Discover Jesus in disguise when you donate to CRS

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In the story of the Last Judgment, Jesus reminds us to care for those in need. We turn away from Christ if we ignore those who are hungry, thirsty, without clothes, strangers or in prison.

We act as true disciples when we act with compassion, generosity, and commitment to justice for the “least among us”. The theme for this year’s collection is “Jesus in Disguise.”

Who is Jesus in disguise?

One of the 43,000 people who die of hunger and its consequences every day

One of the 4.4 billion people living in developing countries where:

• Basic sanitation is lacking

• Safe drinking water is scarce

• Adequate housing is a challenge

• Modern heath services are almost non-existent

• Education beyond a 5th grade level is rarely available for the majority of people

One of the estimated 3.5 million refugees and displaced persons living in often dangerous and squalid conditions without hope of returning home.

One of the 400,000 people assisted by the Church who seek asylum and other legal immigration services each year.

An important opportunity to express Christian compassion and generosity is through the Catholic Relief Services Collection which supports Catholic Church organizations that carry out international relief and solidarity efforts. This collection, once called the American Bishops Overseas Appeal, is scheduled for the Fourth Sunday in Lent, the weekend of March 1-2 in our diocese. The collection’s theme, “Jesus in Disguise,” reminds us of the presence of Christ in every one of our brothers and sisters in need. For 60 years, generous support from Catholics for this appeal has provided core funding for the work of U.S. Catholic social ministry agencies in international emergency relief, refugee resettlement, legal immigration, peacemaking, pastoral care, and advocacy for a more just and peaceful world. Last year, Catholics contributed more than $17 M to the collection, which helps build the Church’s international social ministry by funding the works of six agencies:

Catholic Relief Services, the official international relief and development agency for the U.S. Catholic community, assists people in 98 countries on the basis of need — not race, creed or nationality. Catholic Relief Services creates opportunities for Catholics in the United States to live their faith in solidarity with the poor people overseas by providing financial assistance and by working to address the root causes of poverty. Its programs alleviate suffering, foster community development, and help build more just and peaceful societies.

Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. provides a full range of legal and supportive services to Catholic programs directly representing poor immigrants. Its focus is on reunification of families, citizenship and protection from persecution and violence.

Migration and Refugee Services of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops annually resettles one quarter of the refugees admitted to the United States. This service develops and promotes just policies for newcomers and migrants and responds to their spiritual needs.

Justice, Peace and Human Development of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops shares and applies Catholic social teaching on issues of international justice and peace. The department promotes public policies that protect the poor and vulnerable and advance peace and justice throughout the world.

Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has as part of its mission the evangelization and pastoral care of immigrants, migrants, refugees and people on the move. It supports a network of national pastoral centers, pastoral consultants and diocesan personnel who minister to various ethnic groups and migrant communities.

The Holy Father’s Relief Fund assists victims of natural disasters and other emergencies around the world.

By giving to the Catholic Relief Services Collection, you are responding to “Jesus in Disguise.” Thank you for your generosity. For more information visit:

www.usccb.org/crscollection.

CRS previous collections:

2007 - $193,002.02

2006 - $202,700.02

2005 - $170,844.34