In photo above, a Swiss Guard stands at attention during a Mass marking the conclusion of the Jubilee of the World of Volunteering in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican March 9, 2025.

Each year the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) comforts and assists people worldwide who suffer from war, natural disasters, violent persecution or extreme poverty. That work is possible because of contributions to The Catholic Relief Services Collection. This year, many dioceses, including the Diocese of Sacramento, will take up this collection in their parishes at Masses on March 29-30. The collection benefits six Church-related entities that all offer aid to the vulnerable in carrying out the Christ’s mandate in Matthew’s Gospel to care for the “least of these.”

Three times in the Gospel, Jesus reminds us that the Father sees us.  He even sees what is secret or hidden. As we begin this Lenten Season let us focus our attention on what our heavenly Father sees no matter how secret or insignificant it may seem to us or to others. 

Jesus spoke of prayer, fasting – what we deny ourselves -- and almsgiving – what we give or offer to the poor.  He refers to these as “righteous deeds”.  They were considered righteous because they are what God sees.  They are part of God’s work in us.  They are righteous not because we perform them but because God empowers us to do them.  They are not just human endeavors; they are part of God’s work.  By these works – prayer, sacrifice, and service – our heavenly Father saves us and he saves the world.