Sometimes I ask myself: Where am I going, and why am I in this handbasket? I’m now asking: Where is the world going, and why are we in this handbasket?
My parents knew World War II and the Korean conflict. I lived through Vietnam, the “end” of the Cold War and all the Middle East incursions. While I think I have a great imagination, I could have never dreamed of COVID and Russia invading Ukraine.
Thank God for Lent – a perfect time to stop and reflect. I relish the time I spend looking at internal Erin and how I can grow closer to God and serve my neighbors better.
I usually find ways to alter my sphere of influence to promote charity and justice. This year, I’m a bit overwhelmed with the magnitude of things happening halfway around the world that I feel I cannot influence. Then I remember ASAP – always stop and pray.
My reach is farther than I usually remember. By contributing to the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Rice Bowl during Lent, I am providing resources for help internationally and locally.
As the Ukrainian conflict rages, CRS continues deploying staff members and resources to support Caritas partners in Ukraine, Romania, Moldova and Poland to address the growing need. (CRS is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States.)
Despite the enormous challenges and uncertainty, U.S. Catholics like me are supporting CRS, Caritas Ukraine (of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church) and Caritas Spes (of the Roman Catholic Church) over there.
Initially, our Church’s response included food baskets and field kitchens with hot meals and snacks; multiple reception and evacuation centers at train stations and transit hubs (with clothing, information, referrals, food, water and hygiene items); counseling services for displaced and fleeing families; and the evacuation of vulnerable children to safe zones.
The Church continues to provide resources as donations become available.
One of the things I like about CRS is their care of front-line/in-the-trenches staff members. The CRS Moldova Changing the Way We Care team is providing online safeguarding and protection training on recognizing risks for abuse and exploitation, “do no harm” principles, response steps and tips for reducing risk to more than 200 front-line staff and volunteers from Moldova and Romania.
While the needs of the Ukrainian people are sure to shift as the situation changes, the best ways to assist are with prayers, donations and advocacy. For more information on CRS’ humanitarian response, visit www.crs.org or www.crsespanol.org.
Remember, Rice Bowl donations also support local soup kitchens and food pantries as 25% of our diocesan collection stays in the diocese. Rice Bowl has provided more than $125,000 already. Funds are available. For more information or an application, contact me at 614-241-2540 or socmailbox@columbuscatholic.org.