The Tablet February 26, 2005

Make Generosity Part of Lenten Sacrifice

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

The humanitarian response to the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunamis that affected 12 Asian and African nations on Dec. 26 showed the overwhelming support of Americans for the suffering people in this world. It was revealed recently that over one-third of American families have contributed in some way to tsunami relief.

American Catholics certainly have been generous. In our own Diocese we are certainly proud that members of our parishes contributed $1,091,868 for the tsunami relief effort. The parishioners' donations have been funneled mainly through Catholic Relief Services (CRS), which is the overseas relief organization of the American Bishops.

In its long history since the Second World War, Catholic Relief Services has made a real difference in the world. For the last two years I have been a member of the CRS Board of Directors and serve as its Treasurer. From that experience I can personally attest to the wonderful work that Catholic Relief does in all parts of the world. Besides its relief work, CRS operates many development projects around the globe. It functions in 99 countries; in fact, it is a presence in almost all nations that are in need of assistance.

Support for Catholic Relief Services comes to a large extent from the annual collection on Laetare Sunday, the Fourth Sunday of Lent. This collection, a free will offering, puts the American Catholic people in solidarity with the many works of charity that are a part of our Lenten plan. Through our generosity we assist so many around the world.

For two days next week, I will visit Catholic Relief Services programs in South Africa that are aimed at alleviating the terrible AIDS pandemic that afflicts that area of the world. CRS has been a conduit for delivering life-saving medications for those who are HIV-positive, giving them new hope and a prolonged life. Prevention programs of CRS also assist in trying to turn the tide of a much-misunderstood disease.

The Catholic Relief Services collection, to be taken up next weekend (March 5-6), also assists other relief services sponsored by the Catholic Bishops in the United States. Among those is the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC). I have chaired CLINIC's board for the last three years, and will serve another three years. This organization provides a full range of legal and support services to Catholic programs representing poor immigrants. Its focus is to reunite families and protect persons fleeing persecution and civil unrest.

Migration and Refugee Services of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is also a beneficiary. This organization resettles one-quarter of the refugees from throughout the world. I formerly was Executive Director of Migration and Refugee Services and continue to serve on its board.

The Social Development and World Peace Department of the USCCB also benefits from your generosity. I serve as chairman of the Domestic Policy section of this office. In short, I am intimately involved with all of the operations that benefit from these programs. As someone who is so aware of the good accomplished by these agencies, I am personally asking you to support this important collection.

Many times when the basket is passed a second time at Mass we are not always sure why; we see it as just another second collection. Because each has its own purpose, this and other second collections need more explanation so that our generosity can truly be focused and understood. There are no more generous people than the American Catholics, and the more we are educated regarding where our donations go and how they are used, the more generous we will be.

This year, the theme of Catholic Relief Services' collection is, "Jesus in Disguise." These words come from Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who ministered to many because she saw Jesus in them. The means by which we put out into the deep to assist the poor of the world come through Bishop-supported organizations. Do not hesitate to make your sacrificial offering part of how you observe Lent.