Boise

Country: United States
State or province: Idaho

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Lucy Stamm
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Lighting the way to Christ - 2019-11-10

November 18, 2019

I apologize for the length of this email. My (old) computer crashed again during the editing process, which would have shortened it considerably. Please pray for us today?

Lighting the way to Christ, our apostolate continues. So thank you again for your prayers for the Boise Catholic street evangelization effort! Two evangelists were available.

“Mr. Fiction” was surprised, and actually stopped for a moment, when evangelist Chuck asked if he’d read any new fiction this week. “Some magazines,” he mumbled. Then he seemed to notice that he was talking to us, and said, “I see you’re still peddling your fiction,” as he walked away. Evangelist Chuck asked, “How do you judge what is fiction or not?” He called back with a sneer, “Intelligence!” May the Holy Spirit continue to widen the crack in the door of conversation with this man!

A father, accompanied by 2 or 3 children, stopped when one of the girls, perhaps 8-10 years old, wanted a Rosary. She was not at all familiar with it, and didn’t know anything about Christianity. She accepted a Rosary, its booklet, and our one-page summary of the kerygma. Then her little sister approached and also accepted a Rosary. The dad did not.

Out of two 20-something women, one stopped. Asked if she was familiar with the Rosary, she said yes, she had been raised Catholic “a lo-o-ong time ago”. She declined a map to area parishes, but accepted a Rosary, its booklet, and the encouragement to sit down and try to pray it.

A group of three people stopped, also in their 20s. The woman spoke with evangelist Lucy, while evangelist Chuck spoke with her boyfriend. He had been baptized Catholic, but did not practice the Faith, nor intend to at this point. Though he loved its theology, he “just didn’t like the Church”. When evangelist Chuck pointed to the Eucharist as the best reason to stick with the Church, as well as being an amazing privilege and blessing that he was missing out on, the man shook his head and repeated that he was not interested in “church” at this point. Some time ago, he had received a copy of the Catechism from us and had been reading it. He told evangelist Chuck that he “found it interesting” and has used it frequently when he had questions. His girlfriend is a non-Catholic Christian and, when they have discussions about religion, they refer to the Catechism. The woman was not at all familiar with the Rosary and was delighted to find out, from evangelist Lucy, that it focused on Jesus. She accepted a Rosary and its pamphlet, and seemed to look forward to trying it. May that Catechism draw them both into a full relationship with Christ Jesus in His Church.

A group of two adult men and one child stopped. One of the men expressed interest in the Rosary, then waxed enthusiastic as he came to actually understand the devotion. At his enthusiasm, the boy and the other man each accepted a Rosary.

“Mr. Leather Cowboy Hat” (from a month or so back) responded to a hail from evangelist Chuck. He didn’t stop to talk, but at least responded in a friendly manner to our greeting.

Perhaps 8 teens or preteens came by, in close succession. Evangelist Chuck didn’t recognize any of them. They were very respectful, and each accepted a Rosary and its pamphlet.

A mother and her school-age son stopped. They each accepted a Rosary and the encouragement to pray it together. The boy asked for a Rosary for his father, too.

Two tall teenage boys stopped for Rosaries. They were non-Catholic Christians and listened politely to our explanation of the blessings of praying the Rosary. Then a large family group arrived at the table, to which the boys belonged. The younger teen showed the Rosary to his mother, who promptly took it away from him and returned it to the table with a “no, thank you”.

At least once, and possibly twice during the session, people said they knew what the Rosary was, even though they themselves were not people of faith, because a mother or grandparent was a faithful Catholic who prayed the Rosary. My God bless these faithful Catholics and the example they give!

A man stopped and wanted to share how God had blessed him. He once had a six-figure job in another state, but ended up in jail and lost everything. When he got out of jail he came to Idaho for a fresh start and to take care of his mother, and now has a six-figure job again. He did not mention how God had changed him. He declined a Rosary.

A father and college-age daughter stopped. She wanted a Rosary; he did not. They were from a state north of here, and he was down visiting her at the local university. He said his daughter and wife were faithful Catholics. But he was not raised Catholic, and still had not joined the Church. It seemed enough to him that his wife and daughter were faithful.

Another two 20-something women stopped. When evangelist Lucy asked if they were Christian, they hesitated, as if unsure what “being Christian” meant. May those copies of the kerygma we give out begin to light their way!

Altogether, the two evangelists gave away 15-20 Rosaries and its pamphlet, 1-2 maps of area parishes, and 2-3 copies of the Good News/kerygma.

Please pray for us again today? Please ask God to send people to us prepared to perceive their need for Him and His Holy Catholic Church, and that much good fruit for His Kingdom comes of today’s effort.

Jesus Christ is the light that enlightens the world (cf. John 1:9). So thank you again for your prayers and other support for this apostolate that encourages people to seek Him. In turn, may He protect and greatly bless you and all those you love!

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