Bishop Speaks
		February 28, 2008 Edition

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Three years ago, when the tsunami struck Asia, claiming more than 200,000 lives, I asked you, my generous brothers and sisters, to do what you could for these newly orphaned, newly homeless, newly destitute people. You responded with overwhelming generosity, as did Catholics across the country.

With pleasure, I am able to report to you that your donations to Catholic Relief Services did indeed provide for the immediate needs of food, water, and shelter. However, with your support, Catholic Relief Services did more. CRS is, in fact, still in the three countries hardest hit by the tsunami: India, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka. Knowing that a disaster of such proportions would require a recovery of equal proportion, CRS has continued in its effort to help communities re-build, with houses, bridges, hospitals, and most of all, with heartfelt compassion.

I recall the victims of the recent tsunami as an example of what donations to Catholic Relief Services can achieve, but our annual collection for CRS does far more than provide relief to our brothers and sisters in Asia, great though that need is. This collection provides for men, women, and children both abroad and here at home - those who are hungry, thirsty, ill, without clothes, in prison, or strangers. And in our compassionate care for these, the "least of our brothers," we are helped to see Jesus in disguise.

The Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. provides legal services to programs representing poor immigrants. It focuses on bringing families back together and protecting those fleeing from persecution or civil unrest. Those who speak another language might be Jesus in disguise.

The Migration and Refugee Services of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops resettles refugees, reaches out to victims of human trafficking, and provides care to many newcomers. Several other major efforts are funded from this one collection including Justice, Peace, and Human Development, the Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church, and The Holy Father's Relief Fund to assist victims of natural disasters and other emergencies.

Each of these efforts combines our strengths, our abilities to share and helps us reach out to each person who might be Jesus in disguise.

Be as generous as you can be during this Lenten season. We are called to deepen our prayer life, to fast, and to give alms. I pray that your journey during these 40 days helps you encounter Jesus in disguise in your own life.

Sincerely,

Most Reverend Robert C. Morlino
Bishop of the Diocese of Madison