Syracuse

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State or province: New York

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Scott Lowry
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Columbus Circle Evangelization 2 May 2026

May 3, 2026

It was opening season for the Syracuse Saint Paul Street Evangelization team. I (Mr. Scott Lowry, OP) and Mr. Dave Heywood, TOC went to Columbus Circle in downtown Syracuse in front of Immaculate Conception Cathedral on Saturday May 2^nd, 2026, during the Church’s mass and confession times. This place was ideal for several reasons: first, it was right across the street from Syracuse City Hall (as you can see in the picture behind us), second, it is right next to the YMCA that also holds housing for people in challenging situations, three the general exposure of the circle that allows much visibility for any type of event going on in the circle, and four (most important) we would have the opportunity to direct people we meet off the street to mass and confession. Once we got into the circle, we provided newly donated material from Bishop Robert Barron’s Word on Fire Ministries that included the Word on Fire bibles, Arguing Religion, Praying the Rosary with Bishop Robert Barron, and passing out of the DVD “Mysteries of God.” In addition to this, we provided pamphlet topics about the Church that could be read later by anyone who decided to pick out a topic they may be interested in (for example; existence of God, sexual purity, why become Catholic, salvation, bible alone, intercession of the Saints, the problem of suffering, reasons to return to the Catholic Church, the Good News etc.). We also provided people in the circle Holy Rosaries and Miraculous Medals blessed by one of our parish Priests the day prior.

One of the interesting additions of the circle included a statue of the “Homeless Jesus,” laying on a park bench as we also had a significant homeless population approach our table asking about God and the discipline of religion. Me and Dave provided them with free waters and snacks for their time.

From the start of this event, we had plenty of people coming up to our table as we were setting up. Normally in Saint Paul Street Evangelization outings, we say a prayer to St. Michael the Arcangel for protection; however, this time around we were distracted and did not get to it (by God’s grace, He provides us an opportunity to pray again on the way back to my truck at the end of the event as a result of a dangerous situation – so stay tuned to the end). On the other hand, we did close out the outing with the Church’s evening prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours. Here are some of the stories of the people we encountered. Please pray for their intentions and pass it along if you can!

Evangelization Encounters:

EE1. A man named Patrick who was badly injured on his face (looked like he been in a fight or in a motorcycle accident) came up to our table and engaged us with some conversation. He was interested in food, water, the Rosaries and prayer. Me and Dave prayed with Patrick for his housing situation to improve by using the SPSE ACTS method of prayer (Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving, Supplication – then invoking the Holy Spirit to act). Patrick appeared to become very emotional from this encounter. He lived at the YMCA near the circle where we had our table. Please pray for his housing situation to improve and for his healing.

EE2. Tommy approached our table and told us that he was still exploring the different religions. He told us he wanted to read other texts before he decided. After a discussion about what the Church believe on the Holy Trinity, we offered him a Word on Fire bible with the gospels in it. He was very happy to take this and add it to his study and consideration in joining the Catholic Church. Please pray for Tommy’s study to be fruitful and lead him to the sacraments of the Church and salvation.

EE3. Jordan came by our table and was very quiet. He was interested in the information tract titled “Bible Alone.” This piece of information lays out why the doctrine of “bible alone” found in many protestant denominations negates the authority of Christ’s Church which was founded through the apostles. Jordan also grabbed some food and water. Please pray for Jordan to receive this knowledge well so he can make an informed decision on the matter.

EE4. Coral came up to our table after observing us for a short time. She is a security guard for the Immaculate Conception Church and was standing out front guiding people through the door and keeping tabs on the place. When she first came up, she talked to us about the rosary prayer and some points about faith. She told us how she has a heart for the homeless and wanted to take some Word on Fire books for herself and pass out to people she knows in need. She also decided to take a picture with us (she is to the right of me in the photo). Coral seemed like a very warm hearted and Holy person. It was very apparent that she has much love and care for others, especially those in need. Please pray for Coral’s protection in her duties and to lead many others to faith in God.

EE5. Gill was passing by on the way to work and talked to us about the Rosary for a short time. Although seeming intrigued, Gill didn’t talk about much, although he looked like he was considering the discipline of faith. Please pray for Gill to draw closer to God according to His will.

EE6. Debra, who lives at the YMCA came up to our table in a wheelchair. She talked to us about the Rosary and told us how she had been praying it her entire life. We gave her some food, water, and various sacramentals at the table. She seemed like a very strong and independent woman and firm in her faith. Please pray for Debra to always have secure housing and the medical necessities she needs to live a good life.

EE7. Barry, who was from Kingston, came up to our table to inquire about the Church. We passed out some reading material to him and various other people. Barry also took some food and water. Please pray for Barry to always remain in Christ and to receive adequate housing.

EE8. Davon came up to our table with some friends. He is from the Bronx in New York City. He had a short discussion with us about the last days and judgement. He is a Pentecostal but was interested in the Rosaries and instructions on how to pray it. Please pray for his conversion to the Catholic faith.

EE9. We had a few individuals who arrived in the square who seemed to become a bit aggressive towards one another. One of them yelled to the other as his friend was walking away angry – “Don’t do it man, you need to go into the Church!” This man who gave him the warning, walked up to our table afterwards and was alluding to the “sabbath” day, as if we were worshipping on the wrong day. I explained to him that the sabbath day starts Saturday evening, as we see with parishioners walking into the Church on Saturday. He did not want to engage as he walked off after I said this. If we had more time to talk with him we could have told him about how Christ is the Lord of the sabbath and that He rose on the third day (Sunday) in accordance with the scriptures, as this is why the Church celebrates Sunday for worship and rest (starting Saturday evening). Please pray for these men’s conversion and for them to be at peace with one another.

EE10. Sherry came up to our table and told us that she was a Eucharistic minister for a hospital in this area. She was telling us about how she wanted to offer the patients more. I told her about how I have been serving as a Eucharistic Minister in the hospital up in Watertown for a couple of years and how we pass out blessed rosaries, prayer cards, and information about the faith there as well. She became excited and started looking around the table for things to use in her ministry. We offered her a bunch of rosaries, prayer cards, and tracts for her to take to include books from Bishop Robert Barron. Please pray for Sherry’s mission to serve the sick and to protect her health as well so she can serve.

EE11. Steve, who was walking on a cane, holding a backpack, and a large bag with many items came up to our table looking for food and water before he caught the bus. We helped him load up his bags with some food and drink. He was interested in some of the materials we were passing out, so he took some of those as well. After a conversation with Steve, we realized that he is in a unique housing situation where he needs handicap accessible access. Please pray for Steve’s health and for him to find adequate housing that can meet his medical needs.

EE12. Joe came up to us and was interested in the concept of the Rosary. Me and Dave explained it to him. After a short conversation, Joe went on his way. Please pray for Joe to draw closer to God.

EE13. A woman in distress came up to our table. She appeared as if she had been crying earlier. She told us that her close friend Aaaron just died. We offered her food, drink, and religious items to comfort her in grief. We also promised that we would pray for her and her friend who passed away. She took off afterwards for the bus across the street. Please pray for this woman and the repose of the soul of her friend Aaron whom she seems to miss dearly.

EE14. A Catholic family with a younger daughter came up to our table. She got to pick out her favorite Rosary. Her mother wanted information about the Rosary and the faith. She took one of the DVD’s “Mysteries of God” and information on the Church to assist in her daughter’s formation. Please pray for this family always to be united in faith and to always protect their daughter’s soul as she grows up.

There were other people we talked to that were given food, water, and other religious items. We could not get everyone’s name as the pace of the encounters was steady and quick. We also reminded people of confession and mass going on during this time as we directed them to the Church, but most didn’t take up the offer. When we concluded the event, me and Dave were walking back to my truck that was parked on the road when we noticed two men from earlier who had the altercation in the circle walking down the street towards each other. One began screaming and swearing at the other while he had what appeared to be a bag of rocks in his hand. The other man was pleading for him to give him mercy. Me and Dave stopped short on the sidewalk and observed the situation to see what would happen. Dave immediately began to pray the St. Michael the Arcangel prayer for the man’s protection. After he concluded the prayer, the angry man walked off peacefully without incident.

So, all things considered, we still found time to pray, and we also learned the importance of prayer as we should never put it off for things, even distractions of the world! Please pray for all these people we encountered, in the name of Christ Jesus!