Our Share Lent collection will take place on March 21st and 22nd.
Lent is a season of repentance, reflection, and repair. It is when our Church encourages us to help
transform our world by giving generously to Development and Peace — Caritas Canada.
That is the organization I’m here to tell you about. It was created by our bishops as the official
international development and solidarity organization of the Canadian Catholic Church. It supports
vital sustainable development and humanitarian aid projects that serve some of our most vulnerable
and marginalized sisters and brothers in dozens of countries across the Global South.
Every year, Development and Peace ― Caritas Canada’s Share Lent campaign invites us to learn more
about these projects and support them with our generosity. This gives us an opportunity to follow the
example of Jesus, who, Pope Leo XIV says, “identified himself with the lowest ranks of society” and
“confirms the dignity of every human being” through his love.
By standing in solidarity with society’s neglected people whom Development and Peace ― Caritas
Canada serves, we can walk in Christ’s footsteps, mirror his loving gaze, and bring our relationship
with him and our faith to fruition.
This Lent, Development and Peace ― Caritas Canada’s On Track for Justice campaign takes us to
Brazil. There, one of its partners, Justiça nos Trilhos, is helping communities affected by a railway line.
Hundreds of open rail cars pass over the tracks every day, carrying ore from one of the world’s iron
mines to a port nearly 900 kilometres away. Dust and air and noise pollution from these trains have
poisoned the lands and made life unbearable for trackside communities.
Meanwhile, industrial farming has led to widespread deforestation and even more toxic pollution from
planes that spray pesticides over fields and communities. Lost forests and poisoned soils, waterways
and livestock have devasted people’s health and livelihoods.
After a 20-year-struggle, Justiça nos Trilhos managed to have a community 312 families relocated a
safe distance aways from these troubles. The people can finally raise their children in peace and
safety. Such transformations are only possible because donations from people like you allow
Development and Peace ― Caritas Canada to support partners like Justiça nos Trilhos.
So, please give generously to Development and Peace ― Caritas Canada. Your Lenten gift will
make real difference by helping hundreds of communities like the one in Brazil. It will further our
mission of addressing the root causes of poverty and help build a more just and compassionate world.
Above all, it will uphold the dignity of the very sorts of people whom Christ came to save.
Thank you for your generosity