MADISON — The St. Thomas More Society of Catholic attorneys in the Diocese of Madison challenged themselves to live Lent by making a difference in world and local hunger issues.
In March, approximately 30 attendees were inspired by an ethics lecture based on the life of Abraham Lincoln. They were further inspired to give $300 to the Rice Bowl project of Catholic Relief Services (CRS).
Mobile Food Pantry locations in dioceseThe hard work and dedication of volunteers at these participating parishes help relieve hunger: Corpus Christi in Boscobel, St. Joseph in Fort Atkinson, SS. Anthony and Phillip in Highland, St. John Vianney in Janesville, St. Clare Parish and St. Vincent de Paul in Monroe, St. Mary in Palmyra, St. Mary of the Most Holy Rosary in Pardeeville, St. John in Patch Grove, St. Mary in Platteville, St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish and St. Vincent de Paul in Portage, and Sacred Heart in Reedsburg. |
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Their lunch was a rice dish from a CRS Haitian recipe costing less than $1 each. They learned that many people in impoverished countries live on $1 a day.
With this initial success, a fellow member issued a challenge that if $350 were raised at the April event, it would be matched, for total contributions for hunger relief of $1,000.
Fr. Tait Schroeder, judicial vicar for the diocese, was the featured speaker in April, discussing the annulment process.
The members showed great generosity in raising more than $350, winning the matching funds and raising more than $1,000.
Local impact on hunger relief
One of the beauties of the Rice Bowl is that 25 percent of the funds stay in the diocese to fight hunger locally.
A very successful method is through the Catholic Charities’ Mobile Food Pantry. Food purchased at Second Harvest at very low cost is distributed to 12 parishes around the diocese.
Rice Bowl helped fund 732 tons of food for diocesan parishes in 2013. It is hard to imagine how much that is, but it is the equivalent of 367 Volkswagens. The St. Thomas More local contribution will provide 765 meals.
Sharing in this bounty of the Mobile Food Pantry were approximately 5,800 families and about 5,000 children. Children need good nutrition to be able to concentrate while learning, to stay healthy, and, most of all, to be able to simply be kids, unburdened by hunger.
International impact
As the Rice Bowl effort was unfolding, CRS announced an amazing opportunity of a four to one match, meaning the St. Thomas More gift will possibly now exceed $3,000.
A relatively small group of Catholic attorneys, with a will to live the Lenten disciplines of fasting and almsgiving, has provided more than 3,000 days of income to families overseas. Hopefully this will make a small dent in world hunger.
Next meeting open to public: ‘Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care’
All Catholics interested in learning how their Health Care Power of Attorney can honor Catholic principles are welcome to attend the next St. Thomas More Society event on Friday, May 2.
Kim Wadas of the Wisconsin Catholic Conference will present the latest recommendations for “Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care.” This will be a practical guide to the Wisconsin bishops’ recent resource that aids individuals in ensuring ethical care. An application for CLE credit will be submitted.
This event will be a “bring your own lunch” with water and sodas provided at no cost. The public is invited to join Catholic attorneys in this timely presentation on Friday, May 2, at 12 noon at St. Patrick Church, 404 E. Main St., Madison.
Reservations are required by April 30 by contacting Deb O’Brien at 608-395-6707 or [email protected]
To learn more about the St. Thomas More Society, contact Susanna Herro, president, at [email protected] or 608-255-2020.