October through November 2005
“My brothers and sisters … in this life God feels cold and hunger in all who are stricken with poverty. When the poor are starving, Christ, too, hungers. When the poor are cold, Christ, too, feels the chill. Christ deigns to hunger and thirst in the persons of the poor. And … what He will return to you in heaven tomorrow is what He receives from you here on earth today.”
Description: On a cold winter day in 1940, a statue of St. Anthony stood in a grotto near St. Joseph’s Church in East Rutherford, NJ. A little girl named Gertrude was on her way to school that morning when she noticed St. Anthony. He looks cold, she thought. Minutes later, in her classroom, a nun scolded her for having no coat. “Where is your coat, Gertrude?” The little girl looked up and simply responded, “Sister, I gave it to St. Anthony.”
On a cold winter day in 2005, a homeless man will stand on a Breadline at St Francis of Assisi Church in New York City. As he shivers in the cold, we will recall that story of long ago.
Results: In Gertrude’s memory, Mychal’s Message collected over $5,000 which was used to purchase new warm winter coats, hats and gloves for the homeless In all, 294 coats were purchased. They were distributed to the homeless on the St. Francis Breadline in NYC and at Crispus Attucks Shelter in Lancaster, PA.
~ Gertrude, affectionately known to her family as “Bunny,” died on September 18, 2005. The story of little Gertrude is true. The kindness and compassion of a little girl has inspired Mychal’s Message to begin “St. Anthony’s Coat.” ~
Mychal's Message 