March 18, 2011
CUA Cares is collecting donations and soliciting prayers for victims of the earthquake in Japan earlier this month. The movement has mobilized in the past after tragedies in Haiti, Hurricane Katrina, and the South Pacific, and after the shooting at Virginia Tech.
"When disasters happen around the world, our students respond with generous hearts," says Rev. Jude DeAngelo, O.F.M. Conv., university chaplain and director of campus ministry.
"They are not looking for a pat on the back or to gain notoriety; they are trying to live the Gospel commands to cloth, feed, welcome, and care for the stranger," he says. "They do this because Jesus commands us to love."
On the Web page, http://cuacares.cua.edu , students, faculty, and staff can find out what CUA is doing to educate the community about issues surrounding the March 11 disaster - including information on Japan, more about those who are affected, and what relief efforts are in place.
The site provides prayers that are being offered, and lists Masses that will be celebrated for the victims. Online donations can also be made via the CUA Cares website.
Students have challenged every member of the CUA community to donate at least $5 to the cause. In addition to collecting donations online, students are collecting money at a table set up in the Edward J. Pryzbyla University Center lobby during meal times on weekdays (11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m.). Those who make a donation receive an origami figure. All donations will be passed on to Catholic Relief Services.
Students are also urging the CUA community to pray for the victims of the earthquake. A prayer posted at http://cuacares.cua.edu will be prayed at every university Mass through April 1. In addition, small student communities are gathering in residence halls to pray for all who are suffering in Japan. The students collecting money in the Pryzbyla Center are also gathering prayer intentions, which will be added to the prayers offered at Sunday Masses.
"Students take seriously the Catholic mission and identity of the university and CUA Cares student leaders are committed to helping their peers understand their connection and responsibility to the global community," says Jamila Evans, associate campus minister for social justice.
"As a response to the Gospel this Lent, student leaders hope to provide some education on Catholic social teaching, including solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Japan, and our Gospel call to help the most vulnerable populations of Japan, specifically the poor and the elderly," she says.
To raise more funds, Catholic Athletes for Christ will host a four-on-four basketball tournament on Saturday, March 19, at 11 a.m. in the Raymond A. DuFour Athletic Center. Teams of four (which must include one member of a CUA athletic team) can sign up for $10 in the Pryzbyla Center lobby during meal times through Friday, March 18.
The following weekend, CUA's Take Note Acapella will host "ShamRockapella," an invitational concert featuring Take Note and CUA groups Sixtus and Redline, the Georgetown University Chimes, and American University's Dime a Dozen.
The event, scheduled for Saturday, March 26, from 7 to 11 p.m., in Caldwell Hall Auditorium, includes a bake sale. All proceeds from the sale and $2 admission price will go to CUA Cares.