Mexican evangelists making gains in Ohio

By Phil Lawler ( bio - articles - email ) | May 02, 2014 | In On the Good

In Columbus, Ohio, a campaign of door-to-door evangelization, conducted by a small group of religious sisters from Mexico, has produced remarkable results in bringing lapsed Catholics back to church. Working in Hispanic neighborhoods, the sisters bring a contagious enthusiasm for the faith, Father David Schalk tells the Columbus Dispatch: “It’s what Pope Francis has.”

There’s nothing special about the sisters’ approach, other than that enthusiasm—and the results. There’s no high-tech gimmickry, no grand scheme. The sisters, members of the Missionary Servants of the Word, show a genuine love for the faith, and care for the people. They’re credited with helping drug addicts and alcoholics to reform, helping broken families reconcile. And as for relations with the local parishes, the Dispatch reports: “St. Stephen has moved from having one Spanish-language Mass a week to four.”