During the season of Lent, we are asked to Pray, Fast and Give Alms.  Our parish is offering a Lectio Divina Prayer series on the Thursday’s in Lent in the morning  after the 8 A.M. Mass and again in the evening at 7 P.M. in the Parish Office Building.  This will offer parishioners an opportunity to experience another form of prayer.

Our Rice Bowl Collection (in the poor boxes) give us  an opportunity to  give alms to those most in need.  By participating in this effort, we can assist our neighbors across the world.  Each week we will be spotlighting a country helped by Catholic Relief Services.  We will also highlight a Catholic Social teaching on which we can reflect.  How do I live my life in keeping with what the church teaches about social justice?  The following is our first offering:

Country Spotlight: Burkina Faso (West Africa)  As a result of poor rainfall, soil degradation, high population density and inadequate agriculture practices, farmers are often unable to produce enough food to feed themselves and their families for the entire year.

Catholic Social Teaching:  Option for the Poor.  As a community of faith, we have the obligations to reach out to those who are most in need.  The Gospel calls us to take action on behalf of the most vulnerable members of society.

How CRS helped: CRS helped to establish a small irrigated plot of land in Lelegse that the local population could use to practice new planting techniques.  The plot is managed by three committees comprised of local farmers and community members:  1)  the water supply and management committee, 2) the motor pump repair and management committee and 3) The seed supply committee.

Reflection Question:  How does the world, society or community in which we live tempt us to live for ourselves, without regard to other?