Rice Bowls back

By PAUL QUIRINI- | Comments: 0 | Leave a comment

Operation Rice Bowl, the annual Lenten program conducted by Catholic Relief Services to respond to disasters and support development projects among the needy worldwide, kicks off Feb. 17 with several ways for Catholics in the Albany Diocese to participate with this year's theme in mind: "Act Justly, Love Tenderly, Walk Humbly."

The rice bowl itself, for example, enables Catholics to contribute individually to the program, now in its 24th year. Catholics are asked to fast, pray and donate money through the cardboard bowls that symbolize the bowls from which the hungry eat their meager meals.

Last year, $6.4 million was collected nationally through Operation Rice Bowl; Catholics in the Albany Diocese gave more than $110,000, a 12 percent increase compared to the previous year.

Generosity

Joseph Buttigieg, associate executive director of Catholic Charities of the Albany Diocese, said local response to Operation Rice Bowl traditionally has been outstanding, so he expects Catholics in the Albany Diocese to be very supportive once again.

"The people in the Albany Diocese have a reputation, throughout the country, of being one of the most generous dioceses," he said.

Of the amount raised through Operation Rice Bowl, 75 percent is targeted to development programs overseas, such as formal education efforts in Sudan, water purification projects in Kenya and farming in India. Long-term development projects are implemented in more than 80 countries with ORB contributions.

The remaining 25 percent is returned to local dioceses to sustain its work, such as the relief effort in the Albany Diocese after a tornado and severe thunderstorms swept through Rensselaer and Saratoga counties last spring.

Youth involved

Students in religious education programs and Catholic schools in the Diocese are being encouraged to participate in ORB through activities, prayers and discussions found in the Educators' Guide available to teachers.

Sister Mary Jane Herb, IHM, diocesan superintendent of schools, and Sister Maureen Joyce, RSM, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Diocese, have written to schools about the importance of Operation Rice Bowl, both globally and locally.

"It really provides an opportunity for the children to look at other countries and how Operation Rice Bowl tries to improve conditions in those countries, to focus on the solidarity with other nations," Mr. Buttigieg said.

Each school will send a representative to present Bishop Howard J. Hubbard with a check in the amount of that school's contributions at an April 21 pizza party in the Diocesan Pastoral Center in Albany. Schools also will receive certificates of Church leadership and social justice for contributing to Operation Rice Bowl.

(Contact your parish to find out more about Operation Rice Bowl activities. Most parishes hand out ORB materials during weekend Masses.)

(02-11-99) [[In-content Ad]]