This article was originally published on Thu, 23 Feb 2023.

Lent calls us to Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving so that we can join in these 40 days recognizing our love and dedication to God. Lent is derived from the Latin for 40 days, Quadragesima, which literally means the 40th day before Easter. This term identifies the season with the 40-day period of preparation before the celebration of Jesus’ passion, death, and resurrection. I would like to focus on one of the ways we can do this act of penance, namely by participating in Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Rice Bowl. The Rice Bowl was started in 1975 and helps raise money to support over 150 million people, especially the children, in over 100 countries. There are cardboard boxes available in the church for you to take home and use as a “piggy bank.” Simply place your spare change in the box. Or maybe consider giving up your favorite beverage, a movie rental, or a restaurant meal for one week and donate that amount to the Rice Bowl fund. Supporting CRS Rice Bowl is something that can be done by the entire family.  Most of all, we ask for prayer for a successful Rice Bowl drive – success in the donations collected and success for the lives that will benefit from these funds in receiving clean water, nutritious food, and medical care. There are links on our website where you can view the great work being done by CRS. May you have strength and courage as we begin our 40 days and I pray that everyone has a fruitful Lent this year! 

Peace be with you,  
Fr. John