Lent offers time to help

By Tony Staley
Compass Editor

This Lent we have a perfect opportunity to put Pope Benedict XVI's first encyclical and Lenten message into practice.

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In the encyclical, "Deus Caritas Est" ("God Is Love"), the pope talked about our need to practice unselfish love by helping our neighbor. In his Lenten message, the pontiff said fasting and almsgiving are a way to see others with the eyes of Christ and to express his compassion for the poor.

"Following the example given in the parable of the good Samaritan," the pope said in his encyclical, "Christian charity is first of all the simple response to immediate needs and specific situations: feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, caring for and healing the sick, visiting those in prison."

One way to do this is by helping the groups listed last week in the annual Compass Lenten Wish list. The list, including specific needs and contact information, can be found at the link on The Compass website www.thecompassnews.org.

Another way to help is Operation Rice Bowl, sponsored by Catholic Relief Services, and available at parishes.

Please give generously so you too can share deeply in the Easter joy of those whom you help.