OFFICE FOR SOCIAL MINISTRY
“During this season of conversion, let us renew our faith, draw from the ‘living water’ of hope, and receive with open hearts the love of God, who makes us brothers and sisters in Christ.” (Pope Francis, Message for Lent 2021)
Holy Week is a time for us to journey with Christ from his triumphant entry into Jerusalem to his final meal with his closest friends, and ultimately to his death on the cross. As we walk with Jesus, we call to mind the countless men, women and children who even today carry heavy crosses –– crosses of hunger, homelessness, violence, sickness and natural disasters. In these brothers and sisters, we encounter Christ who continues to walk that long road to Calvary.
Yet our gift of faith always reminds us of Jesus’ living water of hope; that Holy Week gives way to Easter, when the fast suddenly turns into a feast. God eventually wins the day and we along with him! As we prepare to celebrate Easter joy, it is our responsibility as members of God’s one human family to share that joy with everyone, near and far.
Here in Hawaii, we have witnessed a beautiful outpouring of aloha from parishioners uniting to clean up communities after heavy floods, and distributing food as well as rent subsidies across all islands. We have seen the joy in kupuna volunteers at parish food pantries who are now fully vaccinated and returning to the front lines to pass out senior food boxes. There are many stories of small, but significant, efforts such as those by St. Roch, Kahuku, parishioners on Oahu —themselves still recovering from north shore flooding — using their limited financial resources to put a computer and printer in their parish hall to help the unemployed and elderly book vaccination appointments and apply for rent subsidy disbursements.
The living water is indeed flowing here in the islands, and we can spread that joy to those bearing crosses in distant parts of the world. Over the past few weeks, we have shared several Catholic Relief Services Stories of Hope from Madagascar, El Salvador and Timor-Leste. Many of us have been inspired to donate to the CRS Rice Bowl cause. Please choose the following options to turn in your donations:
Bring your CRS Rice Bowl to a collection area as designated by your parish.
Count your Rice Bowl collection at home and write a check in the final amount payable to your parish with “CRS RICE BOWL” on the memo line. Mail your check to the parish office or include it in the collection at any Holy Week service beginning on Holy Thursday.
Donate online by going to www.crsricebowl.org/give. Remember that 25% of CRS Rice Bowl collections funds our local efforts to help those most in need.
As we prepare for the Risen Lord, Pope Francis calls us to reflect on our baptismal promises to share the light of Christ with all. His 2021 Lenten message closes with a compelling compassionate prayer that repeats the themes of his encyclical “Fratelli Tutti”: “Every moment of our lives is a time for believing, hoping and loving. The call to experience Lent as a journey of conversion, prayer and sharing of our goods, helps us — as communities and as individuals — to revive the faith that comes from the living Christ, the hope inspired by the breath of the Holy Spirit and the love flowing from the merciful heart of the Father. May Mary, Mother of the Savior, ever faithful at the foot of the cross and in the heart of the church, sustain us with her loving presence. May the blessing of the risen Lord accompany all of us on our journey towards the light of Easter.”
For the full text of Pope Francis 2021 Lenten message please visit the Office for Social Ministry website at officeforsocialministry.org/for-lent-for-life-2021-holy-week/
Mahalo,
Your friends at the Office for Social Ministry
CRS RICE BOWL STORY OF HOPE FROM MADAGASCAR
Amiee of Madagascar tends to her crops that will feed her family. (CRS photo)
Our Lenten journey returns our attention to Madagascar, an East African country where 50% of its children are undernourished. Poor nutrition can often lead to devastating long-term consequences for individuals, communities and entire countries.
We meet a young woman named Amiee who has worked hard to grow fresh produce to feed her family. But climate change and severe droughts have made it difficult for many families in Madagascar to harvest enough nutritious food.
Thankfully, with training and support from CRS Rice Bowl and other community members, farmers like Aimee are now learning new techniques to grow different vegetables and cook healthier meals that are more nutritious and sustainable. Amiee is now enjoying the fruits of her labor and sees a positive difference in both her children and in herself.
“When I see flowers or the greens or when I see the first seeds sprouting,” she says, “it’s like I’ve transferred a kind of power from my hands to the plants. That makes me happy.”
Our call to be in solidarity with Aimee and other families in her village further emphasizes the importance of sustainability and Caring for God’s Creation. To view Aimee’s Story of Hope from Madagascar, visit the CRS website and click on Week 5 of your Rice Bowl Calendar.
For more on CRS Rice Bowl in Hawaii, go to officeforsocialministry.org.
