Chrstkindlmarkt 11/30/24
December 2, 2024
We had plenty of visitors to our booth at Christkindlmarkt, even St Nicholas paid Sharon and Suzanne a visit.
Sharon and Suzanne had their first visitor after the booth was barely set up. Suzanne asked L if she would like a free medal. L replied that she would not as she was upset at God for taking her brother. Her brother had been a priest in Michigan and much loved by his parish and community. L explained her brother converted in college, transferred to seminary, was ordained, and planned to retire in two years after his 50th anniversary of ordination. He was the only Catholic in the family. Suzanne stated she is also a convert and briefly explained why she converted. By the time their conversation ended, Suzanne helped L to pick out a few medals.
Sharon helped a woman choose medals to send a former exchange student from Ecuador. The country is experiencing turmoil and the woman thought a few medals would help. While not displayed, Sharon dug out the Spanish version of the Miraculous Medal card. After the woman expressed interest in learning how to pray the Rosary in Spanish, Sharon gave her a Spanish Rosary brochure from the selection of English and Spanish brochures that were set out.
Rick joined Sharon and Suzanne and prayed over people after asking them for any prayer intentions they had.
Suzanne explained the mission of St Paul Street Evangelization to a visiting priest (not the pastor). Several people expressed gratitude for our mission.
After Phil relieved Sharon and Suzanne, B came to the booth. B wanted prayers for his upcoming conversation with L. B has been speaking with L a few times, and he is wondering if God is preparing for L to come to know our Holy Mother in their next conversation.
Several visitors chose medals to give as gifts along with the other purchases they made at Christkindlmarkt. We pray all who stopped at our booth have a blessed Christmas.
Drive Thru Prayer 11-2-24
November 10, 2024
It was a brisk fall day for our last Drive Thru Prayer of the year. We had four evangelists this November morning-Lisa, Phil, Rick, Sharon.
We didn't have many people stop by. The first was M with whom Phil spoke in her native language of Spanish. After speaking with her, we gave her an Our Lady of Guadalupe medal. M sometimes attends Mass at our parish.
We also prayed with H and B. B has anxiety/depression issues and recently lost her job. Sharon gave her both a St Joseph medal and a St Dymnpha medal she happened to have on hand and briefly explained the concept of patron saints. H has some Catholicism in his background and they have attended Mass at St Raphael occasionally. Phil brought H and B to our adoration chapel and left after a minute or so to allow them to pray. Phil pointed out the section of our bulletin with contact information for the chapel and Sharon that is the coordinator before he brought them into the chapel. Phil thought B seemed immersed in prayer when he left them.
Lastly, Sharon noticed E at the bus stop in front of our church and offered him a Guardian Angel medal explaining it will help him to remember that there is always someone watching over him.
St Raphael Parish Festival 8/2 & 8/3/2024
August 5, 2024
We had a hot and steamy weekend for our festival with more of a crowd on Saturday than Friday. At our booth was our popular Kids Bible Trivia and a special (bilocating?) guest, St Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
Later, Teresa T. , who made our St Mother Teresa of Calcutta displays, retrieved our parish relic of St Teresa for display for a short time. Teresa (in the middle) is shown with team members Jack and Mary and the relic.
We gave out close to 100 of various medals. Sharon had recently filled our container for chains and it was almost empty again. In addition to the medals, we gave out two Spanish Bibles, three Spanish Catechisms, one Spanish children Bible, one English Bible and a few other books that had been donated.
There were three memorable encounters. Cathy was trying to help a Protestant gentleman who told Cathy he is gathering information for a book he is writing. He wants to as much as possible accurately portray Catholic beliefs especially that of Purgatory. Sharon stopped by the booth to retrieve to something and pulled out our collection of SPSE brochures which we did not have space to display. The gentleman flipped through the brochures and took several. Sharon told him to come back, if possible, for our next Drive Through Prayer where she usually has a collection of used Catholic books for give away.
Phil and Sharon spoke to a gentleman who is an alumnus of our school. Phil asked where he currently attends church. He lives out of the area and gave the name of what sounded to be a non-denominational church. Sharon said while she doesn't know if his church has communion, his church does not have the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus in communion as the Catholic Church does. As Sharon flipped through the SPSE brochures and pulled out a few for him to read, Phil gave a longer explanation of Holy Eucharist and encouraged him to read the brochures.
Mary helped a woman and her mother-in-law. The mother-in-law is visiting from Ecuador and does not speak any English. They happily took a Spanish Bible and a Spanish catechism. One of women will soon be part of a Spanish Bible study. (Sharon, the writer of this post, can't remember which woman she was told is doing the Bible study). It is quite possible these two women stopped at our booth last year as Sharon remembers a similar encounter and instead of a Bible, several Spanish brochures were taken.
Crystal Frolic 2024(7/27/24)
July 30, 2024
Our parish St Paul Street Evangelization team again shared a booth with St Raphael School at the annual city celebration "Crystal Frolics". This time, the booth also promoted our parish festival which will be held next week. Phil and Sharon shared booth space with Tanya (promoting the entire parish), Rachel (promoting the school), and shortly before they left, Ann came (promoting the parish festival, not shown). Our pope cutout was resurrected and made a special appearance also.
Since each booth was required to have a child friendly activity, Phil again brought along his Kids Bible Trivia cards. We offered candy (and bonus candy for a correct answer), Miraculous Medals, and rosaries. Tanya, Rachel, and Ann also offered candy and kids sunglasses in addition to information about our school, parish, and upcoming festival.
Setup across from us and kitty corner was a gentleman representing the local school bus company. As much as possible, he listened in on the quiz questions and if the children couldn't answer, he took a stab at it. We hope he gained some Bible knowledge during the afternoon.
We spoke to a gentleman who is a pastor at a local Protestant church. He had some knowledge of the Catholic Church and he came over to our booth to talk to us. Upon inquiring and learning his church either didn't offer communion or did so infrequently, Phil started a conversation based upon the Road to Emmaus and the Eucharist. The pastor brought up papa infallibility and had basic understanding that it covers only faith and morals when speaking for the church. He began speaking about Paul rebuking Peter. Unfortunately we were unable to continue the conversation as a group of children approached.
We also spoke to woman from England who is Catholic, but enrolled her daughter in local Protestant K-12 school. She has spoken to someone from St Raphael school and has toyed with switching her daughter, but she likes the idea that her daughter is able to attend one school and not transfer for high school. Phil inquired where she attends church. She stated they attend the church connected with the Protestant school to receive a discount, but she is thinking of sending her daughter to the faith formation at our parish. Phil and Sharon again brought Holy Eucharist which they are NOT receiving even if the other church has communion services. Please pray that her eyes will be open and she and daughter will return to the Catholic Faith.
Later we spoke to a couple from the Protestant church where the English family attends. He said the church tries hard to follow the early church and they are actively "planting" churches in both South America and Africa. He did state that the church does have communion every Sunday (and Sharon knows the church interestingly offers an Saturday evening vigil service). Phil asked what he believes about Mary and gave him and his wife Miraculous Medals which they accepted.
We had some children who knew the Bible trivia questions and some that did not. Toward the end of our time, a group of three children came up who knew the answers. They received candy and Miraculous medals. They ran off and short time later came back with more siblings and cousins who also knew the answers. After they ran off to play, Phil walked over to their mother/aunt who was sitting a hill a short distance away and presented her with a medal also.
As we were packing up, Ann asked if she could have a medal for her adult daughter who lost hers. Of course, we gave her one to pass along.
As a postscript to the Frolics event, after Sunday Mass Ann reported that a little boy came up heartbroken that his special blessed medal had fallen off the chain and couldn't be found. He wanted to play the trivia game so he could receive a replacement medal. Ann said we had left but gave him the medal she had intended for her daughter.
Approximately thirty medals and thirty rosaries were given out and Sharon left a supply of rosaries with Tanya and Ann.
Free Food, Friendship, and Faith-Week Six (7-25-24)
July 29, 2024
We had high hopes of breaking our record for serving meals as we had steady diners after we opened. However we fell just short at 38 diners.
There were a few memorable encounters.
After setting up her free card games, coloring book cart for children and visiting with a few diners, Suzanne grabbed a lawn sign and walked along the street in front the church. One young lady with a young child in the back off her car briefly spoke to Suzanne and asked for take-out meals. She drove as close as she could to area where we set up. Suzanne ran to prepare a goodie bag for the child of card games and coloring books. Sharon threw in the Matthew Kelly book "Holy Moments" and a ziploc bag with a medal/holy card for the mother. As Suzanne went to grab the meals, she instructed Sharon to bring a food pack (containing 5 dehydrated meals that could serve up to 6 people) to the car. The mother was grateful for both the food pack and free meal.
(Sharon gave out another food pack, but alas she can no longer recall the circumstance. She has one remaining food pack of the seven she acquired in May. With several Drive Thru Prayer days coming up this fall, we can probably distribute the last one as well.)
Phil had an encounter with a man from Nicaragua and a young woman from originally from Mexico. They arrived separately but Phil, with his Spanish skills, spoke with them together as the man knew only Spanish and woman was proficient in English as well as Spanish. The woman had told Sharon she has been in the area about 6 months but not currently attending a church. She accepted a bulletin from Sharon. She told Phil she has attended various denominations, but was raised Catholic. Phil gave both of them a talk about the Catholic belief of Holy Eucharist and the concept of Adoration. He brought both of the them to our adoration chapel and left them both to pray as long they desired.
In addition to the free meals, medals, books, and children's items that each diner received, everyone was given a little newspaper advertising our parish festival that is August 2 & 3 and were invited to return.
FREE FOOD, FRIENDSHIP, AND FAITH-WEEK FIVE (7-18-24)
July 24, 2024
Despite perfect weather conditions, we only served a handful more people this week than our previous week.
Our most interesting encounter was a Protestant pastor. He had two children with him and picked out a Bible and a children's book (written by either Fr Winkler or Fr Lovasik) from the table. The pastor said he had attended a few Masses in the past. Phil encouraged him to return next week for an answer to a question that he asked Phil.
We also had three very well behaved children stop by unaccompanied by an adult. The oldest overheard Phil giving out a food pack (containing 5 dehydrated meals that could serve up to 6 people) and inquired if there was one that he could also take home. Sharon handed a box to him also.
How fortunate that Sharon helped pack these boxes (originally she had seven) and realized our FFF&F event might be a good place to give them to people who mentioned gratitude for a free meal and our evangelists discerned further assistance for the family might be appreciated.
Next week is our last week for Free Food, Friendship and Faith. Will be break our season high record of 43 diners or even our all time record of approximately 70?
Drive Thru Prayer (7-13-24)
July 13, 2024
With only three evangelists/prayer supporters and rain ever threatening, we decided to administer prayer to whomever God would send us.
Sharon and Phil approached a few people on the sidewalk, but no one had any prayer requests
We had one person drive up for prayers which Phil, Rick, and Sharon offered. She is Catholic, although not a parishioner. Her children attend an independent Catholic school near our parish and she had attended Mass here occasionally. She wanted to see what our Drive Thru ministry is about and she drove away with prayers and a Holy Spirit medal as she seeks guidance for decisions she makes throughout her life.
FREE FOOD, FRIENDSHIP, AND FAITH-WEEK FOUR (7-11-24)
July 13, 2024
We had a quiet week. Due to the heat and humidity, our numbers were the lowest yet, 27 diners.
We had a few repeat diners, two new volunteers and one different school family join us. Phil spoke to one gentleman with two boys and may have convinced him to contact our school to discuss enrolling his two children in our parish school.
Although the numbers of diners were low, we were still there to offer fellowship and free meal to all who came.
Free Food, Friendship, and Faith-Week Three (6-27-24)
July 8, 2024
As the weather couldn't decide whether or not to rain, we set up tables both inside and outside and arranged our food and free items tables to be sheltered from any rain. While we did receive a few very light rain showers, it was not enough to dampen to the crowd, which was largest we had this year at 47 participants receiving meals.
The participant from last week, originally from Peru, came back and happily reported to Phil that she now has a job.
G, another participant from last week, came back again this week as a volunteer.
We gave out several medals-including Our Lady of Guadalupe as we have growing number of Latinos in our area.
We are looking forward to our last three weeks and hope we have good weather.
Free Food, Friendship & Faith, Week 2 (6-20-24)
June 21, 2024
On day that was overcast and threatening rain, we served 43 people-up 10 from week 1. Games, free SPSE materials and free books were offered along with our free hot dog meal.
We had one Spanish speaking diner originally from Peru who is looking for a job. Phil, our "resident" Spanish speaker, gave her the address to the local food shelf who might be able to help her with resources.
We also had a immigrant from Cameroon who is looking for a job and who also directed to the same food shelf.
D stopped by who has Catholic relatives. D is a transplant recipient who needs some follow up care regarding an issue. We gave him a Miraculous Medal and he took a St Joseph one for his unemployed girlfriend. Phil brought him to the adoration chapel to sit in the Lord's presence. D said that was just what he needed. He expressed some interest in attending St Raphael as he is looking for a church home.
G, a recent revert and newly registered parishioner, stopped by for a meal and was able to connect with parishioners to help him feel more at home. He was given a brochure on Confession. Our pastor stopped by and was able to speak to G.
As we were picking up since rain was threatening, food supplies were low, and time was nearing 7 pm, a young man stopped to gather a "take out" meal for himself and his sister. He was sent home with a few extra items since we were picking up.
As Sharon was packing up the materials to protect them from the sprinkles that were falling, a gentleman stopped by. He wished he had come earlier so he could have had more time to spend at our event. Sharon invited him to come next week, but he had enough time to grab at least half a dozen books, including a Bible.
Many of our visitors were given slips of paper (see above) advertising our remaining dates. While our two teens featured last week did not return, we hope to see them and others return next week when the weather might be better.
Thank you to all our volunteers, especially those who purchased and set out food items. A big thank you to our pastor for stopping by and greeting diners.
Free Food, Friendship, and Faith-Week 1 (6-13-24)
June 16, 2024
What a nice turnout last evening for the Free Food, Friendship & Faith event, particularly with the number of kids and teens stopping by and even helping out with clean up. Particularly moving were two young men who Mary waved over after having been initially reluctant as they kept looking up from the sidewalk. They not only came over, but then even came back a second time and asked how they could volunteer in some way at our church. They were invited back to help set up next week.
In the conversation with these two H.S. Sophomores, the conversation came around to who is the Pope today?? Would you know who Jesus designated as the first Pope?? They seemed genuinely interested, especially as Peter is the name of one of the young men.
One of our team members has an idea for a handout that could be given to teens and young adults who come to FFF&F and also to our parish festival. The idea was forwarded to our pastor and youth minister.
Pray that these young men return and we can have further conversations with them about the faith.
Drive Thru Prayer - June 1, 2024
June 12, 2024
We had five team members on hand today to try out our new table drape: Justin, Lisa, Phil, Sharon, and Suzanne.
Sharon had recently attended a Knights of Columbus convention with her husband and was given a few packages of "just add hot water" meals to pass out in the community. After giving the matter some thought, she decided the team could pass them out to people requesting prayers dealing with financial issues.
Suzanne and Lisa handed out the first package when a woman drove through requesting prayers. She and her two daughters are facing eviction.
A second package was given to T.M. who asked for prayers for financial and family healing also for stability in his life.
We also prayed for E. He and his wife are Protestant pastors. He stated that his parents raised in the Christian faith.
We also prayed for J., who was on his way to work. Phil could only speak briefly to J. in his native Spanish as his bus arrived to take him to work.
There were a few others who stopped as well. Everyone who stopped was invited to our Free Food, Friendship, and Faith events which occur on Thursdays beginning on June 13. Perhaps we will have another opportunity to pray with the people who stopped by this morning.
Drive Thru Prayer 5-4-24
May 5, 2024
This report comes via Suzanne:
The May Drive Thru Prayer event started off slowly but after 25 minutes it began to get busy with even a couple cars lined up at one point! Prayer Warrior, Tom, was back for a second month of blessing the vehicles with the sign of the cross as they drove by (with people waving or gratefully honking their horns)!
Suzanne first prayed for a woman’s family in Colombia and we talked about her desire to find a Spanish speaking mass. (Modern technology helped in this encounter via Google Translator app!)
Pete was on fire for the Lord by engaging 3 people who needed his help. The first were sisters who needed his prayers along with his website expertise, then a man from war-ravaged Liberia (who lost a mother and daughter in the war) was looking for a new church. Pete’s going to invite him to join he and his wife for an upcoming mass. We also had some wonderful tag-teaming prayer encounters with our community friends.
Lastly, we finished up strong with Tom blessing a convey of motorcycle bikers as they roared by with many thumbs up and honking fanfare. It was such an uplifting and inspiring day!
Team members Tom and Pete
Follow up with DTP items: After Team lead Sharon returned from her weekend away, she forwarded contact information to the parish of the man looking for a church. She also gave Suzanne information on three near-by parishes who offer Spanish Masses for Suzanne to pass onto the woman looking for a Spanish speaking Mass.
Windy Drive Thru Prayer 4/6/24
April 6, 2024
It was a blustery day for our first Drive Thru prayer of the season.
We had four evangelist/prayer warriors today: Lisa, Phil, Sharon and new comer Tom. Tom said felt God wanted him to join us today. Tom evangelized by asking God to bless the passing motorists and making signs of the cross as they drove by.
J spent a long time speaking with Phil and Lisa after he loaded up sacramentals and statues that were blessed after Mass. J asked for prayers with several issues including employment. He had just started a job that requiring driving when he broke his right foot. His foot is now healed and he can look for employment.
With the biting wind and temperatures in the 50's, we started out slowly. Tom couldn't stay the whole time, but he and Phil were able to talk to K who had spoken with Phil last year. K asked us to pray for better work opportunities.
While Phil was walking up and down the sidewalk, he was spotted by T who was at a gas station. T was intrigued and happy with the Drive Thru Prayer concept and said he would stop by. T did stop by and took a photo of Lisa, Sharon, and Phil (holding his sign) to show people. T asked for prayers for some personal vices he is fighting. Phil mentioned how St Michael tossed the demons from heaven and said the St Michael prayer for T to overcome his vices/sins. Sharon quickly pulled a bagged set of a St Michael medal on a chain and a St Michael prayer card. T liked the St Michael prayer and was grateful for the set. After Phil asked if T has studied the Bible and we learned he recently signed up for a Bible study, Lisa mentioned Jeff Cavins is a good resource for studying the Bible. T mentioned his father is currently in rehab after back surgery, so we prayed for him as well.
Before T left C pulled up. C was recently diagnosed with epilepsy. He asked for prayers regarding direction in employment and spiritual direction as he is just exploring Christianity. Sharon gave him a Sacred Heart medal and chain. After talking with him for few minutes, Phil also referred him to Jeff Cavins and gave C a parish bulletin.
Before C left M pulled up. M asked us to pray for a job opportunity as her hours are being cut due to slow down of sales. After being handed a Sacred Heart medal on a chain and a bulletin, M mentioned that she does attend a nearby Catholic church.
We look forward to another year of evangelizing through prayer.
Christkindlmarkt
November 25, 2023
The St Raphael was invited to set up at Christkindlmarkt, a Christmas bazaar at a parish about 20 miles away.
While we didn't stay for the entire 8 hours, Phil and Sharon had several fruitful encounters.
We gave out many medals and rosaries. One lady's chain given to her last year at Christkindlmarkt by then Regional missionary Denise Hirl had broken. She was given a new chain and a new medal.
We prayed with at least 6 people. C will soon have hip replacement. M is a retired nurse and full time care giver for her parents. R asked for prayers an elderly aunt who recently made the decision to discontinue dialysis treatments. E asked for healing from epilepspy.
We prayed with B, former Methodist, who said he didn't leave the church. He feels the Methodist church changed and left him. We had TWO long and good conversations with B. He spoke to us, walked around the Christkindlmarkt and came back to speak with us again. He wants us to pray for the world so people's hearts will be open to learn about Jesus.
Thank you to St Peter and Paul parish for inviting us and thank you for the lovely Nativity scene backdrop for our space.
Drive Thru Prayer 10/7/23
October 20, 2023
We had two team members brave the cold to evangelize, Pete and Suzanne. Thank you to Suzanne for supplying this report.
Stewardship Fair 9/24/23
September 24, 2023
Today was St Raphael's stewardship fair. While the intent was to introduce to parishioners various ministries with which they could volunteer, we still handed out a few materials.
Team member Cathy purchased Bishop Barron's new book on the Eucharist and dropped off several copies for our table. At least three copies were picked up. A young mother picked up two Spanish brochures, one on Confession and one on why to return to the Church, with the hope of having her husband return to Eucharist reception. Several other people people picked up rosaries, brochures, and medals.
We invited people to join our email list and volunteer for events as they are able. Happily, we collected six names.
We also encouraged people to stop by our table next month when we are hosting Fellowship Sunday aka "Donut Sunday" when we will have more supplies available to pick up.
Stewardship Fair 9/24/23
September 24, 2023
Today was St Raphael's stewardship fair. While the intent was to introduce to parishioners various ministries with which they could volunteer, we still handed out a few materials.
Team member Cathy purchased Bishop Barron's new book on the Eucharist and dropped off several copies for our table. At least three copies were picked up. A young mother picked up two Spanish brochures, one on Confession and one on why to return to the Church, with the hope of having her husband return to Eucharist reception. Several other people people picked up rosaries, brochures, and medals.
We invited people to join our email list and volunteer for events as they are able. Happily, we collected six names.
We also encouraged people to stop by our table next month when we are hosting Fellowship Sunday aka "Donut Sunday" when we will have more supplies available to pick up.
Drive Thru 9-2-23
September 2, 2023
Today we had five evangelists-Jack, Michael, Pete, Phil and Sharon. We also had a guest evangelist, our pastor Fr. Hagen.
Shortly after we set up, Father Hagen and Jack engaged in long conversation with D. D was Catholic, but was not practicing anymore.
Phil, while walking along the sidewalk holding a Drive Thru Prayer sign, engaged two different times with people at the gas station on the corner, who while Protestant, appreciated our efforts to pray for people.
Pete and Sharon spoke with a teen carrying her pet reptile (some sort of dragon). She requested we pray for her father who has cancer. She volunteers at her Protestant church reaching out to peers. Sharon lauded her efforts as the young lady previously gave the impression that she is a regular church goer.
Pete and Sharon also spoke with C. who is divorced and his adult daughters are estranged from him. This causes him much pain and he, while a faithful Protestant, has been struggling to attend church as he receives no comfort from sermons anymore and receives more comfort praying/reading Bible at home. Sharon remarked that some Catholic saints have suffered through the "dark night of the soul" while still believing in God, they struggle to pray and to feel God's presence in their lives. Pete offered comfort as he has a relative in a similar circumstance regarding estranged children. It was remarked that God must have wanted C to interact with us as he had two choices of paths to walk to destination and he chose to walk past our church. Pete invited C, who had attended a Catholic high school, to attend Mass any time he wants.
Festival 2023
August 11, 2023
Our pastor wants one of the primary foci (plural of Focus) to be community outreach. He is very glad our RFF (Reaching for Faith)/SPSE ministry can help with that.
We had approx 8 SPSE medals offered as well most SPSE brochures set out. We had our collection of donated used religious books as well as a new Matthew Kelly book and the new book by Bishop Barron on the Eucharist set out. Several people took the Matthew Kelly book and the Bishop Barron book. We gave out two Bible. Of course, medals are always popular items as well as rosaries.
One woman stopped with her mother who is visiting from Ecuador. I pointed out our selection of Spanish brochures and she happily took a few.
The wife of new volunteer for the RFF side of things died recently. He donated various religious articles (some new) that she had accumulated. We gave out several one decade rosary bracelets along with other articles that team lead Sharon had blessed in the morning to make sure everything was blessed.
Sharon needed to have more St Benedict medals and St Benedicts crucifixes blessed in the morning also to make sure we had an adequate supply. Our pastor noted that St Benedict medals need a special blessing (exorcism?). As Sharon was setting up the booth, Father came by to give the extra blessing.
Pope Francis made an appearance again. Even Elvis wanted a photo with the pope.
Frolicking in Crystal 7/29/2023
July 29, 2023
Last Free Food event 7/27/23
July 29, 2023
In light of the heat advisory (and maybe a severe weather watch), our Free Food, Friendship and Faith event was moved into our "upper gathering" area. Despite moving indoors, we still had over 50 people come for a free hot dog meal. That brings our total to approximately 250 for our six week event.
We had a mix of returnees and new faces. We had a few new faces from the AA meeting place across street. Mike, who has shown up several times to help us and mingle, will reach out to the AA folks when he attends the meeting in the future. Mike knows several people from AA who are on their way into the church and likes to bring them over to our adoration chapel.
C... came with two children. We learned she is parishioner, but thought having her children attend the school would be financially out of her reach. Phil encouraged her to reach out to the school and told her there is scholarship money available. Please pray C...will reach out the school and find a way to have her children attend.
F... and C... along with F's parents stopped by. F... grew up in the parish and was recently married. Please pray for a successful, happy, long marriage for F... and C...
Team member Suzanne has been faithful about bring lawn games for the children and also coloring pages. Since we were inside, lawn games were not feasible but that didn't stop the kids from using hula-hoops.
Thank you to all our Reaching For Faith/St Paul Street Evangelization ministry members for a successful year. We look forward to summer 2024.
Free Food, Friendship, Faith 7-20-23
July 20, 2023
We had a glorious summer evening with a light breeze and seventy-two (yes, 72!) people served. Within a few minutes we had served two dozen meals.
We had a return "customers" as usual, including one man who usually grabs a hotdog meal then goes across the street to his AA meeting. Tonight, however, he had just been released from ER where he was treated for a leg wound. He gratefully grabbed his meal then headed home to elevate his leg.
We also had Y... who immigrated a few years ago from an Asian country near Vietnam. She knows very little about Christianity but is very eager to have her three young children learn about it. Phil talked to her about our school and encouraged her to phone for more information. She stopped by our table and chose medals for herself and her children. She said she felt welcome at our event.
We also had a woman from Nicaragua with her niece and nephew. She and her family member do not speak much English and attend a parish nearby with a Spanish Mass. Phil encouraged her to return and attend our 10:30 Sunday Mass where she can speak to some of our Spanish-speaking parishioners. She also chose medals and asked us to pray for the bishop of Nicaragua who has been arrested.
Jack carried a meal to a car to a grandma who was waiting in her car with a baby while her two older grandchildren gathered their meals. The grandmother is caring for her three grandchildren while their mother is in rehab.
Sharon noticed that the Catechism she set out as part of our free books display was taken. Several other books were also taken as the box had a noticeable space which was not there before.
Please pray for everyone we encountered and that Y... and her family embrace Christianity especially our Catholic Faith.
Free Food July 13
July 15, 2023
We had a large crowd, approximately 40 and ran out the hot dogs that we thought we were likely use. That is a great problem to have as we had leftovers our previous weeks.
We again had return "customers", and two of those were turned away due to lack of hot dogs (but they also arrived about 5 minutes before "closing").
Phil's Spanish again came in handy when a couple from Ecuador almost left due the language barrier issue. He explained that we have a small community of Spanish speakers who usually attend the 10:30 am Sunday Mass and invited them to attend Sunday Mass here.
A new community group is meeting at our parish and they were invited to stop by before their meeting. Several of them did and since the group has a fair number of Protestants, it was an opportunity to show that Catholics can be welcoming, too.
FFFF July 6
July 12, 2023
We had beautiful weather, but smaller gathering at about 24 people who stopped to eat our "gourmet" meal of hot dogs, baked beans, cole slaw and chips.
We again had return "customers" including J... who brought about 6 teens who were friends and family. All of them took at least one medal or rosary. While I tried to explain the rosary, none were interested in the pamphlet. All of them have some knowledge of Jesus, but one young man I could tell has very little religious instruction. If they come back again, I hope to better explain some basics about Jesus and Christianity.
We had a young married couple and a woman who are looking for a parish. Phil gave the woman G...., who had a little familiarity of our of campus, the "grand tour" and had a long conversation. Perhaps these three people will be return "customers" at our next hot dog meal Thursday or better yet attend Mass to experience our reverent Sunday Masses.
Two events
July 2, 2023
This was a busy week for our team.
We helped staff a table and provided volunteers for our parish evangelization/community outreach called Free Food, Friendship and Faith. June 22 was our first FFFF event and our turnout was low 14-17 attendees. June 29, we had 43!
We had a couple of return attendees from our first week and two notable encounters.
A lady named M--- joined us, and our team-member Justin sat and shared a hot dog meal and conversation with her. Justin shared that as the conversation unfolded, she had a Christian background, but hadn't been to Church in awhile. They discussed the Eucharist, and he invited her to attend Mass, to which she seemed warm to the idea. She has son in jail and talks to him frequently. She told team members Sharon and Pete that her son had fallen away from Christianity and dabbled with Islam, but she was encouraged because he told M--- that he recently picked a Bible and read the from the book of Exodus.
Team member Phil was able to use his Spanish with three attendees from Ecuador. The parents were just visiting and the son didn't yet belong to a local parish. Phil invited them to return on Sunday for Mass and gave them a church bulletin.
Note: Our young pastor as a seminarian was required to take a Spanish immersion course. He is able to hear confessions in Spanish and would like to take a refresher immersion course. Our parish does have native Spanish speakers who are proficient at English. Pray that this Ecuadorian family visits our parish for Mass.
Saturday was first Saturday of the month Drive Thru Prayer. We ministered to about 10 people. One man L--- is from Africa. He spoke at length with Pete on the sidewalk and asked for prayers regarding finding a job and the souls of his parents. Pete invited him to Mass and walked with L-- to the west entrance which is where Pete would be sitting this morning at 8:30 Mass. L--- seems very interested in attending. Pete invited him to return on Thursday for a free hot dog meal.
Suzanne spoke with B--- who drove through in her vehicle. B--- felt so touched talking with Suzanne that she drove home and drove through again with her huband H---- . H----'s family is struggling from the death of his nephew J---.
Please pray for everyone we encountered this week that their prayers will be answered if it is God's will and they grow closer to God.
6/3/23 Drive Thru Prayer
June 3, 2023
We had a large crew with three new people joining us today.
Many prayer requests and several good conversations. Phil encouraged one woman to return the practice of confession. One Baptist gentleman seemed interested in learning more about the Catholic Church. In this octave of the Pentecost, we hope the Holy Spirit will move them to move forward in their faith life.
Road to Bethlehem 12/3/2022
December 4, 2022
This year Phil and I again set up just outside the entrance to our church in the upper gathering area. Our hope was to attract the attention of some the people entering the church to hear the school children sing during our Christmas bazaar "Christmas Village: The Road to Bethlehem".
Most of our encounters were routine: children taking a medal or two on a chain, people picking up medals to give to relatives for Christmas.
Two encounters stick out in my mind.
- We talked one couple for a few minutes. The woman mentioned her mother attends our parish. Phil asked if they had any prayer intentions. The man mentioned his sister-in-law (his wife's sister) died just under a year ago from complications of Covid. Phil said he would take that intention with him when he went to adoration in a few hours. He then asked, since our parish is her mother's parish, where the couple attends church. They live a community some miles away and attend a Protestant church. Let's hope we planted some seeds when we didn't realize they were not Catholic.
- As we were packing up, a friend helped. She noticed I had a zipper baggie with knotted cord rosaries. I said that in a shipment of rosaries from SPSE were several varieties of rosaries other than rosaries with the standard oval plastic beads.. I bagged those up so I could lay out a couple of different varieties. Our parish school has a traveling prayer statue of Mary. She thought these knotted rosaries would good durable rosaries for children to pray with when their family has the statue. I said she could take the whole bag (a dozen?) and she gladly did.
We had a young helper, age 17, who evangelized with us when his parents and younger siblings were walking around the "Road to Bethlehem". We invited him to join us in the future.
As much as possible when we were talking to people picking out medals, we gave them two additional things: 1) https://evangelizationschool.com/store/product/holy-cards-eucharist-living-bread/ The new Living Bread prayer card since we are in a 3 year period of Eucharistic revival 2) https://evangelizationschool.com/store/product/spse-catholic-audio-card/ SPSE Audio cards to which I affixed an "address label" advertising our Drive Thru Prayer and invited them back to pick up more material or give us a prayer request.
Windy Day 11/4/22
November 6, 2022
Three evangelists showed up for our misty, overcast, cold day. After one hour, we had one Drive Thru and gave out one medal to a gentleman waiting for the bus. Since everything was slowly becoming wet, we decided to back up an hour early. We will be back our stations the first Saturday in April.
Rake A Thon
October 29, 2022
The St Raphael School had a wonderful day for its annual service project/fundraiser the Rake A Thon. Evangelists Phil and Sharon were ready with medals, rosaries, pamphlets, and donated Catholic books when rakers returned to the school for a soup and hot dog lunch.
Many children took one or more medals on chains and rosaries. Parents, too, took items and a few chose books. Phil had a conversation with a dad who is a convert from Lutheranism and another with a woman who was happy to converse in her native Spanish. The second grader teacher, who took medals/chains for her class last year, took medals and chains for her class again. Her husband stopped by, picked up a book, and mentioned he stopped by our booth at the festival.
Thank you, God, for a nice weather and good turnout. May the sacramentals given out today increase the faith of those who received them.
Drive Thru Prayer 10/1/22
October 13, 2022
This is from Team Member Phil:
Drive Thru Prayer 9/2/22
September 3, 2022
The road and sidewalk in front the church are both being repaired. We were undeterred and set up anyway despite expecting a lower turnout.
Man with a child in Pre-K at our parish school was waiting for a bus and asked for prayers for his back. Emmanuel asked for prayers for obedience. (Not knowing the circumstance, we think it is likely for obedience to follow God's will. We can all use this type of obedience.)
A mother and daughter walked by. The daughter said she already had a Miraculous Medal she received previously. Sharon thinks the daughter had attended one of the Free Food, Friendship and Faith nights.
As we were packing up, Robert drove up and asked for general prayers. Evangelist Cathy had just wandering down to our brochure table and was able to hand him the "My Daily Prayer" Pamphlet.
Though the turnout was small, we hoped we touched the hearts of the people with whom we spoke.
St Raphael Festival (reboot)
August 9, 2022
Our new young pastor was excited to reboot the festival after a few years off. He was very excited to meet to Pope Francis!
Crystal Frolics 2022
July 30, 2022
This report is from team member Phil:
Free Food, Friendship, and Faith (July 14 & 21)
July 22, 2022
St Raphael Reaching for Faith (RFF) ministry, of which the parish SPSE is subset, hosts every few years Free Food, Friendship, and Faith nights where we give free hot dogs meals to people driving or walking by.
This year we planned to add SPSE materials to give away every week but due to Sharon's broken ankle (who would staff the table), we were only able to do July 14 & 21.
On July 14, about 50 diners were served including a group of 6-8 young adults who each took a Miraculous Medal
On July 21, we served about 60 meals including one to a bus driver:
One of our team members, Suzanne, was walking about Bass Lake Rd as usual, holding up our FFF&F signs & drawing attention to our event. As it happened the Metro city bus made the stop right at our Church, and Suzanne let the bus-driver Tony know, of the free hot dog meal that awaited him. He asked her if she could have a meal ready for him when he returned in about 25 minutes. Suzanne agreed, and had a hot dog plate made up for him. Well sure enough, he came back and was very happy to receive his meal, and commented that he'd watch us operate over the several previous weeks, and thought the outreach was a good idea. Suzanne asked him for his prayer requests, for which he responded. And before the bus pulled away, Suzanne asked the 5 riders on the bus if they too, would pray for bus driver Tony, and every one of them agreed!!!!!! In addition to the meal, Suzanne brought him a Miraculous Medal and a brochure or two.
We had also an encounter with a local school board member, who having driven by on at least one prior week, decided to stop by and see what was happening. She wholeheartedly loved the meal give away and wanted Sharon to explain the significance of each medal.
The school board member had been Mexico and was interested in the story behind the Our Lady of Guadalupe image. In their discussion of what sets Catholicism apart from other denominations, Sharon handed her brochures on Mary and the Eucharist. She identified herself as a reader and someone who loves to learn and took several other brochures as well. She also received one of every medal on a chain. She may come back for our parish festival in a few weeks when the SPSE team will have a booth as well.
Join us in prayer for the intentions of our diners and that they each grow in faith and friendship with God.
Drive Thru Prayer 6/4/2022
June 6, 2022
In the shadow of recent mass shootings, near-record inflation, and the war in Ukraine, the Holy Spirit’s loving and positive presence was upon our community in a big way, and provided comfort and awareness that God is still with us. On Saturday, June 4th, St. Raphael’s St. Paul Street Evangelization team had a record number of drive-thru and walk-by prayer requests (16), where we prayed for those with mental health, financial, addiction, and family needs. Our efforts provided a visible reminder of God’s love for those who are prayer recipients, and we're confident that God is planting seeds of hope in those who drive by but don’t stop. Saturday’s Drive-thru Prayer event allowed us to have many requests and needs lifted before the Lord -- it was awesome to see the power of prayer at work!
Drive thru Prayer #2 May 7, 2022
May 9, 2022
Saturday May 7th our SPSE team held our usual first Saturday sidewalk & drive-thru prayer event. At the drive-thru, we experienced good traffic, and one lady named Joanna was in the passenger seat, and her PCA Liz was the driver. Joanna was requesting prayer for her children, to make good decisions in life, do the right thing always, & grow to know Jesus better. I asked Liz if we could include her children as well, and she agreed. We called upon our Good God, for blessings upon them.Evangelizing with Door Hangers
April 3, 2022
Several members of our team helped with this project in various ways: stuffing bags, helping to distribute bags to parishioners after Masses to hang on doors on their block, and four members along with our pastor (split into two teams) went into the immediate neighborhood around our church to hang the bags on the door of houses/townhouses. One member took 100 bags to distribute at a location further away. Free Food, Friendship, and Faith event running on Thursdays June 16- July 28 is sponsored by Reaching for Faith committee of which SPSE team is a subcommittee. (Note: the bags we distributed today did NOT have the SPEI card in them. This photo is from our Drive Thru Prayer event on Saturday, April 2.) One team, Phil and Julius, spoke to Bruce, who attends a local Protestant church. Bruce thought it is important taht people of faith follow the Holy Spirit. Phil and Julius agreed and suggested Holy Spirit was with them now. The three men prayed for their homes and peace. Bruce said he appreciated what Phil and Julius were doing.
Drive Thru Prayer #1 2022
April 2, 2022
We had a brisk, partly sunny morning for our first Drive Thru Prayer of the year. Phil, Serena, and Sharon were joined by FIVE new people this morning. Brad and Joe, who sometimes stand with signs in various places near by, were invited to join us this morning with their signs. Jack, Julius, and Suzanne, who came to our kick-off information meeting, joined us as well.
In addition to our normal SPSE materials and our inventory of gently used Catholic books, we were handing out "door hangers" to people that stopped. Our young energetic pastor wants these doorhangers distributed to the neighborhood to invite people to check out St Raphael. Included in the "door hanger" is a half sheet advertising our Free Food, Friendship, and Faith nights which will occur in June and July. To the bags we handed out today, I added SPSE Catholic Audio Cards with a sticker affixed advertising our 1st Saturday Drive Thru Prayer.
We had barely finished setting up when two cars drove up requesting prayers. Caught off guard with a car driving up so soon, Sharon forgot to give a door hanger bag when she gave a Miraculous Medal to Susan for her friend who is suffer from lung cancer. The rest of people received both medals and door hangers. In total we spoke to ten groups of people.
Please pray for Rick-suffering from lung cancer, Patience-that she may be adopted by her Aunt Esther, and Alfreda-who wants a revival of her prayer life and is having marriage difficulties and all of people who stopped by and those who honked happily as they drove by appreciating what we are doing.
Evangelizing Faith Formation
December 13, 2021
This report comes from team member Peggy:
On December 5, I gave the students who are going to be receiving their First Communion the rosaries and Rosary Guides, along with the Chaplet of Divine Mercy prayer cards. The teacher thanked me for them. I explained to some of the kids and teacher the plan was to pray the rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy once a week, and then in Lent increase the praying to the rosary to twice a week. The students and teacher were all happy to receive the materials.
Road to Bethlehem Boutique 12/4/21
December 5, 2021
Walk up Prayer 11/9/2021
November 6, 2021
After cancelling Drive Thru Prayer on our normal first Saturday (due to a parish event happening at the same time), Sharon decided having unusually high temperature forecast of 64 degrees forecast for today called for evangelization. Due to deciding this morning to set up spur of moment, the only evangelists were Sharon and her daughter Serena.
It appeared that no one might stop by the material tables (other than our parochial administrator) on this nice morning. We were approaching the time to pack up when a couple walked up who were waiting for a bus. They both took rosaries and each took a medal on a chain with the accompanying prayer card.
They were quickly followed by a man in motorized wheel chair who was traveling down the sidewalk. He received prayers, a Guardian Angel medal/card, a rosary/pamphlet and a St Benedict crucifix was added to the Guardian Medal on the chain when the rosary wouldn't fit over his head. He identified himself as a Lutheran. Perhaps praying the rosary will draw him closer to the Catholic Church.
As Serena and Sharon started to pick up the materials, a family arrived to wait for a bus. This family waited for the bus before on a Drive Thru Prayer Saturday and the bus came so quickly, we did not have a chance to talk to them. This time Serena offered the family some candy and Sharon managed to give two children medals before the bus came. Perhaps next year, we will be able to give medals to the rest of family.
As Drive Thru (walk up) Prayer is done for the year, we pray that we touched the lives of people who received medals/materials and drew them closer to God.
10/30/21 St Raphael School Rake-A-Thon
October 30, 2021
The day started a bit nippy as Sharon and Phil greeted families gathering for the annual St Raphael School Rake-A-Thon, a combination service project and fundraiser. Due to time constraints, not all families could stop by our two tables of SPSE materials and free books. We were able to give a mother who is not currently practicing her Catholic faith a rosary and other rosary materials along with "Reasons to Return to the Catholic Faith."
Last year due to Covid protocols, the usual lunch for families after the raking did not happen. This year the lunch did happen. Before Phil left for another parish volunteer commitment, he helped Sharon move the materials into the school cafeteria for the families who returned for the hot dog and chili lunch. It was thought during lunch would be a better opportunity to reach out the families and reach out Sharon did. A mother picked up replacement medals and chains for ones received at last year's event which had broken. Children picked up medals (many several took multiple medals) and chains. Parents and children picked up free books. The second grade teachers took medals/chains for her students (except for the one standing next her that she knew had received one). Even our new parochial administrator Fr. Hagen stopped by and picked Miraculous Medals cards to hand out with the Miraculous Medals he carries with him in a rosary pouch. We started the morning with a small quantity of loose chains (12?) and Sharon opened a bag of 50. After the families left, Sharon discovered the loose chains left are probably less than five. Please pray the children will continue to happily wear their new medals/chains and the sacramental graces they receive will aid them to grow in their Catholic faith.
October 2: Drive Thru Prayer and Knights of Columbus Booya
October 4, 2021
We had two events lined up for Saturday, October 2 and both of them were lasted less than the anticipated two hours.
Rick joined us today for the first time. Rick is a long time member of the St Raphael evening prayer group and years ago did some door knocking evangelizing with the Legion of Mary in Texas.
We started our Drive Thru Prayer under cloudy skies, but hopeful the rain would hold off until after 12 pm. This was not the case, but we still managed to talk to a few people, pray with them and hand out Guardian Angel medals on chains in honor the feast of Guardian Angels on October 2.
When heavy drizzle started, we packed up and closed our session with prayers for those we encountered at about 11:15am.
Josie and Sharon moved our slightly soggy supplies inside to wipe them off and set up for KC Booya feed which was scheduled for 5-7pm.
As Josie left, she found two envelopes outside the locked doors just short distance from where we set up the SPSE table. The envelopes were labeled "Prayer requests". Sharon assumed they were from people who wanted to do Drive Thru prayer but discovered we had packed up early, so she opened them and she and Josie prayed for the prayer requests. The envelopes appeared to from a mother and daughter due to the similarity of a few of the prayer requests. Sharon told Josie she would email the prayer requests to the other team members and Rick so everyone pray for them.
Curiously, the mother had written her first name and street address on one of the index cards that she placed in her envelope. After consulting with team, Sharon mailed a care package today (October 4) to the family with Guardian Angel/Miraculous medals on chains along with the prayer cards for each, rosaries/rosary pamphlet/rosary CD, the brochure on suffering, a St Francis prayer card (the saint of the day), and the book "I Heard God Laugh" by Matthew Kelley. Team member Phil emailed Sharon a personalized letter to include with package, gave his contact information and said they could contact him if desired. Team member Peggy had also emailed encouraging words which Sharon copied onto a text document, printed and placed in the box.
The evening KC Booya Fest was also cut short, but for a good reason--the booya sold out by 5:50! Before packing up for the final time, Sharon had managed to give out a few medals, replace a broken chain from our Christmas 2020 medal give away, give out two examination of conscience brochures to a woman who along with her husband encourage fallen away Catholics that they meet in their Alcoholics Anonymous ministry to return to the faith, and gave away a few books-one of which is a Catechism of the Catholic Church-from our free book collection.
Drive Thru prayer 8/14 & 9/4
September 5, 2021
Our team had a new member the past two months. In August, Lisa took a spin up and down the sidewalk in front of the church (see photo below). In September, she helped Sharon pray with passers-by on the sidewalk while Phil and Serena "beat the pavement."
Peggy rounded out our team the past two months and manned the drive thru station at the church north entrance.
As evangelists, we may often wonder if we are making a difference. After our experience Sept 4, I can say, "Yes, we are making a difference." There is one gentleman who has stopped by nearly every month since we started Drive Thru prayer October, 2020. He was having a bad day and looked forward to stopping by and knowing there would friendly people with whom he could discuss his cares and pray with him. As he and his wife are discussing the possibility of moving, we are not certain if we will see him again. But he hasn't moved by the first Saturday in October, we will be ready to greet him, listen to his concerns, and pray with him.
Frolicking in Crystal with St Raphael School 7/25/2021
July 27, 2021
The St Raphael SPSE team shared a booth with St Raphael School at the Crystal Frolics Family Festival on Sunday, July 25. As part of the Family Festival, each booth needed an activity for children. Team member Phil had a Bible Trivia game, so he was our quiz master and handed out candy to participants.
We were not allowed to talk about doctrine so we were hampered. We could hand out free religious articles and information about our parish, however. After the children tried a trivia question and received a piece of candy, we invited them to make a necklace with a medal or two and to take a rosary. We did offer a simple explanation of the rosary when asked and gave out a few rosary pamphlets. Sharon gave a brief explanation about Our Lady of Guadalupe to a woman stating the tilma which should had lasted only 40 years has been in existence for 500 years. She was impressed and chose that medal.
If a child chose a St Michael ("the warrior angel" Sharon called him to appeal to the boys) or a guardian angel medal, we made sure to give him/her the prayer card. A woman in 70's or 80's happily took a guardian angel medal on a chain.
Team member Peggy rounded out our team that day. She had a knack for encouraging people to accept rosaries.
Although we did not have as much traffic as hoped, our presence at the Frolics was important as there was a Protestant church (as well as a charter school and the public school district) present at the Family Festival. At least one person thanked us for being there and said the medal and rosary give-away was a good idea.
July 3 Drive Thru Prayer
July 3, 2021
With a soft breeze to sustain us and young lady dipping her toes to see what street evangelism is, we set up once again in front of St Raphael church on the first Saturday in July.
"C" asked the prayer team to pray for health, finances and safe travel to Illinois. "G" asked for all youth to be lifted up in faith and service. Dave stopped once again and picked up a crucifix on a chain, but couldn't stay long as he had groceries and soda fountain drinks to bring back home.
Evangelist Dave is doing a ministry of giving a friendly wave to people driving by as he walks on the sidewalk. Many people wave back or honk.
Sharon answered many questions that "N" had. "N" is someone Dave, Serena, and Sharon met after Mass one day. She is in a summer RCIA program at a neighboring parish and picked up several medals and brochures today for herself and a friend. Peggy and our potential new evangelist spent a long time engaged with man that approached our book/rosary/medal station near the sidewalk. He took brochures on Confession and How to Pray the Rosary , but declined to take a rosary because he wants to read more about it.
With addition of "I Heard God Laugh", we have good supply of books to give away. No one took any books today but "N" expressed gratitude for the "Catechism of the Catholic Church" that Serena and Sharon took from our book inventory and gave her after Mass about a week after we met her. "N" asked about several of the books in the box, but said she hadn't read the other books given to her the same time as the Catechism.
Drive Thru Prayer 6/5/21
June 6, 2021
We had a hot but successful outing. The temperature was 89 at noon when we finished, but we had shade to sit in and a little breeze so God was good to us.
Due to the hot weather, we had few people walking on the sidewalk compared to other months. However, Dave, who stopped by last year and both April and May this year, brought his wife to meet us. We knew from previous meetings that Dave and Lisa have had housing issues in the past and Lisa, who is in a wheelchair, has health issues. Sharon asked if they are pro-life. Lisa stated she is and was adopted as a baby. We gave her copy of "Unplanned" by Abby Johnson to read and Phil explained why being pro-choice is harmful to women. Sharon also briefly explained how Catholics believe that suffering can have a purpose and can be offered as form of prayer to help others. She gave Lisa the brochure on suffering who seemed interested to read it. Lisa asked when we would be out again. Sharon explained the first Saturday of every month barring bad weather or a funeral at the church.
Phil and Peggy spent a lot of time with Rose Marie who needs heart and lung surgery. They gave her comfort and a renewed mission to use the rest of her life, no matter how long or short, to spread Christ.
Two young women , Shien and Shawnshay, stopped by the prayer station to ask for prayers for Shawnshay's job situtation. SPSE evangelist Dave them rosaries and directed them to the materials table to pick up brochures on to pray the rosary and a rosary CD.
While we had very few encounters, we believe we are making a difference and look forward to the first Saturday in July.
Serena, Sharon's daughter, noted we need to add a box of tissues to our supplies as the past few months people tearfully poured out their troubles to Phil and Peggy at the prayer station. Sharon also decided to use the lines on the back of the "Great Catholic Audio Talks" to write "Drive Thru Prayer, 1st Saturday of the Month," along with the church address so interested people can stop by and visit with us again (and maybe listen to some of the SPSE talks if interested).
Women's Retreat
May 20, 2021
May 15, our parish women's group, the Rosary Society, sponsored a retreat for women with the theme "The Holy Family." Two weeks before the retreat the president of the Rosary Society approached Sharon, Team Lead and Rosary Society treasurer, if she knew where to buy holy cards for retreat. Sharon thought of SPSE. Since the maximum number of participants was capped at 120, Sharon bought one pack each (100) of Holy Family-retreat theme, St Joseph the Worker-year of St Joseph, and Our Lady of Fatima-feast day May 13.
The holy cards were well received. We had approximately 70 women attend. All of two of the St Joseph cards were taken, 12 Holy Family cards were left, and 22 Our Lady of Fatima remained, so women picked up extra copies for relatives and friends.
Thank you SPSE for quality holy cards and prompt shipping service.
Drive Thru Prayer May 1
May 2, 2021
Today's report is from Station Leader Phil Rief as the team leader was unavailable for the event:
Phil Rief - SPSE
Drive Thru Prayer 4/3/2021
April 3, 2021
What a glorious Holy Saturday for our first Drive Thru prayer of the year!
All week we have been experience cold weather (well, average-ish temps weather) coupled with strong winds that felt bitter cold. Last night the winds died down and weather the warmed up to make a wonderful event.
The first drive thru prayer request spent much time speaking with Peggy and Phil. Her marriage is on the verge of breaking up. She was crying and very grateful we were there to pray for her. Sharon handed her a Miraculous Medal on way out. Peggy and Phil also talked to couple, who had just moved here, and requested prayers for a job; for a man for the repose of a soul a loved one and comfort and support for the family; and for a woman for direction in her life and becoming closer to Jesus.
Dave walked up and the down the sidewalk talking to passers-by and referring people to Sharon and Sharon's daughter, Serena. The walkers included mother with young daughter in a stroller. Sharon gave the daughter a book about Jonah. Other people stopping by the table of SPSE materials for prayers included a woman who requested prayers for her boyfriend who is diabetic and had a food amputated; a Viet Nam vet who is also having problems with a foot that may need surgery; Teresa asked for prayers for a friend; and a passer-named Dave, whom we chatted with last year, told of a miracle he and his wife experienced and also asked for prayers.
As we were packing up, a gentlemen drove up and asked about confession times. Sadly, confessions were done for the day. Phil explained what we were doing and he exited his vehicle to look at the materials. He was very happy to see the Catholic materials and asked he could buy some to take to Africa in about month. We explained everything was free. After asking Sharon if a bag was handy, he placed many rosaries, bagged Miraculous medals (leftover from our Christmas giveaway), an assortment of loose medals and several Rosary pamphlets in the bag. He promised to give our names to the priests of parishes that would benefit from the articles so that they could offer a Mass for us.
Christmas Miraculous Medal give away 12/24-12/27
December 31, 2020
Originally, we planned to give out Miraculous Medals at Easter, but we needed to postpone until Christmas. Four people bagged medals strung on chains and a Mirculous Medal card in small sealable bags for the Christmas medal giveaway.
Still, the pandemic ruined our plans for a more personal touch to physically hand out the medals and greet Mass goers.
Phil arrived before the first vigil Mass on Christmas Eve to place baskets at all entrances with Miraculous Medals. Phil also placed an announcement in the bulletin and wrote an announcement to read at the Christmas Eve/Day Masses and at the December 26 vigil/December 27 Masses about medal give away.
Approximately 620 English medals and 95 Spanish medals were taken by Mass goers over the long Christmas weekend.
The parish office was contacted by two people who requested medals after the remaining medals were picked up Monday morning. Sharon left a few at the front desk saying more were available if more requests came in.
Drive-Thru/Walk up prayer 11/7/20
November 7, 2020
Dave, Phil, Peggy, and Sharon set up for what was probably our last Drive Thru event of year on a nice, sunny but windy morning.
We had a total of nine people this morning for our first Saturday Drive-Thru event.
- A former navy man, very friendly, holding a lottery ticket, smiled and asked that if he wins the lottery that he uses the money wisely.
- Dave asked Phil to pray for the soul of the father of his wife's friend who passed away from Covid-19
- Mirah who was waiting for a bus (I neglected to write down her prayer intention)
- two women who were walking and took medals from Dave and later when walking past us again, stopped and each took home a book-one "The Great Divorce" by C.S.Lewis and the other a book on the wonders of the miraculous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. (These books were given to the SPSE team by a church librarian as the church library already had copies.)
- A man who asked we pray for the soul of his mother
- Tiara, a drive-thru, who asked we pray in general for her life.
- Mindy who asked we pray for health issues. When Sharon asked Mindy about her faith life, she commented she is Native American and believes in God. Dave had recently watch a movie on EWTN about Kateri Tekakawitha so he mentioned there is a Native American saint. When Sharon gave a brief description of St Kateri and mentioned her smallpox scars disappeared after she died, Mindy was very interested as she has a skin condition. Sharon and Dave gave a brief description of praying to saints and patron saints (probably too brief!) and suggested St Kateri would be a good saint for Mindy to ask for help. Sharon wrote down Kateri Tekawitha (yes, I spelled it wrong when giving to Mindy) so Mindy could look up a full biography later on the internet.
- Finally Tony, a parishioner with three young children, asked that his youngest would get a good nap.
We want to thank Amy G for our new signs. Amy and her husband own a print shop.
St Raphael School Rake A Thon table set up
October 31, 2020
Dave, Phil and Sharon handed medals and religious materials to St Raphael School students and parents before they left for their service project/fundraiser. Most families took several medals and the few Christian (not specifically Catholic) children books and one children's Saint book that were donated were eagerly taken by two families.
The school principal who previously lived in Michigan and evangelized with his high school students and SPSE before thanked us for being there.
As the day was rather windy, we hope they were actually able to rake the leaves and bag them before they scattered back over the lawns again.
Evangelizing with the Knights of Columbus
October 24, 2020
Today St Raphael School had to postpone their Rake A Thon fundraiser as we were blessed (???) with at least 6 inches of snow this past week which had not fully melted.
However the cold turn of weather showed how needed the KC Coats for Kids give away truly was.
We set up our table a few feet away from the Knights of Columbus in the parking lot by the St Raphael School. Phil and Sharon were joined by a new and very eager recruit, Dave. Most of the 10-12 families that stopped to receive free coats also looked at our table. Everyone who paused at the SPSE table picked up at least one medal and usually other items at well. One happy father of a St Raphael School student asked if the Bible on the table was free. I said yes and offered him a Catechism that was also displayed. Phil engaged a woman who was raised Baptist but said she is using this time of streamed church services to try different churches. Phil offered her a parish bulletin along with the other items she picked up. Dave chatted with a woman whom he found out is Jewish.
We hope the blessed medals taken will bring everyone closer to God.
This was a great way to evangelize and we hope we can work with the Knights next year if they have a coat give away at St Raphael.
Dave, Sharon, Phil
A happy recipient of a coat with four Knights.
Drive-Thru Prayer 10/3/2020
October 3, 2020
Today our team consisted of Peggy, Phil and Sharon. Phil and Peggy sat at the prayer station at the north entrance of the church, while Sharon sat at the literature/medal table closer to the sidewalk.
While Sharon was setting up the table, Pedro, who stopped last month, came by to pick up another English language Rosary brochure.
When Sharon and Phil were discussing a possible event later in the month, two young men walked by on the sidewalk. Phil asked if they had any prayer intentions and were told to pray for the world.
After 1 1/2 hours and no drive-thru customers, Phil picked up one of our lawn signs and walked up the down the sidewalk. While he was walking, a woman drove up and wanted prayers as her pet dog of 14 yrs had recently died. Sharon walked up to the prayer station as Phil hadn't returned. The woman also requested prayers for her financial situation. Sharon noticed the woman made a sign a cross when they began to pray. As Peggy remained talking to the woman, Sharon returned to the literature table for a Miraculous Medal. The woman gratefully accepted the medal and immediately put it on.
As we were picking up, a woman asked for prayers for the end of abortion.
Peggy herself picked up a Miraculous Medal and several brochures to pass on a woman who previously spoke to Peggy about returning the Catholic Church after experiencing a miracle.
God is good and again brought us people who were thankful we were there. We are tentatively planning to set up the first Saturday in November, weather permitting.
St Raphael Patronal Statue Installation Event-9/26/2020
September 28, 2020
Phil and Sharon manned a table for 4 hours at the joyous occasion of our parish installing and dedicating a statue of our patron saint.
Sharon admitted having a low expectation for the table as we would be likely "preaching to the choir." However, we had two items in our favor. 1) Archbishop Hebda was at the dedication Mass to bless the statue. Normally, the 5:30 vigil Mass has low attendance, but we were blessed with attendance close to the allowed capacity for Minnesota. 2) St Raphael Youth Ministry was hosting a retreat for the youth group.
Both these factors allowed us to give out at medals to at least seven people, brochures to at least three people, and free books that Sharon has gathered to at least three people. Some of these items were taken by members of the youth group and at least one visitor to our parish. (Sharon was away from the table for a short time to enjoy a roast beef sandwich with her husband and may have a missed a few encounters in her tally.)
While Sharon was away eating with her husband, Phil-who is fluent in Spanish-conversed with a couple originally from Mexico. This couple took the lone Spanish book we had displayed along with a medal or two and some Spanish brochures. Phil gave them his contact information so that he will be able to assist them in signing up for an adoration hour (maybe two!) in their native Spanish language. What a blessing to have Phil on our team since our parish has a growing native Spanish speaking population.
(An interesting God-incidence, our bronze statue was designed by Georgina Farias Nicolopulos, a native and current resident of Mexico despite her married Greek last name.)
September 5, 2020 Drive-Thru Prayer station and literature table
September 5, 2020
We are very happy with our first Drive-Thru prayer station on Saturday, September 5. Phil and Peggy set up at the north entrance of the church, while after some thought Sharon and the literature table was moved closer to the sidewalk.
While Sharon was setting the literature table, Phil prayed with Michelette who walked across the small front lawn with a request prayer. She and Phil prayed for an end to the pandemic and that a vaccine be found.
After a long dry spell (and after Peggy had to leave), we had several people in quick succession.
Dani requested prayers for a dispute she is having with a neighbor, for her health and also for her daughter, whose birthday is today. Noticing Dani crossed herself when we prayed with her, we inquired if she is Catholic. Replying she is, we gave her a Miraculous Medal/prayer card and an Our Lady of Guadalupe medal/prayer card, one for herself and one for her daughter. She mentioned she attends a nearby parish, but occasionally came to our Adoration Chapel before it shut down. We explained the chapel is re-open but only for committed adorers. We gave her a recent church bulletin with information regarding signing up and noted that Sharon is one of adoration chapel co-ordinators.
Pedro, who attends Mass at St Raphael, stopped by when he saw the literature table. A native of Mexico, Pedro was looking for a brochure on how to pray the Rosary in English. He went away with a Rosary brochure and St Michael medal/prayer card. We also prayed for his family in Mexico.
Amy, also a parishioner, stopped by for prayers regarding a finger she recently broke.
We also spoke with a young teen who was walking on the sidewalk. When he asked if he had a prayer intention for us, he couldn't think of anything. Sharon offered that we could pray for a successful school year, and so we did.
Finally a father and his two sons who attend the parish school stopped. One son chose a guardian angel medal/prayer card, the other chose a St Michael medal/prayer card.
We had decided we had one person stop, we would be happy as the idea for this prayer station was just dreamed up on Wednesday. We are very pleased with this God-inspired idea and how everything turned out.
Thomas Beach 8/29/2020
September 2, 2020
Christmas Village 2019
December 12, 2019
Upcoming events
November 1, 2019
While not an official SPSE effort, last night (Halloween) my daughter handed out little ziploc bags with candy, a St Michael Medal, and St Michael prayer card to children who came to our house. My daughter and I prayed that the St Michael items bear fruit and bring recipients closer to God. (see attached photo)
Upcoming SPSE activities are:
Christmas Village December 7 will we set up our SPSE display for the first time. Denise Hirl from the SPSE Minnetonka team will be on hand to show us how to evangelize our fellow parishioners and wider community.
February 23 we will host donuts (along with other Reaching for Faith members), have the SPSE display set up, and have Denise Hirl speak after fellowship time.
At Easter Vigil and Easter Masses, SPSE and RFF will hand out Miraculous Medals (and probably chains and cards) to Mass attendees.