Operation Rice Bowl

As part of the St. John's Community’s Lenten observance, we will participate in Catholic Relief Services’ Lenten program, Operation Rice Bowl. Since 1975, Operation Rice Bowl has inspired Catholics in the United States to pray, fast, learn and give as we increase our understanding of our global community. St. John's will connect this understanding with the principles of Catholic Social Teaching throughout our Lenten journey. We will encourage our students and staff to participate in Operation Rice Bowl at home with their families and on campus.

Operation Rice Bowl Web site

Catholic Relief Services believes that the 25 percent of Operation Rice Bowl contributions remaining in the dioceses affirms the importance of our global responsibility as Christians to assist those in need both around the corner and around the world.

The contributions remaining in the Brooklyn dioceses help participants understand the plight of the poor overseas through the experience of the poor in their own communities.

Pray, Fast, Learn and Give with Operation Rice Bowl this Lent

Prayer
Lenten Prayer Tree
A “Lenten Tree” will be placed at St. Thomas More Church with Lenten Prayer Eggs displayed on the tree. Students are asked to take an egg and pray for the person on the egg throughout Lent.

Student Reflections
Coming soon! Beginning at the first week of Lent, students will be selected to write a reflection on his/her experience of that week’s Lenten experience.

Fasting
Simple living and fasting ideas

Learning
Movie Series
Students for Global Justice are co-sponsoring a movie series! Students will have the opportunity to use the principles of Catholic Social Teaching as the lens for critical analysis, reflect on the film and how it relates to CST principles, and examine the film in a way that will help not only help understand the film, but to also engage the community in a better understanding of the world in which we live.

“Born into Brothels”
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
6 - 9 p.m.
St. Thomas More Church

“Hotel Rwanda”
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
8 - 11 p.m. St. Thomas More Church

Egg Dye
Students are invited to attend an egg dying program in which multiple stations will have an array of colors for egg dying.

Students will be presented with an educational discussion at the end of the program on the significance of the egg dying experience as it relates to lent.

Students for Global Justice
S4GJ is a student organization that leads discussions of global concerns, evaluates ways to address these issues, makes positive change, and advocates in thought and action for human rights, the poor and the oppressed. S4GJ allows students to look at the domestic and global issues surrounding social justice and provides opportunity to educate the student population through multiple forums, including involvement in peace protests, fund raisers, lectures, and more! S4GJ meets every other Monday evenings at 8:00 pm in DaSilva Hall.

Giving
300 Rice Bowls will be dispersed to students throughout the University. Each participant will have the opportunity to collect money during the Lenten season. Money will be collected after Easter break and sent to CRS. Rice Bowls and Lenten calendars will be made available on Ash Wednesday at St. Thomas More Church. The drop-off date is April 7 at Montgoris Dining Hall.

Additional Resources