CHARLOTTE — The upcoming 2022 Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Rice Bowl Program begins on Ash Wednesday, March 2. CRS Rice Bowl provides Catholics across the United States with the opportunity to assist the global human family through daily prayer, weekly fasting and almsgiving.
Parishes and schools that participated in last year’s CRS Rice Bowl will receive the same number of materials again for this year’s CRS Rice Bowl with no need to place an order.
Parishes and schools that wish to participate for the first time, or participating parishes and schools that need additional materials, place an order at 1-800-222-0025 or www.crsricebowl.org.
Twenty-five percent of the CRS Rice Bowl collection helps fund the CRS Mini-Grant Program sponsored by Catholic Charities, that provides grants (of up to $1,000) for social ministry projects of Catholic entities of the Diocese of Charlotte.
For more info, email Joseph Purello at Catholic Charities, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
CHARLOTTE — More than 40 faithful attended the Vigil of the Two Hearts pro-life devotion to pray for an end to abortion Dec. 3 at St. Patrick Cathedral.
The event capped a busy week across the diocese, as parishes and laity organized efforts to pray for an end to abortion to coincide with the U.S. Supreme Court hearing oral arguments on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization – expected to be a pivotal case challenging the constitutionality of the right of abortion.
The first Friday vigil began with Mass offered by Father Francis Raji, parochial vicar of St. Vincent De Paul Parish in Charlotte, and assisted by Deacon Tom Sanctis of St. Ann Parish in Charlotte.
After Mass, Deacon Sanctis led a Holy Hour of Reparation, followed by Nocturnal Adoration until the First Saturday Mass.
The Vigil of the Two Hearts is offered each first Friday evening, continuing in Nocturnal Adoration through first Saturday morning at the cathedral to honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary devotions, all while praying for the end of abortion, for families, and for the country’s conversion back to God.
The event is organized by the Carolina Pro-Life Action Network of Charlotte (C-PLAN). For more information, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.prolifecharlotte.org/two-hearts.
— Mike FitzGerald, correspondent