Boise

Country: United States
State or province: Idaho

Team Leader
Lucy Stamm
Contact

Admin
Login

Team Badges

Two Steps Forward - 2024-04-17

April 21, 2024

Some weeks feel like “two steps forward.” So, thank you again for your prayers for the Boise Catholic street evangelization effort.

A couple stopped for Rosaries. They didn’t know anything about them, but were Christian. We explained the how and why of the prayer, expecting them to hurry on their way like most people do. But they stayed, and he said he wasn’t clear on how the beads worked. So, we went more into more depth, talking about how the beads and the Hail Marys keep us focused, how the Mysteries draw us closer to Christ, and how the spiritual fruit of each Mystery can help us make Christ part of our lives. Still, they lingered. So, we assured them that we were there every week and they could come back with follow-up questions about the prayer. We re-emphasized our need to be drawn ever more deeply into the life of Christ. The man then asked if he could have a Good News/kerygma pamphlet, which we gave him before they went on their way. Please pray that the faith of these quiet people is strengthened, and that they are ever more converted into ones who truly love Our Lord and Savior.

The exchange with “Stephen” was purely cordial this week, as he sped past on his skateboard. We simply said, to each other, “Good to see you!” Later on, the young Catholic man, whom Stephen had greeted with a hug last week, came by in his restaurant work clothes and paused to say hi. He was on his short break between double shifts, and reminded us that he already had a Rosary. He mentioned that Stephen and he had talked about us, but he did not elaborate as he was in a hurry to get to his other job. Please, please continue praying for Stephen, and include this friend that his faith, even if nominal, will be yet another seed in Stephen’s life that will lead him to conversion.

“Marty” came by. He looked over the things we had on our table and asked about the rocks that were on top of our pamphlet stacks. He seemed almost disappointed to learn that they were merely paperweights.

“Uwe” came by twice, at the beginning and at the end of the session. Again, though, he talked only about the weather, which was sunny but breezy. E. Chuck asked him why he was hanging onto his hat. He replied, that it was so he wouldn’t lose his last marble. But, Uwe added, if he did lose it, he would then “turn around and walk backwards”. May God help him turn and grow closer to Him!

A group of seven teenagers on skateboards came to the table, wanting something free. The one girl in the group listened somewhat politely while e. Lucy explained the Rosary devotion and encouraged her to pray it. Meanwhile, e. Chuck talked with “Marcus” and the boys. Marcus knew nothing about the Rosary, was “sort of Christian”, and didn’t go to church. Some of the other boys nodded, saying they should have gone to church, but didn’t. E. Chuck said the Church was like friends and not an organization. We don’t tell someone, “You’re my friend but I’m never going to spend time with you.” Marcus replied, “That was a good point.” But their nervous laughter said they were ready to move on. Pray for Marcus and all young people, that they may become true friends of Christ.

A couple, “Kristi and Chris”, declined our offer of a Rosary as they passed the table, but then she changed her mind and came back. She was familiar with the Rosary because her mother had been Catholic, but had changed to a pseudo-Christian religion when Kristi was still young. So, the girl had grown up knowing only that other belief system. She implied, though, that religion was now merely something in her past. Chris stood at the table as we explained what the Rosary was all about, but he did not join in the conversation. E. Chuck mentioned that he’d been Catholic for only seven years, and they wanted to know why. So, the evangelist talked about his loss of trust in Protestantism, and that the only reliable source of authority he could find was in the Catholic Church. It made sense that we should seek a church that offers us the truth of Christ, rather than the truth according to some particular human founder. We offered to get Kristi connected to a Catholic parish, but she was from out of town. She was here only to visit Chris this time, but was thinking of moving here. Pray that Kristi’s curiosity will prepare the soil of her soul so the seed of Truth may bear fruit in her life.

“Al” stopped to show e. Chuck a poster he’d found of a musician who had been popular in the previous century.

A group of young-adult non-Catholic Christians stopped. They were happy that we were encouraging everyone to pray. “The world really needs it right now,” they said. Amen!

Another group of teenage skateboarders stopped. This group was definitely “alpha gen”, the under-14s who’ve grown up on social media. They didn’t take us seriously, but exchanged inside jokes, popularized on a particular platform, ridiculing another state and extolling a fast-food mascot. Lord, help them connect with people and develop empathy for others.

A woman declined our offer but changed her mind and came back. She had memories of making Rosaries with her grandmother when she was a child. At the time, she hated “doing this chore”, but now it is one of her fondest memories of her grandma. We assured her it would make her grandmother even happier, if she would spend some time in prayer with the Rosary she had just chosen. Let’s join our prayers with the Saints in heaven that this woman will convert and return to the Faith modeled by her grandmother.

Altogether, we gave away 25-30 Rosaries and its pamphlet, as well as a Good News/kerygma 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.

God lets us see encouraging signs that He’s at work in the people we encounter. 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).