Ash Wednesday (17 February 2010) marks the beginning of Lent.  The Catholic Community participates in sharing and praying for missions running in Southern Africa, through its Bishops’ Lenten Appeal. For six weeks of Lent until Easter Sunday there is an opportunity to become more aware of the needy.

Picture distributed in the parishes
for the 2010 Lenten Appeal

This year the Bishops' Lenten Appeal is untitled "Seeds of hope". In their message (to download the full message, click here) released in eight languages, the Bishops point to the fact that "in spite of the crosses we carry and the difficulties we face, we are people of hope." "We believe that in Christ everything is possible”, the bishops write,
“and we know that he will never desert us."

Catholics are called to share with others not only money, but also what they received from God. The Bishops' Lenten Appeal is an opportunity to live the faith that Catholics profess: to be Disciples of Christ and witnesses of his kindness. "We hope each of you will find someone during this Lent who will be like Simon of Cyrene who, on Good Friday, met Jesus on the way and helped to carry that heavy cross. We can all be that Simon for somebody. We need a Simon in our lives, one who will help us on the way and give us courage and hope and the strength to continue."

The programs that are funded by the Bishops' Lenten Appeal make more concrete the “Good News”. The money collected is used to respond to emergency calls for financial assistance, to support feeding schemes and to assist the works of the Church.

This year’s Bishops’ Lenten Appeal will feature a donation by SMS for the first time. SMS 'LENT' and your diocese name to 40810. SMS costs R20.

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