Overseas work showed him global needs

The Albany native began in 1972 as a program assistant trainee in Senegal and today works as director of overseas operations from CRS headquarters in Baltimore. He recently returned to the Albany Diocese to thank Bishop Howard J. Hubbard for the support Catholics have given to CRS and Operation Rice Bowl.

That support goes beyond the $78,000 raised last year by parishes and schools in the Albany Diocese, making it the 10th largest contributor in the United States to Operation Rice Bowl.

"The principal benefit is not the revenue," Mr. Wiest said. "It's one of the programs where you get everyone involved through prayer, discussion and reflection, and get a better understanding of the issues."

Roots in Diocese

His time in Vietnam helped him to appreciate traveling and traditional cultures, and he and his wife Toni became so interested in Africa that they moved to Senegal in 1972, when Mr. Wiest began working for CRS.

"We decided we wanted to live a life of adventure," he said. "Initially, working with CRS was a means to get to Africa. Over the years, I came to enjoy the management challenges and learned to identify with the mission of the agency."

Into Africa

Two years later, they moved to Kenya when Mr. Wiest became regional director for East Africa. From 1987 to 1990, he worked as country representative in Indonesia, and that experience taught him the importance of interfaith relations.

"I started to understand the role of the Catholic Church and charity in a Muslim environment, and how important interfaith relations were in helping to provide the structures for the development of the agency," he said.

Cultural impressions

"In many ways, they are who they are as young adults by growing up in Africa and Asia," he said.

In 1993, Mr. Wiest was promoted to deputy executive director and now manages CRS' overseas operations from Baltimore. He visits Albany about twice a year and met with Bishop Hubbard last week to thank him for the support Catholics in the Albany Diocese have given to Operation Rice Bowl over the years.

Trouble areas

Other problem spots include Kosovo, Serbia, Indonesia and East Timor, but simply raising money to help these countries isn't enough; people need to change their attitude, according to Mr. Wiest.

"These problems have their roots in American society," he said. "The ways we consume and invest have costs on the social, political and economic environment."

He hopes that Catholics not only contribute but also reflect on the needs of people overseas. "The future is connectedness," he said. "We have so much wealth as a society, and it has a powerful and direct impact on how people in poor countries live their lives."

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