Newman LENTEN ALMSGIVING 2018Supporting Puerto Rico through the USCCB Hurricane Maria Fund
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“When we give alms, we share in God’s providential care for each of his children.”
-Pope Francis, Lenten Message for 2018 |
CALL TO GIVE ALMSIn his Lenten Message for 2018, Pope Francis describes Lent as a time of healing for each of us, especially if we take on the “soothing remedy” of prayer, almsgiving, and fasting. This season our parish is responding to this invitation with many opportunities for healing through these “pillars of Lent.” Among these is our continued tradition of a Parish Lenten Almsgiving effort. Each Lent our parish supports a social service organization, alternating between local and global organizations, to share what we have with those who are less fortunate.
This year we are giving alms to our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico affected by Hurricane Maria. We will collect alms throughout Lent- you can donate using the attached envelope labeled ‘Newman Lenten Almsgiving 2018.’At the end of Lent the parish will send one check to the Hurricane Maria Fund organized by the Office of National Collections, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). |
GIVESupport with a financial donation. Insert your check or cash donation in an envelope labeled ‘Newman Lenten Almsgiving 2018.’ Make checks payable to St. Albert the Great (Memo Line: Lenten Almsgiving). Place the envelope in the collection basket at any Mass during Lent.
Fast. Consider fasting from a certain food item or meal to be in solidarity with the people of Puerto Rico (ie. desserts or your morning latte). Use the money you save to donate. “What I possess is never mine alone.
How I would like almsgiving to become a genuine style of life for each of us!” -Pope Francis, Lenten Message 2018 |
LEARNOn September 20, 2017, Hurricane Maria, a category 5 storm, swept through the Caribbean devastating Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Dominica following Hurricane Irma's aftermath of the previous week. Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, President of the USCCB called on Catholics across the country saying, "I exhort the faithful to solidarity in this time of great need for our brothers and sisters in harm's way—many of whom have been hit repeatedly by the successive hurricanes."
Since the immediate statements of Cardinal DiNardo, it has become clear that the people of Puerto Rico face an unprecedented level of need as a result of those devastating storms. The Hurricane Maria Fund will enable the USCCB to support Catholic Charities USA to deliver assistance and aid to thousands impacted by this crisis and in the long-term recovery efforts. Assisting with reconstruction and the pastoral needs of the Church in Puerto Rico are also major elements of this emergency appeal. |
PrayRemember in your personal prayer those who have been affected by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico as well as others affected by natural disasters around the world. This could be at home or at Newman with one of our Lenten prayer opportunities:
-Stations of the Cross, Fridays at 6pm -Adoration, February 20th at 6pm -Daily Mass, Weekdays at 5:30pm We will pray as a community by offering the 5:30pm Mass on February and March 20th for the people of Puerto Rico and our Lenten Almsgiving. Questions about our Parish Lenten Almsgiving? Email or call Mona in the office, 575-522-6202.
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