Pope Benedict XVI reminded the faithful that almsgiving helps Christians conquer the temptation to become slaves to wealth and material goods. Lent is a time to refocus on charity and opening our hearts and hands to those in need.
See related articles about the Church's missons serving those in need around the world, how St. Vincent de Paul members grow spiritually while offering help and hope to others and the importance of almsgiving to carry out the Church's work.
The Catholic Encyclopedia says almsgiving implies a material service rendered to the poor for Christ's sake.
Lent is a time for self-sacrifice and to be more aware of the poverty in the world. A lesson about compassion, it also helps people develop spiritually.
Now in it's 35th year, Operation Rice Bowl allows Catholics in the United States to focus on almsgiving, self-sacrifice and people living in poverty all over the world, Ken Hackett, president of Catholic Relief Services recently told Catholic News Service.
"Each Lent, Catholic families, parishes and schools use...
Shortly after Franciscan Father Michael Grawe arrived as a missionary in Brazil, he was reminded of a story of St. Francis of Assisi who taught others that "the poor are our Masters."
Father Grawe, who has since spent 41 years in missionary work in Brazil, did not know the Portuguese language when he arrived. Walking to another town, he took the wrong way after coming to a fork in the road. A little boy realized he would be lost so he tugged on him and pointed in the opposite direction, shouting "jipe," which means jeep. The priest was humbled to have been led by a young boy.
...They grow spiritually while offering help and hope to those in need
Zip Rzeppa, executive director of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s St. Louis conference, once pointed to the importance members making home visits to those who call seeking help.
“It’s really very similar to how Jesus sent the disciples out two by two — they go two by two into the homes, and they see the face of Christ in the needy and the suffering. It’s about as hands-on as you can get with serving those in need,” Rzeppa said.
Members of the...
The image of Jesus on the cross is visible behind the altar at most churches.
But, have you seen a church with a real person hanging from a cross?
That portrayal of Jesus' crucifixion was part of "The Passion of the Christ -- Living Stations of the Cross" presented by Jornadas, a young adult group of Hispanic heritage, at St. Gabriel Church in South St. Louis on March 5. The symbolic re-enactment of Jesus' passion and journey toward the cross, a significant religious tradition in the Hispanic community, includes a prayerful reflection on the struggles of immigrants and others...
For Evann Duplantier, a parishioner at St. Anselm in Creve Coeur and a homeschooling mother of six, the annual St. Louis Catholic Homeschool Conference is a source of support and a chance to enjoy fellowship with other home-school families.
"It really focuses on trying to give parents and families encouragement to home school, to make it not seem like it's impossible -- there are people who can help. And it's also a big encouragement for the people who are in the trenches with homeschooling."
From home-school veterans to those who are simply considering it as an option,...
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Pray the Stations of the Cross with images photographed at St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in South Saint Louis. The prayers accompanying each station are selections from...
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