March is the biggest month of the year for college basketball fans. It is the start of the NCAA basketball tournament, and the frenzy is called “March Madness”. There is the usual slate of favored teams, but there are also the “Cinderella” teams: the teams that just barely earned a spot at the tournament but achieve unexpected success.

What does any of this have to do with the Rice Bowl? Today, March 15, is Selection Sunday when teams find out if they have been invited to the tournament. Many of those teams will be long shot “Cinderella” teams. Rice Bowl offerings support “Cinderella Teams” all over the world: projects that fight poverty by helping small farmers and small businesses achieve self-sustenance.

So pick up a Rice Bowl and start dunking a few coins in it every day. You are putting your money on a winning team!

Another way to support Catholic Relief Service and Operation Rice Bowl is to attend our Wednesday Simple Supper on March 18. Our Christian Service and Worship Commissions will be your hosts. Come enjoy some homemade soups and fresh rolls with us as we extend St. Patrick’s Day one more day with a very “Green” theme during our supper.

If you are reading this bulletin early you may still have time join us at the St. Patrick’s Party for a traditional corned beef dinner and an Irish band, Celtic Cross, in our Social Hall on Saturday March 14. If you are reading this after the event I hope you joined us and had a good time. Thank you to the Knights of Columbus and PIC Group for all of their hard work in organizing this Parish event.

Mike McDevitt Christian Service Coordinator 313-647-5025