Boise

Country: United States
State or province: Idaho

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Lucy Stamm
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Time to Choose Christ - 2023-12-31

January 7, 2024

As the calendar turns to a new year, we continue to encourage people to connect with Jesus Christ. So thank you again for your prayers for the Boise Catholic street evangelization effort.

Today, we had short visits from two earlier team members. E. (now-Deacon) Bill and his wife stopped to offer encouragement. Later, e. Todd stopped by, pulling out his heavy-duty silver-beaded Rosary. We introduced him to e. James. They talked for a few minutes about the men’s groups at their respective parishes, in which they are each active.

A group of adult women and one little girl (perhaps 8-10 years old) stopped so the child could get a Rosary. The adults seemed to be in a hurry so, when the child said she wasn’t Christian, e. Lucy showed her the stories in the Rosary pamphlet and encouraged her to use them as a way to get to know Jesus.

A man paused to ask how many beads were in a Rosary. When the evangelist named a number, he immediately lost interest. So, we suspect he was looking for a non-Christian set of meditation beads.

A woman, walking amid several groups of people, veered toward our table she heard our offer of a free Rosary. She had been away from the church for years. But her husband of 44 years had passed away last Fall, and she was struggling to adapt. She felt it was time to get reconnect with the Catholic Church. E. Lucy set her up with a map to area parishes, so she could return to the Sacraments and the Catholic community.

A homeless-looking couple on bicycles stopped for a Rosary. The man said they could use “all the help [they] could get”. We encouraged them to pray the Rosary together.

A Catholic extended family stopped so the youngest (a 6- or 7-year-old girl) could get a Rosary. The mom commented to the girl that the brightly colored Rosaries with different colors for each decade were “Mother Teresa” Rosaries (with each decade representing a different continent). It was heart-warming to hear such a devoutly Catholic comment. We encouraged them to pray it as a family.

A young couple with a foreign accent each chose a Rosary, perhaps out of cultural interest. They asked us, “How do you call it?” and then repeated “Rosary” after hearing its name.

An older man wearing sunglasses waved off our offer of a free Rosary by saying he had a couple Rosaries of his own at home, in his nightstand and elsewhere. We encouraged him to pray it.

A man wearing western attire and the woman with him said they were “Christian” and humbly accepted Rosaries and the pamphlet on how to use it for prayer.

A Catholic mom, accompanied by a young adult daughter, stopped to tell us that they were on their way to a resort city north of here. But she wanted to show us her “miracle Rosary”. It had been burgundy, but on the same day that her prayer for healing was answered, it turned white (with only a tiny spot of burgundy left to show what color it used to be). She interpreted the color change as symbolizing spiritual cleansing. It’s always encouraging to meet a fellow Rosary enthusiast.

A couple from an historically Catholic culture accepted Rosaries and pamphlets.

A dark-haired young-adult man on a mountain bike stopped to get a Rosary, its pamphlet, and prayer cards.

A woman refused to accept a Rosary, but allowed her 2 daughters to each pick out a pink Rosary and take the pamphlet on how to pray it.

A mom with 2 teen daughters told us that “of course” she’s familiar with the Rosary. She then selected 2 Rosaries and took pamphlets for them.

Two tall young-adult men stopped. One was wearing a military field jacket and a cowboy hat with military patches. They gladly accepted a Rosary and its pamphlet.

Two dark-haired teens said they “were familiar with the Rosary”, and took a Rosary apiece and its pamphlet.

A 30-something Catholic couple stopped so their daughter, wearing a “cat ears” headband, could get a Rosary. We encouraged them to pray it together as a family.

Most, but not all, people seemed happy to return our “Happy New Year” greeting. A few even preceded us with the comment. Altogether, we gave away 20-25 Rosaries and its pamphlet, a Madonna-and-child prayer card, and a Divine Mercy prayer card.

Please pray for us again today? Ask God to send people to us with their 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.

As “the holidays” wrap up, we continue to present the Rosary as a way to grow closer to Jesus Christ, for Whom all time exists. 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).