God of all people,

We offer you our Lenten journey. May Snyder/CRS David by Photo we learn to walk as one human family, remembering in a special way those who are poorest and most in need. Bless our prayers, our fasting and our Lenten gifts. Through these actions, we show our love for your son Jesus, and answer your call to love one another. Amen

CRS Bowl is the Lenten program of Catholic Relief Services, the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Schoolgirl from the village of Tourbey,

Make your own CRS Rice Bowl! Glue or tape the wrapper, above, to a can, and display this pledge form, below, on the fridge. ©2014 Catholic Relief Services. All Rights Reserved. US1450 Photos by Jennifer Hardy, Laura Sheahen/CRS, Laura Sheahen/CRS we will give For Lent, we will give up something up From our Lenten sacrifice, we pledge to donate $ Count the money you saved in your CRS Rice Bowl and make an online donation at crsricebowl.org. to lift others up! THANK YOU!

MAKE A LENTEN PLAN pray fast give set aside a time each week consider what you set a goal for your to pray and reflect will give up for Lent CRS Rice Bowl offering

©2014 Catholic Relief Services. All Rights Reserved. US14165 Lent is a journey where will it take you? Download our app! OPEN THIS CALENDAR AND BRING YOUR LENT TO LIFE.

“LENT IS A FITTING TIME FOR SELF-DENIAL; WE WOULD DO WELL TO ASK OURSELVES WHAT WE CAN GIVE UP IN ORDER TO HELP AND ENRICH OTHERS Lenten2015 calendar BY OUR OWN POVERTY.” —POPE FRANCIS

Photo by David Snyder/CRS David by Photo Schoolgirl from the village of Tourbey, Niger what what get is Lent? is crs involved! Lent is our time of preparation. Ready to get involved? Here’s We begin a 40-day journey of rice bowl? 40 years ago, Catholics in the what you can do: prayer, fasting and almsgiving United States wanted to respond on Ash Wednesday to help Place your CRS Rice Bowl and to famine in Africa. Could we us deepen our relationship Lenten calendar in a prominent feed the hungry through Lenten with Christ. spot for daily use. prayers, fasting and almsgiving? Prayer: Deepens our relationship The answer was yes—and it came Watch videos at crsricebowl.org. with God and helps us to reflect in the form of a small cardboard on our lives. box. 40 years later, it still does. Download the CRS Rice Bowl And now, there’s an app for mobile app to get Lenten Fasting: Removes obstacles that, too. inspiration right on your phone. between us and God. Have you downloaded the Like us on Facebook and follow Giving: Helps us serve those in CRS Rice Bowl app yet? us on Twitter for 40 days of need and live Jesus’ message motivation. of love.

©2014 Catholic Relief Services. All Rights Reserved. US1480 february 22–28 hungering Recipe from Tanzania: TANZANIA for a ugali with better life bean soup Makes 4-6 servings Loving God, help us to remember the inherent dignity of all people. • 4 T fair trade Like many farmers in Tanzania, Gertruda Domayo used to struggle • 1 t powder Ugali • 1 t salt to provide for her three grandchildren. Now she is a member of • 4 c water • ¼ t Soya ni Pesa, a Catholic Relief Services project that means “soybeans • 2½ c cornmeal • 1 , chopped are money.” Through the project, Gertruda has learned that a few Bean Soup • 2 16-oz cans kidney beans, drained small changes can make a big difference. Crop spacing and fertilizer • 1 small , diced • 1 green pepper, • 3 c unsweetened have doubled her harvests. Membership in the local farmers’ group diced coconut milk gets her good prices at market—which means a six-fold increase in family income. And the soybeans themselves add nutrients to the soil, Ugali: Boil water in saucepan, then stir in fueling future harvests. cornmeal. Simmer until mixture is thick and water is absorbed. Stir often to prevent For Gertruda and her grandchildren, that means more and better burning. Shape the mixture into round balls, food. Best of all, Gertruda knows how to provide her family with a one for each person. Bean Soup: In a large pot, sauté onion better life. and green pepper in oil until soft. Add curry Visit to watch a video and learn more about powder, salt, black pepper and tomato. crsricebowl.org Simmer for 2 minutes, add beans and stir. Tanzania. Add coconut milk and simmer for 10 minutes on low heat. Serve with Ugali. Photo by Sara A. Fajardo/CRS Sara by Photo

Recipe from Nicaragua: march 1–7 hungering gallo pinto NICARAGUA for a bountiful earth Makes 4-6 servings

• 2 c rice Loving God, help us to care for all that you have created. • 4 c water Melvin Sánchez Ramírez makes his living as a coffee farmer in one • 2 16-oz cans of the poorest regions of Nicaragua. For him, his wife and son, it has • 1 large onion, diced red beans, drained • 1 bay leaf always been a challenge, but they’ve managed to get by. Then came • 1 bell pepper, diced coffee leaf rust. The fungus killed off so many of Melvin’s plants, he • 3 cloves, • Salt and black pepper minced to taste had no coffee to sell. • 4 T fair trade olive oil • Fried egg or cheese (optional) Catholic Relief Services is helping farmers like Melvin learn how to protect their plants from leaf rust. We’re also teaching them to grow other crops, like plantains and sweet potatoes. Not only do In a large pot, sauté onion, bell pepper and these crops add nutritious variety to family meals, they bring vital garlic in oil. Stir in rice. Cook, stirring often, diversity to plantings so the family isn’t relying on one crop for their until are soft. Add water and cook, livelihood. And, by joining a CRS-supported savings group, Melvin is covered, until most of the water has been preparing for the future with others in his community. absorbed. Add beans and bay leaf. Mix well and cook over medium heat for 15 minutes. By planning ahead and working together, families like Melvin’s are Serve hot with cheese or fried egg. making sure they have bountiful farms and better futures. Visit crsricebowl.org to watch a video and learn about Nicaragua. Photo by Silverlight for CRS for Silverlight by Photo march 8–14 Recipe from Niger: hungering west African NIGER for a season of hope Makes 4-6 servings Loving God, we pray that all people gain opportunities to (Allergen alert: contains nuts) express their dignity through meaningful work.

Life in Niger is ruled by the seasons. There’s the dry season, the hot • 1 medium onion, • ½ t salt diced • ½ t black pepper season, the rainy season—and the hungry season. The hungry season • 3 cloves garlic, • 3 small sweet comes every year, when food supplies run out and prices rise. Poor minced potatoes, cubed families face the difficult choice between feeding their children and • 2 T fresh ginger, • 2 medium tomatoes, minced diced meeting other basic needs. Habibou Alassane, his wife and nine • 4 T fair trade • 3 c chopped kale or children are farmers in Tourbey, a remote village in Niger. During the olive oil spinach last hungry season, a Catholic Relief Services project called Bonbatu • 6 c water • 1 c crunchy peanut • ½ t crushed red butter hired Habibou and other farmers to dig reservoirs. The work provides pepper farmers with income and the reservoir will provide water for crops and livestock. In a large pot, sauté onion, garlic and ginger in oil until tender. Add 5 cups water and season with crushed red pepper, salt and black pepper. “Bonbatu” means “I become stronger.” Habibou’s family is stronger. Stir in sweet potatoes and bring to a boil. His children are well-fed. And his fields are ready for the planting Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 15 minutes. Stir in 1 cup water, tomatoes, greens season. and peanut butter. Cook over medium heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve over rice.

Photo by Francois Therrien for CRS for Therrien Francois by Photo Visit crsricebowl.org to watch a video and learn more about Niger.

march 15–21 Recipe from Lebanon: hungering fattet laban LEBANON for peace Makes 4-6 servings

• 2 garlic cloves, crushed Loving God, help us reach out to our neighbors in need. • 2 16-oz cans chickpeas with liquid Before civil war broke out, 5-year-old Tanious Issa and his parents • 32-oz plain whole • Pita bread lived a good life in Syria. But in 2011, because of the civil war, they milk yogurt • 1/4 c almonds, • Cheesecloth chopped and toasted made the difficult choice to move to Lebanon. Tanious loves living • 1 bunch fresh mint, (optional) in Lebanon—all he remembers about Syria is the sound of constant minced • 2 T fair trade gunfire. But refugee life is tough. Tanious’ father can’t find a job, • 1 t dry mint olive oil and the family struggles to pay for food and rent. We are working Place a colander into a bowl, line it with hard to help children like Tanious enjoy childhood. That means cheesecloth and place yogurt in it. Cover and place in refrigerator. Allow yogurt to drain for supporting schools where they can learn and play—and where there a few hours or overnight. are counselors who help them work through their trauma. Most Combine drained yogurt, fresh and dry mint, importantly, refugee children find friends to grow and share with. and crushed garlic in a bowl. In a pan, heat chickpeas in their liquid until warm, then This is a difficult time for the Issa family—and many others like them. drain and set aside. Toast pita bread in oven until golden in color. Break some of the pita Catholic Relief Services is providing food vouchers to help the family bread and place pieces in a large bowl with meet their immediate needs. They are grateful for the food, but are chickpeas. Add yogurt mixture. Top with fresh mint and toasted almonds. Drizzle olive oil still praying for lasting peace. over top. Serve with remaining pita bread.

Visit crsricebowl.org to learn more about Lebanon. CRS for Sam Tarling by Photo march 22–28 Recipe from the Democratic DEMOCRATIC hungering Republic of Congo: REPUBLIC OF for a healthy harvest fried plantains CONGO with beans Loving God, strengthen all families and communities Makes 4-6 servings throughout the world.

When banana trees die, Hamuli Kahati has nothing to sell. And his Fried Plantains • 2 16-oz cans of black beans, liquid drained family has nothing to eat. When banana wilt disease devastated the • 4 ripe green plantains • Salt to taste • 1 large tomato, trees on Hamuli’s farm in the Democratic Republic of Congo, his • 6 T fair trade chopped income dropped from $150 a month to only $7. He struggled to give olive oil • and to taste his three daughters even one meal per day. Catholic Relief Services Beans helped start a field school where farmers like Hamuli could try • 1 large onion, diced different ways of treating banana wilt disease. After training at the • 2 T fair trade olive oil school, members visited each other’s fields and worked together to clean the disease off the trees. Fried Plantains: Peel plantains and cut into thin slices. Lightly salt both sides. Pour oil into Now Hamuli’s trees are thriving. His family is eating two to three pan and heat. Carefully place each plantain slice into oil and fry each side until golden. meals a day. And farmers in the Democratic Republic of Congo know Drain on rack or paper towel. how to keep their harvests healthy. Beans: In a large pan, sauté onion in oil, then add beans, tomato, paprika and chili pepper. Visit crsricebowl.org to learn more about the Democratic Republic Cook over low heat until hot. Serve with of Congo. plantains. Photo by Jean Paul Cigulube/CRS Jean Paul by Photo

march 29–april 4 The Garden of Feedin’ used to be hungering an abandoned lot in a low-income UNITED STATES for Driven by our faith, we are committed to help DIOCESE OF ALBANY seeds of home neighborhood in Albany, New York. Today, it those in need no matter where they may live. provides fresh fruits and vegetables for a soup In that spirit, 75 percent of all money raised kitchen at the Sister Maureen Joyce Center. through CRS Rice Bowl provides lifesaving Loving God, bless those who serve the poor in our aid to those in need overseas, and 25 percent own community. Three times a week, about 130 people gather stays in the diocese for a delicious lunch prepared from scratch. for local programs Volunteer Lois Keefrider certainly appreciates to ease hunger and the fresh produce that the community garden homelessness. makes possible, but she says that for guests To learn more about how at the center, it’s about more than food. “It’s the local 25 percent of a whole-community aspect of being around CRS Rice Bowl funds is the table,” Lois says. “Many of these people used in your diocese visit are homeless and this is their home, this crsricebowl.org/about. is their family.” The Sister Maureen Joyce Center receives funding from CRS Rice Bowl donations—from the 25 percent designated for local use by the Diocese of Albany’s CRS Rice Bowl collection. This abandoned-lot-turned-fruitful-garden is a symbol of the center’s mission: To bring hope—and a home—to struggling neighbors. Photo courtesy of Paul McAvoy/Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany LENTEN PRAYER WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20 SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21 God of all people, ASH WEDNESDAY ✓ CATHOLIC SOCIAL A SIMPLE MEAL STATION 1: we offer you our TEACHING Lenten journey. May we READ Isaiah 58:1–12 Today we FAST from Jesus Is Condemned learn to walk as one human “If you lavish your food on Global Solidarity in solidarity with more than to Death family, remembering in the hungry and satisfy the Jesus tells us to love our 842 million people who live in Around the globe, 1.2 billion hunger. GIVE 25¢ to your CRS a special way those who are afflicted; Then your light neighbors, even though they people live on less than $1.25 may be different from us. Rice Bowl for each time YOU poorest and most in need. shall rise in the darkness, and a day. What if you only had your gloom shall become like That means those neighbors felt hungry today. $1.25 to pay for the food you Spend 5 minutes a day reflecting on Bless our prayers, our midday.” who live next door and also ate today? GIVE $1.25 to your these calendar entries, and use the fasting and our Lenten gifts. How will you help the hungry those who live on the other CRS Rice Bowl for each meal Through these actions, we and afflicted this Lent? Write side of the planet. Jesus you had today. GIVE suggestions to guide your Lenten your commitment on your reminds us that we are all show our love for your Son, part of God’s great family. almsgiving. Don’t forget: your Lenten Jesus, and answer your call CRS Rice Bowl and download to love one another. our app to get more prayers journey continues when you download and reflections. our app! Amen.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27 SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28

1ST WEEK OF LENT CATHOLIC SOCIAL STATION 2: THE WORD OF GOD STATION 3: A SIMPLE MEAL THOUGHTS FROM TEACHING THE POPES As we travel to Tanzania, join Jesus Carries the Cross READ 1 John 3:11–18 Jesus Falls Ugali is a common dish Catholics across the United Sacredness and Dignity of the Nearly 75% of Tanzanians live “If someone who has worldly for the First Time in East Africa. SHARE a “Even the weakest and most States in FASTING from all Human Person in remote areas, without cars means sees a brother in need As more opportunities come simple Tanzanian meal vulnerable, the sick, the old, desserts. How much will this When God created us, he or public transportation to and refuses him compassion, to the people of Tanzania, with your family by trying the unborn and the poor, week’s FAST raise for those made us in his image and hospitals or other services. how can the love of God some families are better off, this week’s recipe for are masterpieces of God’s in need? likeness. That means that Why do you think living remain in him?” though many still fall into Ugali With Bean Soup. creation, made in his own PRAY together for those in image … and deserving of READ THIS WEEK’S STORY every human being has a without transportation would Each person we meet is poverty. This is true in many Tanzania who are hungry. the utmost reverence and OF HOPE AND START YOUR special value and purpose. be a heavy cross? GIVE 25¢ a special gift from God. countries. GIVE 25¢ to your GIVE the money you saved respect.” JOURNEY TO TANZANIA! We need to care for each to your CRS Rice Bowl for 25¢ to your CRS Rice CRS Rice Bowl for each time GIVE by sharing this meal to your other so that we can be the each car your family owns. Bowl for every new person you’ve reached out to help —Pope Francis CRS Rice Bowl. people God calls us to be. you met today. others this week. Use the CRS Rice Bowl app to calculate your meal savings!

SUNDAY, MARCH 1 MONDAY, MARCH 2 TUESDAY, MARCH 3 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4 THURSDAY, MARCH 5 FRIDAY, MARCH 6 SATURDAY, MARCH 7

2ND WEEK OF LENT CATHOLIC SOCIAL STATION 4: THE WORD OF GOD STATION 5: A SIMPLE MEAL THOUGHTS FROM TEACHING THE POPES As we travel to Nicaragua, Jesus Meets His Mother READ Psalm 104 Simon Helps Jesus Carry Nicaraguan families eat join Catholics across the Care for Creation In Nicaragua, 80% of farming “How varied are your works, His Cross Gallo Pinto almost every “There exists a certain United States in FASTING God created every plant, families’ money comes from Lord! In wisdom you have Though the cost of coffee and day. SHARE a simple reciprocity: As we care for from all beverages except every mountaintop, every coffee. When coffee plants made them all; the earth is other crops are increasing, Nicaraguan meal with your creation, we realize that water. How much will this animal—everything. And die, it’s hard for parents to full of your creatures.” farmers still struggle to family by trying this week’s God, through creation, cares week’s FAST raise for those recipe for Gallo Pinto. for us.” God said that these things feed their children. GIVE $1 God has entrusted the provide for their families’ in need? PRAY together for those in are good. We find God in to your CRS Rice Bowl for wonders of the earth to needs. Help farmers carry —Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI Nicaragua who are hungry. READ THIS WEEK’S STORY these good things he made, each chair around your dinner humanity. GIVE 25¢ to your their cross. GIVE 50¢ to your GIVE the money you saved OF HOPE AND START YOUR and so we must take care of table. CRS Rice Bowl for each living CRS Rice Bowl for each type by sharing this meal to your JOURNEY TO NICARAGUA! creation—both for ourselves thing in your home. of food you ate today that and for all of our human came from a farm. CRS Rice Bowl. family. Use the CRS Rice Bowl app to calculate your meal savings!

SUNDAY, MARCH 8 MONDAY, MARCH 9 TUESDAY, MARCH 10 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11 THURSDAY, MARCH 12 FRIDAY, MARCH 13 SATURDAY, MARCH 14

3RD WEEK OF LENT CATHOLIC SOCIAL STATION 6: THE WORD OF GOD STATION 7: A SIMPLE MEAL THOUGHTS FROM TEACHING THE POPES Meat is a luxury denied to Veronica Wipes the READ John 5:9–18 Jesus Falls the Second Time Peanut stew is common in many around the world. Dignity of Work and Face of Jesus “But Jesus answered them, ‘My To avoid falling into most West African nations. “Work is fundamental to the As we travel to Niger, join Rights of Workers Weather in Niger makes Father is at work until now, so starvation, many families in SHARE a simple meal by dignity of a person. Work… Catholics across the United Jesus spent years working farming difficult. Flooding I am at work.’” Niger are forced to spend trying this week’s recipe for annoints us with dignity, States in FASTING from meat West African . fills us with dignity, makes as a carpenter. Work is followed by drought destroys Jesus asks us to work for nearly 75% of their money all week long. How much will PRAY together for those us similar to God, who has important and helps people crops and leaves many those in need. How many on food, leaving little to use this week’s FAST raise for who are hungry in Niger. worked and still works.” achieve their potential. people hungry. Rain can be chores do you have to do this on other things. How many those in need? GIVE the money you saved People must be paid a life-giving or destructive. week? GIVE 25¢ to your CRS things cost you money today —Pope Francis READ THIS WEEK’S STORY fair wage to provide for 25¢ to your CRS Rice besides food? 75¢ to by sharing this meal to your GIVE Rice Bowl for each one. GIVE SUPPORT THE ANNUAL CRS OF HOPE AND START YOUR themselves and their families. Bowl for each day that has your CRS Rice Bowl for CRS Rice Bowl. COLLECTION AT MASS THIS JOURNEY TO NIGER! passed since it last rained. each thing. Use the CRS Rice Bowl app to WEEKEND. calculate your meal savings! SUNDAY, MARCH 15 MONDAY, MARCH 16 TUESDAY, MARCH 17 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18 THURSDAY, MARCH 19 FRIDAY, MARCH 20 SATURDAY, MARCH 21

4TH WEEK OF LENT CATHOLIC SOCIAL STATION 8: THE WORD OF GOD STATION 9: A SIMPLE MEAL THOUGHTS FROM TEACHING THE POPES As we travel to Lebanon, join Jesus Comforts the Women READ Matthew 25:31–46 Jesus Falls the Third Time Chickpeas are a staple Catholics across the United Option for the Poor More than 1 million Syrian “‘Amen, I say to you, whatever Refugees have to leave ingredient in Mediterranean “The nations of the world are States in FASTING from all Jesus tells us to care for refugees are seeking comfort you did for one of these least almost everything they own recipes. SHARE a simple becoming more and more snacks this week. How much those who are most in need in Lebanon. Most of these brothers of mine, you did when they flee their homes, Lebanese meal with your dependent on one another will this week’s FAST raise for in the world. He reminds refugees are women and for me.’” bringing only what they can family by trying this week’s and it will not be possible to those in need? recipe for Fattet Laban. preserve a lasting peace so us of our Christian duty to children. GIVE 25¢ to your Jesus helps all who are in carry. How much can you PRAY together for those in long as glaring economic and READ THIS WEEK’S STORY give a voice to those who go CRS Rice Bowl for each need. 25¢ to your CRS carry using only your hands? GIVE Lebanon who are hungry. social imbalances persist.” OF HOPE AND START YOUR unheard and to help those person who has comforted Rice Bowl for every time you GIVE 25¢ to your CRS Rice GIVE the money you saved JOURNEY TO LEBANON! who are most vulnerable. you this week. received help today. Bowl for each thing you can —St. John XXIII carry. by sharing this meal to your CRS Rice Bowl. Use the CRS Rice Bowl app to calculate your meal savings!

SUNDAY, MARCH 22 MONDAY, MARCH 23 TUESDAY, MARCH 24 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25 THURSDAY, MARCH 26 FRIDAY, MARCH 27 SATURDAY, MARCH 28

5TH WEEK OF LENT CATHOLIC SOCIAL STATION 10: THE WORD OF GOD STATION 11: A SIMPLE MEAL STATION 12: TEACHING As we travel to the Jesus Is Stripped of His READ Hebrews 10:19–25 Jesus Is Nailed to the Cross Hamuli, whose story we Jesus Dies on the Cross Democratic Republic of the Call to Family, Community Garments “We must consider how to Poor nutrition is a big read this week, shared his Hunger is the biggest health Congo, join Catholics across and Participation Even though the Democratic rouse one another to love and problem in the Democratic daughter’s favorite recipe. risk in the world. More people the United States in FASTING Human beings are social by Republic of Congo is full of good works.” Republic of Congo. Many SHARE Hamuli’s simple die on the cross of hunger from eating out this week. meal with your family by nature. We, like the early natural resources, it is one of We can encourage each other children get sick because than from any disease. How much will this week’s trying Fried Plantains With disciples, are called to come the poorest countries in the with kind words. GIVE 25¢ to they don’t get the healthy How much will you GIVE to FAST raise for those in need? Beans. PRAY together for together as a community, world because violence strips your CRS Rice Bowl for every food they need. GIVE 25¢ to your CRS Rice Bowl to help those who are hungry. READ THIS WEEK’S STORY whether that community is the people of opportunity kind word you heard today. your CRS Rice Bowl for each fight world hunger? OF HOPE AND BEGIN YOUR in our classroom, workplace to work and thrive. GIVE $2 type of fruit and vegetable in GIVE the money you saved JOURNEY TO THE CONGO! or family. to your CRS Rice Bowl in your home. to your CRS Rice Bowl. thanksgiving for peace. Use the CRS Rice Bowl app to calculate your meal savings!

SUNDAY, MARCH 29 MONDAY, MARCH 30 TUESDAY, MARCH 31 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1 THURSDAY, APRIL 2 FRIDAY, APRIL 3 SATURDAY, APRIL 4

PALM SUNDAY CATHOLIC SOCIAL STATION 13: THE WORD OF GOD HOLY THURSDAY GOOD FRIDAY HOLY SATURDAY TEACHING 6TH WEEK OF LENT Jesus Is Taken Down From READ Acts 2:42–47 STATION 14: A SIMPLE MEAL THOUGHTS FROM The Common Good Today, Jesus travels to the Cross “All who believed were THE POPES Jesus Is Buried What simple meal does “[Solidarity] then is not a Jerusalem, a place he knew As God’s family, we are all In the United States, nearly together and had all things in your family like to prepare? feeling of vague compassion well. There are many places called to look out for one 1 out of 4 children lives in common.” Children who are buried by poverty are also buried SHARE your recipe with a or shallow distress … [but] we know well in our lives, but another. It’s not just about poverty. How can we work to It is important to share with by hunger. One causes the friend and PRAY together for the firm and persevering do we recognize the poor and “me,” but about “us.” How can take these children off this those who are in need. GIVE other. As Lent comes to an all who go hungry every day. determination to commit vulnerable in those places? we be sure that the decisions cross? GIVE 25¢ to your CRS 25¢ to your CRS Rice Bowl end, how can you make a GIVE the money you save to oneself to the common good.” READ this week’s Story of we make in our own Rice Bowl for each child in for each time someone difference? your CRS Rice Bowl. Hope about a community in community and in the world your family. shared with you today. —St. John Paul II our own country, the Diocese help build up and protect of Albany, New York, and God’s entire family? PRAY for those who serve the hungry each day. SUNDAY, APRIL 5 this EASTER SUNDAY JESUS IS RISEN, ALLELUIA! Easter season May the Risen Christ inspire We fasted for 40 days. We put aside things that we enjoy to make room our good works this Easter for Christ in our lives. We emptied ourselves of old habits to make helping season as we continue building the Kingdom of God people in need part of our daily routines. What we denied ourselves this Lent each and every day. became the source of hope and change for some of our poorest brothers and sisters around the world. This Easter season, let us be mindful to continue to put aside those things that distract us so that we can better serve those who need our time, prayers and energy each and every day. And as we begin this season of joy, don’t forget to bring joy to those around the world by turning in your Lenten sacrifices to your parish or school community or online atcrsricebowl.org .