Meeting Christ
- realpresencemissio6
- 4 days ago
- 8 min read
SHARING THE REAL PRESENCE
We are thankful for those who helped us attend the SEEK Conference this year. Here is a photo of the Missionaries taking the crosses out to evangelize on the streets of Columbus, OH, with some of the SEEK attendees.
IN THIS NEWSLETTER
"Meeting Christ" by Griffin Rain
"God Smacked" by Bonnie (Missionary Associate)
Upcoming Events
Volunteers Needed
Meeting Christ
By Griffin Rain
Over the past few weeks, we have had a number of people interrupt our Bible studies that we host at the public library and seek to turn them into a debate. At another time, I was praying a Holy Hour in the church and a man who regularly comes and interrupts people’s quiet prayer and sometimes interrupts during Mass, interrupted me and was a bit argumentative. After a few minutes I realized no argument was going to win him over. He needed to meet Christ. When someone meets the love of Christ, whatever arguments they may have had seem to melt away. How can I love this person as Christ loves them? I shifted the conversation away from theological differences and asked him what was going on that was making him act in this way. He shared a few things and I shared in a few ways that I desired him to be reconciled back to God and to be in good relationship with Him. It was something he desired too, but he thought of it in a different way than Catholics do. I shared with him some of the ways that Christ reconciled the world to Himself and asked if I could pray for him. I said a short prayer for him and prayed for some of his current distresses. I then invited him to take some quiet time in prayer. He agreed and stayed for awhile, and then he thanked me and wished me well and left.
It’s not about winning an argument, but winning a soul. We do this through Christ, and by helping people to have an encounter with the person of Jesus Christ.
The man who would not pray and who had many arguments against the Blessed Sacrament of Jesus in the Eucharist being Jesus himself, decided to pray in silence in the presence of Christ and seemed to be moved in some way.
Ultimately it is the Holy Spirit that converts people. How can we help open people up to the movements of the Holy Spirit? It can at many times be better to let go of winning an argument and invite someone to prayer or reflection on some aspect of the faith. Before Jesus sends the Holy Spirit, he says it is better that he goes away. It often is better to go and let God finish the work we started.
"But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes he will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation: sin, because they do not believe in me; righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me; condemnation, because the ruler of this world has been condemned." ~ John 16:7-11
God Smacked
By Bonnie (Missionary Associate)
One fine summer day, out riding my bike on a main highway in town, I passed a digital sign along the road: "Mass Mass Mass," it read, and it listed multiple times, including right then and there.
Wandering off the street, I went to open the door to the Nave, and BAM!
I was hit with the holiest presence I had ever experienced.
It led me to immediately know that God is real and powerful, and particularly, that Christ is real and powerful.
No one had to tell me about The Real Presence -- I was placed into His presence like a shot right between the eyes.
Sometimes when evangelizing, I realize that I can't speak of a lot of scriptural knowledge and make really good apologetical arguments for the faith.
When we encounter people who are struggling with intellectual stumbling blocks and being distracted by all manner of arguments against faith, perhaps it is then that they should be invited to just come.
Maybe they just need to be God-smacked like me, a poor sinner.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Text Updates - We have a new program for sending text updates. If you would like to be added to our text blasts about upcoming events, please text “start” to 414-667-6777 or fill out this form to indicate what you would like to receive texts about: https://forms.gle/iDBdyox6vGePCzmz9
Missionary Associates Dinner - The Missionary Associates Dinner has been moved from Monday evenings to Sunday evenings once a month, and now takes place at the St. Brigid Center (2133 W Wisconsin Ave) (formerly the Irish Cultural Heritage Center), which is located directly behind the Street Disciple House (see map below for where to park and enter at the St. Brigid Center).
We are thankful to have a larger space to gather! Join us for our next Missionary Associates Dinner taking place this Sunday, January 25th. This event is for all who volunteer with the Missionaries or are interested in volunteering / supporting our work. The schedule for the night is as follows:
5pm - Sunday Mass in the sanctuary of the St. Brigid Center
After Mass - short talk from Griffin with discussion
~6:45pm - dinner and socializing
We hope this event continues to build up the community around the Missionaries, allow everyone to get to know each other, and energize more people to start working for the salvation of souls here in Milwaukee.
Here is a map of where to park and enter at the St. Brigid Center:
Lunch in the Park - We will be serving food at King Park (1531 W Vliet St, Milwaukee, WI 53205) on Saturday, February 21st from 10:40 am to 1:00 pm. Volunteers are needed on two teams - Kitchen team and Evangelization team. Please contact us if you can make it at (414) 235-7307. We begin at the Street Disciple House at 10:40 am and leave to arrive at King Park around 11 am.
Summer Mission - We have a new program for college students and others who will be off for the summer. Why spend your summer flipping patties for minimum wage when you could be turning souls toward God for heavenly wage? What to expect:
Life in Community - You will live alongside fellow Catholic men, committing to a rhythm of shared life, recreation, and deep accountability.
Developing Prayer Life - Pray together with housemates daily and receive formation in the spiritual life.
Growth in Freedom - True freedom comes not from doing what you want, but wanting what God wants. Receive formation in conquering the spiritual vices that hold you back and growing in the capacity to hear and obey God’s will.
Direct Evangelization - Share the Catholic faith with those outside of the Church in direct apostolic work, both through street evangelization and other direct forms of evangelism.
For more information or to apply, visit streetdisciple.org/summer.
Men's Open House Discipleship Nights - The Men's Discipleship Nights are now meeting at the St. Brigid Center (2133 W Wisconsin Ave) (formerly the Irish Cultural Heritage Center), located directly behind the Street Disciple House (see map above for parking). This event happens every Friday unless otherwise announced. See the schedule & speakers for upcoming nights here. It is an open house, so come when you can. You do not need to be there for the whole night, but are invited for as much of the night as you would like. Feel free to bring friends! The schedule is as follows:
5pm - Doors open
5:30-6:30pm - Dinner
6:30pm - Evening Prayer & silent prayer
7pm - Formation (click here for upcoming formation topics)
8:15-10pm - Social/games/etc.
10pm - We will conclude with Night Prayer
If you would like to help with organizing the night, communication, cooking, finding speakers, etc., please let us know!
Discernment Group - We are hosting a Discernment Group that meets every other week on Saturday evenings. We will be starting a new book on February 7th, so this is a good time to join if you are new. If you would like to get the book ahead of time, please purchase Priestly Fatherhood: Treasure in Earthen Vessels by Fr. Jacques Philippe. Please contact Griffin at 414-235-7307 if you would like to be a part of the group.
Volunteers Needed
(Call or text 414-235-7307 to help)
Bible Study - Beginning in February, we will be hosting a Bible Study on Thursdays at 12:30pm @ the Atrium of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, after the Open Door Cafe. We are looking for other Catholics who would be interested in helping to lead the Bible study. It will be attended mostly by homeless individuals and non-Catholics who attend the Open Door Cafe.
Catechism Nights - We are hoping to start Catechism Nights for current Catholics to grow deeper in faith (this is not OCIA), but we can only start them if we have help. It could take place either on Tuesday, Saturday, or Sunday evenings. If you are interested in helping out, please reach out to the number above.
Recurring times for evangelization:
Fridays - Evangelization after 12:05pm Mass in front of Gesu Church @ 12th and Wisconsin Ave.
Saturdays - Big group evangelization in a high foot traffic area
needed items
(Click the underlines for link to donate)
Help support our summer missionaries and new missionaries who recently moved into the Street Disciple House
Street Disciple House Items
Twin-sized bunk bed frames
Tall ladder
Street Evangelization/Preaching Items
Amazon List (pamphlet racks, camera battery, note taker bible)
2x4 or 2x6 wood pieces for the Weekly Way of the Cross (we are currently in need of many wood pieces!)
Join the Street Evangelist Group Chat
This group chat is on the GroupMe app and is primarily for posting events or days/times for evangelization. If you have days that you would like to go out and evangelize, please post in the chat and hopefully someone else will be available to accompany you for evangelization.
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 city streets, public transit, and 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
Please keep us in your prayers!
If you appreciate the work we are doing, consider supporting our mission financially here.
Volunteer with us in street ministry and house visits by clicking 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.
If you liked this newsletter from the Missionaries of the Real Presence, consider subscribing and sharing with your friends.
Comments