PORTLAND---Parishes and schools in the Diocese of Portland combined to raise over $57,000 for the Catholic Relief Services’ (CRS) Rice Bowl program during the forty days of Lent in 2017. CRS Rice Bowl is a faith-in-action program that encourages Catholics to fill cardboard bowls with monetary donations, giving alms to those in need and honoring Jesus’ call to serve our neighbors.
 
Nearly 50 Catholic parishes and schools in Maine participated in the 2017 program, contributing a total of $57,471. It marks the fifth straight year that total contributions have risen in the diocese, including an over $12,000 increase from 2016 ($45,070).
 
According to Catholic Relief Services, 75% of the donations support CRS’ humanitarian relief programs in nearly 100 countries worldwide, while 25% of the proceeds are given to hunger and poverty alleviation efforts in the donor’s community.
 
The top three contributing Maine parishes in 2017 were: Good Shepherd Parish (Most Holy Trinity Church, Saco; St. Joseph Church, Biddeford; St. Margaret Church, Old Orchard Beach; and St. Philip Church, Lyman) with $6,116; St. Paul the Apostle Parish (St. John Church, Bangor; St. Mary Church, Bangor; St. Joseph Church, Brewer; St. Teresa Church, Brewer; St. Matthew Church, Hampden; and St. Gabriel Church, Winterport) with $5,235; and Holy Spirit Parish (St. Martha Church, Kennebunk; St. Mary Church, Wells) with $4,756.
 
All Saints Parish in Brunswick, Parish of the Ascension of the Lord in Kittery, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Portland, Christ the King Parish in Skowhegan, Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Auburn, Notre Dame du Mont Carmel Parish in Madawaska, Our Lady of Hope Parish in Portland, Parish of the Holy Eucharist in Yarmouth, Parish of the Resurrection of the Lord in Old Town, St. Brendan the Navigator Parish in Camden, St. John Vianney Parish in Fort Kent, St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish in Calais, St. Mary Parish in Houlton, St. Matthew Parish in Limerick, St. Michael Parish in Augusta, and St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish in Sanford all eclipsed $1,000 in donations.
 
Since 2011, the diocese has collected nearly $300,000 for the program. For more information, contact Dave Guthro, Communications Director for the Diocese of Portland, at (207) 321-7810 or [email protected].