Click here to read How to practice Lent
During the season of Lent we are called to practice prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Fasting can be undestood as limiting our food intake on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday - eating one regular sized meal and the other two meals are smaller - it can also extend to the whole Lenten season.
Have you considered fasting from something that will provide you with time to pray more, volunteer to help others, or be present to others.
We can also fast from something that allows us to have money to give alms?
Let's learn more about What is Almsgiving? If we fast from something like buying our daily coffee from our favorite coffee shop, or going out for family enterainment like bowling, the movies or the sports park, we provide ourselves with "extra" money to donate to help others. Our small sacrifice can help feed someone who goes hungry. If we fast from something like watching TV, scrolling social media, or listening to music on our commute to work, you have the time to read Scripture, pray a rosary, listen to a spiritual podcast - your prayer practices or you can use that time to volunteer at a food bank, be present to a neighbor whose spouse just passed away, or be present to your own family.
At St. Ann's we are giving you the opportunity to embrace these Lenten practices to transform your hearts, your lives, to be more like Christ. See our Lent webpage for ways to pray and learn more about your faith, to celebrate Reconciliation and to give to others. We are encouraging you to consider donating alms to Catholic Relief Services Rice bowl (for the whole parish) or Ark of Hope (for our elementary children).
What is CRS Rice Bowl?
CRS Rice Bowl is the Lenten program of Catholic Relief Services, the official relief and development agency of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Rooted in the history of the Eucharistic Congress, CRS Rice Bowl invites Catholics and faith communities in the United States to encounter God and our global family throughout Lent by practicing the pillars of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Lenten alms donated through CRS Rice Bowl support the work of CRS in more than 120 different countries each year. Twenty-five percent of donations to CRS Rice Bowl stay in the local diocese, supporting hunger and poverty alleviation efforts. Since its inception in 1975, CRS Rice Bowl has raised more than $350 million.
What is a CRS Rice Bowl?
A rice bowl is a simple cardboard box used to collect Lenten alms. It comes with a Lenten calendar that guides families throughout the 40 days of Lent with activities, reflections, stories and opportunities to put alms in their rice bowl. Combined, the rice bowl and calendar are a staple on the table of Catholic families across the country each Lent.
How Can you help?
This Lent, be transformed— and transform the world—by practicing: Daily prayer l Weekly fasting l Almsgiving. Journey with CRS Rice Bowl to encounter God and our global family. What you give up for Lent changes lives! Pick up your Rice Bowl in the Commons after Mass. You will also receive a Lenten calendar that offers short reflections for each of the 40 days. The calendar includes simple, meatless recipes from the three countries for your family to try on Fridays—or any other day of the week. And not only that! Make sure to assemble the cardboard box and use it to collect your family’s alms. Together we can make a difference! Find stories, videos and more at crsricebowl.org.
Journey through Lent with our Printable Calendar to track your journey.
When will the Rice Bowls be collected?
We will begin collecting your donations on Saturday, April 13th. All donations must be collected by April 27th. Please count the cash donations in your Rice Bowl and prepare one check payable to "St. Ann's Catholic Church" and put "CRS RIce Bowl" on the memo line. Drop your check into the collection basket or deliver it to the Parish Office during the week. If you prefer, you can also donate online through St. Ann's Faith Direct.
Additional Resources to help you learn more about those you will be helping through CRS:
Questions?
Contact Minister of Christian Formation: Patti Kamper pattikamper@stannscc.org