This is another fine video in the series about the Lenten season by Catholic Relief Services. This installment features a reflection by Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York.
What is Lent
Catholic Relief Services is doing a nice series called, “What is Lent.” In the series a number of Catholic clergy and laity describe what went means to them. Today’s post features Fr. James Martin SJ. These are well worth viewing. Thanks CRS.
Possible Ceasefire as Aleppo Almost Surrounded
Those remaining will depend on the ceasefire so that food and other humanitarian aid can be provided. In this war, smaller towns and villages have been besieged and residents have starved. See this report for more on that: Syrians Starving.
The 50,000 (or more) Aleppo residents who have fled will join the long line of refugees that now stretches from Syria to Northern Europe. Humanitarian agencies like Catholic Relief Services, Caritas, Doctors Without Borders and others are working around the clock to help and protect our fellow human beings who are escaping war and persecution. Their resources are not unlimited. As part of your 2016 Lent and/or out of compassion for those in need consider giving to these agencies who are representing the best of Christianity and America. @CatholicRelief #RefugeeCrisis
Deacon Scott Haner’s Perspective on the Refugee Crisis
I traveled with Deacon Scott to the Balkans with @CatholicRelief to see the #RefugeeCrisis firsthand. This is Deacon Scott’s perspective as reported by his Diocesan Newspaper, The Record. http://therecordnewspaper.org/rice-bowl-event-highlights-need-in-world/
Presentation on Rufugee Crisis
Tomorrow Wednesday, February 17th at St. George Catholic Church in Newnan I will be giving a presentation about my recent trip to the Balkans where I met with refugees from the wars in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. There will be Stations of the Cross at 6:00 pm and the class will begin at 7:00 pm. Everyone is welcome!
I hope you can make some or all of these events part of your Lent this year.
St. Louis Review – Priest Moved by Meeting Refugees
The St. Louis Review has an excellent article about our Catholic Relief Services trip to the Balkans to meet with the refugees from the wars in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. The article is Fr. Ron Chochol’s perspective on the situation. I’ve had the great pleasure of traveling with Fr. Ron on CRS trips to Kenya (in 2014) and to the Balkans this year. I trust you will find his observations very worthwhile.
St. Louis Review – Priest Moved by Meeting Refugees
The #RefugeeCrisis will last a long time.
CRS Media Center Information – Updates for American Catholics
Catholic Relief Services has a Media Center that contains information about a wide range of CRS humanitarian efforts taking place around the world. The work done by CRS is done in the name of the American Catholic Church, so all American Catholics should have an interest in this work. Today there are posts related to the Pope’s visit to Central America, work in the Central African Republic, and our Global Fellows trip to the Balkans. You can access the CRS Media Center at the following link: CRS Media Center
#CatholicRelief is on the ground, providing humanitarian aid during this #RefugeeCrisis
Syria…Maybe Some Real Hope!
Spending time with the refugees, CRS and Caritas workers in Greece and Serbia will affect ones heart and strengthen feelings of compassion and mercy for the refugees and aid workers. There may be some good news for them and good news for the world. The announcement that, “Diplomats meeting in Munich agreed early Friday to implement a ‘cessation of hostilities’ in Syria’s long-running civil war and bring aid into the country to stem a humanitarian crisis that has displaced millions,” is a ray of hope for millions that have fled and desire to return home. Perhaps soon humanitarian organizations like Caritas and CRS can begin to help those trapped in Syria by the war in addition to those who have fled.
The full story is here: US-Russia Agree to Cease Fire in Syria.
Let’s pray it is for real and goes into effect.
Lent, A Time of Reflection
Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.christians around the world will mark this day by receiving ashes on their foreheads which reminds us of our shared mortality. Below are #MyAshes.
Lent is a time for us to reflect on the meaning of life, how we treat one another especially those in need and how we can make the world a better place. It is a time to take action. For American Catholics one way to do all of this is to participate in @CatholicRelief @CRSRiceBowl.
Whether Christian or not; Catholic or Protestant or unaffiliated, seeking to make the world better in our short time here is always beneficial to those around us and ourselves. Peace-
Schengen, why Americans should care about refugees, part 3.
Over the past week I have tried to explain why all Americans should be concerned about the refugee crisis in Europe. After returning from the Catholic Relief Services trip to the Balkans, I have been blogging and meeting with many people about this important issue. In short, we should provide aid and revise our thinking and policies for three reasons.
First, assisting people who are fleeing war and/or persecution is just the right and Christian thing to do. Second, admitting that our country bears some responsibility for destabilizing the Middle East prompts us to assist our friends and allies who bearing the brunt of the unintended consequences. Yet, there are people that I know who reject these two rationales for providing aid and assistance to the refugees. For them, I would suggest another, quite self serving reason for giving direct and indirect aid to the refugees. That reason can be summed up in one word, Schengen. This word is quite important so I hope you will read on. Continue reading “Schengen, why Americans should care about refugees, part 3.”
A Deacon's View 