Catholic Relief Services

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Catholic Relief Services - "Giving Hope to a World in need!"  Catholic Relief Services is the official overseas humanitarian relief and development of the US Catholic Community. It has served the poorest of the poor in the developing world in helping those in need.

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION IN OPERATION RICE BOWL FOR 2012!

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"Horn of Africa" CRISIS

CRS can address the immediate needs of the drought-affected population while also looking at strategies to ease the impact of future droughts. Many areas have missed two full growing seasons, causing prices to rise and foodstuffs to become scarce.  Thousands of people are fleeing the famine in their countries in seacrch of aid.  CRS has helped in these communities to access and protect water sources,  providing drought-resistant seeds and training on agriculture techiniques.

The three countries most impacted by this crisis are Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia.

PLEASE PRAY  FOR ALL AFFECTED BY THIS CRISIS.

Click here for a prayer service you can use in your home, parish, or with a group of friends.

 


For information click on http://www.catholicrelief.org

 

The Mission of Catholic Relief Services

Photos by David Snyder and Rick D'Elia for CRS

Photos by David Snyder and Rick D'Elia for CRS

Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We are motivated by the Gospel of Jesus Christ to cherish, preserve and uphold the sacredness and dignity of all human life, foster charity and justice, and embody Catholic social and moral teaching as we act to:

  • Promote human development by responding to major emergencies, fighting disease and poverty, and nurturing peaceful and just societies; and,
  • Serve Catholics in the United States as they live their faith in solidarity with their brothers and sisters around the world.

As part of the universal mission of the Catholic Church, we work with local, national and international Catholic institutions and structures, as well as other organizations, to assist people on the basis of need, not creed, race or nationality.

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Operation Rice Bowl

Please send in the proceeds of your ricebowls to your parish or to the Mission Office! Operation Rice Bowl, the official Lenten program of Catholic Relief Services, began in 1975 in the Diocese of Allentown, PA as a response to the drought in the African Sahel. For 35 years, Operation Rice Bowl has called participants to pray with their families and faith communities; fast in solidarity with those who hunger; learn about our global community and the challenges of poverty overseas, and give sacrificial contributions to those in need.

Operation Rice Bowl offers Catholics in the United States a way to connect with our brothers and sisters overseas. We believe that through solidarity the world can be transformed.

The money that has been collected through Operation Rice Bowl is used to support CRS' development projects that improve peoples' ability to access food, overseas and in local diocesan communities in the United States. Each Lent, more than 13,500 faith communities across the United States participate in Operation Rice Bowl as a way to respect human dignity and foster solidarity with the poor around the world.

Here you can find answers to your Frequently Asked Questions, or contact us to learn more about how you can become involved in this Lenten tradition.

 ALL of the Operation Rice Bowl contributions received into the Mission Office from parishes, schools, and other faith communities in our diocese are combined and 75 percent of the funds are sent  to Catholic Relief Services. Twenty-five percent remains in our diocese to fund local hunger and poverty alleviation efforts.  In 2011, we were able to send proceeds to two agencies.  The first, Mom’s House® in Johnstown, provides safe, secure, and totally free childcare to low-income single parents wishing to continue their education. The second is the Matthew 25 project at St. Joseph's Parish in Renovo which serves the needs of the poor within the local community.  Through the generous support of our diocesan church members contributing to Operation Rice Bowl, we are able to give assistance to some of  the many programs within our diocese that help the poor as well as to reach out globally.  You can learn more about Operation Rice Bowl by going to their website. (see above)