Upcoming Events

January 2019

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, 2019
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 6-12, 2019
National Migration Week.   This year's theme, is "Building Communities of Welcome" which emphasizes the importance proactively engaging immigrant and refugee communities and creating a culture of welcome that will assist in the integration process in our communities and parishes.  For a parish tool kit, CLICK HERE.  Also visit https://justiceforimmigrants.org/take-action/national-migration-week and www.sharejourney.org.

January 11, 2018
Notre Dame Urban Plunge Mass and Alumni Reception.  Alumni of the University of Notre Dame are invited to the Notre Dame Urban Plunge Mass on Friday, January 11, 2019, at 5:00 p.m., St. Joseph Cathedral, 212 E. Broad St., Columbus.  A reception following Mass will be held at the nearby Catholic Center, 197 E. Gay Street, Columbus.  The Mass and reception mark the conclusion of the 48-hour Notre Dame Urban Plunge in Columbus.  Students who participate in this inner-city immersion experience visit the homeless, feed the hungry, and volunteer at local Catholic charities.  The Columbus Urban Plunge is an annual program coordinated by the diocesan Office for Social Concerns and the Notre Dame Alumni Club of Columbus.  For details, contact 614-241-2540 or socmailbox@columbuscatholic.org.

January 22, 2019
Respect Life Mass  - Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children.  The annual Respect Life Mass will be Tuesday, January 22, 2019, 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, 2019
Roe Remembrance at Ohio Statehouse.  Greater Columbus Right to Life will sponsor this event on Tuesday, 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 2019

February 14, 2019
Equal in Dignity & Dearly Loved: The Church and Persons with Disabilities.  Theology on Tap  Thursday, Febrduary 14, 2019, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at El Vaquero, 3230 Olentangy River Road, Columbus.  Our Catholic faith affirms the dignity of every human person and identifies persons with disabilities as dearly loved by the Lord. This presentation will explore teachings from Sacred Scripture and Church documents about persons with disabilities. We will also examine ways we can welcome persons with disabilities and their families into the life of the parish and community.  Featured speaker Mark Butler is Education Resource Coordinator for the Dominican Sisters of Peace,  parent of two young adults with disabilities, he advocates for the rights of parents and youth with disabilities on local and state levels, and advocate.  For details, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/232603274283253. 

March 2019

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.

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.

March 2, 2019
Spirit of Hope Gala of Catholic Social Services will be held on Saturday, March 2, 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 614-857-1236 or jnaporano@colscss.org.

March 6 to April 14, 2019
40 Days for Life is March 6 to April 17.  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 9, 2019
Lighten Your Load, Brighten Your Light Retreat, is a day of self-care and healing, Saturday, March 9, 2019, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Martin de Porres Center, Columbus.  Grounded in gratitude and humility, this day seeks to return the patience, compassion and love you give out, back on yourself.  As caregivers, first responders, crisis counselors and volunteers, and ministry leaders, taking the time for self-care is vitally important to your resiliency and renewal, which ultimately influences your capacity to serve and lead.  We invite you to retreat and reignite through your passion, faith, and community.  Free-will offering is appreciated; registration is required due limited space and lunch is provided.  To Register, visit www.tinyurl.com/DHTF-register.  For more information contact Andrea Pannell, at 614.241.2550 or email at apannell@columbuscatholic.org.  Sponsored by the diocesan Hope Task Force.

March 13, 2019
Sacraments for Persons with Disabilities – For Parents, Teachers, Parish Staff.  Featuring Esther Garcia of the National Catholic Partnership on Disability and Andrew Burson of the diocesan Office for Divine Worship.  Wednesday, March 13, 2019, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at  St. Elizabeth Church, 6077 Sharon Woods Blvd., Columbus.  Join us for a conversation with parents, catechists, teachers, parish staff, and clergy about preparation and the celebration of the sacraments for persons with disabilities.  Offered in English and Spanish.  This is a free event but RSVP is appreciated.  For details and to register visit www.columbuscatholic.org/persons-with-disabilities.  For questions, contact lleister@columbuscatholic.org.   FLYER:  ENGLISH  |  SPANISH 
 
March 14, 2019
Sacraments for Persons with Disabilities – Day Session for Clergy and Parish Leaders. Featuring Esther Garcia of the National Catholic Partnership on Disability and Andrew Burson of the diocesan Office for Divine Worship.  Thursday, March 14, 2019, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Paul the Apostle Church, Westerville, 313 N. State Street, Westerville.  This event will focus on the practical application of sacramental preparation of persons with disabilities, networking, and group discussion on best practices. Spanish translation is available.  Registration is $10 and includes lunch.  For details and to register, visit www.columbuscatholic.org/persons-with-disabilities.  For questions, contact lleister@columbuscatholic.org.   FLYER:  ENGLISH  |  SPANISH 
 
13 DE MARZO 2019
Sacramentos para Personas con Discapacidades.  Presentando a Esther García de la Asociación Nacional Católica sobre Discapacidades Y Andrew Burson de la Oficina Diocesana de Adoración Divina.  13 DE MARZO 2019, 7:00PM-8:30PM EN LA IGLESIA ST. ELIZABETH, 6077 SHARON WOODS BLVD. COLUMBUS.  Únase a nosotros para una conversación con padres, catequistas, maestros, personal parroquial y clero sobre la preparación y celebración de los sacramentos para personas con discapacidades. Este evento diocesano gratis será ofrecido en español e inglés, www.columbuscatholic.org/persons-with-disabilities.     FLYER: SPANISH 

April 2019

April 19, 2019
Good Friday Walking Stations of the Cross. Many facets of faith and justice will be the focus of the annual Good Friday Walking Stations of the Cross. The walk begins with opening prayer at St. Joseph Cathedral, 212 E. Broad St., Columbus, at 8 a.m., Friday, April 19, 2019. Hundreds of participants from across the diocese will process to locations throughout downtown Columbus to recognize Jesus Christ’s suffering and crucifixion as well as to reflect on current areas of social concern. Open to all ages. For more information, contact the diocesan Office for Social Concerns at (614) 241-2540 or the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry at (614) 241-2565.

April 24, 2019
Autism Mythbusters - Autism Awareness Month program on Wednesday, April 24, 2019, from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Martin de Porres Center, 2330 Airport Dr, Columbus, will be hosting an Autism Awareness Month program called “Autism Mythbusters”.  ( https://www.facebook.com/events/368759150619582/) The program will help identify many misconceptions people have about Autism Spectrum Disorder.  It is sponsored by the Dominican Sisters of Peace and the Autism Society of Central Ohio.  It is part of the center’s month-long observation AAM19 along with some art shows ( https://www.facebook.com/events/543110186189385/) .  For FLYER Click Here.

September 2019

September 1, 2019
Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation.  Visit our Care for God's Creation page for ways to you celebrate this day and care for God's creation.

September 2, 2019
Labor Day
The USCCB 2018 Labor Day Statement called for just wages for a flourishing society.   To read the statement, CLICK HERE.
Resources:  English  |  Spanish

September 2019
Friends of the Poor Walk.  Join the Society of St. Vincent de Paul for the 2019 Columbus Friends of the Poor Walk in September 2019.

October 2019

October is Respect Life Month
October is Respect Life Month and Respect Life Sunday is October 6, 2019.  "Every Life:  Cherished, Chosen, Sent" is the theme of 2018 Respect Life Month.  For resources to promote the dignity of human life visit our Respect Life Program page.

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.

October 19, 2019
Building a Culture of Life Conference:  Respect Life, Bioethics, Leadership is Saturday, October 19, 2019, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. John Neumann Church, 9633 E. State Route 37, Sunbury.  Join us for an extraordinary event featuring prominent pro-life speakers and offering resources to equip you to build a culture of life.  Sponsored by the diocesan Office for Social Concerns, Marriage & Family Life Office, Greater Columbus Right to Life.  Look back for the registration link.  Save the Date.

November 2019

November 3, 2019
SPICE Mass for People with Special Needs  St. Catharine Church, 500 S. Gould Road, Columbus, in partnership with the SPICE (Special People in Catholic Education) ministry, will host a Mass for People with Special Needs Sunday, November 3, 2019, 11 a.m.; a reception will follow.  This Mass will celebrate the unique gifts of those with physical and mental disabilities as well as their caretakers.  To encourage an inclusive, welcoming environment, there will be American Sign Language interpretation, wheelchair accessibility, and low gluten hosts for those with dietary restrictions.  Additionally, it is hoped that lay ministry roles within the Mass can be filled by individuals with special needs.  If there are individuals with special needs currently serving your parish as an altar server, Eucharistic minister, lector, or cantor please contact St. Catherine Parish.

November 5, 2019
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 2018, Click here.

November 23-24, 2019
The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) Collection will be on the weekend of November 23-24, 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 28, 2019
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 2019

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.