CRS Speaker Tells Story of Hope at DeSales

DeSales University recently hosted Thomas Awiapo, a Catholic Relief Services employee and native of Ghana. Awiapo came to DeSales to share his story of hope and the power of CRS. Awiapo’s life was changed 40 years ago when CRS built a school near his village in Ghana. Growing up, his childhood was characterized by his continual hunger and the village he lived in had no access to running water and often times he would cry and fight for food. In addition to a lack of food, Awaipo’s parents died when he was a child leaving him and his three brothers as orphans.

Awiapo credits one single snack he received as a child as saving his life. When he entered the CRS school on the first day, they provided all the students with a snack to start their day and did this every day following. This was thanks to the CRS Rice Bowl Program. Because of his schooling with CRS, Awiapo found “food, education, faith and later earned his master’s degree in the United States.” Currently Awiapo is working to open a new school for children experiencing the same things he did. Awiapo notes that “Catholic Relief Services is a gospel of love, a gospel of justice, and a gospel of hope around the world. Assembling this box every Lent, we are actually assembling many, many broken lives around the world.”

To read more about Awiapo’s story, visit DeSales news.

Lenten Resources for Peace and Justice

As Ash Wednesday approaches, consider using some of these resources related to peace and justice for reflection during the season of Lent.

• The Catholic Mobilizing Network has information, prayers, and reflections on the issue of the death penalty for Lent.
• Catholic Relief Services also provides Lenten resources specifically for use on college campuses in addition to their annual CRS Rice Bowl campaign.
• The USCCB Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development has a variety of reflection tools, prayers and resources available.
• The Ignation Solidarity Network has a series of posts and quotes highlighting the significance of Lent. Join their movement by posting on social media by writing #JustLent.

Catholic Relief Services Releases Lenten Resources

As the season of Lent approaches, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) invites all to participate – including and especially college students – in the annual CRS Rice Bowl. CRS has developed multiple additional resources tailored to colleges and universities. Among their resources, CRS includes a list of things you can do to participate in the Rice Bowl in various ways:

1. Share your faith: Community Reflections in English and in Spanish on climate change and Laudato Si’ are available to all.
2. Eat simply: All are encouraged to not only go meatless on Fridays but to continue to eat simply throughout Lent.Delicious meatless recipes available here!
3. Keep Lent in your pocket: The CRS Rice Bowl app is available for iPhone and Android devices! This is an easy way to keep track of the daily reflections and your Lenten fast.
4. Distribute CRS Rice Bowls: Giving to the best of our abilities is still a part of Lent! Order your Rice Bowl kit for FREE here.
5. Volunteer with a local faith community: We are also called to give of our time and talents. Check out CRS school and parish resources!

Does your college or university have other Lenten resources? Let us know!