Pro-lifers launch “Free Coat Friday” 3pm to 5pm at PreTerm



“Be not overcome by evil: but overcome evil by good." 



A group of pro-lifers who regularly pray for expectant mothers and their babies in front of Preterm on Friday afternoons have begun distributing free coats, hats, gloves, sweaters and blankets to those in the Preterm neighborhood.   On a recent Friday between 3pm to 5pm, over ten coats were distributed as well as five or six boxes of various other winter gear.

The effort, known as the Solanus Casey Project, began this February when one of the new regulars noticed how one long-time prayer warrior, Fred, interacted with folks who happened to be walking by on the sidewalk as he prayed the Rosary for the unborn.

“Fred is there from 2pm to 6pm every Wednesday and Friday and everyone seems to know him and trust him.  One week he is providing a hungry stranger a candy bar; the next week a passerby stops and Fred is trying to find him homeless shelter.  And the entire time, Fred is constant prayer praying for the expectant mothers and their babies.”

Inspired by Fred, a fellow pro-lifer decided to launch the Solanus Casey Project.  The Solanus Casey Project collects lightly used coats, hats, gloves, sweaters and blankets and then pro-lifers distribute them in front of Preterm as they pray for the unborn.  Initially, most of the donations came from a coat drive led by the Little Flower Club at Padre Pio Academy.

At one point last Friday, a young lady driving by rolled down her car window and said, “I don’t want a coat, I just want to donate a coat.”  The coat was happily accepted and quickly donated to a joyful neighborhood woman.   

The project was named for a Capuchin Franciscan friar, Solanus Casey, who was known for his love of the poor and who was sought out by thousands for his wise counsel.   He was particularly renowned for his great faith.  Father Benedict Groeschel tells the following story about an incident at Saint Bonaventure’s Monastery in Detroit, home to many Capuchin friars and where Fr. Benedict did his novitiate.

Unable to sleep one night, Father Benedict went down to the chapel to pray at about 3:00 a.m. When he turned on the lights, he saw Father Solanus Casey kneeling before the tabernacle in ecstasy, his arms extended in prayer, unaware of his presence. Feeling like an intruder Fr. Benedict left the chapel, but it made a huge impact on him and over the years  he often relayed the incident.

The Solanus Casey Project will continue on Fridays 3pm to 5pm through Lent.  Donations are always welcome and can be dropped off every Friday. And of course, the expectant mothers and their babies are always in need of our prayers.  So get to Preterm and pray!

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