BE UNAFRAID TO SHARE THE JOURNEY THIS LENT

CRS Rice Bowl gives a glimpse inside the multifaceted issues surrounding migration.

A young South Sudanese refugee raising her siblings in Uganda’s Bidi Bidi refugee settlement. A father returning home after decades of civil war in Sri Lanka to find his farm overgrown. A young woman unable to find work in Gaza—and forbidden from seeking opportunity abroad. These are just some of the stories participants will explore through CRS Rice Bowl, CRS’ Lenten faith-in-action program.

Following the lead of Pope Francis, CRS Rice Bowl invites Catholics across the country to take part in the second year of Share the Journey, a global campaign launched by the pope to raise awareness and inspire action on behalf of migrants and refugees worldwide.

“We hear about migration and refugees in the news every day,” Beth Martin, Director of U.S. Programs for Catholic Relief Services (CRS), said. “We encounter so many families around the world forced to migrate, either because of conflict and violence or the inability to make a living, and their stories lead us to a more human understanding of this complex issue.”

Every year, people in more than 14,000 faith communities across the country are using nearly 4 million ‘rice bowls’ for almsgiving, resulting in nearly $12 million annually—$9 million of which supports CRS programs around the world. The remaining $3 million, or 25% of total alms collected, stays in the local diocese, supporting hunger and poverty alleviation efforts.

Make it easy for CRS Rice Bowl to accompany you on your Lenten journey by downloading the app and setting a daily reminder to pray with it each day.

How will you contribute to the culture of encounter this Lent?
 

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Ona always knew she wanted to be a “shining woman” in her community—and an example to her two young daughters. She studied hard and eventually earned her teaching degree from a university. But in Gaza, jobs are hard to find. Even though Ona had been a good student, she could not find work as a teacher. Read more...

Rights and Responsibilities

Catholic social teaching inspires and guides how we are to live and work in the world. In this principle, Rights and Responsibilities, we remember that every person has basic rights that make life truly human. Corresponding to our rights, we all have duties and responsibilities to one another, our families and the larger society.

A Story of Hope from Sierra Leone

Waisa didn’t spend a single day in school. When she was young, no one thought girls should receive an education. Plus, there was work to do. She helped her twelve siblings at her family’s farm. She was responsible for helping her mom sell meat to their neighbors. Read more...