Rochester, MN

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The following is a continuation of yesterday’s story that comes to us from team leader Deb with our team in Owatonna, MN:

Light-hearted moments balanced the weightier stories—such as the group of suited young men wielding extended toilet plungers, rushing to a performance of Forever Plaid. Even they paused for a quick prayer before heading off to entertain.

A particularly powerful encounter unfolded with a man seeking clarity in faith. His story of near-
abortions, miraculous healing of his third son—predicted to have Trisomy 18. As the doctor
appointments continued, they told him and his wife that with the blood tests and amniotic tests, they were 90% certain the baby had this disease and would be severely disabled. Not long after that, he was at a local restaurant and saw someone, who looked like a Bishop. He went up to the table and asked him if he was Bishop Barron and the Bishop said yes. The father told him about his baby and asked for a prayer and the Bishop prayed for him and the baby. When the baby was born, he was completely normal. Praise the Lord! They named the baby, Micah. We prayed for him and his family and talked to him about the different Catholic churches in town. Our evangelist, Tom, invited him to his church and shared the name of the person to talk to about OCIA—and his “chance” meeting with Bishop Barron revealed a divine thread woven through his life. Inspired, he accepted an invitation to explore Catholicism through OCIA.

Each encounter, from brief blessings to deep conversations, was a reminder of how God meets people in their need—through grief, doubt, illness, or new beginnings. The outing ended with hearts full, not just for those who were served, but for those who witnessed grace in action on a Rochester sidewalk.

Praised be Jesus Christ!