By Fr. Christopher Kubat
I am sure many of you are familiar with the story of St. Martin of Tours. He was born in present-day Hungary, shortly after Christianity was de-criminalized with the Edict of Milan in 313 by Emperor Constantine.
Not long after his birth, his family settled in what is now northern Italy. As a young boy, against the wishes of his parents, he started attending Mass at a local church. Later as a young soldier in the cavalry division of the Roman army, on a cold winter day, he encountered a man who appeared to be homeless and freezing. Struck with pity he drew his sword, cut his expensive cloak in half, and split it with the freezing man. Later that night in a dream, Jesus appeared to him wearing the cloak. You can bet that he recalled what later was the favorite gospel passage of St. Mother Teresa: “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me” (Mt 25:40).
Recently, at a Knights of Columbus children’s coat giveaway at our main office (which is dedicated to St. Joseph) many children received coats. It was a timely giveaway because winter is upon us. We are grateful to the Knights!
When we adults buy a new coat, it lasts many years. It’s a different story for children. I distinctly remember receiving a new coat each year because of the continual growth spurt that ended in high school. We all know how costly a warm coat can be.
Not only do we at Catholic Social Services give coats away to children in need, but to adults as well. This is especially important for homeless men and women living on the streets. Because of this, please look through your closets and consider giving us any unneeded coats and cold-weather items like hats, gloves, mittens, scarfs, socks, and boots. Because of your generosity, you will be doing the same thing St. Martin of Tours did so many centuries ago. While bringing your donation to one of our four centers, Imperial, Hastings, Lincoln or Auburn, may you call to mind those same words Jesus uttered more than two centuries ago to His disciples, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.”
Please know that we at Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska will keep you, your family and intentions in our prayers.
