Parishioners at St. Mary of the Assumption and the Church of St. Paul exceed expectations when challenged to give generously
By Eileen Jevis
Staff writer
The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.
~Proverbs 22:9
Father Arthur Krawczenko, pastor of St. Mary of the Assumption and the Church of St. Paul in Binghamton, knows that his parishioners are financially challenged. Many in these inner-city churches cannot afford to own a vehicle, so they walk to church or take the bus. But inspired by a presentation by Father Mike Bassano, a Maryknoll priest from Binghamton, about his missionary work in South Sudan, Fr. Art made a plea to his parishioners to support the refugees in one of Africa’s poorest countries.
The Rice Bowl is the official Lenten program of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in the United States, inviting Catholics to pray, fast, and give alms to combat global hunger. Fr. Bassano served as a Syracuse diocesan priest in Utica and Binghamton early in his vocation. Exemplifying the mission of the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, he has lived and served the poor around the world for decades.
“I talked to Fr. Bassano last year when he was visiting from Bolivia and gave a talk at Mass,” said Fr. Art. “He talked about ‘Solidarity with South Sudan,’ a model of ministry among women and men religious and the laity in serving the poor.”
That conversation, said Fr. Art, and the work of the Holy Spirit, gave him the idea of doing works of charity during Lent. “I asked my parishioners to donate to the Rice Bowl project with a goal of raising $10,000 for the refugees in South Sudan. They thought I was crazy; that I was joking,” he said. “I told them whatever we collected, I will make up the difference to reach that goal.”
When Fr. Art was asked how he was able to motivate his parishioners to give so generously during a time of global war, strife, and poverty, he said Americans are the biggest supporters of the Worldwide Catholic Church. “Our hearts are good,” he said. “When we see evil, poverty, and war, we respond the way Jesus would — through support and prayers and whatever else we can do to bring a little light to all the darkness in the world.”
Maria Klawiter, a lifelong parishioner of St. Mary of the Assumption and the Church of St. Paul, is a member of the parish council and serves on the board of Catholic Charities in Broome County, as well as on several other ministries at the church and in the diocese. She said the Rice Bowl campaign was a success due to Fr. Art’s energy and enthusiasm, which was contagious. “Father Art reminded each of us that we are very blessed with everything that we have in our lives — our homes, our food, our clothes, etc. His words inspired all of us to want to do more, to do what we are called to do and what Jesus asks of each of us — to give to the less fortunate and share our wealth with our brothers and sisters.”
The goal of raising $10,000 initially seemed daunting, but the parishioners went far beyond what was hoped. They raised $25,000. “It’s amazing to witness the generosity of my parishioners,” said Fr. Art. “It’s astounding.”
