The St. Francis of Assisi Social Justice Team is considering the formation of a Catholic Relief Service (CRS) Chapter in support of the CRS mission of assisting the poor and vulnerable outside the United States.  We are hoping you can help us in identifying some individuals who may be interested in this effort.

As you know, Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. CRS is motivated by the Gospel of Jesus Christ to cherish, preserve and uphold the sacredness and dignity of all human life, foster charity, and justice, and embody Catholic social and moral teaching.  CRS puts our faith into action to help the world’s poorest create lasting change and provides an opportunity for all of us to act.  Because of the diverse population at SFoA,  the many impactful programs CRS maintains in the Philippines, Viet Nam, Mexico, Central, and South America, and Africa would be of interest.

Dan McGrath and I are coordinating this effort at St. Francis of Assisi and would like to form a small group of interested individuals.  We have discussed this approach with CRS personnel and they will provide us with significant and helpful tools and aids to help us make a difference.

We are hoping to add a few people (at least 2 to start) to the committee (currently to have its home under the Social Justice Team) to initiate the process which will support parishioners' understanding of the significant effort and impact of CRS outside the US. 

We are asking for your support in identifying individuals who may be interested in this effort by circulating this to any of the various groups within the parish or individuals you know who may be interested in such an effort. Please feel free to contact Marcos Herrera (408-219-8406) or Dan McGrath (585-503-7307) through email, with any questions.