Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
In the story of the Last Judgment, Jesus reminds us to care for those in need. The theme for the Catholic Relief Services collection which is held on March 7-8 is Jesus in Disguise. Catholic Relief Services builds the church’s international social ministry and is an opportunity to turn toward Christ and help those who are most in need. What we do for them, we do for Jesus. By serving them with compassion, generosity and justice, we act as his true disciples.
The collection supports six Catholic organizations:
• Catholic Relief Services is the official overseas relief and development agency of the U. S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) that operates in 98 countries providing emergency relief and long-term assistance to help people become more self-sufficient.
• The Holy Father’s Relief Fund assists victims of natural disasters and other emergencies around the world.
• The Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development of the USCCB advocates for poor and vulnerable people throughout the world and works for international justice and world peace.
• The Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC) provides technical assistance and training to dioceses with immigration programs like ours in the Diocese of Davenport which offer counseling to immigrants who qualify for family reunification or legalization but need assistance in completing their federal applications.
• Migration and Refugee Services of the USCCB (MRS) serves and advocates for refugees, asylees and other forced migrants, immigrants and other people on the move, giving special concern to minors unaccompanied by parents and the victims of human trafficking.
• The Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church of the USCCB (SCDC) works with all the committees of the conference and with bishops and their dioceses to bring Catholics from various culturally diverse communities into a fuller participation in the faith, life and evangelizing mission of the church.
As we move forward in faith and hope as a Catholic community, we see Jesus in Disguise through the distress of our brothers and sisters who are served by CRS. Please generously support the Catholic Relief Services collection on March 7-8.
Sincerely in Christ,
Most Rev. Martin Amos
Bishop of Davenport
