Extend the Invitation

By Joe Sullivan, MJ • Phoenix, AZ

About four months ago I picked a woman up to take her to a doctor’s appointment. We struck up a conversation about the blessings God gives us all the time. I noticed that she lives close to the Phoenix Miles Jesu men’s community, so invited her to visit our chapel on Baseline Road. She asked about the Mass times, and I told her that we have daily Mass early in the morning at 6:15 a.m., on Sunday at 10:00 a.m., and on Saturday at 5:00 p.m. in Spanish. I dropped her off thinking how our conversation went and hoped to see her again. 

In God’s plan, lo and behold, she came to visit the chapel today. I was standing at the door of the chapel when she arrived unannounced. She said she was passing by and finally decided to explore our place first-hand. I was there to pray about what to write for this month’s Miles Jesu Update. 

Our new visitor was delighted to discover the chapel and spent a good amount of time praying. She said she was happy to learn that Holy Mass, Confessions, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and Benediction (which is a beautiful devotion not often practiced any more) are available. She is quite fortunate because the best oranges in Arizona are so close to her house too! 

Sometimes a simple invitation is all a person needs in order to feel inspired by the Holy Spirit and to act on that inspiration. Hopefully, an open invitation and a welcoming smile will be good encouragement for her to visit our Miles Jesu chapel more often. 

There are many people like her in our Phoenix area, and wherever you live, too. People just need to know about the availability of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. Let’s tell them and welcome them. Then let God do the rest.