---

On March 21-22, a second collection will be taken up at all Masses at parishes in the Albany Diocese for Catholic Relief Services. CRS is an international humanitarian agency that provides assistance to more than 100 countries. 

In a letter from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Archbishop John Vlazny, chairman of the Committee on National Collections, said that CRS "confronts international issues such as food security, HIV/AIDS, education, and peace building."

The theme for this year's collection is, "Jesus in Disguise." According to Archbishop Vlazny, its purpose is to "remind us of the presence of Christ in every one of our brothers and sisters in need."

Who is helped
The collection will fund other agencies in addition to CRS, including the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc.; USCCB Migration and Refugee Services; the Justice, Peace and Human Development Office of the USCCB; the USCCB Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church; and the Holy Father's Relief Fund.

A bulletin announcement sent from CRS to parishes noted such travesties as a drought in Ormoria, Ethiopia, and the displacement from homes of millions of people due to the war in Iraq. It added: "Because of your generosity, the Catholic Relief Services Collection will be able to support disaster and emergency relief, refugee resettlement, advocacy, development, and legal services for people in need all around the world. 

"Together, we will restore hope to 'Jesus in disguise,' who reminds us that Christ is present in those who suffer - and in those who respond compassionately to their needs."

For the least
In a pulpit letter to parishes of the Albany Diocese, Bishop Howard J. Hubbard stated, "In the story of the Last Judgment, Jesus reminds us to care for those in need. If we ignore those who are hungry, thirsty, ill, without clothes, or in prison, we turn away from Christ. 

"When we act with compassion, generosity, and commitment to justice for the 'least among us,' we act as His true disciples."

In the past, CRS funds have provided humanitarian assistance to children in Israel and Palestine, relief to refugees throughout Africa, and aid after natural disasters such as the 2004 tsunami in Asia.

Sister Maureen Joyce, RSM, head of Catholic Charities for the Albany Diocese, stressed the importance of giving to the collection.

"As Catholics, we have the opportunity [with] Catholic Relief Services to give hope to our sisters and brothers globally," she said. "Catholic Relief Services is present in 100 countries bringing that hope and partnership to care for those in need."[[In-content Ad]]

---