Upcoming Events

January 2020

January is Poverty Awareness Month.  For resources about what Catholics can do to address poverty in the United States, visit USCCB’s Poverty USA website at www.povertyusa.org.  

January 1, 2020
World Day of Peace.  The theme for Pope Francis’ annual World Day of Peace Message for 2019 is Politics Must be at the Service of Peace.  Soon to be released, the message will be posted along with a bulletin insert at www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/war-and-peace/world-day-of-peace.cfm.  

January 5-11, 2020
National Migration Week  is an opportunity for the Church to reflect on the circumstances confronting migrants, including immigrants, refugees, children, and victims and survivors of human trafficking.  This year’s theme “Promoting a Church and a World for All” draws attention to the fact that each of our families have a migration story, some recent and others in the distant past.  Regardless of where we are and where we came from, we remain part of the human family and are called to live in solidarity with one another.  For a parish tool kit, visit USCCB’s website at https://justiceforimmigrants.org/take-action/national-migration-week.

January 21-29, 2020
9 Days for Life will take place Tuesday, January 21 - Wednesday, January 29.  9 Days for Life is a multi-faceted novena for the respect and protection of human life.  Each day, a different intention is accompanied by a short reflection, suggested actions, and related information.  Sign up to receive the novena by email, text, message, or an app at www.9daysforlife.com.  For a leaders resource which inclused the printed novena, CLICK HERE.  Additional resources to observe the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children are available here. 

January 22, 2020
Respect Life Mass  - Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children.  The annual Respect Life Mass will be Wednesday, January 22, 2020, 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Cathedral.  On this day of the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade, our diocese will join all dioceses of the United States in observing a Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children.  All are invited.  For more information contact the diocesan Office for Social Concerns at socmailbox@columbuscatholic.org or 614-241-2540.

January 22, 2020
Roe Remembrance at Ohio Statehouse.  Greater Columbus Right to Life will sponsor this event on Wednesday, January 22, noon to 1 p.m., at the Ohio Statehouse following the 10:30 a.m. Respect Life Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral.  The program will be held in the Statehouse Atrium.  Please allow extra time for new Statehouse security measures.  Stickers, signs, and weapons are not permitted inside.  For additional information, visit www.gcrtl.org/roe.html.

January Respect Life Events.  For a complete listing of January Respect Life events and resources to help you build a culture of life, CLICK HERE.

February 2020

Lent - Beginning February 26
CRS Rice Bowl is a Lenten faith formation program for use in parishes, schools, religious education programs and by families and individuals in the home.  CRS Rice Bowl ensures that the Catholic community of the United States is present in nearly 100 countries worldwide, serving the poorest among us through CRS.  For more information, contact the diocesan Office for Social Concerns at 614- 41-2540 or socmailbox@columbuscatholic.org or visit the CRS website at www.crsricebowl.org.

Lenten Journey for Families.  The diocesan offices for Social Concerns and Marriage and Family Life have teamed up to provide a Lenten journey for families: three ways to grow together – prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.  More details can be found on the diocesan website https://columbuscatholic.org/family-ministry-enrichment or call 614-241-2540.  FLYERS   English | Spanish

February 26 to April 5
40 Days for Life (AND 24 hour Virtual 40 Days for Life in light of the Coronavirus)  Faithful believers are praying that this effort will mark the beginning of the end of abortion in America.  This peaceful prayer vigil will take place at an abortion facility in Columbus.  Participants are asked to volunteer for one-hour shifts and sign a statement of peace.  For details and to sign up for a time, visit www.gcrtl.org/40-days-for-life.html or call 614-445-8508.


March 2020

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. All persons with disabilities have gifts to contribute to the whole Church. Embrace. Welcome. Participate. For resources available to individuals, families, and parishes to work towards the goal of full participation, visit www.columbuscatholic.org/persons-with-disabilities.

March 7 
Spirit of Hope Gala of Catholic Social Services will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2019, 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at St. Charles Preparatory School’s Walter Commons, 2010 E. Broad Street, Columbus.  The annual event benefits Catholic Social Services’ programs which help seniors and families.  To purchase tickets or to sponsor, visit www.colscss.org/upcoming-events or contact Julie Naporano at jnaporano@colscss.org.

March 9
Voices of Experience on the Death Penalty.  Journey of Hope... From Violence to Healing and Death Penalty Action present "Voices of Experience on the Death Penalty" at St. Francis DeSales High School, 4212 Karl Road, Columbus, starting at 7pm on March 9. Speakers include murder victim family member George White and exonerated Ohio death row survivor Kwame Ajamu, who will share their experiences with murder and its aftermath, including wrongful conviction and the healing power of forgiveness.  This presentation follows visits to four central Ohio Catholic schools over the previous week.  Now is a vital time for Ohio on the issue of capital punishment because a growing chorus of state elected officials, past and present, have encouraged a discussion to explore whether to end the death penalty in our state. 


March 25
CANCELLATION UPDATE:  In an effort to curtail the spread of the Coronavirus, The Fruits of the Gospel of Life:  Evangelium Vitae 25 Years Later event previously scheduled for Wednesday, March 25, 2020, at St. Matthew Church, Gahanna, has been cancelled.  We encourage people to make use of the U.S. Catholic Bishops’ online resources about the 25 ^th anniversary of Evangelium Vitae at   https://www.respectlife.org/gospel-of-life.   


Begins March 25
Walking with Moms in Need:  A Year of Service
The 25th anniversary year of Evangelium vitae gives us a wonderful opportunity to assess, expand, and communicate resources to pregnant moms and families in need. We are inviting parishes to join a nationwide effort from March 25, 2020 to March 25, 2021 entitled: “Walking with Moms in Need: A Year of Service.”  Learn more and take the pledge.

March 26
CANCELLATION UPDATE:  In an effort to curtail the spread of the Coronavirus, the ARCH Business Leaders Breakfast for Second Chance Employment previously scheduled for Thursday, March 26, at the Martin de Porres Center, has been cancelled.  We will send word of a new date.  For more information about ARCH and reentry ministry, visit www.archreentry.org.


April 2020

The U.S. Census data helps direct more than $800 billion annually to key programs designed to advance the common good, strengthen families and reduce poverty.  The Catholic Church and other service providers rely on the U.S. Census to provide an accurate count in order to effectively serve those in need.  USCCB urges all people to be counted in the Census, regardless of their citizenship.  Please encourage your parishioners to participate in the U.S. Census.  To learn more about the Census, visit www.2020census.gov.

April is Autism Awareness Month   For a copy of a bulletin insert developed by the diocese to promote greater inclusion of persons with Autism in the life of the Church and society, visit www.columbuscatholic.org/persons-with-disabilities. Bulletin Insert:  English |  Spanish

April 2
CANCELLATION UPDATE : Blessing of the Seeds and Mass with Bishop Brennan.  The Blessing of Seeds and Mass with Bishop Brennen previously scheduled for Thursday, April 2, 2020, at St. Patrick Church, London, has been cancelled. We will send word of a rescheduled date for a Mass with the rural community. We ask you to please pray for all farmers, farm laborers, and gardeners.

April 10
UPDATE:  Good Friday Walking Stations of the Cross – NEW ONLINE REFLECTIONS.   The annual Good Friday Walking Stations of the Cross previously scheduled for April 10 in downtown Columbus is cancelled.  Although the actual gathering is cancelled, reflections for use by parishes and families will be posted on the diocesan website.  Many facets of faith and justice will be the focus as participants remember our Lord’s Passion as well as reflect on current issues of social concerns.  We encourage people to pray at home on Good Friday and use the reflections developed by various parish youth groups.  Sponsored by the diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry and the Office for Social Concerns, visit www.columbuscatholic.org/walking-stations.  

CRS Rice Bowl Collection Amid COVID-19.  Given the realities of COVID-19 and that CRS Rice Bowls physically cannot be collected, donations can be made online, by phone, or mail at https://support.crs.org/donate/change-life-lent,  1-877-435-7277, or Catholic Relief Services, CRS Rice Bowl, P.O. Box 17090, Baltimore, Maryland 21297-0303.  25% of all donations provide grant funds for local food pantries.
 
May 7 to 15
Novena to St. Isidore, Patron Saint of Farmers.  Catholic Rural Life is leading a special virtual novena from May 7 to May 15 led by bishops from their board of directors, lifting up all the intentions of rural communities throughout our country.  For online instructions and printable versions of the St. Isidore novena, visit https://catholicrurallife.org/virtualnovena . 
 
May 16 to 24
Laudato Si' Week Join Pope Francis and take the next step in your Laudato Si’ journey. Commit to an ambitious action that grows your response to “the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.” No matter where you are in your journey, take the next step as a community during Laudato Si’ Week, 16-24 May, when Catholic communities everywhere celebrate the fifth anniversary of Laudato Si’. For resources, visit www.laudatosiweek.org.
 

September 2020

Suicide Prevention Month.  September is National Suicide Prevention Month and the Diocese of Columbus is encouraging people to join the #BeThe1To movement from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. How can you #BeThe1To make a difference in the life of someone feeling isolated, alone, and in pain? Making a difference begins with you, and these five steps from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be an effective way for you to take action in your parish or school community and make an impact in someone’s life.  CLICK HERE FOR RESOURCES. 

September 1, 2020
Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation.  Pope Francis has called for an annual World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation on September 1, marking the beginning of the “Season of Creation,” which lasts through the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi on October 4.  For resources, visit www.columbuscatholic.org/care-for-creation.   Creation Care Bulletin Insert.

September 7, 2020
Labor Day
The USCCB Labor Day Statement called for just wages for a flourishing society.   To read the statement, CLICK HERE.
Resources:  English  |  Spanish

September 2020
Breakfast with the Bishop - Catholic Social Services TBA.

September 2020
Parish Respect Life Coordinators Meeting.  TBA - The diocesan Office for Social Concerns will hold an informational meeting for parish respect life coordinators.  The meeting will highlight the USCCB Respect Life Program and best practices.  Please encourage your respect life coordinator to attend.  
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September 2020
40 Days for Life.  Faithful believers are praying that this effort will mark the beginning of the end of abortion in America.  This peaceful prayer vigil will take place at an abortion facility in Columbus.  Participants are asked to volunteer for one-hour shifts and sign a statement of peace.  For details and to sign up for a time, visit www.gcrtl.org/40-days-for-life.html or call 614-445-8508.
 
September 2020 -TBA
Friends of the Poor Walk & 5K Run/Walk.   Join the Society of St. Vincent de Paul for the Columbus Friends of the Poor Walk & 5K Run/Walk 

October 2020

October is Respect Life Month
October is Respect Life Month and Respect Life Sunday is October 4, 2020.  For resources to promote the dignity of human life visit our Respect Life Program page.

October 4, 2020
Feast of St. Francis Program.  Every October 4th, the Feast of St. Francis celebrates the saint who saw all created beings as his brother or sister. Inspired by this example, Catholic Climate Covenant produces a free educational program to help your faith community explore how it can better care for creation and the poor. To learn more,  CLICK HERE.

October 2020 - TBA
Mass of Inclusion - Celebrating the unique gifts of people with special needs.  

November 2020

November 3, 2020
Election Day.  "In the Catholic tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation." U.S. Catholic Bishops, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship.   Visit our Faithful Citizenship Page for Resources.  Please vote.  Let your voice be heard!

World Day of the Poor  To read Pope Francis' message for the World Day of the Poor, Click here.

November 21-22, 2020
The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) Collection will be on the weekend of November 21-22, the Sunday before Thanksgiving.  Help break the cycle of poverty.  For more information about how CCHD is working on the margins, go online at www.usccb.org/cchd or contact the diocesan Office for Social Concerns at (614) 241-2540.

November 26, 2020
Thanksgiving Day -  Give thanks to God for our many blessings.  Keep in your prayers farmers, farmworkers, and all people working in the food industry.  For prayer and education resources visit http://catholicrurallife.org. 
 

December 2020

Christmas Catholic Charities Collection.  This annual collection allows the diocese to meet a variety of basic needs directly and through diocesan agencies and organizations including J.O.I.N. (Joint Organization for Inner-City Needs), St. Stephen’s Community House, Catholic Social Services, St. Francis Center, St. Lawrence Haven, St. Vincent Family Center, and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.  You can help share in this important work by generously supporting the Catholic Charities collection this year.