Cesia Lea Hernandez Gomez(CRS photo)
OFFICE FOR SOCIAL MINISTRY
“Jesus teaches us a different path. Do not classify others in order to see who is a neighbor and who is not. You can become neighbor to whomever you meet in need, and you will do so if you have compassion in your heart.” (Pope Francis, at the Meeting of Popular Movements 2017 as quoted in the 2018 Rice Bowl Calendar)
In a recent letter to the diocese, Bishop Larry Silva asked, “Who is thy neighbor?” to which he responded: “This year, the U.S. Bishops Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl program will help us answer this question.” And indeed, many have already begun to find answers during these first few weeks of Lent. Parishes such as St. Elizabeth on Oahu, St. Damien on Molokai and Holy Cross on Kauai have been inviting families to participate in Rice Bowl food ministries that serve vulnerable keiki and kupuna in their communities.
This Lent, the CRS Rice Bowl campaign focuses on “sharing the journey” of our neighbor migrants and refugees all around the world. Pope Francis calls us to share all the stages of the migrants’ journeys — including accompanying those who struggle to migrate or stay. For instance, one Rice Bowl “story of hope” features a young woman in Central America, faced with the difficult decision to leave her home in search of employment.
Like many young people in the farming communities of Nicaragua — especially women — Cesia Lea Hernandez Gomez had a hard time finding a job. While others left to find outside work, Cesia chose to stay home with her parents and youngest sibling. With her mother’s support, she joined YouthBuild, a CRS program that teaches business and life skills for young people to flourish. YouthBuild’s core values of family, service, opportunity and leadership helped guide her to a path of entrepreneurship.
Cesia, 21, who was once timid and uncertain of her future, is now a leader who has built a thriving business making and selling cattle feed and growing and selling vegetables. She dreams of expanding her enterprise to include leaders’ workshops aimed at helping other young people find similar opportunities for a sustainable future.
Access to dignified work at a fair wage allows people to remain with their families and build up their communities. Here in Hawaii our Lenten Rice Bowl “sharing the journey” can include supporting those who have migrated. For example, on March 3, 7 a.m.-7 p.m., there is an opportunity to help immigrants participate in a citizenship workshop at the Blaisdell Center. The event still needs volunteers to help more than 100 legal permanent residents who have already registered to apply for citizenship. If you are interested in helping this citizenship workshop please sign up at http://www.citizenshiphawaii.org/volunteer.
This is one way to respond to our neighbor in need right now.
For more info about Rice Bowl activities in Hawaii, see www.officeforsocialministry.org/ricebowl and www.catholichawaii.org/ricebowl. Also please visit www.crsricebowl.org to learn more about encountering God in our neighbors around the world and sharing their journeys this Lent.
Station of the Cross: Jesus is Condemned to Death
We encounter Jesus on his journey to Calvary. Think about the members of our human family who carry crosses of hunger, poverty and war, and those forced to flee their homes in search of safety for their family. Do we respond as neighbors?
Mahalo,
Your friends at the Office for Social Ministry
