"Everything Happens for a Reason" - 05/25/24
May 31, 2024
Pray the Rosary Every Day
May 6, 2024
Beth and I returned to Eastern Market for the first time this year. It was a sunny but windy day with a fair amount of foot traffic.
One man approached our table for a Rosary and pamphlet. He didn't stay long to talk but immediately after he walked away, he ran into four friends. All four of those friends were eager to receive sacramentals and pray with us. I immediately recognized one of the men because I had a memorable encounter with him and his family last year. They all patiently listened to my explanation of the meditations of the Rosary and the grace of the sacraments in the Catholic Church. We gathered in a circle and prayed for each of the men, that God would provide for all of their needs, protect their families and, most importantly, that they would allow grow in grace and come to know Jesus Christ more and more.
Olivia, a young woman probably in her mid-twenties, stopped to look at our Rosaries. She had seen rosaries many times before but didn't know much about them. I explained the Rosary as a meditation on the Gospels and a way to better understand the life of Christ. Olivia said that she goes to a Protestant church but her boyfriend is Catholic. I gave her my "one good reason" why I'm Catholic -- that the Catholic Church claims apostolic succession and its the True Church established by Jesus Christ. All Protestant churches were established 1,500 years later or more. Moreover, many Christians have serious disagreements on how to interpret the Bible and fundamental beliefs. By what authority can we interpret Scripture and how do we know what books should be in the Bible? Olivia accepted my arguments without hesitation. She took a couple of Rosaries, holy cards, and a "Why Be Catholic?" pamphlet. I asked where she lived and she said southwest Detroit so I recommended a couple of good parishes in her neighborhood. I encouraged her to have a serious conversation with her boyfriend and her boyfriend's pastor.
Beth offered a Rosary to a fifty-something man, later identified as Ron. He declined and said that he owns several rosaries and used to pray the devotion everyday but stopped a few years ago and he no longer goes to church consistently. He said that he was discouraged because three of his four adult children have left the Faith and no longer go to church at all. I encouraged Ron to be thankful for his one son who is still devout but then challenged him to take greater responsibility in his role as father, that's hard for him to complain when he doesn't practice what he preaches. He accepted that responsibility and said that he needs to do better. I encouraged him to renew his devotion to the Holy Rosary for his children and to return to the sacraments. Beth led a prayer for Ron and his children and he thanked us for reaching out to him.
"The World is Stuck on Stupid"
October 23, 2023
Beth, Eddie, and I evangelized at Eastern Market last Saturday. It was a windy and cool morning but there was still a fair number of shoppers coming to the market for pumpkins and other produce. Eddie is a fourth-year seminarian and it was his first time doing direct evangelization at this location. While he didn't have much previous experience, Eddie had great zeal and reached out to nearly every single person that walked by us. Most people were uninterested, and a great number never responded to him, but he ending every encounter by saying "we will keep you in our prayers." Eddie stood near the crosswalk and several people did stop and talk with him. A grandmother, mother, and young boy stopped at the offer of a colorful Rosary. Eddie also gave them medals and prayer books then prayed over the family for their growth in faith as well as their health and safety.
A cyclist slowly passed by our table and Mark offered him a free Rosary. He stopped and Beth asked if he had any prayer intentions. The man, named Earl, asked as to pray for the world because it's "stuck on stupid." Beth asked him if he's Christian and he said the believes in a higher power, and has a personal relationship with God, but he became very defensive whenever we said anything about Jesus or Christianity. He definitely does not want to follow any particular religion but was very open to talking about spirituality. Beth asked to pray for him and he gladly accepted, expecting her to pray for him later, but Beth immediately starting praying. Earl initially resisted but let her continue. In the end, Earl seemed much happier at the end of the conversation.
Please pray for all of those we encountered, especially Earl, and pray for Eddie in his seminary formation.
"Three New Evangelists"
August 14, 2023
Religious Plurality
May 23, 2023
After evangelizing on the corner of the farmer's market, I went inside the market sheds to buy some eggs and vegetables. Halfway through the market, I saw some rosaries on a vendor table. I stopped and talked to Bobby, the man behind the table. He also had Muslim tasbih and other beadwork for sale. Bobby definitely believes in a higher power and believes that God is real. However, he adopted contradictory beliefs from Christianity, Islam, and other religions because of different faiths in his family. Bobby believed that Jesus was a real man but didn't necessarily believe that Jesus is God or that one has to be Christian.
I used the "Lord, liar, or lunatic" argument about the Divinity of Christ. I reminded Bobby of two Bible verses: John 6:56, "unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood you have no life within you" as well as John 14:6, "no one comes to the Father except through me." These are very serious claims by Jesus with little or no room for reinterpretation. If these statements are true then Jesus is God, if they are false then He could only be a liar or a lunatic. Bobby acknowledged my argument but it seems like he didn't change his mind at all. Pray that Holy Trinity will enlighten Bobby and lead him to the Truth.
Holy Saturday Evangelization
April 17, 2023
Fruitful Conversations - 8/6/22
August 9, 2022
Fruitful Conversations - 8/6/22
August 9, 2022
Immersion at the Farmer's Market
July 19, 2022
Over thirty evangelists went to Eastern Market during the recent Immersion conference. We split into eight teams of four evangelists and covered nearly every block surrounding the huge market. I spent most of the time with Stephen, a student from the University of Illinois.
We offered a Miraculous Medal to a man who approached our table. I asked if he is Christian and if he goes to church. He explained that his father was Muslim and his mother a Christian. Because of this pluralism, he didn't believe that any one religion is right or wrong. I tried to explain that it is a logical fallacy, that there's no way that they can all be true when they have fundamental differences. He didn't want to talk any further but he did put the medal around his neck as he walked away. Mother Mary, lead him to salvation in your Divine Son!
Dan, a team leader from Alabama, spoke to two young Catholic women, including one who recently graduated from Ave Maria University. Dan challenged them to evangelize and invited them to join our team that meets there at the market. Stephen later approached them and also encouraged them evangelize.
The other side of the market
April 28, 2022
Church Community - 4/23/22
April 28, 2022
Twelve Step Program
April 27, 2022
4/2/22
April 8, 2022
Brother Andre, Steve, and I evangelized at the farmer's market last Saturday. Like the previous week, it was fairly cold, so we walked around the covered sheds rather than stand on the corner outside.
Steve offered Miraculous Medals to two different Muslim men. The first, a father and son selling shawarma, accepted the medal and crucifix. Steve explained the medal as an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary and it has led to many miracles. The second man, selling fruit, bluntly declined. Steve said "Jesus loves you" and kept on walking.
Mark approached Norma, an elderly woman asking people to sign petitions. Norma grew up in Southern California and attended one of the Spanish, Franciscan mission churches. She had fond memories of the San Luis Rey and that community. Mark offered to pray for Norma and she asked us to pray for a relative who was recently diagnosed with a serious illness. We prayed for Norma, her family, and complete healing for her relative. We also gave her a Miraculous Medal, which she put on immediately. Norma shared her testimony of her healing from breast cancer, which has been in remission for nearly 20 years, and she gave all of the credit to God. She shared how she firmly believes in a loving God and she is thankful for all of her blessings.
As you might expect, a Franciscan habit really stands out in a secular marketplace. Several Catholics approached Brother Andre and asked what religious order he was from — Franciscan Friars of the Holy Spirit. In a few instances, we explained that evangelization is a responsibility for all Catholics, especially the laity. We talked to a FOCUS missionary and he expressed interest in joining us sometime soon. A group of four young women visiting from Chicago stopped and talked to Brother. We encouraged the women to join one of two SPSE teams near them and gave contact info to follow up.
Spiritually Seeking - 3/26/22
April 5, 2022
Br. Andre and I were walking through one of the large sheds at the farmer's market when I saw a young woman quickly walk down an aisle. She was wearing a hoodie with an upside-down pentagram, horns, and the number 666. I wanted to talk to her about the Satanic symbolism but she was too far away and quickly walked away. About two minutes later, she turned around and walked right by us. Br. Andre stopped her and said that he wanted to pray for her. The young woman, Carrie, was excited to receive prayer and said that she is spiritually seeking right now.
Br. Andre made the sign of the cross over Carrie's forehead and prayed over her. In prayer, he asked that Carrie would receive childlike faith, among other things. Afterward, Carrie said that part really stood out to her because she's a nanny for a young family and has a special interest in young children. She was overwhelmed with joy and hugged both of us.
Carrie grew up in a devout, Protestant family. However, in college, she felt a need to explore and make her faith her own, not just following what her parents believe. She briefly joined a Quaker community, saying that she enjoyed the simplicity of the religion. Carrie admitted that the pentagram and goat horns were bad but she believes in numerology and didn't question triple six. She has also adopted some Buddhist and New Age beliefs.
Br. Andre then gave her a third-class relic of Blessed Solanus Casey. Carrie had never heard of Blessed Solanus, even though she lives very close to his burial place. We briefly explained the story of Blessed Solanus and Carrie said that she would visit the Solanus Casey Center the next day.
We talked for about 45 minutes on a variety of subjects including the Divinity of Christ, sacramental grace, Christian community, and more. In the end, we invited Carrie to visit St. Mary of Redford. Br. Andre encouraged her to join the Thursday night women's group and invited her to Sunday Mass, especially the evening Mass, which draws a lot of young adults. Carrie thanked us for our time and our gifts and then promised to visit the church soon.
Rainy Day at the Market
October 22, 2021
Anne, Michael, and Mark evangelized at Eastern Market on a cool and breezy morning. It rained off and on so we set up a table underneath a long overhang, just a step away from the sidewalk.
Anne had a lengthy conversation with a young man named Antonio. Anne often explains Marian devotion by talking about the love of a mother. Antonio said that he is one of eight children in his family and his mother would do anything for him and his siblings. Anne said that it is the same way with the Mother of God, that she is faithful to Christ and leads Christians to her Son. Antonio accepted a rosary for himself and a few for his family, as well as a couple of pamphlets. Before he left, we prayed with Antonio for wisdom, discernment, strength, and health.
Lisa slowly passed by our table and Mark offered to pray for her. She stopped and came under the overhang to talk with us. Lisa spoke openly about her problems with uncontrolled diabetes and a recent hospitalization. We prayed with Lisa, asking God to give her the strength to handle all of her daily challenges. We offered Lisa a rosary and she was shocked to learn that they were free. She gladly accepted a rosary, Miraculous Medal, several holy cards, and pamphlets.
9/11/21 - Prayer Ministry at the Farmer's Market
October 15, 2021
Bob, Br. Andre, Steve and I evangelized at Eastern Market last Saturday morning. Br. Andre and Steve grabbed a handful of supplies and walked around the market while Bob and I stayed at our table across the market. Bob and Steve had to leave but Br. Andre and I stayed for another hour. We packed up and went back into the market to evangelize inside. We prayed with a dozen people throughout the market. Some were skeptical and some were apprehensive but everyone that we approached was happy to receive prayer.
There were four different people who saw us praying with others and they later approached us and asked us to pray for them. We met a middle-aged woman selling pumpkins; she's agnostic but was open to our prayers. Br. Andre squatted down, put his hand on her foot, and prayed. A family of three watched us and were curious, after we finished our prayer with the vendor, we went and prayed with the family. After we prayed with the family, a young woman approached us and asked if we were praying with people. We confirmed and she asked us to pray for healing for her sore hip. Br. Andre asked her to put her hand on top of where it hurt, then he put his hand on top of her hand. We prayed and the woman said that she felt a warm sensation. Her pain went from a level 8 to a level 5. We prayed again and her pain went down to a 3. After prayer, we talked about her faith life and she admitted that she goes to a non-denomination church. We talked about our Catholic faith, gave a Miraculous Medal, holy card, and invited her to join us at St. Mary Church.
9/18/21 - "One True Church"
October 14, 2021
Mark, Michael and Steve returned to Eastern Market on a sunny but breezy Saturday morning.
An elderly woman, Natalia, was walking down the sidewalk and paused in front of our table. Mark offered her a rosary but she didn't respond. Mark offered to pray for Natalia then she approached the table. She began to cry and asked us to pray for her son who is struggling with many addictions. Michael led a prayer for her son, asking that God would break the addictions, Natalia began to cry. We tried to console Natalia and she began to share her Orthodox faith and its similarities compared to Catholicism. Mark emphasized the importance of the sacraments and apostolic succession. Natalia accepted a rosary, several pamphlets, and a Miraculous Medal.
Michael offered a rosary to Wendy as she passed by us. She paused, looked at our table, silently looked at us and smiled. Mark then noticed that Wendy was already wearing a Miraculous Medal and crucifix around her neck. Mark asked if Wendy had any prayer intentions and she asked us to pray for her son — his wedding is in a couple of weeks. Mark led a prayer that the couple would be prepared for the sacrament of Holy Matrimony and have a holy marriage. Mark prayed for Wendy's health, that she would live to see her grandchildren and would eventually enter Heaven. Wendy thanked us immensely and left a $20 bill on our table. We declined the donation but she insisted and walked away. Michael took the money and divided it among the poor.
We prayed with Shannon a few months ago. She was passing by when she recognized us and approached our table again. Shannon talked about how she is taking her faith more seriously and has returned to her Presbyterian church. Shannon and Steve had a lengthy conversation about apostolic succession and the necessity of the sacraments. Steve said that Christ established only one church, the Catholic Church. While it is good for her to go to church, it would certainly be best for her to go to the one true church. Shannon didn't object and accepted a green scapular, several pamphlets, medals, as well as Steve's contact info.
9/4/21 - "Jesus loves you and He wants to heal you"
September 13, 2021
Br. Andre, Michael, and I evangelized at Eastern Market on Labor Day weekend.
We set up a table at our usual spot on the corner and had a few short conversations in the beginning. Most of the early conversations were brief but several people accepted Miraculous Medals and a few were happy to receive intercessory prayer. Michael had to leave after an hour so Br. Andre and I took down the table and walked around the market. Br. Andre often receives a "word of knowledge" when he evangelizes — as we walked, he abruptly stopped, turned around, and approached a young woman selling flowers. Brother asked if she was experiencing neck pain. She was surprised to hear that he knew about her pain and was intrigued with what he had to say. Brother told her that "Jesus loves you and He wants to heal you" then she became defensive. We offered to pray for her, which she declined multiple times. We then offered her a blessed Miraculous Medal, which she also declined. Then we simply said "God bless" and kept on walking.
I noticed a woman wearing a large rosary around her neck. I thought that she would be somewhat open to Catholicism so we approached her. Candace described herself as "spiritual but not religious". She accepted a Miraculous Medal and we prayed for her health. Immediately after that conversation ended, a man in his late thirties approached us. He and his wife saw Brother's habit and overheard our conversation so they became curious. The husband, Ryan, asked Brother about his lifestyle and vocation. Br. Andre briefly explained the life of St. Francis and the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience — Ryan was particularly surprised about the vow of poverty.
He also asked why we go to Confession to a priest rather than "directly to God." I responded by quoting John 20:23 ("Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.") as well as James 5:16 ("confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.") I continued and that, yes, of course, God CAN forgive sins on His own power, but it is His will that we repent and confess our sins to a priest in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The couple thanked us for our time but refused any sacramentals. Pray that their curiosity will lead them home to the Catholic Church!
7/31/21 - "You set the tone for my whole day!"
August 3, 2021
A total of 4 evangelists went to Eastern Market this past Saturday and we worked in 2-hour shifts. Anne and Mark were there 8:00am-10:00am while Steve and Beth were there 10:00am-Noon.
Anne approached a police officer on a bicycle and offered him a St. Michael medal. He accepted the medal and said that he knew that St. Michael is patron of law enforcement. Anne offered to pray with him and listened as he talked about his concerns with his work and his family. Anne lifted all of his concerns to the Lord and prayed that he would experience a renewal of strength and the peace of Christ.
Two men approached our table and asked for a couple of Miraculous Medals. Mark also gave them the associated holy cards and asked if they wanted prayer for anything. One of them said, "Yes, pray for my dad, Charles, he has late-stage cancer and is in a lot of pain." Mark prayed out loud for Charles, for his health and resilience. Mark also asked for peace in the family and that they come to know and love God more. One man thanked Mark and, with a big smile on his face, said "You set the tone for my whole day! Thank you so much!"
07/17/21 - three teams collaborate
July 23, 2021
Sean, the team leader from Tempe, Arizona, recently visited Detroit and evangelized with the Eastern Market team last Saturday. Timothy, team leader from Alma/St. Louis in central Michigan, made the 140-mile trek to Detroit. Timothy previously evangelized with Sean when he was visiting Arizona. Mark and Steve from the national office as well as two evangelization students also joined. We split up into three stations since we had six evangelists. We each covered a different corner of the same, busy intersection.
Sean spoke to several devout Catholics and invited them to evangelize with us. We spoke about the responsibility to share our faith, especially since so many people are so far away from God. Sean and Mark had a lengthy conversation with a young couple in their early-mid twenties. The young woman is practicing Catholic and knows a fair amount about the Faith. Her boyfriend is not Catholic and not particularly religious, however, he has attended Mass in the past. Sean talked about the importance of faith in a serious relationship, especially if they decide to marry and have children. They both agreed and listened intently. Sean explained that if a couple has differing viewpoints on important issues it will inevitably cause strain on their relationship. Sean gave his testimony about his own marriage and how a shared religion has produced great results in his marriage. We prayed with the couple, for their discernment and spiritual growth, then both accepted rosaries and pamphlets. The boyfriend accepted a "Why Be Catholic?" pamphlet, promised to read it and follow up with her priest.
