Talk story: It’s Lent: Rice Bowl time

OFFICE FOR SOCIAL MINISTRY

 “Lent is a favorable season for deepening our spiritual life through the means of sanctification offered us by the church: fasting, prayer and almsgiving … for renewing our encounter with Christ, living in his Word, in the sacraments and in our neighbor.” (Pope Francis)

February began with tragic reports of two Guatemalan migrant children dying in U.S. custody, after fleeing violence in their home country and being detained at the border by U.S. homeland security forces. February will end with U.S. border bishops meeting with Mexican border bishops in El Paso to discuss and then suggest ways to best “Share the Journey” this coming Lent as they echo the Gospel and Pope Francis’ call to welcome, protect, promote and integrate migrants and refugees.

For more than 40 years, U.S. bishops have encouraged their parishes and schools to engage in Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl’s Lenten practice of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Through inspirational “Stories of Hope,” Rice Bowl provides a passport for Catholics to encounter Christ by sharing the journey of faith with others around the world. This year, Rice Bowl takes us on a trip to Guatemala, Uganda, Sri Lanka, Sierra Leone and Gaza-Palestine where CRS funds are making a difference in vulnerable people’s lives. Providentially, this year Rice Bowl’s first story of hope comes from Guatemala, where Norma, an indigenous young mother, is courageously raising her child in the midst of natural and man-made disasters with the help of Catholic Relief Service.

Many parishes are already unpacking the boxes of cardboard Rice Bowls to be distributed on Ash Wednesday, March 6, throughout the diocese. Inside these Rice Bowls are stories of hope, prayers, recipes and suggestions for sacrificial donations. This year, more than a dozen Hawaii parishes have initiated Rice Bowl funded projects, such as the weekend backpack program that provides nutritious food for hungry children in parishes on the Big Island, Kauai, Molokai, Maui and Oahu. These projects are supported by 25 percent of the Rice Bowl funds collected in Hawaii, which supports stories of hope in parish projects around the state.

Besides offering an opportunity to encounter Christ around the world, Rice Bowl also deepens our understanding of the fundamentals of Catholic social thought, which inspires and guides how we are to live and work in the world. Rice Bowl helps us reflect on words from Scripture, our saints, our popes and bishops — such as the message that will emerge from the collaboration of U.S. and Mexican border bishops when they meet in February in El Paso to discuss the plight of migrant families seeking refugee asylum.

This year, Rice Bowl’s first week of Lent focuses on a basic principle of Catholic social teaching: the life and dignity of the human person. In this principle, Jesus tells us that we are all made in God’s image and likeness, that each human being, including every migrant and refugee, has a special value and a purpose. Therefore, our faith calls us to care for every human being, and especially those in need, so we can be the people — the One Ohana — God calls us to be. We encourage you to go to the websites of CRS (www.CRSricebowl.org), the Honolulu diocese (www.catholichawaii.org) and OSM (www.officeforsocialministry.org) to learn more about how CRS Rice Bowl can enrich our Lenten journey.

Mahalo,

Your friends at the Office for Social Ministry

A story of hope: Encounter Norma of 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, at age 20, discovered she was pregnant, she wondered how she would manage.

“When I was young, my mom and dad didn’t have money to buy much food,” she said. “My mom would split one egg among four children.” Norma wanted more for her son, Victor.

She found help in a CRS-sponsored program that teaches young mothers how to raise healthy children, grow nutritious food in small gardens and manage a healthy diet. CRS also provided food throughout Norma’s pregnancy and monthly medical check-ups for Victor’s first two years of life.

“I learned a lot of beautiful things,” Norma said. “I learned how to take care of my boy and what foods to feed him so that he can grow healthy and strong.” Now Norma is sharing what she learned with others.

Opening prayer: Before the Stations of the Cross

“Holy God, be with us now as we meditate on your Son’s journey to Calvary. Remind us that still, in this present day, many of your children continue that walk to Calvary, carrying heavy, difficult crosses. May we be Simon to those whose burdens are too heavy to be borne alone. May we be Veronica to those who need the touch of love and comfort. And may we, struggling with our own crosses, always remember your promises of justice, mercy and peace. Amen.”

First week recipe: Guatemalan Black Bean Soup

(Makes 4–6 servings)

• 1 tablespoon fair trade olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cups water or vegetable broth
• 3 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 tomatoes, diced
• 1 green chili, diced
• 2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 teaspoon chili powder
• ½ teaspoon  salt
• Cilantro, minced (optional)

In a large pot, saute onion and garlic in oil until brown. In a blender, combine 1 cup water/vegetable broth and 2 cans of beans. Blend until smooth. Add to onion mixture. Stir in tomatoes, chiles, remaining beans, spices and remaining water/broth. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Serve with cilantro.

— Catholic Relief Services