Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary will host a speaking engagement featuring Mr. Thomas Awiapo, a representative from Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) in Ghana.
Mr. Awiapo will share his personal story and how participation in the Lenten CRS Rice Bowl makes a significant and lasting difference to the work of combatting poverty and hunger around the world.
Tuesday, February 20, 2018
7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary
Vianney Hall Auditorium
100 East Wynnewood Road
Wynnewood, PA 19096 (Montgomery County)
A native of Ghana, Mr. Awiapo was orphaned before the age of 10 and struggled to survive in his small African village. His search for food led him to an elementary school, where he was fed a small meal every day. Mr. Awiapo survived, studied, and eventually won scholarships to attend college. He later earned a master’s degree from California State University.
Today, Mr. Awiapo works with CRS as a consultant. He lives in Ghana with his wife and four children. His story has brought inspiration to thousands of people in the United States.
Now in its 43rd year, CRS Rice Bowl is a nationwide Lenten program that gives people of all ages a way to respond to human suffering with compassion through tangible action. It is global in its reach bringing goods and services to people in need around the world. Twenty-five percent of all contributions stay in local dioceses to support hunger and poverty prevention programs such as community gardens, food pantries, soup kitchens, support groups, and job centers. Locally, that work is performed by Nutritional Development Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The remaining 75% goes to support CRS’ humanitarian and development programs overseas, providing life-saving assistance and hope to impoverished and vulnerable communities.
This year’s Rice Bowl offers Catholics in the United States a way to respond to Pope Francis call to “Share the Journey” with migrants and refugees around the world. Share the Journey is a global public awareness campaign that aims to dispel fear and inspire communities to build relationships with those forced to leave their native lands due to violence, oppression, famine, and other hardships.
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Editor’s Note: Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic Community in the United States. It is dedicated to improving the lives of poor and vulnerable families through humanitarian programs and services.
For more information on CRS’ Rice Bowl please visit http://www.crsricebowl.org/.
The “Share the Journey” campaign runs through September 2019. For additional information, please visit https://www.sharejourney.org.
Archdiocese of Philadelphia
ArchPhilly
ArchPhilly
Contact:
Alaina Longo
Media and Events Specialist
215-587-3747 (office)