It was a cool but sunny Saturday morning at the opening weekend of the Liberty Farmers’ Market in Liberty, MO near Kansas City. We set up our table with plenty of miraculous medals, rosaries, books, brochures, and other goodies to give away to folks passing by on their way to the Market. As we would initially engage them with pleasant greetings and compliments on their pets, kids, clothing, etc., most would say hello and then keep on walking. But of the many encounters we had with those who, by God’s grace, stopped to chat we had some wonderful and fruitful conversations.

A couple of young men, Ben and Brandon attend the local non-denominational Liberty Christian Fellowship Church. They gave us kind and charitable words of comfort on the passing of Pope Francis. We chatted about the upcoming conclave and the beauty of the Catholic Faith, the Catechism, the magisterium and guarding the Deposit of Faith, and shared some personal testimony on personal conversion and why we love being Catholic. We also talked about much of the common ground that we as Christians share in our beliefs and following Jesus Christ. They and their family live nearby and asked us if we are there every weekend at the Farmers Market. We said not every weekend, but we look forward to running into them again and chatting more on the many more events over the Market season through the Fall. They politely accepted a couple of Miraculous Medals, some pamphlets, and went on their way.

A retired gentleman named Kim stopped by. He lives nearby and is a Christian, brought up Baptist and is now Presbyterian. We discovered that we have a common friend, Glen that is Catholic and attends our Parish. He and Glen used to commute on the same bus from Liberty to downtown Kansas City for a number of years until the COVID pandemic forced the cancellation of the route. I told him we would say “hi” to Glen for him and he appreciated the conversation.

A middle aged couple with their young and timid elementary school age daughter were walking by when we offered them snacks and bottled water they could take with them. They initially politely refused our offer, but when one of our evangelists offered their daughter a free Miraculous Medal, she tentatively accepeted and they went on their way. On their way back from the Market, we delightfully noticed that the little girl was smiling broadly and proudly showing us the Miraculous Medal around her neck. This happened on a few other occasions that morning where young kids would be wearing the medals we gifted to them. Lord, we pray that their parents become like children in their faith and curiosity so they may too enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Our fondest encounter was with a young lady name Maddy in her early twenties who was working in the tavern across the street from where we were set up. One of our evangelists had gone into the tavern to order some breakfast, and he sent out some complimentary coffees outside to our group. Maddy was one of the waitresses that delivered them to us. We saw that she wearing a crucifix and asked her if she was Catholic. She said yes, and she is staying in a Mission house where a Priest and Deacon visit periodically. She had to get back to work, so our conversation was brief. But we look forward to seeing her again soon and seeing what the Lord has in store after putting her in our path.

We look forward to more events at the Farmers’ Market where our efforts are hopefully planting many seeds that will bear much spritual fruit for us and for those we encounter!