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 12-13 is Jesus in Disguise. How can you help? 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.
• Migration and Refugee Services (MRS) of the USCCB helps dioceses and churches to resettle refugees.
• 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.
• The Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church of the USCCB (SCDC) supports a network of national pastoral centers and diocesan personnel who minister to various ethnic groups and migrant communities.
For more information on The Catholic Relief Services collection and the organizations it supports, please visit www.usccb.org/nationalcollections.
As we are moving 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 12-13.
Sincerely in Christ,
Most Rev. Martin Amos
Bishop of Davenport
