Manville, NJ

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This report is a continuation of Wednesday’s story, which comes to us from station leader Mary Ann with our Somerville–Immaculate Conception parish team in New Jersey:

The goodness of God was everywhere at the Sacred Heart Church carnival, blessing everyone in attendance, including Alpa, Wilber, and me.

A lovely young woman stopped to admire our colorful rosaries and asked, “Is this all you do?” Smiling, I replied, “We pray…would you like to pray?” We prayed together for her father, who has cancer, asking God to bring healing, strength, and peace to her family. She thanked us for being there and said she truly felt God’s grace. We also discovered she had graduated from Immaculata High School just last year and enthusiastically told us, “I absolutely loved it!” What a beautiful witness to Catholic education.

We also met a man who faithfully attends Mass each Sunday. When we encouraged him to return to Confession, he admitted, “It’s been a while.” As we spoke about the peace found in the Sacrament, he shared that he often stops into the nearby Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament, where Jesus is exposed each day. “I might go in anxious or upset, but I always leave more relaxed and in a better mood,” he said. What a wonderful reminder of the peace found in Christ’s presence.

Later, I offered a free rosary to a young man in his twenties and asked if he was a Christian. “No, I’m nothing. In fact, I’m surprised you’re even talking to me.” His words touched my heart. I assured him that God calls us to love Him and one another. “I try,” I admitted, “but I’m far from perfect.” We introduced ourselves. His name was Scott, and as we spoke, I shared the Gospel: how Jesus came to save us through His death and Resurrection, inviting us to repent, be baptized, and follow Him into eternal life. Scott accepted several pamphlets and promised to read them. I told him our meeting wasn’t an accident…it was part of God’s plan.

Please pray for Scott and for everyone we encountered at the carnival. May the goodness of God continue “running after us.”