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Waxahachie - St. Joseph

Country: United States
State or province: Texas

Team Leader
Joseph McGowan
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Cinco de Mayo

May 6, 2024

Every first Saturday in May, the City of Waxahachie allows for the celebration of Cinco de Mayo that is sponsored by a local Hispanic organization. It usually draws several thousand people, so we naturally planned on evangelizing during the event.

I first arrived at the downtown park we used before but realized it would not be a good place to have discussions as food trucks were set up on the street with their generators making a noisy environment.

So I waited for the remainder of the team there and prayed the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. We always know that God will send to us those he wants us to interact with for His purpose through the Holy Spirit. We need to only be obedient and sensitive to the Spirit's guidance.

Once the other team members arrived, we moved to a less noisy location around the corner and down the street. I was a little apprehensive about the new location as I didn't know if there would be enough foot traffic. I should not have worried as people began approaching us even before we finished setting up our table. Thankfully, we had enough team members to greet and talk with visitors while still finishing the set up. I am so thankful for the participation of fellow evangelical Catholics in this ministry.

We know that we can offer rosaries or medals to a dozen or more people, but there are always a few we can sense that God has a real purpose for their visiting. One such person was Natasha and her family, recent converts to Catholicism at the past Easter Vigil. While it is not always our focus to minister to practicing Catholics, it is fulfilling to have them stop by and answer questions they may have about the True Faith. We of course encourage and edify each other and we pray the new converts are encouraged by our efforts to represent the truth on the streets (and of course, to start their own team or join ours).

We noticed a man coming down the street wearing, shall we say, "cannabis advocacy" apparel. I offered him a free Rosary and his countenance changed immediately and he readily accepted the offer. We asked if he was Catholic to which he said "yes" but he no longer attended Mass. His name is Luis and he said he just stopped going after being raised in the Church. After some conversation, he pulled out his phone and said, "Ï want to show you something". He showed us a picture of a framed, very large printed image of Our Lady of Guadalupe in his house surrounded by flowers and candles. He said he inherited it from his grandmother and is probably over 100 years old. Luis said his abuela was from Mexico City, so another team member told him that the image he had of the tilma could be a relic itself or at the least, blessed, so it is good he still has it in a place of honor. Luis said he still has a party at his house each December on the anniversary of Our Lady's visitations to Juan Diego. I emphasized to Luis that it was no coincidence that he met us and slipped him a pamphlet on confession and encouraged him to return to Mass and the Sacraments. He then invited us all to his house in December for the celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Another encounter involved a man named David. David was alone and stopped when offered a rosary. There seemed to be pall of sadness about him when he spoke. We asked if he went to church, and he said he went to a local Protestant, non-denominational church. I asked if there was anything he needed prayer for. He told us that his family had been riven by his daughter's experience of abuse by another family member. This tragedy caused a rift between him and his daughter and stress within his marriage. This as well as his son being addicted to drugs. We all prayed for David, that God will sustain him during this time and the grace to endure. He also accepted a Miraculous Medal and allowed me to place it on his neck. We continue to pray for David and his family that they may come through this terrible time and be made whole again.

It is a privilege to be allowed to pray with others, helping them shoulder their burdens and embrace the truth. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Bethlehem Revisited

December 4, 2023

The St. Joseph Parish Team Waxahachie, TX set up their table at the Bethlehem Revisited event in Waxahachie, TX over the weekend of 1-2 December. This event has been a regular tradition in the DFW area for over twenty years. It attracts many families at the opening of the holidays. The event recreates 1st century Bethlehem complete with Roman guards, a living Nativity, crafts, live animals and Herod's court.

We obtained a prime location near the entrance to the venue. Because the event began after dark, we had a light illuminating our table. Many people came up to ask us where the beginning of the venue was which gave us the opportunity to offer a rosary, ask them if they went to church and if we could pray for them.

We were privileged to encounter and interact with many people. Many allowed team members to pray with them. Intentions ranged from the practical (needing a new catalytic converter) to more heartbreaking (for a mother who lost an infant in an accident.) We were all privileged to lift intentions concerning lapsed family, pregnancies, health ans so much more to the Lord on behalf of these souls.

A lady named Rosemary asked for prayer for her daughter who needed "stability". She said she was raised Catholic but had left the Church to be a Lutheran with her husband. After prayer, she said it was beautiful, then went on her way. A little while later she returned, offered a large cash donation (which we declined, of course) and said, "You guys make me want to return to the Catholic Church!" Praise God!

We know God sends us the people He wants us to meet and talk to. We are so fulfilled through acts of simple obedience by showing up and speaking the truth. As our Blessed Mother proclaims at the Visitation, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior."

St. Joseph Waxahachie TX First Outing!

April 17, 2023

The St. Joseph Catholic Church in Waxahachie TX had their first outing on April 15 2023. The team set up their table during the Ennis Bluebonnet Festival in Ennis TX.

The team members were surprised at how comfortable people were in discussing their challenges when asked if we could pray for them.

During the outing of about an hour and a half, around twelve individuals or families stopped by the table to discuss their lives and relationship with God.

Rosaries were passed out as well as numerous Miraculous Medals.

Some memorable conversations included a lady who said she had lost the rosary in her car and the car was subsequently stolen (!), a bride to be who was worried that her 90 year old grandmother's health would not allow her to attend her wedding, and a lady who needed prayer to get the probate moving on an inheritance.

The team prayed for these and numerous other requests. Some of the visitors said they were formally Catholic or had family members who were or are Catholic.

We know the Holy Spirit guided all of these visitors to our table and we continue to pray for them and others in upcoming outings.