Concert to celebrate 40th anniversary of CRS Rice Bowl

In honor of the 40th anniversary of CRS Rice Bowl, the largest and oldest Lenten program used by millions of Catholics across the United States, St. John the Evangelist in Columbia will host a special Feb. 20 concert.

ValLimar Jansen, a world-touring singer and recording artist and Pedro Rubalcava, national recognized for his bilingual music, will be featured at the event, to be held at the Wilde Lake Interfaith Center.

Preceding the 7 p.m. concert and program will be a simple Lenten meal at 6:30 p.m.

Since CRS Rice Bowl’ inception, Catholics have contributed alms totaling $250 million to support efforts that fight poverty and hunger in dioceses across the U.S. and overseas. In 2014, 13,405 Catholic parishes and schools across the U.S. participated in CRS Rice Bowl. 

“When we step back and consider that this paper rice bowl has made it possible to give real, life-saving assistance to so many, we see the power the 40 days of Lent have produced over the last four decades,” said Joan Rosenhauer, executive vice president of U.S. Operations for Baltimore-based Catholic Relief Services (CRS).