For Lent we are supporting Mary’s Meals with our parish-wide almsgiving. Mary’s Meals is an international ministry which brings a meal to children in need throughout Third World countries.

Founder Magnus McFarland-Burrows recognized that the biggest factor in Third World children not receiving an education was a lack of food. He discovered that the children were so hungry, they couldn’t concentrate in school, and subsequently missed class in order to fill a bigger need; begging for food. Now children are guaranteed a meal each day in their school, and a future that is much more promising. He started the ministry in 2002, feeding 200 children a day, and now 20 years later this ministry feeds over 2.5 million a day!

The charity is named after Mary, mother of Jesus, who understands the plight of hunger, as she and Joseph brought their own son up in poverty.

The weekend before Ash Wednesday (February 10-11) we will pass out blue solo cups for you to collect your change and contributions, along with a calendar of suggested ways to stay in solidarity with the poor throughout the season. There will be a large blue Mary’s Meal collection cup on the sanctuary steps during Mass for households to deposit their contributions in each Sunday during the Presentation of Gifts.