Looking for easy Lenten project? Parishes may consider filling a bucket to benefit families through Catholic Charities

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
February 17, 2005

Lent is always a good time of year for parishes to organize projects that help the less fortunate. With this in mind, the Office of Religious Education for the Diocese of Sioux City is once again sending out information to catechetical leaders regarding the Fill-A-Bucket For Families Program.

This same project was presented to religious education programs last year and several opted to participate. In most cases, it was used as a means of encouraging almsgiving for students, however, in a few cases it was expanded to a parish-wide project.

According to Linda Anderson, director of catechesis for the diocese, one of the reasons she supports this effort is because it directly benefits Catholic Charities here in the diocese.

"Anything that raises money for Catholic Charities is a worthwhile cause," said Anderson. "This is also a good way to get the word out about Catholic Charities - to let youth and adults of parishes know that it does exist and they offer a multitude of services."

Quite often, she added, many religious education programs are involved in projects such as Operation Rice Bowl and others that center on collections for overseas missions.

"It is not that we want to take away from that, but we want to get the word out that we have many people with many needs in our own communities right here in Northwest Iowa," said Anderson.

With a trend toward more and more cuts in social service programs, she pointed out that agencies such as Catholic Charities need funds now more than ever.

"Yes we need to look nationally and globally at needs, but we also need to look more on a local level because people don't always realize that there are people with needs right here that require our help," she said. "Catholic Charities is a wonderful organization, but in order to provide more services and continue what they are doing, they need ongoing funding."

Information about the Fill-A-Bucket project will go out soon in the March edition of the News and Notes. This newsletter goes to all DREs and youth ministers among others.

In addition to going for a good cause, Anderson likes the project because it is quite easy to organize. Parish religious education programs can decorate and possibly name a few buckets. Then students and/or families can offer donations.

"Lent is a good time to kick off something like this because people's minds are focused on giving to others. We must keep in mind that it is not just during Christmas or Lent when people have needs, they have needs all of the time," she said. "Because of fasting, almsgiving and prayer focus of Lent, people's minds are more on doing something like this."

Anderson pointed out that parishes could take this project beyond Lent or start it up at any time of year if they already have projects in place for this season.

In a society that promotes the concept of "it's all about me," she mentioned that by becoming involved in such projects children learn the importance of doing something for others and living as Jesus did.

She added that children often have a strong desire to help others but sometimes lack the opportunity to do so. Again, she stressed the ease of organizing this project and encouraged parishes to participate in this effort in order to help develop a sense of compassion and a pattern of giving in the youth.