Watertown Street Evangelization Walk Saturday 9-5-26

On the feast day of St. Teresa of Calcutta and international charity day, the St. Paul Street Evangelization teams of Watertown/Syracuse New York officially began to tailor its mission to the needs of the North Country community to include outreach to the unhoused and those suffering from challenges with poverty. During the evangelization summer season, we were setting up traditional tables and evangelization outreach at fixed locations in the downtown Square of Watertown and in Columbus Circle Syracuse while reaching out to the population through discussion, religious materials, holy rosaries, and minimal aid such as water and prepackaged snacks. What we realized quickly is that the people coming up to our tables were not in need of this, but in fact already had faith and believed in God; they would even tell us about Christ Jesus and asked us to pray with them. Furthermore, most of this population happened to be homeless and suffering intensely from poverty. So, after a period of discernment, SPSE Watertown and Syracuse decided to take the mission of evangelization into the streets by mobile backpack aid and walking to locations in commercial districts where we can serve this population.

Last time I performed evangelization in Syracuse, I was deeply saddened and hurt to see so many people suffering intensely from wounds, sores, lack of necessities, and basic needs. What they seemed to have was God in their hearts though, and a knowledge of God I seemed to not possess at the current time. It really made me think about the things I have come to know, especially when I witnessed so many people who walked by them and ignored them in their suffering. Now, because of this spiritual observation, I concluded that the local evangelization mission here must be modified.

Time to go for a little stroll with a ruck sack on!

The day started with the sacrament of reconciliation (confession) at the Holy Family Church in Watertown off State St. Once complete, a backpack aid walk through the areas of State St., The Square, Washington St, and Arsenal St. was met by a few interesting encounters. I did talk to a few strangers who were not interested in aid, but I had the opportunity to pass out a rosary and some religious material to one, while also having a short discussion with another. During this time, a woman named Chelsea was going in and out of stores in the square screaming and yelling in distress. It would appear she was scaring people in the square and causing a scene among neighboring shop owners, as others avoided her as they walked by with their children. I observed her for a short period of time, then approached her once she sat down on the bench crying in despair. When I talked to her, she was very friendly and upset about some things that were stolen from her. She did not have a pair of shoes but had hospital socks on. The only things she appeared to own were the things in her reusable shopping bags the state of New York encourages people to use at grocery stores. She was expressing panic about her situation and deeply troubled. After speaking with her for a time about Christ Jesus’s love, praying with her (SPSE ACTS method, and “Our Father”), and providing for some of her needs such as clean dry socks, feminine products, some canned Vienna sausages (which she seemed to love, saying “I remember eating these as a kid”), water, and personal hygiene items such as tooth brushes and tooth paste, she calmed down greatly and began to cheer up. Our team also provided her with alms to assist her with her future needs. While this was occurring, another woman walked by us and said, “WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!’, in an angry fashion as she walked away.

After this encounter, I moved out to Washington St. where I took a water break and prayed the Catholic Church’s evening liturgy of the hours prayer. I then proceeded en route to Arsenal St., but as I was walking, I came across the angry lady from before (the one who opposed me helping Chelsea). When I asked her how she was doing, she replied very angrily, “DON’T TALK TO ME!” I apologized and kept walking as she continued yelling at me. Along Arsenal St., I came across an older gentleman named Earl who is a Vietnam War Veteran by the city courthouse and DMV pushing a cart with cans in it. When he came up to me, he said, “Now I have a deal for you, let’s say you buy these cans from me, and I will give you a good price.” I replied, “How about I just give you the money, and you just keep the cans?” This puzzled and perplexed Earl, who said he would pay me back later. From there I dropped my rucksack and provided him with some sourdough bread and canned homemade jams donated to me by the Amish, along with some water and other items to meet his personal needs. Earl told me he was from Texas in his southern accent and told me that he was heading to the Vietnam War Memorial in front of the city building to pray. He also asked me if I was Jesus. In reply, I said “No, I wasn’t.” After a short discussion, Earl revealed his wound to me on his arm that he received from someone assaulting him on the street. It appeared to be dirty and almost infected. As a result, I provided some medical supplies to Earl to clean and dress his wound so it wouldn’t get worse. Earl was very happy about this and grateful. During this time, Earl’s elderly friend Stanley came back and began talking with us about their friends who are suffering from abuse and drugs. I also gave Stanley some alms as well for his needs. Earl would tell me about how he strolls along in the city and prays to Jesus all day long. At the conclusion of our meeting, we all three prayed for their protection on the street, for Jesus to provide for their needs, and to protect their friends. We concluded with an “Our Father” prayer.

After moving back through the square and back to Holy Family Church off State St., I accidently walked into a fancy-dress party on the street and realized my path was blocked. After navigating around the well-dressed crowd in the square, on my way back up State St., I came across Chelsea once again sitting on the edged curb of the sidewalk smoking a cigarette. She seemed to be very calm and almost happy. As a result, I sat next to her and talked to her about God, the bible, Christ’s love for her, and the many trials we face where Christ doesn’t abandon us. I also read her parts of the gospel of John and Luke. Chelsea told me that her favorite part of the bible was the Tower of Babel. I reminded her that Christ Jesus was in her heart and that she has nothing to fear. She was very pleased with this as I departed.

On my way back after hanging out a second time with Chelsea, I came across another lady I always see walking around, whom I also used to support in a house long ago when I was employed with a social services agency (non-profit non-governmental organization). She has been on the street for awhile, and actually came up to my SPSE table a few years ago and talked to me about some challenges she had in her life, such as growing up with her father who was in the military. She did not have a mother, but would follow her father around base to base as a minor. When she turned 18, she told me that her father said to her, “you are no longer my responsibility,” and kicked her out of the house. She was on the street ever since and almost blamed herself while defending her father doing this thing to her. This story has always made me sad, and I always remember it when I see her walking while I drive by going about my daily business. One time I walked by her and said hello at a separate time, and it frightened her. I cannot imagine what some people go through on the streets and the dangers they encounter. When I approached her at a distance, she was sitting at the edge of the parking lot at Burger King. I asked her if she needed anything like food and water, and she declined. As a result, I kept walking so as not to bother her.

Please pray for this woman’s protection and for the Holy Trinity to always provide for her needs in times of distress. Also pray for Chelsea’s protection and needs, as well as Earl’s healing, Stanley, and their friends who are suffering from meth and opioid addiction. In the Name of Lord Jesus Christ, amen!

**If you support this mission of homeless outreach with a Christian message in the Watertown and Syracuse Upstate New York area, we could definitely use your financial support! Contributions go directly to the non-profit organization St. Paul Street Evangelization which in turns disburses the funds to the Watertown and Syracuse NY teams for outreach to the homeless in these areas. If you wish to provide any physical items to the homeless that are much needed, please contact me: Mr. Lowry, Scott OP (Paul Patrick) @ (315) 572-9396 or ScottAllenLowry@gmail.com to setup a meeting place and time. Thank you!**

Financial Donations Link:

Watertown Team:

https://streetevangelization.com/team-donation/?team=watertown

Syracuse Team:

https://streetevangelization.com/team-donation/?team=syracuse