Lent starts this week. It is a time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving as we prepare for Easter.
We should consider going beyond the basic requirements. What can we do to strengthen our faith during the 40 days of Lent?
Tag: CRS
Millions of refugees have no place to call home
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The heartbreaking photo of the little Syrian refugee boy washed up dead on the shore of Bodrum, Turkey (see the picture at bit.ly/1PZHvDV) strikingly illustrates the tragic plight of desperate refugees — mostly Syrian — fleeing for their lives from the Islamic State and other violent groups in the Middle East and Africa.
The three-year-old boy, named Aylan, along with his five-year-old brother, Galip, and their mother, Rehan, drowned after the raft carrying them capsized near the Turkish coast.
Diocese encourages support for earthquake relief
MADISON — Following upon Pope Francis’ call for assistance for survivors of the massive earthquakes in Nepal and India, Bishop Robert C. Morlino has encouraged people in the Diocese of Madison to provide support for earthquake relief.
It is left to the discretion of pastors as to whether a special collection is held in parishes for relief efforts. If a collection is held, parishes are asked to send contributions to the diocesan Office of Finance, which will forward funds to Catholic Relief Services (CRS). CRS is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States.
CRS director Woo gives St. Thérèse lecture
MADISON — “This is your work. We do this work in your name.”
Dr. Carolyn Woo, CEO and president of Catholic Relief Services (CRS), emphasized those words as she began her talk on Friday, April 11, at the Bishop O’Connor Center in Madison.
Her presentation was the first of 2014’s two lectures in the St. Thérèse series in the Diocese of Madison.
Catholic attorneys impact hunger here and abroad
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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Aid in Haiti — the beginning to a Lent of love
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| This column is the bishop’s communication with the faithful of the Diocese of Madison. Any wider circulation reaches beyond the intention of the bishop. |
Dear Friends in Christ,
As was mentioned last week, you, your parishes, and your pastors are to be highly commended in general! We as a diocesan family have come together in an incredible show of our love of neighbor and our unity as a diocese by raising a remarkable $508,130.02 for our sisters and brothers in Haiti.
Very soon after the devastating earthquake, Pope Benedict XVI promised the people of Haiti of the prayers and concrete support of Catholics around the world. And even before the Holy Father made these promises, Catholic Relief Services was there in Haiti helping those injured and dying; you and your parishes were asking “what can we do?” and our diocesan offices were organizing how we could respond.
Ayuda a Haití: El inicio de una Cuaresma de Amor
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| Esta columna está dirigida a los fieles de la Diócesis de Madison. Cualquier circulación más amplia transgrede la intención del Obispo. |
Queridos hermanos en Cristo:
Como dije la semana pasada, ¡ustedes, sus parroquias y sus pastores tienen que ser altamente encomendados en general! Como familia diocesana, hemos demostrado mucho amor por el prójimo al recaudar en nuestra diócesis la cantidad nada despreciable de 508 130.02 dólares para nuestros hermanos y hermanas de Haití.
Muy poco después del devastador terremoto, el Papa Benedicto XVI prometió al pueblo de Haití las oraciones y el apoyo concreto de los católicos en todo el mundo. Incluso antes de que el Santo Padre hiciera estas promesas, Catholic Relief Services ya estaba en Haití con los heridos y los fallecidos. Ustedes y sus parroquias preguntaban “¿qué podemos hacer?” y nuestras oficinas diocesanas estaban organizando la manera en que podíamos responder.
Bishop Lucas Abadamloora, bishop in ‘partner’ diocese in Ghana dies
BOLGATANGA, Ghana — Bishop Lucas Abadamloora of the Diocese of Navrongo-Bolgatanga in Ghana died on December 23, a day after his 71st birthday.
Catholic Relief Services Collection
Dear Friends in Christ,
The theme of Jesus in disguise reminds us that Christ is present in those who suffer — and in those who respond compassionately to their needs. The Catholic Relief Services Collection supports important Catholic organizations that carry out God’s work around the world — providing refugee resettlement, HIV/AIDS and international poverty relief, legal aid for poor immigrants, emergency and disaster relief, and advocacy for the promotion of global peace and justice. Remembering these humanitarian obligations is part of our role as Catholics, being leaven in the world.
An incredible Tanzanian experience
“Get out of the truck!” said my friend, Fr. Leo Kazeri, as we approached his mission church at Etaro, in Tanzania. Along with Fr. Deogratias Makuri, a young priest assisting Father Leo, we were arriving to celebrate Mass, but the road was blocked by over 100 people, smiling in welcome.
Father Deo and I got out, Father Leo drove off, and the people formed a procession with glorious singing and dancing, escorting me to their church.