By Terri Lynn, SouthFloridaReporter.com, Managing Editor, Oct 8, 2015 – After three weeks and thousands of jokes from 47 countries, the Joke With The Pope Campaign ends – and Rabbi Bob Alper of Vermont claims the first ever title, “Honorary Comedic Advisor to the Pope.”
“It had it all,” said Father Andrew Small, OMI, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies, the organization behind JOKE WITH THE POPE, on behalf of the panel of judges. “It was the kind of joke I think the Pope would use himself, and that’s what befits an Honorary Comedic Advisor,” he added. “We congratulate Rabbi Bob and we thank all who submitted their ‘jokes and funny stories,’ as Pope Francis asked at the start of this campaign.”
“For me, JOKE WITH THE POPE was doing good while having fun,” said Rabbi Bob, who “donated” his joke to house the homeless in Ethiopia. “It’s the joy of the mitzvah.” As for being the Pope’s comedic advisor, Rabbi Bob feels Pope Francis has already “got it.” “He exudes warmth, honesty – and there’s his humor,” he said. “We all benefit from his model.”
Rabbi Bob is not the only winner to emerge from the campaign. The Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States, the Pope’s own missionary arm and mastermind of JOKE WITH THE POPE, will donate $10,000 to three humanitarian causes in celebration of the large number of joke donations. Money will be provided to three causes on the newly released Missio app: housing the homeless in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as well as helping children in need in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and feeding the hungry in Nairobi, Kenya. More such projects can be explored on Missio.
“JOKE WITH THE POPE helped spread joy to the world,” said Father Small. “But more importantly, it inspired many people to download the Missio app as a way to continue that joy by making a difference in the poorest communities of our world. Missio puts the power of change right at your fingertips, connecting you with change-makers and life-saving projects across the globe.”
The Missio app is available through the App Store and Google Play, or at www.missio.org. The new app coincides with the Catholic Church’s celebration of Mission Month which honors and supports the work of Catholic missionaries around the world.
Watch the winning joke at http://jokewiththepope.org/.
About The Pontifical Mission Societies
The Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States are the Catholic Church’s official support organization for overseas missions since 1822, providing for a global network of people who are making a difference for communities in need around the globe. http://www.onefamilyinmission.org/
SOURCE The Pontifical Mission Societies
