Watertown

Country: United States
State or province: New York

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Scott Lowry
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Summary for Outing Saturday 21 October 2023

December 2, 2023

Summary for Outing Saturday 21 October 2023

Thank you everyone for your successful prayers. Although it was supposed to rain all weekend in Watertown, NY, there was only a light drizzle for the first 30 minutes of the street evangelization outing. Even though the skies were still dark and cloudy, the rain ceased.

I was alone for this unofficial outing because I am still in the process of setting up a team for the St. Paul Street Evangelization Watertown, NY chapter. Nonetheless, people in the downtown square (which is surrounded by incoming/oncoming foot and vehicular traffic and businesses) approached me with curiosity and interest. Here are some experiences during the three hour period I was out there:

Evangelization Encounter -

EE#1.) A worker from the Department of Public Works for the City of Watertown, NY named Hollis drove his maintenance truck onto the island which I was occupying in the square. He had to repair a downed street sign that was destroyed in the square. I approached him and asked if he needed any help lifting the sign onto his truck. He declined the offer. From there, I offered a rosary or miraculous medal to which he also declined. I thanked him for his time and then walked around the square for a little bit until he sprung up a conversation with me. In summary, he explained to me that a drunk driver drove through the square last night onto the island and took out the sign that he was replacing. We then went into a discussion about the current state of affairs in the United States with the drug epidemic and people generally turning away from neighborly/caring kindness for one another. He thanked me for what I was doing and said "it takes a special kind of person to do what you are doing here." After I thanked him for his kindness, he pointed to the local non-denominational church with a clock tower above it that is featured in one of these photos I took and told me he was a member of that church. We talked some more about the sign of the times as he finished up his work. Before he departed, I told him that I would be praying for the success of his career so he can continue supporting his community.

EE#2.) I was standing behind the table when an older gentleman on a scooter with a US Marines Veteran hat drove by after passing the crosswalk. I asked him if he was in the Vietnam War and thanked him for his service. He told me he was and we began to talk about the military. I too also shared some of my time in combat in Iraq as an Infantryman. From there, I told the veteran that I believed Vietnam was much worse than Iraq because of the American lives that were lost and intensity of it. This sparked his interest as we began talking about the service. I found out that he is Catholic and was very interested in multiple Rosaries with the American flag colors (red/white/blue). I also gave him multiple miraculous medals and a How to Pray the Rosary pamphlet. The veteran thanked me and said he would look for me in the square in the future. As he departed I told him that God was with him and that I would be praying for him.

EE#3.) Two workers who stepped out of their barbershop in their aprons for a brief moment who were across the street yelled to me, "How much is the stuff you are selling?" I replied, "It's free. They are religious items blessed by a Priest." The men nodded their heads in approval and walked over. When they approached me, they were asking many questions about the items I was passing out. One of the men told me that "something" told them to come over to where I was and ask for a medal. They had no idea that I had miraculous medals on me because they were not visible from where they were (and they were nowhere near my table). I just so happened to have two on my person (to pass out if I strayed too far away from my table) and handed out the ones I had to them along with blessed Rosaries and a pamphlet on how to pray the Rosary. The men smiled and began talking to me about God. I also got an opportunity to share the power of the Rosary and the miraculous medal along with the joy of prayer. The men seemed very satisfied and said they would be looking for me there in the future.

EE#4.) Immediately after the two men who were told by "something" to come see me for a medal, a homeless man named Dakota walked by the barbershop workers in the opposite direction towards me. I also engaged him in dialogue about the Catholic faith while providing homeless resources for our area in the local Catholic churches which were just down the streets from us. Dakota told me some deep personal trials he is going through at the moment with addiction, the law, and finding stable housing. In addition, he is going through relationship problems. He also explained to me how he is very "open minded" and considers all religions and theories of the universe (such as simulation theory, reincarnation, and the possibility of pagan gods). After listening to Dakota's story and faith journey, I proceeded to reply to some of his inquiries regarding the faith. With much passion, he believes God exists and is looking out for him, for he was even wearing a cross, and shared with me a story about how he was late for work once and while walking there on foot he prayed, "God if you are real right now, please give me a sign and help me get to work so I do not lose my job." Immediately within seconds, a random person pulled over on the side of the road for him and asked him if he needed a ride. Furthermore into this discussion and exchange, I gave him a blessed blue Rosary that he immediately put around his neck to wear along with a miraculous medal on ball n chain. Dakota is a very intelligent man and was very curious about coming to the truth that is the Lord. I explained to Him how other faiths have versions of the truth, but that the Catholic faith holds the truth in fullness. I explained to Dakota that even though he may be poor materially, through faith in Christ Jesus he has discovered true riches that was last and will not perish like the idols of the world. I also reminded him to discern the spirits because he mentioned to me that some dreams he has shows him in a past life doing something. I reminded him that not all spirits aim to seek our good, but rather seek to throw us into confusion, despair, and separation from the Living God who is The Truth. I also reminded him that the Apostle Paul warns us from his epistles that the "gods" of the pagans are actually demons and we as true followers of Christ cannot have a share of the cup from demons and the Lord. Dakota considered all of these points. I concluded by asking if I could place my hand over his shoulder and pray to the Lord out loud for him to receive the Holy Spirit into his heart, for him to find stable housing, and for God to guide him along on his faith journey to the truth through prayer and constant denial of self. He thanked me and shook my hand afterwards. On the way out, I proclaimed to him that God was with him and would not abandon him. Before Dakota left, he explained to me how he walked by here multiple times but avoided my table, but something kept calling him back to return to the area I was occupying (as if he was being guided).

EE#5.) While I was talking to Dakota, a man named Jordan came by on a mountain bike. He was wearing a blue 10th mountain division shirt. He seemed very interested and went out of his way to approach the table. He immediately asked me if he could take one of each pamphlet about the Catholic faith. I personally picked out each one for him and handed it to him along with a blessed Rosary and miraculous medal. Jordan told me a short version of his story regarding addiction. He told me that the Lord has helped him battle drug addiction and that he has been clean for almost a year now. I congratulated him and shook his hand. He then explained to me how he is a baptized Catholic and took communion as a child. I explained to him how it is never too late to return to Church and reminded him of the churches in our area. I then asked Jordan if he wanted to pray with me. He accepted. Upon placing my hand on his shoulder, I asked the Lord out loud to protect Jordan from addiction and temptation and to draw him into closer union with Him. Me, Jordan, and Dakota were having a three-way conversation about faith for a period encouraging each other on faith and to never give up hope. Jordan then thanked me for being there and left.

This was a great first experience and the foot traffic was minimal, but the connections were definitely worth it and fruitful. Although there were some people I approached who were not interested, they were quite friendly and seemed to be in a hurry or not used to people being nice to them. I did not have a moment to take pictures with some of the people I talked with because I was too busy engaging in conversation and listening. It would help in the future if I had teammates to stand back so as to listen and snap photos (with permission of bystanders of course).

In conclusion, this outing was successful as I could feel the Holy Spirit working through other people. It felt good taking trust from myself and putting it in the Lord who always provides!

Please join me in praying for those I encountered on this outing and their intentions. Thank you!