Annual collection helps Catholics touch world's neediest

Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the international relief and development agency of U.S. Catholics, believes that its annual appeal is one of the ways people can better serve "Jesus in disguise."

The collection, which will be taken up at Masses March 25-26, benefits CRS, the U.S. bishops' Migration and Refugee Services, the bishops' Department of Social Development and World Peace, and the Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC).

Funds also go to the Holy Father's Relief Fund, which assists victims of national disasters and other emergencies, ranging from earthquakes and floods to war.

'Jesus in disguise'

"Our theme, 'Jesus in disguise,' reminds us that Christ is present in those who suffer and in those who respond compassionately to their needs," said Bishop William Skylstad of Spokane, who is president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Last year, CRS funds were distributed for the purposes of:

* continuing humanitarian and reconstruction efforts in areas affected by the December 2004 tsunami;

* responding to the needs of more than 2,250 children in the Zambian Diocese of Solwezi whose parents suffer from or have died of AIDS;

* resettling refugees from countries like Afghanistan and Liberia who are fleeing persecution;

* providing humanitarian assistance to children in Israel and Palestine; and

* giving emergency relief for refugees in war-torn Sudan.

Peace

The collection also supports peace initiatives, endeavors that aim to increase international solidarity, projects seeking to remove the root causes of poverty and hunger, and ventures that strive at the reunification of refugee families across borders.

Last year, Catholics across the U.S. contributed more than $15 million to the collection.

That amount "not only allowed Catholic Relief Services to be on the ground, ready to respond to the Asian tsunami, but it also helped communities through the developing world respond to other natural and man-made disasters," Bishop Skylstad said.

He thanked Catholics for "your past generosity," and asked for "your continued support and prayers for the collection in 2006. Your support is making a real difference in the lives of the poor here at home and around the world."

(3/23/06) [[In-content Ad]]