Millions of Catholics from more than 14,000 parishes, schools and community groups in the U.S. are ready to launch Operation Rice Bowl (ORB), Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) annual Lenten program, on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 6. In advance of the Lenten season, CRS will send out millions of symbolic rice bowls that serve as the focal point for prayer, fasting, learning and giving.
        Each Lent, participants in ORB put donations into individual cardboard bowls or rice bowls which are collected and donated to projects that alleviate hunger in 40 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and also the United States. By making a small sacrifice and eating less than they normally would each week, people can donate the money they would have spent on food to support CRS’ mission to fight global hunger.
        “Helping people in need through fasting and giving is a big component of ORB, but we also urge people to help others through prayer and by learning about the factors causing hunger and poverty,” says Beth Martin, Director of Operation Rice Bowl for CRS. “Every year, we highlight the lives of people in five countries who have benefited from ORB, to demonstrate the impact these contributions can have.”
        Operation Rice Bowl also offers meatless meal recipes similar to those prepared in the featured countries, and an accompanying calendar and interactive website serve as a guide by providing daily activities, prayers, and traditional recipes from Guatemala, Mali, India, Haiti and Cameroon.
        Last year, Catholic Relief Services raised $8 million through Operation Rice Bowl. Seventy five percent of the money is used to fund food security projects overseas in the areas of agriculture, water and sanitation, education, HIV and AIDS, microfinance, and mother and child health. The remaining 25 percent stay in U.S. dioceses to support local projects such as food pantries and hunger centers.
        In Cameroon, for example, ORB funds are used to support a local health care association providing support systems for people living with HIV. In addition to education and job training, the association teaches its members about nutrition and healthy eating which are essential to maintaining the immune system as part of their antiretroviral treatment.
        Since its beginning in 1975, ORB has raised more than $175 million to fund CRS’ development projects. With participation in almost every diocese in the U.S., many communities and families have adopted ORB as a way to observe Lent.

The Lowdown on Lent

Editor’s Note: Ash Wednesday, February 6th marks the beginning of the Lenten season and a time for confusion and arguing over the “rules” and rituals of the season. Following are frequently asked questions about Lent to help guide you.

How did Lent begin?
From the earliest days of the Church, there were references to a time of fasting as part of the preparation for Easter. The Apostolic Constitutions, which traces its roots to apostolic times, refers to a fast before Easter, but this fast, however, seems to last for only a couple of days.
        The first mention of a 40 day fast can be found in the fifth canon of the Council of Nicaea (AD 325), though it is not clear if it is referring to Lent or to just a 40 day fast. By the end of that century, however, a 40 day fast before Easter was clearly being celebrating in the East and in the West.

What does the word Lent mean?
Lent comes from the Old English word for spring, lencten and refers to the lengthening of daylight. This definition is unique to English. In almost all other languages, its name is a derivative of the Latin term Quadragesima, or “the 40 days.”

Why does Lent last forty days?
Forty days is a traditional number representing discipline, devotion and preparation in the Bible. Moses fasted on Mount Sinai for forty days before receiving the Ten Commandments (Exodus 24:18 and 34:28). The spies were in the land for 40 days (Numbers 13:25). Elijah traveled for 40 days before he reached the cave where he had his vision of God in the gentle breeze (1 Kings 19:8). The people Nineveh were given 40 days to repent (Jonah 3:4). Most importantly, Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness praying and fasting prior to beginning his ministry (Matthew 4:2).
        Since Lent is a period of prayer and fasting, it is fitting for Christians to imitate Jesus with a 40 day period. Christ used a 40 day period of prayer and fasting to prepare for his ministry, which ended with his death and Resurrection. Christians imitate him with a 40 day period of prayer and fasting to prepare for the celebration of Good Friday (the day of the Crucifixion) and Easter Sunday (the day of the Resurrection).

Are Sundays part of Lent?
Sundays are part of Lent. The most important rituals of Lent take place on Sundays. Sundays, however, are not part of the 40 days of fasting. That is why the Western Church begins the Lenten time of fasting on Ash Wednesday, four days and six weeks before Easter.

How is the date of Easter determined each year?
In the earliest days of the Church, Easter was celebrated every Sunday. When Christians decided to have an annual celebration to commemorate the Resurrection of Jesus, their first thought was to link it to the Jewish Passover, which was celebrated on the fourteenth day of the Jewish month of Nisan. For some, the Easter fast ended on that day and Easter was celebrated the next day. But others thought that Easter should be celebrated on a Sunday, so they waited until the Sunday after the fourteenth of Nisan.
        As the Church grew into a mainly Gentile institution, its desire to distinguish itself from the Jewish practice also grew. The Council of Nicaea decided that Easter should be celebrated on the same Sunday throughout the Church. But no method of determining the date was decided.
        Eventually, the celebration of Easter was tied to the first day of spring rather than to the fourteenth of Nisan. It was still tied to the fourteenth day of the month (according to the lunar calendar) since this is always a full moon, but it became the full moon that falls on or right after the spring equinox. Simply put, the Western Church celebrates Easter on the Sunday after the first full moon of spring.
        Easter is celebrated on different days in the Eastern and Western Churches because the Eastern Churches still use the Julian Calendar, where March 21 falls on a different day than on the Gregorian Calendar, and because Easter may not be celebrated before Passover.

Why do we put ashes on our forehead on Ash Wednesday?
Roman Catholics begin the season of Lent by receiving ashes on their foreheads to remind them of their mortality and their call to repentance. In the early Church members who had been cut off from the Church by their sins would begin their public penance by sitting outside the church with ashes on their heads.
        The ashes are usually made by burning the palms from last year’s Palm Sunday service. After the priest blesses the ashes and sprinkles them with holy water, we come forward to receive them. The minister dips his thumb in the ashes and, making the Sign of the Cross on each person’s forehead, says, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust thou will return” or “Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.”

What are important Lenten practices?
The traditional Lenten practices, also called disciplines, are prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Though we strive to pray at all times, Lent is a good time to develop or strengthen the discipline of daily prayer. A good goal for Lent would be to begin the practice of saying Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer, part of the Liturgy of the Hours.
        Fasting is a way of focusing one’s thoughts and clearing away distractions that can interfere with serious preparation for an important event or to experience God more completely.
        Lent is traditionally a time of helping those who are poor and doing acts of charity and mercy. While this is a year-round calling for Christians, Lent is a good time to examine the ways we do acts of charity and to consider how we can improve the ways we help the poor.

What are the rules for fasting?
Under current canon law, Catholics who are between 18 and 59 years old are required to keep a limited fast. In the United States, the person fasting may eat a single, meatless meal and have two snacks, so long as these snacks do not add up to a second meal. Drinking coffee, tea, or juice, between meals is permitted on fast days. Those with medical conditions that require greater or more regular food intake can be dispensed from the fasting requirement by their pastors.
        The minimum the Catholic Church expects is for us to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. But the entire 40 day season of Lent is a good time to practice a limited form of fasting. Other forms of self-denial, within reason, can also be spiritually beneficial at any time.

What is abstinence?
Abstinence is refraining from eating meat from warm-blooded animals for the entire day. Everyone from the age of 14 and older is required to abstain from meat on the Fridays of Lent. Under the current discipline in America, fish, eggs, milk products, and condiments or foods made using animal fat are permitted in the Western Rite of the Church, though not in the Eastern Rite. Again, people with special dietary needs can receive a dispensation from their pastors.

Do I have to give up something during Lent?
No, but it is a worthwhile practice. We can choose to give up something for this penitential period and use its absence from our life as a reminder to put more effort into our spiritual development and growth. It is also a good way to keep our priorities straight. Periodically denying ourselves things of lesser priority shows us that they are not necessary and helps us focus our attention on what is necessary.

Why don’t we sing Alleluia during Lent?
The association of the Alleluia with Easter led to the custom of intentionally omitting it from the liturgy during Lent. It is a kind of verbal fast that has the effect of creating a sense of anticipation and great joy when the familiar word of praise returns. When the Alleluia does return, sung before the Gospel at the Easter Vigil, it is sung with an exceptionally elaborate melody. The dramatic effect is heightened considerably by the fact that no Alleluias have been heard since Lent began.

When does Lent end?
Lent ends with the Triduum, the three days of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday.

Is Lent supposed to be a somber time?
As a time for reflection and penance, the liturgies of Lent may be quieter than those of other times of the year. The use of musical instruments is usually curtailed. We may spend more time each day in quiet reflection and prayer in anticipation of the celebration of the Resurrection. But it need not be a somber time.

Why is purple the color for Lent?
Purple is the symbolic color used throughout Lent. Purple is used for two reasons. First, it is associated with mourning and therefore anticipates the pain and suffering of the Crucifixion. Second, purple is also associated with royalty    and therefore symbolized Christ's victory over death at the Resurrection.

Source: Loyola Press.org

Sacred Heart in Bangor Provides Christmas for 209 Families

By Jane Knuth

There are 137 households in Sacred Heart Parish and all of them are champions in the hard work of loving the poor. How else to explain monthly gatherings for 140 adult foster care friends, a food pantry that feeds 25 families a week, a thrift store in downtown Bangor, and groups like the Daughters of Mary, the Christian Service Commission and the St. Vincent de Paul Society all working together to provide both Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets for over 200 needy neighbors?
        “We don’t know how to say ‘no’ to people,” admits Fr. John Peter Ambrose, pastor since summer 2007. “So many asked for Christmas baskets that we didn’t think there would be enough toys but then, by God’s blessing, a big truckload arrived.” Kitty Chase, chair for the gifts portion of the project, says that the truck, driven by Marines from Toys for Tots, came just in time.
        The astounding charity work the parish performs is funded in multiple ways. A fashion show in June nets around $800; there is a FEMA grant for $3200; and the Michigan Tax Plan helps provide much of the food for the pantry. In addition, the parish holds spaghetti suppers, a turkey feast in April, and its famous Ham and Yam Dinner during the last week of August—a 50-year tradition.
        Martin Keller of the St. Vincent de Paul Society headed up the food portion of the massive effort at Christmas. Along with canned goods, cereal and bread, each grocery sack was lovingly filled with decorated cookies and a $10 meat voucher. Ann Clayton, chairwoman of Christian Service, organizes monthly luncheons for the Adult foster care folks. They play bingo most of the year and after the December feast they enjoyed Christmas carols. In the gift basket room, Justin Chase, a college student from South Haven and Ashley Flegel, a RCIA candidate, had been working all of Advent to collect and wrap toys, clothing, books and blankets; each item selected according to the recipient’s requests.
        And working behind the scenes are all the rest of the Sacred Heart champions. “This is a community where we build and belong to the body of Christ in Eucharistic celebration,” says Fr. John. “Nothing makes us happier than to have every Catholic in the area join us.”

Does Your Life Feel Out of Control?
Consider the Trauma Recovery Program

By Sharon Froom

•       Do you drink although people have told you that you need to quit?
•       Do you spend money you can’t afford to spend?
•       Do you sleep as a way to avoid life?
•       Do you feel driven to work at the expense of important relationships?
•       Do you let others take advantage of you?
•       Do you lash out and say hurtful things?
•       Do you feel at fault for things that others assure you are not your fault?
•       Do you feel you are just going through the motions of life?
•       Do you wish that you didn’t have to go on living?
•       Do you strive to be a perfectionist but are never happy with the results?

Any of the above can be the result of unresolved childhood trauma. When children are physically, emotionally or sexually abused, or experienced severe neglect, the injuries are profound. The injuries often extend into their adult lives and affect their ability to live effectively and experience contentment. And they feel isolated in their pain, with no knowledge that their struggles are expectable, given their trauma history.
        The Trauma Recovery Program, offered by the Diocese of Kalamazoo, was developed specifically to address the needs of adult survivors of childhood trauma. It does not involve rehashing the past.  Instead, participants learn why the effects of childhood trauma go so deep and learn specific skills for living more effectively in the present. 
        This is facilitated by mental health professionals, in a small group setting, in a private location. 
        More than 150 adult survivors of childhood trauma have participated in the Trauma Recovery Program.  Many report that they were initially willing to participate because the focus was not on the past. And they report that they are glad they did participate because the skills they learned have helped them interrupt life-long destructive patterns.