OPERATION RICE BOWL LENTEN SERVICE PROJECT
 

Ash Wednesday is February 17, 2010.  This date marks the beginning of our Christian journey through Lent; a time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

Each family with students at St. John Vianney will receive an OPERATION RICE BOWL bank and calendar to use as part of its Lenten service project. 


OPERATION RICE BOWL is a Lenten program sponsored by Catholic Relief Services and our Archdiocese.  Catholic Relief Services is the official overseas relief and development agency of the United States Catholic Church and has been in existence since 1943.  Its fundamental motivating force is the Gospel of Jesus Christ as it pertains to the development of people, to alleviating human suffering, and to fostering charity and justice worldwide.  CRS assists persons solely on the basis of need, not creed, race or nationality.

Through OPERATION RICE BOWL, families have an opportunity to pray for and directly assist the poor in the United States and overseas.  Seventy-five percent of the contributions support Catholic Relief Services while 25% will go to SJV Outreach projects that feed the hungry 

Here is how each St. John Vianney family can participate:

1. Place the Rice Bowl in a prominent place in your home, such as the kitchen table.
2. As a family, Pray the Rice Bowl prayer from the side of the bowl.  Pray that we may be nourished with the Spirit for ourselves and with our poor brothers and sisters around the world this Lenten season.
3. Follow the Archdiocese norms for Fasting and consider additional sacrifices on behalf of the poor.  When we Fast, we sacrifice in solidarity with the hungry around the world.
4. Learn about the realities, courage, and strengths of the poor.
5. Give in a special way to assist the poor.  When you fast for simple meals, take the money you have spent on a more expensive meal and put it in your Rice Bowl.

On or before March 30, bring your family Rice Bowl to the parish office.  If you prefer to make out a check, please make it payable to CRS/ Operation Rice Bowl.