AMERICA/CHILE -
Santiago de Chile (Agenzia Fides) – On Ash Wednesday (February 25), all the dioceses in Chile will begin a solidarity campaign entitled "Lenten Fraternity," organized by the Chilean Bishops' Conference. "This campaign is rooted in the center of Christian life: the commandment of love, on which we shall be judged. Jesus' identification with His neighbor, especially the poor and children, is a fundamental criteria for the discernment of our practice of faith," the organizers of the campaign say.
In this time of Lent, the Catholic Church invites us to intensify our prayer, fasting, and almsgiving towards the poorest of the poor.
"Lenten Fraternity is a call to three acts, thus collaborating in an effort to live a more simple life, following in the Lord's example. Thus, we ask people to pray more, live a more simple life, deprive themselves of something so as to offer economic support to others and thus, make a loving act of kindness towards those most in need."
Since 2006, the Lenten Fraternity campaign has been funding programs for children under 6 throughout the country, who are most at risk in society. There are an estimated 200,000 of them, often living in conditions that severely affect their growth and development.
The Church, in administrating the funds collected in the campaign, supports activities that offer positive opportunities to the children that live in these conditions.
Those interested in collaborating will be able to make their donation in the local parishes throughout the country, in special collection boxes. There will also be collection boxes placed in schools and ecclesial buildings. All of the boxes must be handed in by Sunday, April 12.
(RG) (Agenzia Fides 20/2/2009)
Links:
For more information
http://www.iglesia.cl/especiales/cuaresmafraternidad2009/
Blessings+
Deacon John
