CRS Rice Bowl

Lent is a time for reflection and preparation during which we seek to draw closer to God and turn away from sin.

As we walk together on this spiritual journey, may our hearts be transformed by God’s love and grace.
Over the next 40 days of Lent, we will encounter Christ through people in Uganda, El Salvador and Indonesia, who are finding ways to overcome hunger and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

May our hearts be moved to prayer and action to support
our sisters and brothers around the world!
 

We're 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.
We 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.

The first pillar of Lent is prayer. We pray to grow in our relationship with God and ask him for guidance on how to live according to his will. In our prayers, we thank God for the gifts we have been given. We also pray for people who experience need of any kind: physical, spiritual or emotional. Weekly Prayer Intentions.

The second pillar is fasting. When we fast, we make more room for God in our lives and unite our sacrifice with Christ’s suffering. We give something up to better understand the challenges that confront our sisters and brothers who experience hunger around the world. Enlightened by the Holy Spirit, we recognize that their well-being is important and connected to our own.

The third pillar is almsgiving. When we give Lenten alms, we honor Jesus’ call to care for our sisters and brothers in need. Donations from CRS Rice Bowl help change lives globally and in our own community: 75% of funds support CRS’ work worldwide, and 25% stay in our diocese to alleviate poverty and hunger.

This Lent, be transformed— and transform the world—by practicing:
 Daily Prayer and Eucharistic Adoration
Weekly fasting.
Almsgiving.
Journey with CRS Rice Bowl to encounter God and our global family. What you give up for Lent changes lives!

The Eucharist … is the sacrament par excellence of love. Christ offers himself and breaks himself for us and asks us to do likewise so that our life might become bread that feeds our brothers and sisters. 

Pope Francis

“Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” 

Philippians 2:7-8

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, one of the most significant moments of the Church year. During this week, we journey with Christ from his triumphant entry into Jerusalem to his final meal with his closest friends and ultimately to his death on the cross.

As we walk with Jesus through Holy Week, we call to mind the countless men, women and children who even today carry heavy crosses: crosses of hunger, of homelessness, of a lack of resources or security. In these brothers and sisters we encounter Christ, as he walks that long road to Calvary. In these encounters, it’s important not to forget an essential pillar of Lenten spirituality—almsgiving—which allows us to help those who are most in need.

This final week of Lent is also a time to reflect on those words of Saint Paul to the Philippians. Jesus emptied himself for us; how might we empty ourselves for others? Our Lenten prayers, fasting and almsgiving have prepared us to wrestle with this question.

We must always remember that Holy Week gives way to Easter—the fast turns into a feast. God wins the day. As we prepare to celebrate Easter with joy, it is our responsibility as members of God’s one human family to share that joy with everyone, near and far.

Journey with Jesus to Calvary with these Catholic social teaching inspired Station of the Cross
Videos
Prayer Resources

Resources for Family