Metuchen, NJ

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This report comes to us from team leader Alpa with our Somerville-Immaculate Conception parish team in NJ:

We set up a table at the Jingle Bells Craft Celebration from 10 am until 3 pm and had an unending stream of people! We spoke, prayed and encouraged everyone to return to Jesus and His holy church. Chris spoke to a man who lives across the street from the Cathedral, and grew up attending Mass with his family. Due to circumstances, he found himself away from the church. He was a business owner that just yesterday found out that his bid for a job with a Catholic Church was accepted, one that he didn’t think he would receive. It got him thinking. After speaking with Chris, he said “I don’t believe in accidents. Here I am at this fair and now I’m speaking with you about God.” We told him, “God is always calling us back to Him in all kinds of ways, we just have to listen and open ourselves up to His call.” He thanked us and said he’s thinking about returning.

A sweet woman who came with a large family took a rosary. When asked if she attends Mass regularly, she said she didn’t. When asked why not, she started tearing up and said, “I’ve done a lot of bad things.” I hugged her and said “His mercy is bigger than any of the things that you’ve done. He loves you unconditionally and wants a relationship with you and wants you back.” She then said repeatedly “You’re really making me cry.” And I said “I’ve done a lot of bad things too, we are all sinners, every one of us. Please reach out to Him.” As the woman was overcome with emotion, a family member with her said thank you and reached over and took two brochures on her own, “Reasons to Return to the Catholic Church” and “Confession”.

A young couple stopped and the man took a rosary. He’s currently in OCIA at his parish and looking forward to becoming Catholic. The woman was quiet and not interested in talking. Albert asked them if they needed prayers, and the man excitedly said yes. Albert started the prayer, but the woman didn’t start with the sign of the cross and she was disengaged, almost hostile. But after the prayer, her face lit up, she made the sign of the cross and hugged her partner. It turned out to be a turning point in the interaction and then they both opened up about their lives to Albert and thanked us for being there.

We were so blessed to spend time at the Craft Fair and have this opportunity to share His love! Praised be Jesus Christ!