"Building a world of justice: The road to freedom" is this year's theme for the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace Share Lent campaign, which began March 5, 2011.
The Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace is a Canada-wide movement composed of people who work in solidarity with the poor in Africa, Asia and Latin America to help them improve living and working conditions.
The Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace was created in 1967 by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops with the mandate of educating the public to the needs of developing countries and of providing financial support to socio-economic development projects and programs throughout the Third World.
Rooted in biblical values and the Catholic "preferential option for the poor," the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace is one of Canada's foremost international solidarity, development, relief and education organizations. Its development, human rights and justice programming in the global south is the product of ongoing partnerships with over 200 secular, church and civil society organizations throughout Africa, Asia, Middle East and Latin America. In its role as Caritas Canada, the organization is responsible for mobilizing Catholic response to natural and man-made disasters wherever and whenever these may occur.
St. Lawrence Roman Catholic Church parish in Thompson will be in "solidarity" with the people in Timor-Leste previously known as East Timor. Literature materials, together with "solidarity calendars will educate parishioners and help them reflect on the tiny nation of Timor-Leste on its journey to freedom. After 500 years of Portuguese colonization, Indonesian occupation and human rights abuses, Timor-Leste finally gained independence in 2002."
Share Lent campaign with Solidarity Sunday at St. Lawrence church will be held on the weekend of April 9 and 10 during mass. By the use of symbols and readings, parishioners will experience and learn about Timor-Leste long road to democracy. The money raised will support people of all faiths through community-based projects and emergency relief operations.
