Catholic Relief Services

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.

 

 

Catholic Relief Services was founded in 1943 by the Catholic Bishops of the United States to serve World War II survivors in Europe. Since then, it has expanded in size to reach more than 80 million people in more than 100 countries on five continents. The fundamental motivating force in all activities of CRS is the Gospel of Jesus Christ as it pertains to the alleviation of human suffering, the development of people and the fostering of charity and justice.  CRS is committed to a set of Guiding Principles and holds itself accountable for them.

As the the official international humanitarian agency of the U.S. Catholic community, CRS is governed by a Board of Directors made up of clergy, most of them bishops, religious and Catholic lay men and women.

CRS maintains strict standards of efficiency, accountability and transparency. Last year, more than 94 percent of revenues we spent went directly to programs that benefit the poor overseas.

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

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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

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 34 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.

Over the past 34 years, $167 million has been collected through Operation Rice Bowl 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.

Please contact your Diocesan Director, Father Kelly, or Sister Patti Rossi, csj, at 814-695-5579 for information on how you and your parish can participate.  All of the Operation Rice Bowl contributions 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 2009, the money that we collected was divided between the Susquehanna Rural Free Clinic, Inc. of Frenchtown which provides dental and medical services to those who cannot afford it and Family Services, Inc. of Altoona specifically for their emergency shelter, domestic abuse, and runaway homeless youth programs.  "You have impacted the lives of hundreds of people through your contribution.  Please know their gratitude." Sr. Karen Willenbring, M.D., Director of the Susquehanna Rural Free Clinic.  "Thank you - because of you, there is a place to be when no where else seems right."  Mahlon R. Fiscel, Executive Director of Family Services, Inc.