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.

“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 Stations of the Cross.

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