Sharing the Real Presence
In this newsletter
Do You Notice the Signs? by Griffin Rain
Upcoming Events
Volunteers Needed
Do You Notice The Signs? by Griffin Rain
We may live in a society that seems to be post Christian, but Christian signs are still everywhere. We run the risk of losing them if we don't remind people of them and their value. It is interesting to me how many people will wear Christian signs such as crosses, crucifixes, rosaries or ashes on their head for Ash Wednesday but they are empty signs to them. Many do not pray with them or really know what they mean. I will often go up to people who are wearing these signs and ask about their religious commitments to find that they have none. It has become a sign pointing to something else rather than what it was made for to remind us to take up our cross and follow Christ.
This was obvious to me on Ash Wednesday as the churches were packed full for people to get their ashes and then the streets were full of people with ashes on their forehead. When the Ashes are imposed we hear, "Repent and believe in the Gospel!" Many don't know what it means to repent. All day long I was walking down the streets going up to people with ashes on their forehead and asking them if they had made plans to repent and go to confession this Lent. Most people I talked to did not have plans and many seemed to have forgotten about the sacrament altogether. I explained to them how receiving ashes is a sign that points us to repentance and what we must do to be in right relationship with God. Over the course of the day I along with a few others who evangelized with me gave out about 80 examination of consciences to Catholics who did not have plans to confess this Lent. Pray for them that they may follow through!
A way for us to evangelize is when we see someone with a Christian sign, we can ask them about it and help to complete the story of the sign they wear. Often times they are very open to the conversation and are thankful that we helped them to have a more full picture of the Christian life. There may not be full churches every Sunday like Ash Wednesday, but there are many more people who desire to have faith and they come for special occasions, but don't realize what is expected of them as Catholics. Lets help them take their faith seriously and encourage an encounter with our Lord in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Upcoming Events
Be sure to check the bottom of our homepage for our upcoming events calendar
Men's Open House Discipleship Night - Join us for the Men's Open House Discipleship Night on Friday nights at the Street Disciple House. We will have this each Friday going forward. This Friday March 14th we will be having John Paul Shimek coming to discuss a selection from Don Luigi Giussani's 'The Religious Sense'. It will be a open house so come when you can. The plan for the night is to prepare dinner 5pm until ready, eat; evening prayer 6:30pm; 7pm Formation on the religious sense; 8pm to 10pm game night/ social. We will conclude with Night Prayer at 10pm. Feel free to invite friends!
Also if you would like to help with organizing the night, communication, cooking, finding speakers etc. please let us know!
Come and See – We are encouraging men who are interested in our way of life to visit for a come and see. We encourage longer visits such as a week-long visit. We are open to having visitors most weeks so if you have a week that will work for you, contact us and we can have you for a visit. To set up a visit call/text (414) 235-7307 or e-mail vocations@reaplresencemissionaries.org
Lunch in the Park - We will be serving food at the Cream City Garden homeless camp (1307 N 13th st) Saturday March 15th from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Volunteers are needed on two teams. Kitchen team and Evangelist team. Please contact us if you can make it. We begin at the Street disciple house at 11am. You are encouraged to join us for Mass beforehand at the UWM Panther Newman Center at 9 am.
Missionary Associates – Join us for our next Missionary Associates Dinner. Next month it will take place on Monday March 24th. This is for people who volunteer with the missionaries or are interested in volunteering/supporting our work. We hope that this continues building up the community around the missionaries, getting to know others and energizing more people to start working for the salvation of souls here in Milwaukee. This occurs at the Street Disciple House located at 2126 W Michigan St. Milwaukee, WI 53233. The schedule for the event is as follows:
● Evening Prayer 5:30 pm - 5:45 pm
● Short talk from Griffin with discussion 5:50 pm - 6:10 pm
● Dinner and socializing 6:15 pm onward
If you can't make it this time, plan for the 4th Monday of each month. If you would like to be on our text updates list, please text (414)235-7307 your name and we will add you.
Disputatio - Come expand your mind and refine your reasoning skills.
The event will consist of the following: Three (or so) volunteers from those who attend will do their best to answer a question (they will not know the questions beforehand). These questions could be philosophical, theological, or cultural. Each volunteer will then respond to three objections taken from the audience and will afterwards have the opportunity to restate or change their original position.
The questions can range from goofy to grim. The only similarity between all the questions is that each will provide opportunities for us to improve our ability to reason.
Tea and scones will be provided as refreshments and, weather permitting, the event will be followed by a fire outside.
There is nothing you need to do to prepare. You need simply arrive at 6:30pm on Sunday, the 30th of March. The event will take place at the Street Disciple House: 2126 W Michigan St. Milwaukee, WI, 53233
Aaron Brown, Master of Catholic Studies, will be sitting in the Hot Seat first!
Please feel free to invite anyone you think would enjoy this event. This event is for everyone who loves the truth, religious or not. Come ease the body and strain the mind!
Volunteers Needed
(Contact 414-235-7307 to help)
Way of the Cross through the city streets. Fridays @ 3 pm @ 12th and Wisconsin av.
Saturday big group evangelization at high foot traffic area 10:30 am - 2:30 pm
Needed Items
(Click underline for link to donate)
Street Disciple House Items
twin size box springs & frames
Matching couches for living room
Street Evangelization/Preaching Items
Amazon List (pamphlet racks, hard drive, microphone, camera battery, note taker bible, voice recorder)
Financial Donations for Missionary Formation and Street Disciple House
Wood 2x4's (8ft) for the Weekly Way of the Cross
About the Missionaries of the Real Presence
The Missionaries of the Real Presence aims to assist in the apostolic renewal of the church by intentionally discipling men living in community and encouraging missionary vocations in the church. We participate in Christ’s evangelizing work for the salvation of souls especially seeking out those who have been spiritually neglected. We introduce people to Jesus through intentional conversation, preaching, teaching, and prayer. We engage in direct evangelization in the public forum on the city streets, on public transit, in homes and share the good news of Christ with those we meet. All of this flows from a life of prayer and union with Jesus as our source.
Support the Mission, Join the Mission
If you appreciate the work we are doing, consider supporting our mission financially Here.
Volunteer with us with our street ministry and house visits Here
If reading about some of our stories inspires you, come and see what life as a missionary is like and visit us for a day or longer for prayer and ministry as you discern Here.
If you want to learn how we evangelize, consider watching videos on our YouTube Channel, Missionaries of the Real Presence
Check out our Facebook Here or our Instagram Here
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