St. Martin’s Cloak Drive
THE STORY OF ST. MARTIN OF TOURS
On a bitterly cold day, the famous legend goes, St. Martin met a poor man, almost naked, trembling in the cold and begging from passersby at the city gate. St. Martin had nothing but his weapons and his clothes. He drew his sword, cut his cloak into two pieces, gave one piece to the beggar and wrapped himself in the other half. Some of the bystanders laughed at his now odd appearance; others were ashamed at not having relieved the man’s misery themselves. That night in his sleep St. Martin saw Christ dressed in the half of the garment he had given away, and heard him say, “Martin, still a catechumen, has clothed me with this cloak.” So it is told that St. Martin shared his own cloak with the needy man.
CLOAK DRIVE AT ST. MARTIN OF TOURS PARISH
We take the opportunity during the feast of St. Martin, our patron saint, to follow his example. Every year near the feast day, parishioners and friends are invited to bring new or clean “gently used” coats, jackets, and sweatshirts to the Church at any Mass. The coats are then sorted and distributed at our food box program in November and December. Any coats leftover go to the local Homeless shelter and to those of our brothers and sisters in need. And YOU get a great opportunity to uphold the tradition of St. Martin.
CONTACT
Therese Lehane | 408-294-8953 ext 316 | tlehane@stmartin.org |