Catholic All Week

More than 13,000 people turned out to renew their spirit and walk with Christ at the Diocese of Charlotte’s Eucharistic Congress last weekend, trekking through the streets of Uptown Charlotte in one of the largest Eucharistic processions in the nation. While participants were energized by Bishop Michael Martin and other dynamic Catholic voices, the weekend was much more than a one-time event.

The Eucharistic Congress is meant to be one step on a lifetime journey of renewal and a call to share the message of hope with a world longing for it. Here are some ways you can relive those moments (or live them for the first time) and deepen your experience.

Spend time in adoration

Eucharistic Adoration is at the heart of the Congress, and there are many opportunities to take that experience further. Many of our churches offer regular Eucharistic Adoration, and some offer Perpetual Adoration chapels that are open 24/7. Visit the diocese’s website, www.charlottediocese.org, and click on “Eucharistic Adoration” under “Faith Life.”

Take god out into the world

In the Eucharistic Congress’ closing video, five priests from across the diocese offered suggestions for how to build on what participants started over the weekend. Ranging from attending Mass and receiving the sacraments to volunteering in faith formation, campus ministry or by doing works of charity, the suggestions focused on getting out of our comfort zones and into a world in need of hope.

Listen to the speakers

Whether you were there for every moment of the programming and Mass or weren’t able to attend, you can hear the educational tracks in English and Spanish, as well as Holy Hour and closing Mass homilies. Visit the Diocese of Charlotte’s YouTube channel to take advantage of this opportunity to grow in your faith and understanding of Catholic teachings through these inspiring talks.

Catholic All Week

Patriot Day – the National Day of Service and Remembrance held in memory of Sept. 11, 2001 – has a special significance this year as America marks the 25th anniversary of the attacks that killed 2,996 people in New York City, at the Pentagon and in a Shanksville, Pennsylvania, field. As Catholics, we can follow the example of Pope Benedict XVI who, during a visit to Ground Zero in New York on April 20, 2008, asked the Lord to “Give us the wisdom and courage to work tirelessly for a world where true peace and love reign among nations and in the hearts of all.”

Remember and serve

The 9/11 Memorial and Museum in New York City, the Pentagon Memorial in Arlington and the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville are offering special events commemorating the 25th anniversary. The ceremony at the 9/11 Plaza in New York City during which each victim’s name is read aloud is particularly moving. If you can’t be there in person, many events will be televised or streamed. The second part of the day – service – can be achieved by volunteering for a cause that matters to you, whether at your church, a charitable organization or a park.

Learn and teach

More than 100 million Americans are too young to remember the 9/11 attacks. Students, teachers and interested adults can register for the 9/11 Memorial and Museum’s free Anniversary Digital Learning Experience program. Highlights include a 35-minute film highlighting first-person accounts of the attacks and their aftermath, individual speaker stories, and the opportunity to connect with museum staff in real time through an interactive live chat.

Lift up in prayer

Remembering in prayer those who were lost, the heroes who jumped in to save lives and the families they left behind is a positive thing that we can do as Catholics. Jesuitreource.org features a lengthy list of prayers written for prior anniversaries that help guide hearts from fear and anger toward healing and hope, which is a wonderful legacy of a day that should never be forgotten.

Catholic All Week

Pope Leo has chosen a very different theme for the 2026 World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, celebrated on Sept. 1: “They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks” (Is 2:4). The Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development said the Holy Father’s message focuses on how armed conflicts violate our duty to care for creation by destroying the natural world and threatening the lives of millions of people.

Pray for peace

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops noted, “American Catholics … are learning more, caring more, and doing more about the environment and threats to it. As a community of faith, we are also seeking to understand more clearly the ethical and religious dimensions of this challenge.” One of the most powerful things we can do as Catholics is to pray for both care for creation and for world leaders to find peaceful solutions to disputes. Prayers, Scripture readings and more for both topics can be found on the USCCB website.

Help those affected

The Vatican’s statement on this year’s theme said the passage from the prophet Isaiah “is an explicit invitation to prioritize development and sustainability over violence and destruction.” You can learn more about these from a Catholic perspective on the USCCB website. Consider volunteering or financially assisting Catholic organizations that are aiding those affected by violence or those working to eliminate the systemic poverty that can lead to conflicts.

Clean up your environment

While individuals may feel limited in how much we can impact global issues, we can take ownership of the creation in our literal backyards. Whether it’s hanging up a bird feeder, helping to remove litter from a nearby stream, cleaning up a section of roadway or volunteering at a church or community garden, take the time and make the effort to care for nature.