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Evangelizing the Suffering

April 17, 2025

Evangelizing during Lent made me realize that what we are really offering people is the opportunity for us to suffer with them. I think we would attract more evangelists if Catholics understood the vast majority of our encounters with people is listening to people's sufferings and sharing their load of grief. To quote from Don Quixote, "for it is the only comfort of the miserable to have partners in their woes."

Two years ago in November, a persistent nudge told me to hold up a Free Rosary Free Prayers sign on Southern Avenue in front of my church, St. Edward the Confessor (traditional Latin Rite), after 7 AM Mass until noon every Sunday during Lent. My mission was two-fold: invite people to get a free rosary, materials, prayers, etc. but also to see if parishioners would be curious as to who I was and perhaps join me. There was some curiosity but no one from the parish helped more than maybe half an hour. If I didn't have the help in 2024 of Victoria Hanna and Susan Long, who drove 45 minutes most Sundays, I couldn't have done it. This year, Carol Ann, who is in her early 70s, was there every Sunday. With two Sundays left, Garcelia joined our group. Thanks to new team members Lizette and her husband Irus for their enthusiastic help and powerful prayer warriors and as always, Susan Long--Phoenix Team Leader for being there and encouraging us all.

2025: 6 Sundays of 3 hours each: 297 rosaries, 50+medals and holy cards, and a page every Sunday of prayer requests - here are just a very few

We met Dave who was in his 20s and wants to be a better man.
A woman stopped and approached us crying and told us, "I never go this way. I was leaving my son's home and I always turn left but I kept getting a nudge to turn right. I couldn't understand it but I did and here you are. I just left my son who was contemplating suicide. Can we pray together?"
A man got out of his car and fell into Susan's arms crying because his mother was dying.
Brandon in his 20s walking along the sidewalk in his Betty Ann memorial tee was so open to what we had to offer by way of advice, prayers, materials.
Marianna who burst into tears because as a young woman she is twice divorced with two young children.
So many struggling with life's illnesses, job worries, family problems, and purpose in life.
The man who asked us to pray that he would honor his parents for the rest of his life.

The last two Sundays of Lent we decided to walk up half a block to the entrance to a cemetery. We discovered this was a great idea because people were already in a thoughtful state of mind.

I encourage fellow teams to consider evangelizing in front of their church or local cemetery and to follow whatever nudges come their way.

Evangelizing the Suffering

April 17, 2025

Evangelizing during Lent made me realize that what we are really offering people is the opportunity for us to suffer with them. I think we would attract more evangelists if Catholics understood the vast majority of our encounters with people is listening to people's sufferings and sharing their load of grief. To quote from Don Quixote, "for it is the only comfort of the miserable to have partners in their woes."

Two years ago in November, a persistent nudge told me to hold up a Free Rosary Free Prayers sign on Southern Avenue in front of my church, St. Edward the Confessor (traditional Latin Rite), after 7 AM Mass until noon every Sunday during Lent. My mission was two-fold: invite people to get a free rosary, materials, prayers, etc. but also to see if parishioners would be curious as to who I was and perhaps join me. There was some curiosity but no one from the parish helped more than maybe half an hour. If I didn't have the help in 2024 of Victoria Hanna and Susan Long, who drove 45 minutes most Sundays, I couldn't have done it. This year, Carol Ann, who is in her early 70s, was there every Sunday. With two Sundays left, Garcelia joined our group. Thanks to new team members Lizette and her husband Irus for their enthusiastic help and powerful prayer warriors and as always, Susan Long--Phoenix Team Leader for being there and encouraging us all.

2025: 6 Sundays of 3 hours each: 297 rosaries, 50+medals and holy cards, and a page every Sunday of prayer requests - here are just a very few

We met Dave who was in his 20s and wants to be a better man.
A woman stopped and approached us crying and told us, "I never go this way. I was leaving my son's home and I always turn left but I kept getting a nudge to turn right. I couldn't understand it but I did and here you are. I just left my son who was contemplating suicide. Can we pray together?"
A man got out of his car and fell into Susan's arms crying because his mother was dying.
Brandon in his 20s walking along the sidewalk in his Betty Ann memorial tee was so open to what we had to offer by way of advice, prayers, materials.
Marianna who burst into tears because as a young woman she is twice divorced with two young children.
So many struggling with life's illnesses, job worries, family problems, and purpose in life.
The man who asked us to pray that he would honor his parents for the rest of his life.

The last two Sundays of Lent we decided to walk up half a block to the entrance to a cemetery. We discovered this was a great idea because people were already in a thoughtful state of mind.

I encourage fellow teams to consider evangelizing in front of their church or local cemetery and to follow whatever nudges come their way.

Mesa and Scottsdale Team

April 3, 2021

SPSE Team Photo On Good Friday, Sean Kelly, Nancy Nemitz, and Frank O'Rourke stood on a busy street corner in Mesa, AZ and silently evangelized by holding up a crucifix, images, and signs. It's a simple yet powerful message to thousands of cars that passed by in the three hours we stood witness. A man stopped to take several photos because he loved to see Christians spreading the word. We had very few unkind words and gestures with the overwhelming majority of people either honking, waving, or silently driving by. We all agreed this manner of evangelizing would appeal to those who want to do something but are hesitant to talk to people one on one.

There is a photo of Mike Ward who was the lead in Scottsdale but is moving and Nancy has taken over the scheduling of the Saturday Farmer's Market team. We've had beautiful discussions with people and will continue to evangelize at this venue until it stops for the summer.

Second Annual Arizona Evangelizing Team Pot Luck

February 10, 2020

It was another great time last Sunday at our annual Maricopa County, AZ potluck for all team leaders, members, and prospective members. It's an opportunity to learn what the other teams are doing plus a great place for people who are interested in joining to meet the other members and learn more about what we do. We toast to us and our families and also pray a rosary for all the people we encountered during the previous year.

Mesa Community College

February 10, 2020

The Mesa team is now evangelizing at the main campus of Mesa Community College at Dobson and Southern. It's the largest community college campus in Maricopa County. Reaching out to young people at this critical time of their lives is very rewarding. We are under the Clock Tower from 10-1 on most Thursdays. Contact Nancy Nemitz if you are able to help with this ministry. nancy@createthespace.com.

SPSE Arizona Annual Potluck

August 27, 2019

A few weeks ago I hosted the first Annual SPSE Arizona potluck. I encourage other SPSE teams to do the same because it brought everyone together who may not regularly evangelize for fellowship, food, and prayer. I’ll share my agenda for that day in case it’s helpful to others.

Date: A Sunday Time: 2 PM Forum: potluck

Welcome and Grace
Champagne Toast to the teams and to those we met on the streets
Eat
Before dessert, each team leader spoke for no more than 4 minutes recapping the past year in terms of where they evangelize and stories from the street
Dessert
Rosary – We prayed the rosary together for all the people we met, prayed with, and evangelized during the past year.
Catholic trivia quiz I developed. Winners received prizes
Fellowship

Inspiration and Encouragement

August 27, 2019

My job is to follow the High Quest to the best of my ability, to make the daily sacrifice, and let God take it from there. – Tolkien

He doesn’t reward for success but for patience and hardship undergone for His sake. It is through your weaknesses He will work most powerfully to bring mercy. The greater work is to do His will in the darkness of faith. – from the book Fr. Elijah

Speak the truth sincerely and calmly whenever the opportunity arises. Guard the gate of your heart. – from book Fr. Elijah

St. Ignatius said, “Man was created to praise, reverence, and serve God and, by these means, to save his soul. Nothing more, nothing less. Whatever else we do, if we neglect this one responsibility, we miss everything.”

Felt or unfelt, He is with me. For whatever it’s worth, I give Him my time walking. That’s enough. – from the book Field of Stars (Camino de Santiago) I have to remember the time we spend standing on the sidewalk with our rosaries, whether or not we feel successful, that’s enough. –

Nancy Nemitz

St. Patrick’s Day Parade Phoenix

August 27, 2019

We’ll be joining the Phoenix Chapter at the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade downtown Phoenix on Saturday, March 16. Contact Nancy Nemitz for further details: nancy@createthespace.com.