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?
 

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.
 

A Story of Hope from Uganda

Annet’s youngest sister calls her Mom—and for good reason. Since their parents’ deaths 4 years ago, 16-year-old Annet has been caring for her three siblings: Gladys, 6, Irene, 8 and Emmanuel, 10.

It hasn’t been easy. Ongoing violence in their home country, South Sudan, forced Annet to take her siblings and flee south to neighboring Uganda. It was a dangerous journey, but Annet kept them safe despite threats from rebel soldiers. Read more...

First Week of Lent

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.

A Story of Hope from Guatemala

For young families living in the mountains of Guatemala, raising a baby can be hard. Most families grow corn and beans for a living, but a long-standing drought has caused harvests to shrink. There are few job opportunities, which means putting food on the table is a daily challenge.  That’s why when Norma discovered she was pregnant, she wondered how she would manage... Read more...