Students from Saint Dominic Parish School in Northeast Philadelphia recently met with Mr. Thomas Awiapo from Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in Ghana, who was in the United States speaking about the importance of Operation Rice Bowl during Lent. Mr. Awiapo shared his story of being orphaned before the age of ten and surviving poverty and hunger in his African village.

Mr. Awiapo's story inspired the students from Saint Dominic so much they decided to increase their Operation Rice Bowl efforts. Sister Shaun Thomas Callahan, I.H.M., Principal, promised students that the winning class would have the opportunity to play their teachers in a basketball game. The 7th grade students raised $800 and will play the school teachers on:

Friday, April 20, 2012
12:45 p.m.
Saint Dominic Parish School - Marian Hall
8510 Frankford Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19136

In Lent 2011, Catholics in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia contributed $336,000 dollars to Operation Rice Bowl, $84,000 of which went directly to Nutritional Development Services and the remainder went to Catholic Relief Services. Operation Rice Bowl is a way for Catholics to connect each Lenten season and demonstrate solidarity with the poor around the world through the traditional practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

Editor's Note: For more information on Operation Rice Bowl please contact Anne H. Ayella, CRS Archdiocesan Director at 267-262-8901 or visit www.ndsarch.org. For more information on Catholic Relief Services please visit www.orb.crs.org.

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Contact
Meredith Wilson
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747