CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES LENTEN RICE BOWL
“We need to strengthen the conviction that we are one single human family.” (Pope Francis, “Laudato Is’”)
Dear Friends in Christ,
As we focus on the family in our Diocesan Pastoral Plan, it is especially appropriate during this Holy Year of Mercy to come together as one global family, reflecting on how we can manifest God’s mercy in solidarity with the poor and vulnerable throughout the world.
For 41 years, the United States bishops have called all to participate in the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Lenten Rice Bowl, which gives families around the world the tools they need to rise above poverty and provide for themselves — and their communities.
CRS Rice Bowl provides resources to deepen the Lenten spirituality of prayer, fasting and almsgiving in our families, parishes and school communities, while continuing to connect Catholics in our diocese with our brothers and sisters in need around the world.
The CRS Rice Bowl collection also provides resources for projects here in Hawaii that help people in our diocese through the “One Ohana: Food and Housing for All” campaign that supports local efforts such as linking community gardens and farms to parish food pantries to feed the hungry.
CRS Rice Bowl is not simply collecting money in a cardboard box. This faith-in-action program includes a Lenten Calendar full of ways for each family in your community to deepen their journey of faith together. You can visit crsricebowl.org to find many additional resources.
This Lenten program is an excellent way to implement our efforts to focus on the priorities of Family, Faith Formation, Youth and Leadership in our “Stewards of the Gospel” Diocesan Plan. Rice Bowl can also help us do the penance we are called to do in Lent, doing what is difficult and beyond our comfort so that others can benefit from our works of mercy.
I strongly urge you all to participate in the CRS Lenten Rice Bowl to deepen our experience as one global family, one Body of Christ and witness to Jesus and through manifesting God’s mercy by helping the poorest and most vulnerable create lasting positive change.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Larry Silva
Bishop of Honolulu
