• Home
• >
• News & Events
• >
• News Articles
• >
• 2021
• >
• March
• >
• 3/22 Rice Bowl Stories of Hope Holy Week
• >

News Articles

"Lent for Life" Holy Week – CRS Rice Bowl

March 22, 2021

From the Office for Social Ministry

Holy Week

“Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars; in the heavens you have made them, precious and beautiful." ~St. Francis of Assisi

Holy Week begins with a full moon on Palm Sunday, which reminds us of the fullness of God's love for all people –– precious and beautiful. Over the past few weeks we have been inspired by several Catholic Relief Services Stories of Hope, from Madagascar, El Salvador and Timor-Leste. As we enter Holy Week and celebrate Palm Sunday, let us reflect on how we can be a part of growing those seeds of hope in the lives of many others. 

• Are we contributing to the empowerment of those most vulnerable?
• How does our faith inspire us to share the gifts that God has bestowed on us?

Throughout our Lenten journey, we were challenged to offer spiritual and corporal works of mercy for our most vulnerable sisters and brothers, recognizing that whatever we do for them, we do for our suffering Christ who redeems us.

It's Time to Turn in Your Rice Bowl Almsgiving Sacrifices!

All who participated in Rice Bowl may choose any of the following options for turning in their donations:   

OPTION 1 – Bring your CRS Rice Bowl to a collection area as designated by the parish (i.e. the parish office, baskets at the back of the Church or at specified doorways etc.)                                                                                 

***This option will adhere to touch-free guidance.

OPTION 2 – 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 in the collection at any of the Holy Week services.

***Traditionally, Rice Bowls are collected at Holy Thursday services.

OPTION 3 – For participating families who haven’t yet returned to Mass, online donations may be a preferred option by going to www.crsricebowl.org/give. 

***25% of your donation will stay in our diocese to help local hunger and poverty alleviation efforts.

As you conclude your Lenten observance, share this Offertory Prayer with your parish community:

God of love,

You call us to love one another as you love us, caring for the least of our sisters and brothers and recognizing that what we do for them, we do for you.

As we end our Lenten journey, we pray that these, our sacrifices, may be an offering of solidarity and a promise of ongoing efforts to support our sisters and brothers who are hungry and in need of our help.

As good stewards of your many gifts, may we always remember to reach out beyond ourselves to encounter the needs of all, and wherever we feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty or clothe the naked, may we remember that we are encountering your risen Son, Jesus Christ.  We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen