CRS Rice Bowl

CRS Rice Bowl is Catholic Relief Services’ Lenten faith—in—action program. It offers opportunities for your family to engage daily in the spiritual pillars of Lent: prayer, fasting and almsgiving. And, it’s an opportunity for us as a parish to come together as a community and reflect on what it means to live out our Gospel call to go out and encounter those most in need.

The concept is simple:  Once a week, or as often as you choose, eat more simply/less expensively.  Donate the money saved to those around the world who have so much less than we do.  More information, videos, recipes and more can be found here. You can also download the app and get daily reflections on your mobile device.

Rice Bowls are distributed near the main entrance of Church at the beginning of Lent.  They are collected at Easter, and the funds are sent to Catholic Relief Services to be distributed to the needy around the world, with 25% of donations remaining in our diocese to serve local needs.

Stories of Hope

Week 1:  Life and Dignity of the Human Person
Catholic social teaching inspires and guides how we are to live and work in the world. In this principle, Life and Dignity of the Human Person, Jesus reminds us that we are all made in God’s image and likeness. That means that every human being has a special value and a purpose. We need to care for each other so we can be the people God calls us to be.  Encounter Majd

Week 2: Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers
Catholic social teaching inspires and guides how we are to live and work in the world. In this principle, Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers, we remember that, Jesus spent years working as a carpenter. Work is important to help people fulfill their potential. And everyone must receive a fair wage to provide for themselves and their families. Encounter Cesia

Week 3: Care for God’s Creation
Catholic social teaching inspires and guides how we are to live and work in the world. In this principle, Care for God’s Creation, we remember that God created every plant, every mountaintop, every animal—everything. And God said that these things are good. We find God in these good things, and so we must take care of creation—for ourselves and for our entire human family. Enconter Safiata

Week 4: Call to Family, Community and Participation
Catholic social teaching inspires and guides how we are to live and work in the world. In this principle, Call to Family, Community and Participation, we remember that human beings are social by nature-we need each other. We, like the early disciples, are called to come together and grow as a community-whether that community is in our classroom, workplace or family. Encounter Andrise

Week 5: Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
Catholic social teaching inspires and guides how we are to live and work in the world. In this principle, Option for the Poor and Vulnerable, Jesus tells us to give special care to those who are most in need. He reminds us of our Christian duty to listen closely to those who often go unheard and to help those most vulnerable. Encounter Alefa