February 19, 2002

                                                                NEWS RELEASE
                                                                                                FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                                                                                For More Information, Contact:
                                                                                                Bud Bunce (503) 233-8373
                                                                                                bbunce@archdpdx.org

CATHOLICS CALLED TO SUPPORT AMERICAN BISHOPS' OVERSEAS APPEAL

        The American Bishops' Overseas Appeal will be taken up in the parishes of the
Archdiocese of Portland on the weekend of March 9-10. The theme for this year's
Overseas Appeal is "Discover Jesus in Disguise." The theme asks parishioners to see
Jesus in the faces of the poor, the hungry, the disadvantaged and to support ongoing
efforts to meet the increasing needs of the Church's international social ministry.

        The American Bishops' Overseas Appeal provides support for Catholic Relief
Services, Migration and Refugee Services of the United States Conference of Catholic
Bishops (USCCB), the Holy Father's Relief Fund, and the Department of Social
Development and World Peace of the USCCB. Bishop John H. Ricard, SSJ, past
Chairman of the board of Catholic Relief Services said, "For more than 60 years, the
American Bishops' Overseas Appeal and its predecessor --- the Bishops' Welfare
Emergency Relief Fund --- have enabled the Catholic Church in the United States to
respond to the victims of war and famine and natural disaster, and to provide the acts
of charity mandated by the Gospel."

        Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official overseas relief and development
agency of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. CRS works in more than
80 countries giving hope through both emergency relief and long-term sustainable
development projects. Among the education and outreach programs of Catholic Relief
Services are Operation Rice Bowl each Lenten season, Harvest for Hope, Work of
Human Hands and Food Fast.

        The Office of Migration and Refugee Services (MRS) helps resettle approximately
one-fourth of all refugees admitted to the United States each year. MRS provides
advocacy and pastoral care for all new comers. The MRS Office of Refugee Programs,
through a network of more than 100 diocesan refugee resettlement offices - including a
program through Catholic Charities here is Western Oregon - works in collaboration
with government agencies to reunite families and ensure educational opportunities,
health and employment services and housing. The Migration and Refugee Services
promotes fair and just public policy for newcomers and migrants.

        The Holy Father's Relief Fund assists victims of natural disasters and other
emergencies around the world. The Department of Social Development and World
Peace (SDWP) shares and applies Catholic social teaching on major domestic and
international issues. The SDWP has worked to ban land mines, promote religious
freedom abroad, and negotiate peace in warring countries.

        Catholics in Western Oregon are asked to be as generous as possible in their
support of the American Bishops' Overseas Appeal, and they are encouraged to discover
"Jesus in disguise" in the people throughout the world.
                                                                    ###

Return to Current News Releases                       Return to February 2002 News Releases