CRS Rice Bowl

As Catholics, the spiritual pillars of prayer, fasting and almsgiving guide us in daily reflection on our own lives as we strive to deepen our relationship with God and neighbor - no matter where in the world that neighbor may live.

Lent is a time of personal and spiritual growth, a time to look outward and inward. It is a journey in mercy.

We are so happy you’re joining us on this Lenten journey to three countries, where we’ll learn how to help others through CRS Rice Bowl. When you donate to CRS Rice Bowl, you share your life and your abundance with our global family in need. Your generosity puts nutritious food on their tables and helps them lead healthy lives and reach their God-given potential.

CRS Rice Bowl is Catholic Relief Services’ Lenten faith-in-action program. It offers opportunities for your family to engage daily with the spiritual pillars of Lent: prayer, fasting and almsgiving. And it’s an opportunity for our parish to come together as a community and practice the works of mercy with our neighbors and our brothers and sisters around the world.

We ask the Holy Spirit to accompany us as we reflect on what it means to be sisters and brothers with those in our community and around the world. May our prayers and Lenten sacrifices help us draw closer to our Lord and neighbors and support those experiencing poverty. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen

I’m excited to take this journey with our parish community, and to connect the prayer and reflections of each of our families to our global community of faith. I hope you will take home a CRS Rice Bowl, located in the back of the church Narthex.

If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Bibbo at (512) 258-1161 x256 or by email.

Lent can feel like a long time. Sometimes we’d like to skip right to Easter! But just like studying for a test, practicing a sport or saving money, we often must do difficult tasks, make sacrifices and overcome obstacles to reach a worthy goal. 

The 40 days we spend praying and doing penance help us prepare to celebrate the Church’s greatest feast day. Jesus had to go through his passion and death before he could rise. Our sacrifices enable us to experience—in a small way—Christ’s suffering, and they lead us to the joy and wonder of his resurrection. 

Over the last few weeks, we’ve learned how people in Honduras, the Philippines and Kenya made sacrifices so their families and communities can thrive.  

In Honduras, Rony fixed his reservoir and installed a low-cost system to water his fields. Although this work took time and effort, Rony’s hard work allowed him to provide food for his family and is helping his son achieve his soccer dream! 

In the Philippines, Raul and Rhodora changed their jobs to ensure their granddaughters can be healthy and finish school. It was challenging for them to learn a new and different type of work—raising fish—but it was worth it to help support their granddaughters. 

In Kenya, Rebecca learned how to use a new water system and different ways to farm. She also taught others in her community to use these new techniques. Rebecca spent time learning and teaching, but her sacrifice is now benefiting her family and entire community.  

How are you doing with your Lenten resolutions? How are your prayer, fasting and almsgiving going?
Reflect on your Lenten journey and what you would like to accomplish or do differently during the final weeks of Lent to prepare for Easter. 

Our sacrifices lead us to the Resurrection

Our Father,

As we begin Lent, let our hearts be filled with your Spirit so that we may grow deeper in your love.

May our prayer lead us to a sincere desire to be close to you.

May fasting help us rely on you and transform us into better people.

May our almsgiving be a chance to serve our one human family around the world.

Amen