My heart goes out to the needy and less fortunate–especially at this time of year. I always enjoy this beautiful season of Autumn. But, in my humble opinion, there is a problem with this glorious Fall season in my part of the world. It’s that winter and its freezing weather never fail to be not too far behind.
I am not particularly fond of the cold weather. But, more than that, I am c
oncerned for the poor and homeless who are cold and needy.
The other day, I had a beautiful encounter with a couple of homeless men in which I offered a bit of monetary help and blessed sacramentals from our Church. I was very happy to see Andrew and his friend so that I could converse with Andrew again even briefly. I had met him a few weeks ago when I was passing through his town. That story is here. Perhaps you should take a look at that brief story first before continuing.
I had been hoping I’d see Andrew again when I would travel through that town. He had been in my thoughts and prayers. I wanted to see how he was doing and perhaps offer him a little something to eat, or a little money, or something to keep him warm.
In fact, with Andrew in mind, I dug around a bit in my hall closet and pulled out a scarf that my husband had not worn in years and I asked him if I could give it away to a homeless man. I thought I could bring it with me when we went back up to that area of Massachusetts. Well, Dave said he wanted to hang onto that particular scarf. So, I didn’t push the issue. But something was definitely brewing in my heart.
Recently, when passing through that area, I purposely strolled over to the area where I had met Andrew a few weeks ago. I was so delighted to see him again and I told him that I remembered that his name was Andrew.
He lit right up.
Then, he got right up from the sidewalk and reached into his pocket to pull out the blessed medals I had given him a few weeks ago. Wow. He said he always keeps them with him in his pocket. My heart was secretly soaring. And, I told him that I was happy that he still had the blessed medals. We chatted a few minutes and then I gave each of the homeless men a dollar bill. I handed the scruffy-looking man with the nose ring who was sitting next to Andrew, two of the same kinds of blessed medals that I had given to Andrew previously. He seemed very happy to receive them. I told him that they were powerful medals.
I pray that God blesses these men and all those who are living on the streets.
Sharing an Inspiration
I have an inspiration to do something to help keep our brothers and sisters warm. I would like to give warm scarves to the homeless that I will have attached blessed medals onto in advance. Of course, I’ll still be handing out the blessed medals to people I meet when I am inspired to do so. But, giving out the scarves is a way to help the needy to stay warmer, as well as have the protection of the blessed medals too.
Do you have a winter scarf hanging around? Maybe there are too many in your closet and it’s a good time to de-clutter. Would you like to donate a scarf to help keep someone warm?
Do you crochet or knit? Would you like to make a scarf for the homeless? Or perhaps you would like to buy a scarf for the homeless. If you’d like to help in some way, you can send your scarves to me at: PO Box 773, New Milford, CT 06776. I will add the blessed sacramentals (a Miraculous Medal and a St. Benedict medal that has the FULL exorcism blessing on it) to the scarves and give them to the homeless and will find ways to distribute them.
In addition, if you’d like to donate adult sized warm gloves or mittens, please feel free to send them along too.
ANOTHER WAY to join in this “Work of Mercy” is to get together in your own area with people who would like to crochet or knit scarves for the homeless. Imagine the beautiful fellowship that can unfold as you chat and pray, and knit or crochet away! I recommend that you start with a prayer when you gather together. Or, purchase or collect donations of scarves, gloves, and hats (or from your own closet) and attach blessed Miraculous Medals on them (and hopefully a blessed St. Benedict medal too). You can get them at my website or elsewhere. My medals have FULL blessings upon them. If you decide to do this, please let me know in the comments section, or you may email me: DMCOBoyle@aol.com.
God bless you for considering helping and also for praying for the homeless and less fortunate.
Remember that Jesus continually teaches us in the Gospel of Matthew: “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25: 40).
AFTER POSTING ABOUT THIS MINISTRY, Aleteia interviewed me for an article. Check it out here.
What a wonderful idea, Donna! I have some nice winter scarves that I never use. Can I assume that both men and women’s scarves are needed. Thanks for the great work you do
Yes, absolutely for women too, Diane. Thank you so much for your kind words. God bless!
Dear Donna,
Hello! My name is Angela and I am the Shrine Director of the Archdiocesan Shrine of Saint Gianna Beretta Molla in PA not far from the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa which you have visited in the past!! I had hoped to meet you at the WMOF at our St. Gianna table to thank you for all of your beautiful books and to give you a St. Gianna relic card! I hope you were there and maybe you also got to meet my friend Gianna Emanuela Molla, St. Gianna’s daughter! Just as you give a Miraculous Medal to people you meet, I give St. Gianna holy cards!
I also run a Mother’s group at my parish and we are reading one of your books! We also use your Catholic Mom Prayer Book. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your good books and words of grace.
I finished your memoir in two days. I was speechless. You have suffered so much but you have now devoted your life to Jesus and see purpose in your crosses!
Although my four year cross of infertility was nothing close to what you have endured, I found St. Gianna through my suffering and have devoted my life to spreading her message in thanksgiving to God for my four beautiful children! Her intercession is very powerful!
Please send me an email at stgiannavp@gmail.com if you would like me to send you a holy relic card of St. Gianna.
God bless you always!
Angela
Society of Saint Gianna Beretta Molla
Vice President and Shrine Director
Dear Angela,
It is great to hear from you. Thank you for your kind note! I have also responded to you by email. May God continue to bless you as you lovingly distribute holy relic cards of St. Gianna.
Take care and God bless!
Donna-Marie
Hi Angela,
I love Saint Gianna! I am currently reading the book of love letters written by herself and her husband. It is the most romantic book I’ve ever read! I live in Portland, OR but I would love to visit the shrine.
Blessings,
Toni Ladd
Dear Donna-Marie,
How many are you looking for? I’ve been crocheting scarves over the summer and have 20 or so I would love to donate. We live in Buffalo, NY and feel exactly as you do about winter! Thank you for the opportunity to help. God bless!
Dear Teresa, Wow. You made twenty scarves throughout the summer? It’s wonderful that you want to donate. To answer your question, I don’t have a specific number in mind for the scarves. I am relying on God’s Providence and expect that He will also provide the needy people. God bless you!
Dear Teresa, I am feeling overwhelmed with joy and gratitude upon opening the large box I received from you in the mail today! The scarves are so gorgeous and I have no doubt that they have been made with love. I will be sewing the blessed medals on them and then going out to gift them to the homeless and needy. I cannot thank you enough for your very generous and loving donation to help warm the less fortunate. May God reward you! God bless!
Pingback: So happy to offer "holy" scarves to the homeless! - Donna-Marie Cooper O'BoyleDonna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle
Hi Donna, Met you at Legatus in Columbus. You will like the story of the St. Matthew Church (Gahanna, OH) knitting ministry. The current leader Glenda’s mother was diagnosed with a heart problem caused by a virus. In her declining health she and her daughter and friends learned to knit together. They knit many items and gave them away. One day soon after her mother’s passing, Glenda saw a homeless man on the corner with one of those signs they often carry wearing a hat she knew her mother had made. She took that as sign that she needed to continue with the knitting. This year the group just distributed over 13,000 items all over Columbus, OH. Each one has a prayer attached before giving it away.
Hi Molly, Thank you so very much for sharing such a heart warming story about a loving mother passing down the gift of love and knitting to her daughters and friends before she left this world. And how wonderful to know that God provided the “sign” for Glenda to know that she should continue her mother’s work. May God continue to bless that group of knitters who have warmed the less fortunate of Columbus, Ohio with prayers, love, and hats!
Hi Donna, I was homeless in my car for 14 years. Plus I am also disabled. It was awful especially in the winter when I didnt have and gas in my car to run the heater. Luckily, I met a woman who needed someone to cook dinners for her & her husband at night, in exchange I would live there in my own room. I took that opportunity and have been here for 5 years. I am so thankful for meeting her. Anyway, I do crochet and I have 10 scarves made right now that I know any homeless person would appreciate so much. Im on a fixed income and dont know if I could afford to mail these to you. Would a shelter in my area ( in Calif ) take them, you think? I just want to give to all the homeless out there, because I know exactly what its like. Thanks for listening.
Jeanine
Dear Jeanine, Thank you so much for sharing. God love you! I am so sorry that you had to live in your car for 14 years. I am so happy that you have found a position working in exchange for a room. God is so good. It’s wonderful that you have crocheted 10 scarves and want to gift them to the homeless and needy. I would definitely check out a shelter in your area to see if you can donate them. I will say a prayer right now that something will open up for you so you can donate them to people who could use them. May God bless you, Jeanine! Stay close to Our Lord. he loves you!