In keeping with the traditional Lenten practice of almsgiving, the Diocese of Trenton will participate the weekend of March 9-10 in the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ annual Catholic Relief Services Collection.
Falling each year on the fourth Sunday of Lent – Laetare Sunday – funds from this collection support the work of Catholic organizations that aid victims of war and natural disasters, help build peace in places of conflict, and minister to migrants and others with specific pastoral needs.
Six organizations – some of them within the USCCB – directly benefit from these funds: Catholic Relief Services, for international relief and development; Migration and Refugee Services, for refugee resettlement; Catholic Legal Immigration Network Inc. (CLINIC), for immigration legal services; Department of Justice, Peace, and Human Development, for advocacy; Holy Father’s Relief Fund, for emergency relief; and Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church, for evangelization and ministry.
Collection funds are administered by the USCCB Administrative Committee. If you miss the collection, donations can be sent to: Catholic Relief Services Collection, Office of National Collections, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, P.O. Box 96278, Washington, D.C. 20090-6278. Checks may be made payable to Catholic Relief Services Collection. https://www.usccb.org/national-collection/catholic-relief-services-collection.
By EmmaLee Italia, Contributing Editor