We become companions of Jesus in His suffering and death, so that we might experience more fully the joy and fulfillment of the Risen Christ at Easter. The Lenten season offers opportunities for families to expand their faith life as Christians. By praying together, attending Mass together and sharing time and resources, families can experience the grace and fulfillment which comes from sacrificial giving. One particular tradition in which many of our Archdiocesan families participate each Lent is Operation Rice Bowl. Sponsored by Catholic Relief Services, Operation Rice Bowl incorporates prayer, fasting, education and giving.
Money normally spent on the larger dinner or daily meal is donated to Operation Rice Bowl.
These donations are then given to Catholic Relief Services for support of needy families throughout the world. In addition, a portion of the funds collected are used to assist the needy here in the Philadelphia area. Nutritional Development Services, an Archdiocesan agency, supplies baby formula for infants, emergency food for families and fresh meat and produce for soup kitchens and shelters. You might be interested in knowing that, over the past few years, our Archdiocese has ranked second of all the dioceses of our country in contributions to Operation Rice Bowl. However, as important as this financial contribution is, the deeper meaning of Operation Rice Bowl lies in our ability to deny ourselves of these meals in order to better understand and appreciate the sufferings of those who are poor and go hungry each day.