Hunger in our world today?
"A sad sign of a globalization of indifference...
slowly making us get used to the
suffering of others as though it were a normal thing."
-Pope Francis
During a World Food Day ceremony in Rome, the Holy Father addressed the
UN Food and Agriculture Organization, noting in his message,
the harsh reality that a third of all the food produced globally ends up in the trash.
"This waste of food is one of the results of our throw-away culture
that often leads to the sacrifice of
men and women before the idols of profit and consumerism."
(for the full story, see the Official Vatican Network)
Those looking to answer
the Pontiff's call to attend to the plight of our impoverished brothers and sisters
can look to Catholic Relief Services' revolutionary work,
which has helped lift millions out of poverty since its founding in 1943.
which has helped lift millions out of poverty since its founding in 1943.
CRS, the official, international humanitarian agency of
the Catholic community in the United States,
and the official overseas relief agency
of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops,
is currently working in 93 countries tangibly supporting those of us in need.
is currently working in 93 countries tangibly supporting those of us in need.
I'm seriously honored to be an 'official' blogger on behalf of CRS,
<yes me, how 'bout that >
one of a group of bloggers and journalists
spreading word not only around the humanitarian efforts
of this amazing organization, but specifically as Lent approaches,
about Operation Rice Bowl.
Of course you know those iconic cardboard "rice bowls?"
Those staples of Lent that have become tradition for families and parishes
since their inception in 1975?
And wow, I may have been among the first group of grade schoolers
to excitedly grip a nifty little paper bowl on my way home from school....
Our Lady of Lourdes in Queens on
Ash Wednesday in, oh, 4th grade or so.
I remember Mom making the rice bowl our "Lenten centerpiece" and I
was determined to make a difference by filling it up with "a dime a day"
as Sr Patrice instructed us!
For the past forty Lenten seasons, generations of Catholics have contributed alms
to Rice Bowl, the largest Lenten program in the US,
totalling approximately $250 million and alleviating hunger and poverty
right here in our own communities, as well as worldwide.
Joan Rosenhauer, executive vice president of
U.S. Operations for Catholic Relief Services states,
“It’s the right time to step forward and fill each Rice Bowl with $40 and
make a lasting change for those who need our help.”
In addition to a collection of resources for educators,
parish leaders and parents,
CRS Rice Bowl app is easily for people to use on their mobile devices.
Here's a peek at the truly amazing work of the CRS team on their
Tanzania Mission~~~
<#4Lent4 #CRSMedia #TanzaniaMission>
Still intrigued? 'Course you are.....
Then you'll want to follow my friend Lisa's Tanzania journal.
 |
| What a phenomenal photo! Photo credit Lisa Hendey |
Right about now, Lisa's wrapping up her mission with #CRS,
not just reporting on Catholic Relief Services' efforts in that area,
but working right alongside the team as they build, grow
and harvest crops alongside the amazing people of
southeast Africa.
Here she is with the women of Chengena,
after they taught her all about soybean farming!
According to Lisa, proceeds from rice bowl gifts help
these lovely ladies purchase seeds and tools.....
but working right alongside the team as they build, grow
and harvest crops alongside the amazing people of
southeast Africa.
Here she is with the women of Chengena,
after they taught her all about soybean farming!
According to Lisa, proceeds from rice bowl gifts help
these lovely ladies purchase seeds and tools.....
Further, the proceeds from their farming efforts
support their families in soooooooo many ways.
support their families in soooooooo many ways.
Let me wrap up for you all the important links and ways in which to connect with
CRS and their Operation Rice Bowl efforts:
CRS Rice Bowl can be explored here and is also available
in an easy to navigate, attractive app right here.
for mobile devices and laptops as well as for Android users.
CRS' can also easily be followed on these social media platofrms~
Twitter at @CatholicRelief and @CRSnews
It's always a privilege for me to blog about the herculean efforts of
Catholic Relief Services......
Friends, as always,
thank you for stopping over and
spending some of your precious time
here at my home on the web!
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so we can be in touch regularly!
Until next time,
~Chris
Friends, as always,
thank you for stopping over and
spending some of your precious time
here at my home on the web!
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If not, just enter your email address here
so we can be in touch regularly!
Until next time,
~Chris
