WORKS OF MERCY AND EVENTS 
September

The calendar is our catechism. We can learn much of our faith by paying attention to specific religious and secular dates on the calendar and the liturgy and prayers that surround them. 

Below are September's opportunities for catechesis and witness: Attend an event or connect a Work of Mercy with a special day in our faith and lives.

September is Back to School Month
(Consider: Instruct the Ignorant)
 
September 1 World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation
(Consider: Forgive Offenses)

Sunday September 2 Human Trafficking Silent Prayer Vigil
Why You Want to Attend: "Sustained by the ideals of our confessions of faith and by our shared human values, we all can and must raise the standard of spiritual values, common effort and the vision of freedom to eradicate slavery from our planet." Pope Francis 

September 3 Labor Day
(Consider: Counsel the Doubtful)
 
September 5 St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta
(Consider: Visit the Sick)
 
September 9 St. Peter Claver: Patron Saint of Slaves and Race Relations
(Consider: Visit the Imprisoned)
 
September 9 St. Maria de la Cabeza: Patron Saint of Rural Communities
(Consider:  Feed the Hungry)
 
September 9 Day of Prayer for Peace in Our Communities
(Consider: Forgive Offenses)
 
September 11 Anniversary of 9/11
(Consider: Forgive Offenses)
 
September 21 International Day of Peace
(Consider: Forgive Offenses)

September 22 Opening Mass for the Portland 40 Days for Life Fall Campaign
Why You Want to Attend: "Human life is sacred and human dignity is the foundation of a moral vision for society." U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops

September 26 - November 3 40 Days for Life Campaign
St. Helens, Eugene, Portland, Salem 
(Consider: Pray for the Living and the Dead)

Thursday September 27 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." (Saint John Paul II, Address to the New World Congress on the Pastoral Care of Immigrants, 1985)

September 27 St. Vincent de Paul: Patron Saint of Volunteers
(Consider: Clothe the Naked)
 
September 29 St. Lorenzo Ruiz: Patron Saint of Migrant Workers
(Consider: Welcome the Stranger)
 
September 30 World Coffee Day (Think: Fair Trade Coffee)