Results: Thanks to your generosity, 406 coats, 396 hats, and 411 gloves and 10 scarves were purchased. 335 were given to homeless men and women on the St. Francis of Assisi Breadline, W. 31st Street, New York, NY in December 2007. The remaining 71 coats were given to St. Francis Inn in January 2008 for distribution to the homeless and poor who visit the soup kitchen. Photos from the NYC distribution are below.

Project story: Father Bernard Quinn, a retired priest, traveled regularly between Lancaster, Pennsylvania and New York City.  He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Leo House in Manhattan, an affordable hotel built years ago to encourage pilgrimage to the city.  On weekends, Father Quinn could be found at Sacred Heart Church in Lancaster helping the pastor with the mass schedule.

We first met Father Quinn in Pennsylvania and visited him many times in New York.  We loved him from the start.  He was a beautiful, soft-spoken, gentle man.  His white hair was always just a little askew.  He knew everything about everything.  He was the smartest man we’d ever met.  His homilies were powerful and precise.  Father urged us to attend our first opera at the Met with him.  He wanted us to broaden our horizons and be open to all the world had to offer.  “We’ll sit in the nose-bleed seats,” he said.  “It sounds better up there.”  He heard of our travel to Italy last summer and notified the Bishop’s office in Rome.  Our golden tickets put us on the altar with the Pope during one of his regular Wednesday audiences.  We loved Father Quinn – the man and the priest.  One thing that endeared us to him most was found in his response to Mychal’s Message.  Father was always the first one to send a check for underwear.  And every year he was the first to send a check to purchase a coat for a homeless or poor person.  During “That Second Coat,” he gave us one of his own coats.  “Mychal’s Message is right,” he said.  “It’s crazy to have two coats in my closet when another man has none.”  Father believed in helping others.  He often volunteered at a soup kitchen near the Leo House where he would happily be on “drink duty” or “extra napkin duty.”  He always had that great smile and warm heart.

All of this changed last October.  Father Quinn, Cardinal Keeler of Baltimore, and Monsignor Smith of St. Joseph’s Parish of Lancaster were traveling in Rome.  Our dear friend would not return.  There was a car accident in Italy.  Father Quinn, seated in the back seat, was killed instantly.  The Cardinal and Monsignor were injured but survived.  The most violent action caused the death of such a kind, loving, gentle priest.  So this year, on the anniversary of his death, Father Quinn will not be able to send the first check for a coat.  It will be odd going to our post office box knowing he can no longer respond.  So this year we are asking you to donate the cost of a coat for Father Quinn.  Won’t you please help us honor our dear lost friend and provide a coat for a homeless man or woman this winter? 

Father Quinn, we miss you very much.  We miss your presence on the altar and your loving, kind smile.  We know heaven is a better place now that you are there.  The Almighty Himself has decided that your work on earth is done and has called you home.  We pray that you will shine your love down on this project and send the first coat on its way.

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This page was last updated on: January 19,2008.