WORKS OF MERCY AND EVENTS
JULY  

Much of what we learn about our faith is wrapped within the calendar. That's why the calendar is our catechism. We can learn much of our catechism by paying attention to specific religious and secular dates on the calendar and the liturgy and prayers that surround them.
 
Below are July's opportunities for catechesis and witness: Attend an event or connect a Work of Mercy with a special day in our faith and lives.
 
Sunday July 1: Human Trafficking Silent Prayer Vigil
Why You Want to Attend: "It is troubling to see the increasing number of young girls and women forced to earn a living on the street by selling their own bodies, victims of exploitation by criminal organizations and at times by parents and family members. This is a shameful reality in our societies, which boast of being modern and possessed of high levels of culture and development. Widespread corruption and unrestrained greed are robbing the innocent and the vulnerable of the possibility of a dignified life, abetting the crime of trafficking and other injustices which they have to endure. No one can remain unmoved before the pressing need to safeguard the dignity of women, threatened by cultural and economic factors!" (Pope Francis)
 
July 4 St. Elizabeth of Portugal: Patron of Peace (Bear patiently with those who do us ill)  
July 11 St. Benedict: Patron Saint of Community (Bear patiently with those who do us ill)  
July 14 St. Kateri Tekakwitha: Patroness of Environment (Forgive Offenses)
 
Thursday July 26 Last Thursday Witness: I.C.E. Vigil
Why You Want to Attend: "...Every human being must be permitted to migrate to other countries and to take up residence there. The fact that he is a citizen of a particular state does not deprive him of membership to the human family, nor of citizenship in the universal society, the common, world-wide fellowship of men." (Pope John Paul II, Address to the New World Congress on the Pastoral Care of Immigrants, 1985)
 
July 29 St. Martha: Patroness of Cooks (Feed the Hungry)
 
July 30 UN World Day against Trafficking in Persons  (Comfort the Afflicted)