Many of us, I hope, have favorite charities that we like to give to every year, and sometimes more than once during the year.  I don't mind sharing with you that one of these charities for me is Catholic Relief Services (CRS) which is active in over 100 countries in the world, seeking to help the poorest of the poor with food and other items and sponsoring projects and programs that seek to lift the poor out of their state of poverty.  CRS also comes to the aid of people when natural disasters happen all over the world.

Since next weekend we will have the annual collection for CRS at all our Masses, and some of you are saving up money during Lent to contribute to Catholic Relief Services' Operation Rice Bowl, I want to share with you just one of their projects so you will appreciate better what they do and inspire generosity to CRS this Lenten season and perhaps beyond.

Evelina, who lives in Zambia, used to survive (as many in Zambia do) by eating meals made from corn flour, usually a porridge called "nshima."  Unfortunately, nshima has very little nutrition for Evelina, her family and so many others.  So, CRS is teaching women like Evelina how to prepare healthier meals and grow new, vitamin-rich crops like peanuts, pumpkins, and sugar cane.  And, what people like Evelina learn, they share with their community, especially expectant mothers.

Please give generously to Catholic Relief Services.  It's efforts are broad and far-reaching for those who are poor and/or suffering due to the effects of natural disasters.