Catholic Relief Services

CRS in the Archdiocese of Hartford
Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian relief agency of the U.S. Catholic community. In the Archdiocese of Hartford, the Office of Catholic Social Justice Ministry is responsible for promoting the annual CRS collection, educating parishes about the work of CRS, and managing CRS programs such as CRS Rice Bowl. For information on any of the CRS programs and initiatives in which parishes are invited to participate, please contact OCSJM.
Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian relief agency of the U.S. Catholic community. In the Archdiocese of Hartford, the Office of Catholic Social Justice Ministry is responsible for promoting the annual CRS collection, educating parishes about the work of CRS, and managing CRS programs such as CRS Rice Bowl. For information on any of the CRS programs and initiatives in which parishes are invited to participate, please contact OCSJM.

Lenten Rice Bowl Program
To change the quantity of our your order, or to add an order for your school or parish please complete the
attached form.
To change the quantity of our your order, or to add an order for your school or parish please complete the
attached form.
Catholic Relief Services Overview
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international relief and development agency of the U.S. Catholic community. Working through local offices and an extensive network of partners, CRS operates on five continents and in 99 countries. CRS aids the poor by first providing direct assistance where needed, then encouraging people to help with their own development CRS is also committed to educating the people of the United States to fulfill their moral responsibilities toward our global brothers and sisters by helping the poor, working to remove the causes of poverty, and promoting social justice. |
CRS RICE BOWL LOCAL GRANT FUND Many parish communities in the Archdiocese of Hartford participate in the CRS Rice Bowl program during Lent each year. This program provides a wealth of educational and awareness-raising materials for individuals, families and parish groups around current global poverty issues, and offers an inside look at how CRS works in the field to address these issues. The program also offers an opportunity for sacrificial offerings which fund development projects around the world. Each year, 25% of the funds collected in the Archdiocese are retained locally to support creative initiatives in our own communities to address issues related to poverty and hunger. Beginning in 2015, OCSJM has received permission to use these funds to offer grants to parishes, schools and other diocesan organizations to encourage new projects, particularly those that work to alleviate hunger within our archdiocese. Grant applications are now available, and will be accepted through August 31. Applications received after August 31 will be considered depending on fund availability Grant awards will be announced in September, and funds will be distributed in November, for use during the following calendar year. Applicants may submit only one application per year, and may re-apply in subsequent years. Typical grants will be funded up to $2,000.00. Preference will be given to new and innovative programs that demonstrate solutions to hunger with specific, tangible goals and outcomes. Visit these links for more information, and to download an application. |
Make an impact by participating in CRS Rice Bowl. 25% of the donations remain in the Archdiocese to support Archdiocesan hunger and poverty alleviation programs. In the picture below volunteers from Christ the King Church participating in their homeless bag project. They assembled 500 bags of food, clothing, personal care items, and prayer cards which where delivered to Immacare outreach in Hartford. Click here for a list of additional recipients of Rice Bowl grants.
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HOW CRS ADVOCATES FOR JUSTICE
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Lead the Way Campaign Together with people across the country and motivated by the Gospel call to help those in need, Catholic Relief Services is starting a movement to end global poverty. By taking action to help the most vulnerable and effect systemic change, we can lead the way to a world where every man, woman and child are able to thrive. As people of faith, we are called to create a more just and peaceful world for all. Now is the time. Will you answer the call? View the video to the left to learn more. For Lead the Way resources for personal and parish use please click here. |
Central America Migration Family Separation
As a Church and as a nation, we must protect children in their home communities, in the United States and in transit. Attached is information for those who want to advocate with the USCCB on family separation and other domestic migration issues or support CRS’ life-saving work in Central America. |
The ABC’s of CRS – Bulletin Announcements
Visit The ABC’s of CRS, a collection of short pieces describing the many places impacted by CRS efforts and the donations of Catholics worldwide. The file is offered in Word format for easy cutting and pasting. |
CRS PROGRAMS FOR Your Parish
![]() Take Action! Learn how your dioceses and religious community can best advocate policy positions and legislative issues that reflect the light of the Gospel and Social Teachings of the Church. |
CRS Rice Bowl This official Lenten program of Catholic Relief Services funds develop-ment projects that improve peoples' ability to access food around the world and in local diocesan communities in the United States. |
![]() Lead the Way Our faith calls us to believe. To serve. To lead. At this pivotal time when COVID-19 is impacting health, societies and economies around the globe, we can come together as missionary disciples to make a difference. Join a powerful movement of advocacy and action to transform our world. Leading the way begins now. We come together as a community and as individuals to pray, learn and take meaningful action to help those who will suffer the most from this global pandemic: migrants and refugees, communities that lack access to enough food and nutrition and people living in poverty. |
![]() Chapters: An Overview Catholic Relief Services is building a national network of CRS Chapters to mobilize Catholics and others of goodwill to end global poverty. These chapters*—comprised of parishioners, diocesan groups and other community members—are taking critical and meaningful actions to address global poverty and advocate on behalf of our global family. Engaging in CRS Chapters empower volunteers to live out their call as missionary disciples and become champions for the families and communities that CRS serves. |