Boise

Country: United States
State or province: Idaho

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Lucy Stamm
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A Surprisingly Long Session - 2025-Sep-7

September 14, 2025

Either, as e. Chuck surmises, he went crazy and momentarily forgot how to read a clock or, as e. Lucy perhaps more wisely guesses, the Holy Spirit had other plans. At any event, e. Chuck set up the table an hour early. But, praise God, he didn’t have time to wonder where the other evangelists were because there was a steady stream of cheerful interest in the Rosary. So, thank you again for your prayers for the Boise Catholic street evangelization effort.

A woman wearing the uniform of a nearby hotel looked over the colorful Rosaries and admitted that she knew nothing about them and wasn’t “religious”. E. Chuck presented to her the glory and wonder of God’s love for us as shown in Christ, God incarnate, and His living, dying, and rising for us. He also showed her how she can get to know Him better through the Rosary, the evangelist encouraging her to be honest and open with God in prayer, seeking only to know Him more fully. Though our visitor remained silent, she was smiling as she prepared to head to work, and thanked the evangelist over and over for the Rosary. Pray that her heart is open to Christ and she seeks Him with all her will.

A middle-aged couple passed by with a polite “no thank you” but soon turned around and came back. Catholic, they were relatively new to the area. She was struggling with cancer and was unhappy with the parish they attended because it felt closed and unfriendly. She asked about other area parishes, so the evangelist gave her our map and list of local Catholic churches and encouraged her to not get discouraged but rather to focus on encountering Christ in the Eucharist. He also recommended some anointing/healing Masses in the area. Pray for her healing, both for her cancer and for her sense of alienation in the Church. And pray for our Catholic parishes, that every member will be the picture of welcome, hospitality, and friendliness that we are called to be.

Two different people stopped to say the Rosary they had picked up some time before had broken and they wanted a new one. Also, several Catholics declined a Rosary because “[they had] so many already”, but two of these groups stopped to ask about our evangelization team. Pray for everyone who possesses a Rosary, that they may use it reverently and encounter Christ in the Mysteries.

A young couple zoomed up to the table on electric scooters, wanting something free. He was silent at first and she said she was not religious. As the evangelist proclaimed the Gospel message and how the Mysteries of the Rosary could open their eyes to the great love God had for them, they responded with “I love that” or “that’s cool”, and selected a matching pair. Pray that their enthusiasm turns into faith and that faith becomes love for their Lord and Savior.

Confused when the other evangelists had not shown up and, after texting e. Lucy and hearing that she was almost there, e. Chuck finally figured out that he had started the session an hour early. But it was at this precise moment, still before our “official starting time”, that “Barry” stopped at the table, wondering if he could ask a question. Barry stayed to talk for the next hour and a half while e. Lucy took care of the table and gave away Rosaries. Barry was an ex-member of a pseudo-Christian religion, who had then traveled the road from agnosticism into atheism. Still, he actually wanted to see what we as Catholics thought of what he had to say. His comments ranged from Protestant-style objections to poorly informed historical and theological ideas. Although he was obviously opposed to Christianity, Barry wasn’t insulting in his assertions and willingly listened to replies. We gave him a reliable on-line Catholic resource and pamphlets on the Rosary, Catholic prayers, and the Trinity. as well as a copy of the Catechism. Glad to get the book, Barry emphasized his willingness to continue studying. In the end, e. Chuck asked him, despite all his objections, whether he hoped God was real or not. Barry spent a long time thinking about it and then answered that, yes, he hoped God was real. Pray that Barry’s heart and mind remain open to accept the truth when he finds it, so that he will be led to faith in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

A group of families stopped at the table, the adults covered in tattoos. At least two adults and two of the children selected Rosaries. E. Lucy seems to recall that at least the dad of that family was Catholic. May the Lord confirm the family in Faith.

A homeless-looking man stopped for a Rosary. Besides its booklet, he also asked for copies of the other items we had on the table: a Good News/kerygma pamphlet, a “Do I Need a Savior?” pamphlet, a Divine Mercy prayer card, and an Our Lady Untier of Knots prayer card. May God bless and heal the man and restore him to society.

A couple stopped who were non-Catholic Christians. After listening to a brief description of the Rosary, they each chose one and accepted its pamphlet. May the meditations on the scenes from Christ’s life help them walk more closely with Jesus.

A dad and preschool-aged child stopped so the little boy could get a Rosary. After choosing a baby-blue one, the child started talking animatedly. Unfortunately, because the sound system in the business park was turned up so loud, the evangelist couldn’t make out a word he said. But the boy seemed happy. May God draw them both into an ever more intimate relationship with God!

A couple walked past, the man calling out that he served the very enemy of his soul. “I’m so sorry!” said the evangelist. Please pray that the man’s eyes are opened and he turns to the only One Who can save him before it’s too late.

There were two big festivals going on in relatively nearby major city parks. One used the prism’s colors to symbolize their anti-life agenda; the other was a big, annual arts-and-crafts fair that attracted a lot of families. The weather was moderate, for a change. So, lots of people were out and walking past. Oddly, during the regular time of the session, the majority of passersby either pretended we didn’t exist and/or that we weren’t talking to them. May God bless them anyway and save them!

Altogether, we gave away 40-50 Rosaries and its pamphlet on how to pray it, a map to area parishes, a pamphlet on “The Trinity”, a Divine Mercy prayer card, a Good News/kerygma pamphlet, a pamphlet of Catholic prayers, a “Do I Need a Savior?” pamphlet, an Our Lady Untier of Knots prayer card, and a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

We praise God for people who are curious about the Catholic Church! And thank you again for your prayers and other support for this apostolate. In turn, may God protect and bless you and all those you love!

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