Feb. 27, 2022 – Support Haiti this Lent!
As I mentioned last week in my bulletin column, for Lent we will be focusing our Parish ALMSGIVING to HAITI, as we have the personal connection with Fr. Frantz. Thus the money collected in our “Rice Bowls” that we send home with you all will go specifically to Haiti (and whatever checks you want to make out to parish, just indicate that is for “Haiti Almsgiving).”
• For Hampton, Ackley, Eldora – Our “Rice Bowls” go to Diocese of Fort Liberte, Haiti (Fr. Frantz’ Diocese in Haiti.) The Diocese will use that money to support whatever parish(es) are most in need and will distribute that money accordingly.
o While we may still use the CRS (Catholic Relief Services) “Rice Bowls so people have something to take home, (as those are provided to us for free), to clarify the money we collect in those would NOT go for CRS, but specifically for Diocese of Fort Liberte in Haiti
• Iowa Falls – As in the past for “Rice Bowls” for St. Mark’s will specifically go towards “Mary’s Meals.” However, we worked out with Mary’s Meals that the money raised for them from our parish will specifically go to the Mary’s Meals locations IN HAITI!
Further more, Fr. Frantz will SPEAK about Haiti during his homily at some Masses, and then will give a further talk about Haiti and what the Church is doing there and needs there AFTER some of the Masses (and so you all will have the opportunity to ask further questions. Here is the schedule for that:
Sat. March 19
· 5:00pm Iowa Falls – Fr. Frantz
o Fr. Frantz will give FURTHER Talk after MASS talking more about Haiti, its need, and the work of the Church there
Sun. March 20
· 8:00am Iowa Falls – Fr. Frantz will talk about Haiti in Homily
· 10:30am Eldora – Fr. Frantz will talk about Haiti in Homily
o Fr. Frantz will give FURTHER Talk after MASS…
Sun. March 27
· 8:00am Ackley – Fr. Frantz will talk about Haiti in Homily
· 10:30am Hampton – Fr. Frantz will talk about Haiti in Homily
o Fr. Frantz will give FURTHER Talk after MASS talking more about Haiti, its need, and the work of the Church there
· 5:30pm SPANISH Mass (Hampton) – Fr. Frantz will talk about Haiti in Homily
o Fr. Frantz will give FURTHER Talk after MASS…
Our care for the poor and those in need, not just in our local neighbors but also our “global” neighbors abroad, connects us to the broader mission of the Church. It also reminds us that as Catholics, we live “church” not only as a local parish, but also as part of a larger “universal” (which is what “catholic” means) Church throughout the world, the institution established by Christ to bring about His Kingdom in the world. This including the Catholic Church in Haiti; that we too are part of the Church in Haiti and sharers in Christ’s work through the Church there as well. This is made more tangible to us this Lent as we intentionally support the Church in Haiti especially the Diocese of Fort Liberte, through our almsgiving.
Peace,
-Fr. Kevin
PS: A reminder that this upcoming Wednesday is, in fact, Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. See the Mass schedule in the bulletin. Also a reminder that this is a day of fasting (no more than one and half meals (one meal and two smaller meals that together do not equal a full meal)), and abstinence (abstain from eating of meat).
