DATE: March 1, 2001
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For More Information, Contact:
Bud Bunce (503) 233-8373
bbunce@archdpdx.org
AMERICAN BISHOPS' OVERSEAS APPEAL
Catholics in the Archdiocese of Portland have an opportunity to support
outreach
to those in need in other countries through
the American Bishops' Overseas Appeal.
The Overseas Appeal will be taken in the
parishes on the weekend of March 24 & 25.
The theme of the Overseas Appeal this
year is to discover "Jesus in Disguise."
When one asks the question "who are the least of my brothers and sisters?"
the answer
is found in the hungry, the homeless,
the refugee and displaced person, in those
without clean water or adequate health
care. The American Bishops' Overseas Appeal
is how Catholics in the United States
can support the agencies that provide emergency
assistance to victims of famine, natural
disasters and war. The American Bishops'
Overseas Appeal supports the work of Catholic
Relief Services, Migration and Refugee
Services, the Holy Father's Relief Fund,
and the Department of Social Development and
World Peace of the United States Catholic
Conference.
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the overseas relief and development agency
of
the Catholic Church in the United States.
It is currently at work in more than eighty
countries. Recent earthquakes in El Salvador
and Turkey have caused major damage,
killed hundreds of people and left thousands
homeless. Catholic Relief Services is there
to provide assistance. CRS also works
to provide long-term development projects such
as providing clean water in rural villages.
Through education and outreach programs
such as Operation Rice Bowl, held during
the Lenten season each year, Harvest for
Hope, Work of Human Hands and Food Fast,
CRS provides opportunities for Catholics in
the U. S. to practice global solidarity
with people throughout the world.
The Migration and Refugee Services (MRS) provides pastoral care and
resettlement services in communities throughout
the U. S. Working in conjunction with
local agencies, such as Catholic Charities
here in Portland, MRS helps to reunite
families, and helps them secure housing,
education and job opportunities. The Holy
Father's Relief Fund assists victims or
natural disasters around the globe. The United
States Catholic Conference Department
for Social Development and World Peace
advocates for poor and vulnerable people
around the world, and promotes Catholic
social teaching in the United States.
Catholics in western Oregon are encouraged to be as generous as possible
in
their support for those in need in foreign
countries by supporting the American Bishops'
Overseas Appeal.
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