Boise

Country: United States
State or province: Idaho

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Lucy Stamm
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Spiritually Poor - 2022-08-28

September 4, 2022

More than one kind of poverty exists, but spiritual poverty is the most heartbreaking. So, we offer news of Jesus Christ, the only real solution. So thank you again for your prayers for the Boise Catholic street evangelization effort.

As we were setting up, a 20-something man on a skateboard and carrying two guitars stopped, without being asked, wanting a Rosary. He was Christian but not Catholic and knew of the Rosary but nothing more. He listened attentively as we explained and extolled the prayer, challenging him to seek a closer relationship with Christ through the Mysteries. May his intention to pray the Rosary become a blessed reality.

A homeless-looking man, carrying a clear bag of bagels, stopped for a Rosary. He believed ... well, it was difficult to understand what he believed. He had been exposed to a lot of religions, and didn’t seem to really believe anything. E. Lucy explained that Jesus Christ is real, is as alive today as He was on the Day of Resurrection, 2000 years ago, and He has promised to reveal Himself to anyone who loves Him enough to obey His commands. E. Lucy gave our visitor a copy of the pocket-sized Gospel According to St Luke, as well as a Rosary and the booklet on how to pray it. She encouraged him to spend time using the Rosary to get to know Jesus Christ and how much He loves him. E. Chuck then had a go at conversation with him, which had devolved seemingly into fruitlessness.

“John”, the soon-to-retire parking-lot attendant, came and chatted with e. Chuck for the last half hour of the session. One of his coworkers came by and ended up choosing a Rosary.

Four boys in their early teens rode past on bicycles, most of them ignoring our offer of a Rosary. The last one then looked at us and yelled, “God’s not real!”, before riding away. Lord, have mercy on the boy, as well as on whoever taught him that lie.

Several Catholics went by, gladly proclaiming they already had a Rosary.

A Catholic man, sporting a large St. Benedict medal, stopped for a Rosary. We asked him to pray it once for us.

“Julia” stopped and greeted e. Lucy, who hadn’t recognized her with long hair. We talked about a priest friend’s struggle with macular degeneration.

A 60-something couple went by. The woman called out that she used to be Catholic, but was glad to be out. E. Chuck called that she would always be welcome back. But she said over her shoulder, “Nope, I’m done with all that.” Lord, have mercy, soften her heart, and open her mind and eyes to see the truth of Your Catholic Church.

A couple set up a very loud sound system, and started to play jazz on saxophone and keyboard. We moved our table partway down the south spoke, to get away from the noise, but it didn’t make much difference. Still, people from across the walkway continued to respond to our offer of a free Rosary, so perhaps Our Lord let our voices be heard despite the loud music.

A homeless man came to the table saying we were just what he needed. Though he didn’t elaborate, he said he was going through some things and needed to spend time in prayer. Please pray for his needs and for all the homeless that they, like the thief on the cross, may reach out to Christ Jesus for their salvation.

A homeless man with a dog stopped to select a rosary and had a question about Jesuits. At first the conversation seemed coherent, but it soon became evident that he was full of odd theories about God and religion that he was ready to repeat without responding to our rational replies. Please pray for peace in his chaotic mind.

A guy on a bicycle circled back to get a Rosary, but we don’t remember anything else particular about the encounter.

Altogether, the two evangelists gave away 12-15 Rosaries and its pamphlet, as well as a copy of the pocket-sized Gospel According the St. Luke.

Please pray for us again today? Ask God to send people to us with hearts prepared to perceive their need for Our Savior Jesus Christ and His Holy Catholic Church, and that much good fruit for His Kingdom comes of today’s efforts.

The treasure God made us for, and therefore the only one worth pursuing, is our inheritance with Him in Heaven. But few seem to know that, so thank you again for your prayers and other support for this apostolate. In turn, may God protect and greatly bless you and all those you love!

”For you say, ’I am rich and affluent and have no need of anything‘, and yet do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked“ (Rev 3:17).

P.S. Our fellow Boise Catholic street evangelist, Mike Nourse, died last week after a 3-month battle with brain cancer. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let Perpetual Light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the Faithful departed, through Your Mercy, rest in peace!