Catholic Relief Services
Archdiocese of Philadelphia

Catholic Relief Services is the official international relief and development agency of the US Catholic community, CRS is also committed to educating the people of the archdiocese to fulfill their moral responsibilities toward our global brothers and sisters by helping the poor, working to remove the causes of poverty, and promoting social justice.

Click on CRS Philadelphia Fall 2011 newsletter!

Operation Rice Bowl 2011

We lift our prayers to you, God of Love, on behalf of our brothers and sisters in need. As we learn about their struggles, our almsgiving comes to their aid;
our fasting unites us in their hunger. You call us to be disciples for all nations. Bless us this Lenten season. Amen.


       
Each year, Operation Rice Bowl calls us to pray with our families and faith communities; fast in solidarity with those who hunger; learn more about our global community and the challenges of poverty overseas; and give sacrificial contributions to those in need.

The focus countries for 2011 are the following:

  • Haiti: CRS and its local partner, Caritas Haiti, have established an agriculture school to teach farmers about diversifying crops and improving growing methods. The farmers are planting cassia tree seedlings along the hillsides, which will nourish the land with nitrogen and protect the soil from erosion. The program is grounded in the Catholic social teaching principle of Care for God's Creation.
  • Indonesia: CRS and its partner, the Diocese of Larantuka, are working to educate farmers in Indonesia about new methods that will improve crop yields. This program is grounded in the Catholic social teaching principle of Option for the Poor.
  • Senegal: CRS works with its partner, Caritas Senegal, to help the poorest members of communities in the Kolda region access credit to start their own businesses. Through microfinance projects, families are able to earn an income and save money for long term needs such as medical care and education. This program is grounded in the Catholic social teaching principle of the Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers.
  • Honduras: CRS works with its partner, the Central Pro-Water and Integral Development Committee of Intibuca, to provide superior healthcare to mothers and their children in Honduras. This program is grounded in the Catholic social teaching principle Community and Participation.
  • Kenya: CRS is working with the Ministry of Education in Kenya to help orphans and vulnerable children access high quality learning opportunities through the Education of Marginalized Children (EMACK) program. This program is grounded in the Catholic social teaching principle of Rights and Responsibilities.
  • Archdiocese of Chicago: While 75 percent of Operation Rice Bowl contributions support CRS' programs around the world, 25 percent remains in the United States to fund local diocesan hunger and poverty alleviation efforts. In the Archdiocese of Chicago, a portion of local Operation Rice Bowl funds support the Southwest Chicago Public Action to Deliver Shelter (PADS). PADS provides food, clothing, and support to help the homeless find permanent places to live. This program is grounded in the Catholic social teaching principle of the Dignity and Equality of the Human Person.

    • Archdiocese of Philadelphia
    Schools and parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Philadelphia are encouraged to participate in Operation Rice Bowl through prayer, fasting, and giving. For resources and materials, or to find out more, visit the CRS website.

    Click to get directions on How To Organize A Rice Bowl Dinner.

    Host a Fair Trade Event

    Through Catholic Relief Services you can offer an easy way to get your parishioners involved in Catholic Social Teaching just by being consciencous consumers. CRS offers consignment shopping where your parish can order unique, beautiful fairly traded items to sell after Mass or at a special event. It is NOT ANOTHER FUNDRAISER - it is an opportunity to purchase Christmas gifts that give twice - once to the recipient and once to the third world artisan who otherwise would not be able to support themselves or their family.

    At its heart, Fair Trade is about building respectful, enduring relationships. We at CRS believe that Fair Trade embodies a comprehensive set of criteria, including, at minimum, the following commitments:

  • Paying a fair wage in the local context
  • Offering employees opportunities for advancement
  • Providing equal employment opportunities for all people,particularly the most disadvantaged
  • Engaging in environmentally sustainable practices
  • Being open to public accountability
  • Building long-term trade relationships
  • Providing healthy and safe working conditions within the local context
  • Providing financial and technical assistance to producers whenever possible


    • To find out more about Catholic Relief Services in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, contact Anne Ayella- Diocesan Director:

    aayella@ndsarch.org

    222 North 17th Street
    Philadelphia, PA 19103

    (215) 895-3470 x77901


    CRS Regional Office:
    Maureen McCullough
    CRS Northeast Regional Director
    5 Radnor Corporate Center
    100 Matsonford Road
    Radnor, PA 19087

    (610) 293-4669