Click here for El Plato de Arroz del Servicio Católico de Ayuda, this page in Spanish.

Dear Friends,

Operation Rice Bowl is Catholic Relief Services’ Lenten faith-in-action program that is being sponsored by our Social Outreach Ministry in our parish. It offers opportunities for your family to engage daily with the spiritual pillars of Lent: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.  And it’s an opportunity for us as a parish to come together as a community and reflect on what it means to live out our Gospel call to go out and encounter those most in need. During the next 40 days, in short videos five minutes before Masses or online at our website and facebook pages, we will encounter the stories of people in Guatemala, Uganda, Gaza and other places around the world where CRS is at work. We’ll be invited to eat simple meals at least once a week to be in solidarity with those who are hungry throughout the world.  Please put the money you would save from a larger meal in the rice bowl at your table.

In this way, we will reflect on how an encounter with resurrection can be transformative. We will see how our prayers, fasting, and almsgiving can give hope to those worldwide who are most in need, especially those forced to flee their homes to find safety or better opportunities. 

Please take home a Rice Bowl at your seats at Mass after Masses this coming weekend, March 9^th and 10^th.  (Rice Bowls will be available on a table outside after masses the following weekends.)  Look to our parish website and facebook page for ways to connect the prayer and reflections of each of our families to our global community of faith.  On our web site, there is a daily Calendar with ideas on how to inspire your Lenten journey as individuals and families.   You’ll find recipes to prepare simple, meatless meals on the Fridays of Lent to eat in solidarity with our brothers and sisters around the world.  There’s even an app to accompany your Lenten journey.   You can download it in the iTunes or Google Play stores, or visit crsricebowl.org/app

On the weekend of the Fifth Sunday of Lent,  April 6 and 7th, please bring your Rice Bowls to Mass for a special procession at the Offertory. The money you have saved in your CRS Rice Bowls and your other donations will be given to help the needy of the world.  If you have any questions or comments about Operation Rice Bowl, please contact Mr. Angel Ibarra in the Social Outreach Ministries Office at 760-547-0708.

Blessings,

Fr. Vince