Please pray for her.
Finally, I met a woman who accepted a Rosary and explained how she used to go to Mass but does not go any more. I asked her what she missed about it. She looked up as if gazing at a stained glass window and said, “The beuty.” I just nodded with a big “Hmm. . . Would you mind if I gave you sommething to read?” She said no, so I have her a “Reasons to Ruturn and a beautiful prayer card with a picture of Jesus knocking on the door. I just can’t believe how lucky I am to be able to be in the postion to do this for people. This minustry is such a blessing.
var i; for (i=0; i<document.getElementsByClassName("spsezzztp-pubdate").length;i++) {document.getElementsByClassName("spsezzztp-pubdate")[i].style.display = "none";}