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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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Dear Lord, You are wonderful in everything you do.
In marvelous ways You take the full, rich life of the plant and carefully fold it into tiny seeds.
When these are placed the earth they may look dry and dead, but when they are watered by the life-giving rain and nourished by the warm sun, they grow in an almost miraculous manner.
At this time of year we plant these seeds of food, flowers and life that You have given us.
Bless them, and watch over them, and bring them to the full growth and rich harvest that You wish to bless
us with.
Lord God, You have also given us the love to flower and fruit in the full Christian life that You intend for us here and hereafter.
Amen
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 CRL leads agricultural delegation to Rome
CRL executive director Jim Ennis led a delegation of American ag leaders to Rome this week. The party consisted of the presidents of the five state farmers unions that make up Farmers Union Enterprises.
In Rome, the delegation met with Vatican officials, including Cardinal Peter Turkson, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, and Msgr. Peter Wells, the Assistant Secretary of State. Discussions centered on CRL’s Faith, Food & the Environment project, as well as the shared commitment to family farms, food security, and environmental stewardship.
To read a full account of the trip, including the group’s audience with Pope Francis, check out the article on our website.
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 Pope Francis’s prayer intention for April
Pope Francis’s universal prayer intention for April 2015:
“That people may learn to respect creation and care for it as a gift of God.”
The Global Catholic Climate Movement is inviting parishes and communities to 1) pray for creation with some resources we’ve prepared and 2) take action promoting our Catholic climate petition.
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Farmworkers Deserve our Prayers, Recognition
This week we recognized and prayed for farmworkers in honor of Cesar Chavez Day, March 31.
We came across this article in the Tampa Bay Times: Dreams deferred for a migrant worker in strawberry fields. The article details the conditions of work in the field as experienced by 20-year-old Maria Zuñiga. We invite you to take the time to read her story, including the efforts of St. Clement Catholic Church in Plant City, Florida.
Learn more about Farmworker issues at our website.
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Do you know about our Spiritual resources on our website?
Catholic Rural Life posts prayers, blessings and other spiritual resources on our website. In case you haven’t visited there recently, please take a moment to see what’s available.
For one, you can now download our Calendar of Blessings – free! This publication offers a special blessing for each month of the year, useful for parish, group or family gatherings.
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Remembering Joe Hall
Joe Hall, a former CRL intern, passed away last week after a lengthy battle with cancer. His funeral Mass was yesterday.
“Joe was an incredible witnessed for Christ, and a great young man,” said CRL executive director Jim Ennis.
Please pray for the repose of Joe’s soul, and for consolation for his friends and family!
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