Boise

Country: United States
State or province: Idaho

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Lucy Stamm
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Athwart Confusion - 2023-09-10

September 17, 2023

Opposition to the Church can result from confusion, society’s or a person’s own. We continue to stand as witness to Truth. So thank you again for your prayers for the Boise Catholic street evangelization effort.

As we were setting up, a mother-daughter-granddaughter trio stopped. The grandmother was raised Catholic but “is now Christian”. She did not choose a Rosary because she had her mother’s and she also associated it with “punishment” (Hail Mary’s given as penance) after confession. While her daughter and granddaughter chose Rosaries, she talked to e. Chuck and did acknowledge the Catholic Church and her own perception of it as a young person is different than it really is. However, she still wanted nothing to do with it. Then she switched to doubting the reality of God because of human suffering and the prevalence of violent sin in the world. Though she refused to trust God on this matter, she accepted the SPSE pamphlet on “The Problem of Evil and Suffering” as well as a copy of our “Come Home” pamphlet for Catholics outside of the Church. Pray that the Holy Spirit turns her from anger at the Church and God and into humble trust in the Author of life.

Another parade that encourages confusion and a sinful lifestyle had just finished up nearby. Up to 100 people in small groups all passed by, pretending they could neither see nor hear us. May God have mercy on their souls and lead them back to Truth!

“Teresa” stopped to ask for prayers. She’s one of those unfortunates who feels victimized by everyone: ex-husband, children, judges, and even her own attorney. She asked for prayer and then insisted on writing down the names of her children, “Donovan” and “Payette”. She accepted a Rosary, a map to area parishes, and a Divine Mercy prayer card. May God heal her and everyone associated with her.

A man went by any number of times, performing tricks on his longboard. He acted as if he didn’t hear our offer of a Rosary, though he readily accepted compliments on his acrobatics.

Several families with three or more children stopped for a Rosary apiece. Some of the parents also accepted one and the exhortation to pray it daily as a family.

“Anthony” is a young adult who has recently returned to active faith and attends a big non-Catholic Christian church. Raised in his pastor-grandfather’s church, he drifted away from faith after his grandfather died. His grandmother is Catholic and never stopped sending him daily devotionals which, even as he drifted, tugged at his heart. Between the influence of this grandmother and his current church, he sees that faith and works are joined and he seemed eager to pray the Rosary. Pray for our brother Anthony’s perseverance and growth in faith in our Savior.

Two women, accompanying two pre-teen children, who had been playing in the fountain, stopped to warn us about a man in a green bicycle helmet who had been photographing the children until the moms made their presence known. They each accepted a Rosary and the exhortation to pray it daily.

Two young men approached e. Chuck aggressively, asking him to repeat his offer of a Rosary. When he did so, they asked if this was “gay pride stuff”. “Not at all”, the evangelist replied, walking them through the prayer, and emphasizing how the mysteries point to Christ’s great love for us and our call to love one another in the same way. They claimed to be “religious” and picked out a Rosary each while e Chuck, sensing they were looking for trouble, kept talking about love of neighbor. Later, they passed again wearing balaclavas to hide their faces. Pray that their hate and anger does not lead them into sin and that they will put their trust in Jesus.

One of our last visitors was a man with very effeminate mannerisms. He, however, showed interest in learning what the Rosary was and how to use it to get to know Jesus Christ. So we set him up with one and encouraged him to begin praying it.

As “Justin” rolled by on his skateboard, he said he missed us the week before and was surprised we didn’t consider God important enough to show up in the rain.(As you may recall, last week we had to set up in a different place because of an event happening in our usual spot.) We told him we had been there and pointed to where we were, but he just waved us off and said “liars”, as he put his headphones back on and zoomed away. Please continue praying for this man that he may be saved.

Altogether, the two evangelists gave away at least 20 Rosaries and its pamphlet on how to pray it, 1-2 maps to area parishes, 3-4 Divine Mercy and Jesus Knocking prayer cards, and a “The Problem of Evil and Suffering” pamphlet, and a “Come Home” pamphlet.

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 Gospel message still challenges people to turn from sin, which can be difficult and painful. 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!

“Go with the strength you have” (Judg 6:14).