Many of us in the diocese are familiar with and have participated in Project Rice Bowl before, especially those who have children in the Religious Education program at their parish. It is a project that has been around for over 30 years and its main focus is to bring awareness of the need to care for the poor around the world. It is a family-based project that promotes prayer, fasting and almsgiving, perfect for the Lenten Season. Unfortunately, for some it has become just another project. This year, Catholic Relief Services has taken over and redesigned Project Rice Bowl in hopes that it will once again be a fruitful and blessed experience for those who participate. CRS has invited the diocesan Office of Evangelization and Adult Faith Formation to join them in promoting Project Rice Bowl, locally.
CRS recently selected our diocese to receive a special honor for our collaboration with them.
“Almost every diocese in the US participates in CRS Rice Bowl, but this award recognizes dioceses that make a special effort to bring it to life and to engage new Catholics,” said Joe Hastings, Education Organizer for CRS. “The Diocese of San Bernardino has made an outstanding effort this year. Many diocesan departments worked together to engage the people they serve – Small Faith Communities, people in ministry training, the newspaper and radio program, Social Ministry – all using CRS Rice Bowl this Lent to pray, fast, and give in solidarity with the poor around the world.”
Our office in collaboration with other diocesan offices will be offering the following in both English and Spanish: Our faith sharing resource, “Seasons of Faith” with an incorporated focus on the theme of CRS Rice Bowl will be distributed to all parishes. This free reproducible material is used by not only small faith communities but other ministries and small groups. We will be offering Six Nights of Reflection, one in each vicariate, in the month of February that will combine prayer, catechesis and reflection to make us aware of our responsibility as Catholics to be in solidarity with one another around the world. We will also be developing a promotional video that will give you a better look at the history of the project, what countries benefit from the funds collected and encourage you to join the effort in this Year of Faith. We invite you, as you prepare for this Lenten Season, to consider joining us in this journey of solidarity, charity and love that CRS Rice Bowl offers. You may contact the Office of Evangelization and Adult Faith Formation to receive a copy of our material, Seasons of Faith and for more information on the upcoming reflection nights by calling (909) 475-5195. We also encourage you to visit www.crsricebowl.org. We pray that your Lenten Journey be blessed with peace and hope.
Ana Garcia serves as the Consultant to Hispanic Communities in the diocesan Office of Evangelization and Adult Faith Formation.