Rice Bowl

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

We are called to love our neighbor. But, like in the Parable of the Good Samaritan, we may find ourselves asking, “Who is my neighbor?” This Lent, CRS Rice Bowl – Catholic Relief Services’ Lenten faith-in-action program – will provide a unique opportunity to connect with neighbors near and far through the global migration campaign, Share the Journey, launched by Pope Francis last fall. With this in mind, I encourage your faith community to actively participate in the CRS Rice Bowl initiative that is quickly approaching.

CRS Rice Bowl provides ways in which families, parishes, and school communities can bring Lenten spirituality to life while continuing to connect Catholics in our archdiocese with our brothers and sisters in need around the world. Through resources such as stories, videos, meatless recipes, and lesson plans, we can include migrants and refugees in our Lenten practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

During the 2017 Lenten season, the generous donations of parishioners across the Archdiocese of Chicago provided critical support in countries such as India, Mexico, and Ethiopia. Additionally, over $70,000 in local CRS Rice Bowl grants were provided to parishes and organizations working on non-violence and peacemaking efforts, hunger relief, and environmental justice. To learn more about the CRS Rice Bowl program, the work of Catholic Relief Services, and the CRS Rice Bowl grant program, I encourage you to visit chicagopeaceandjustice.org/ricebowl.

Thank you for your continued participation in an enriched Lenten journey through CRS Rice Bowl. Together, we will do our part to responding to Christ’s call to build a culture of encounter.

With every good wish, I remain,

Sincerely yours in Christ,
Cardinal Blase J. Cupich – Archbishop of Chicag