At Mass this morning I noticed a family friend sitting beside me once again, as she has been a frequent visitor to the Holy Mass for the past few weeks. A month ago, she lost her husband, who was in his early sixties, from cancer. They were both very good friends of ours. I find it very heartening to see her come to Mass. She used to come with her husband before he passed, every so often, and they would sit in the pew beside me. But now, with her husband's death, I feel she is beginning to fall on the Church for comfort and consolation. Our Parish Priest has been a great help to her since the funeral, and is still, and he has said to her that she is always welcome to the Church. You see, she is Protestant. Her husband was Catholic, and was buried in the church cemetery. I hope and pray that she may be feeling an attraction for the Catholic Faith, as I have also seen her attend weekday masses. Now, she does not receive the Eucharist, but she goes up to the rails anyway, where the priest gives her a blessing. It is a wonderful example of good ecumenism in action, and I am really delighted that our priest has shown true Catholic spirit by kindly making her welcome at any time. Please God she may convert in time; at any rate, she is on the right path. I was very touched when I saw her at mass again this morning. Amazing what God can do.# Seán
Yes, the Spirit is calling your friend to the Church. Sounds like she's listening. Yes, our God is an Amazing God. Thanks for sharing that Sean. I had just the opposite experience today: during Mass, someone had gone around and put anti-Catholic pamphlets on all the windshields of the parking lot. What an incredible waste of time and resources. I’m sure the people who did this believe they are doing right, so I’ll have to pray about how to use this to work towards unity.