The annual Share Lent collection will be taken at weekend Masses, March 20-21, 2010. This past week, members of the Mission, Peace and Development committee made the following announcement at all Masses:

We at Holy Cross are involved in supporting the Share Lent Campaign sponsored by the Canadian Organization for Development and Peace. Sunday, March 21, is Solidarity Sunday when we are asked to contribute to the Share Lent Campaign. In doing so we help bring justice, dignity and peace to the most vulnerable people in countries that face extreme hardship.

Since 1967 Development and Peace has helped improve living and working conditions in over 30 countries around the globe. We have provided support for human rights, community development, and humanitarian aid in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. We work in partnership with people of all faiths supporting their initiatives. In this we have the full support of our Canadian Bishops.

When the disastrous earthquake struck Haiti on January 12, our parish responded immediately and generously, contributing over $13,000. We at Development and Peace are moved by your compassion and feel that you believe in the work with which Development and Peace is involved. Through our Share Lent campaign, we ensure that we are ready to respond to emergencies while sustaining the many ongoing projects with our partners year round.

In the words of Patrick Hogan, National Council President, “Let us take a moment during this Lenten period to reaffirm our common faith in the work we have carried out together through Development and Peace, and join our voices to those of the poor around the world through our solidarity and contribution to the Share Lent Campaign.”