The year 2005 makes the 30th anniversary of Operation Rice Bowl, Catholic Relief Services' (CRS) Lenten program, which annually raises funds during Lent to feed the poor in United States and other countries worldwide.

Operation Rice Bowl participants embrace the traditional practices of Lent and pray with their families and faith communities, fast in solidarity with those who are hungry, learn about the joys and challenges faced by neighbors around the world and give sacrificial contributions to support the work of CRS. Each year millions of Catholics across the U.S. use Operation Rice Bowl to participate in the work of CRS and to act in solidarity with the poor around the world.

Orientation workshops for Operation Rice Bowl 2004 will be held Dec. 4 and 11 throughout the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. On Saturday, Dec. 4:

---St. Denis Church, 2151 S. Diamond Bar Blvd., Diamond Bar, 9-11 a.m.

---St. Matthias Church, 7125 Mission Pl., Huntington Park, 1:30-4 p.m.

On Saturday, Dec. 11:

---St. Mel Church, 20870 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills, 9-11:30 a.m.

---San Roque Church, 325 Argonne Circle, Santa Barbara, 1:30-4 p.m.

To attend, please contact the Office of Justice and Peace at (213) 637-6550.