Catholic Rural Life Updates

March 12, 2015

Mission

Our mission is to apply the teachings of Jesus Christ for the social, economic, and spiritual development of rural America.

CRL helps rural people shape their futures and lead lives of dignity and piety

by providing spiritual, educational and advocacy assistance.

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Prayer in Lent

Almighty God,

grant through the yearly observances of holy Lent,

that we may grow in understanding of the riches hidden in Christ and by worthy conduct pursue their effects.

LORD Jesus Christ, You are the true Light enlightening every soul born into this world.

You are the Light of the world, shining

in the darkness of our times.

Help us to live in that Light, to make it our own, and to kindle it in the souls of others, increasing the area of light and lessening the darkness in the world.

Then we, too, working for You shall be light-bearers who will help to spread Your kingdom on earth, and increase the number of those who dwell in heaven, the city of eternal light.

Amen.

Celebrating Women Religious on the Land

During National Catholic Sisters Week, which is being celebrated March 8-14, Catholic Rural Life is drawing attention to the lives and work of women religious on the land.

Catholic religious communities have historically created new patterns of leading moral and sustainable lives. Even today, many religious communities are developing sustainable ways of living and forming innovative relationships with Creation.

Women religious are very much at the forefront of these initiatives–from llama farming to using solar power–and we’ve highlighted some examples on the CRL website. Check them out today and show your support for women religious on the land!

Lenten Fast for environmental justice

The Global Catholic Climate Movement is continuing to lead an international Lenten Fast for Climate Justice. 50 countries have signed on to the fast. What that means is that participating members are asked to fast on a specified day for their country. U.S. day of fasting is March 16.

Catholic Rural Life is one of the U.S. organizations spreading the word about the fast as well as the call for environmental justice. Please consider fasting on March 16 as an act of solidarity with the poor and marginalized who are suffering as a result of a changing climate.

Honoring Women

in Agriculture

In honor of Women’s History Month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is recognizing the achievements of women in agriculture.

Our CRL members also may be interested in the USDA administered Women in Agriculture Mentoring Network.

This network is designed to connect women across many areas of agriculture and encourage networking between people with shared backgrounds, interests, and professional goals.

USDA is inviting participants to share suggestions, stories, and other snippets on how the country can build a new generation of women leaders in agriculture. Email agwomenlead@usda.gov to be added to the Women in Agriculture Mentoring Network and share stories using #womeninag.

Action Alert: Support for Farm to School Program

The National Farm to School Network and the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (CRL is a member) are partnering to advance farm to school priorities in the 2015 reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act (CNR 2015), with the shared goal of supporting stronger communities, healthier children and resilient farms.

The Farm to School Act of 2015 is a bill that will expand and improve the widely popular USDA Farm to School Grant Program. The bipartisan team of legislators who introduced this bill needs your support. Please tell Congress that this bill is critical for kids and farmers.