Each year on the Fourth Sunday of Lent we take up a collection to aid the poorest of the poor throughout the world.  We recognize those suffering in other countries as our sisters and brothers in Christ, and we reach out to them in their needs.  The Church is called to be the living sign of the unity of the human family, with God as the Father of us all and Christ Jesus as our Lord and Savior and Brother.  We are called in solidarity with our neighbors all over the world who share a common faith heritage.  This is done in response to our Lord telling us that what we do to the least of sisters and brothers, we do to Him.

There is on-going famine in Sudan and Northern Africa and desperate needs in parts of Afghanistan for food and relief.  Then there are those suffering from ethnic strife in parts of Eastern Europe, the Mid-East and parts of Asia, leaving them homeless and without food or shelter.  The current needs are great.

Our biggest concerns are rising prices and economic stability.  Yes, we too have needs.  But our sisters and brothers needs are about basic, everyday requirements of just getting something to eat and finding shelter.

Our American Bishops and the Bishops of the peoples who needs funds the most will be grateful for all funds raised.  No funding shall be channeled though any governments agencies, where someone might siphon-off some for themselves, so that the aid can go directly to those who need it.  In fact, we Catholic Christians should take pride that the Catholic Relief Services ranks as one of the largest and most efficient relief and development agencies in the world, and is at work in over 80 countries.

Please be as generous as possible next weekend.  Our Usher/Greeters are passing out special envelopes this weekend for this collection.     

This Wednesday, March 6th, is our Monthly Day of Prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life.  The day begins with the Liturgy of Hours Morning Prayer at 7:45 a.m.  Then comes Holy Mass at 8:00 a.m. with Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament after Mass until Reposition at 7:15 p.m.  At 7:30 p.m. there is a Mass followed by the Novena to St. Jude.   

Surely each one of us can spend some time with Jesus praying for vocations to the priesthood and religious.  Praying not only for those whom God is calling to be His priests and His religious, that they may respond affirmatively to that Call, but also praying for those who have responded that they may be faithful to that Call as long as they may live.

"The harvest is ready, but the laborers are few.  Therefore, pray to the Lord of the Harvest that He might send laborers into His harvest." (Luke 10:2).   

If you were away and did not pull a name, there are baskets at the doors of the church today with slips of paper containing the names of all who will receive the Initiation Sacraments during the Easter Season.  You are invited to draw one slip containing one name, and then to pray for that person each day during Lent.  Included are the names of all who are becoming Catholic, all our high school students being confirmed, and all receiving Jesus for the first time in Holy Communion.  Pictures of all those receiving Sacraments are being posted in the back of the church so that you may see whom you are praying for.