2009-2010 Calendar of Events

A suggestion is given in each month for involving young people in a service event that connects with that month in some way. Consider building one of these ideas to your calendar of events and programs

August

August 6 and 9

Commemoration of Bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima
Hold a vigil for peace and the end to war and violence.

August 15

Assumption of Mary
Focus on Mary, the first disciple, the one who helps show us the way to Jesus. For information and resources on Mary, visit the Marian Library/International Marian Research Institute located at the University of Dayton, a Catholic and Marianist institution of higher learning, in Dayton, Ohio.

Back to School

Celebrate a special send-off Mass for college students. Be sure to collect addresses (both paper and electronic) to stay in touch with them throughout the school year.

September

September 7

Labor Day

Learn about Catholic Social Teaching, perhaps with a focus on the dignity of work and the rights of workers, and pray for those who are unemployed and under-employed. Plan now for summer 2010 service immersion experiences and work camps.

September 11

Commemoration of Terrorist Attacks on New York and Washington, D.C.
Look for resources on this website and prayer services at Saint Mary’s Press.

September 20

Catechetical Sunday
Celebrate Catechetical Sunday with the theme: Catechesis and the Proclamation of the Word. For more information, see the USCCB’s Department of Education.

September 23

See You at the Pole
Nondenominational prayer event held at schools across the country. Go to See You at the Pole for more information and resources. Annually celebrated on the third Wednesday of September.

October

Homecomings

Celebrate a Homecoming Sunday to reach out to and welcome back youth to church. Consider an event on teaching Gospel values through sports. Visit National CYO Sports for ideas.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Take a stand against violence. Host an awareness and prevention program for the church and local community. Learn more…

October 4

Respect Life Sunday
Download the Respect Life program materials from USCCB's Prolife Secretariat. Plan now for a trip to the National Prayer Vigil for Life and the March for Life in January 2010. Work with your parish pro-life group, contact your diocesan pro-life office for pilgrimage information (this could be a great inter-generational event), or work together with the local Catholic high school.

October 16-18

Stand Up and Take Action against Poverty
Join the global movement of people who refuse to stay seated or silent in the face of poverty and broken promises to end it! Learn more about the Millennium Campaign to end poverty by 2015.

October 24

National Make a Difference Day
An annual event sponsored by USA Today. Take the opportunity to focus on justice and peace by doing service in the community. Visit the National Make a Difference Day website.

October 25

National Celebration of World Youth Day
Use the WYD Liturgical Planning Guide (152 KB) and the Prayers and Blessings to celebrate this Sunday with the entire parish.

October 31

All Hallow’s Eve
Consider celebrating Mass as an alternative Halloween celebration, or to kick off other parish celebrations.

November

November 1, 2

All Saints and All Souls (Dia de los Muertos)
Ask Mexican Americans in your community to share their traditions for All Souls day, the Day of the Dead. Host a multicultural celebration at the parish or school.

November 3

Election Day
Prepare those of voting age for this momentous event and talk about the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, in light of what it means to be Catholic, with youth who are not yet able to vote.

November 11

Veteran’s Day
Celebrate the veterans in your parish or school, thanking them for their service.

November 19-21

National Catholic Youth Conference

Join us for NCYC 2009 in Kansas City, Missouri.

November 26

Thanksgiving Day

Find ways to live a life of gratitude in response to the many gifts God has given you.

November 29

Season of Advent Begins

Review NFCYM's resource page on Advent.

December

December 8

Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Talk about the special role of Mary in our church and encourage youth to attend Mass on this holy day of obligation. For information and resources on Mary, visit the Marian Library/International Marian Research Institute located at the University of Dayton, a Catholic and Marianist institution of higher learning, in Dayton, Ohio. The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC is the largest Roman Catholic Church in the United States and is often referred to as "America's Catholic Church."

December 12

Our Lady of Guadalupe
She is the patroness of the Americas. Have your own celebration or join in with other local celebrations. Learn more about Our Lady of Guadalupe.

December 25

Christmas Day and Season
Remember the reason for the season, and that Christmas is a season, not just a single day.

December 27

Holy Family Sunday
Celebrate the families in your community.

December 26-January 1

Kwanzaa
This seven-day celebration near the Christmas season is a way of thinking and living for African Americans, focusing on the strength and unity of families. Join in a local community celebration or invite someone to speak to youth about this event. Learn more about Kwanzaa.

January 2010

January Is Poverty in America Awareness Month

Encourage youth to learn more about poverty in the United States. Consider hosting an event at your parish to raise greater awareness of poverty in your community. Lesson plans and resources are also available at that site.

Midterm Exams

A Just-Us Exams week, during which young people come to the church or school to help each other study for exams each afternoon/evening. Invite adults to assist with tutoring, support, and hospitality.

January 3-9

National Migration Week
Consult the USCCB website for prayers and other resources for this observance.

January 10-16

National Vocation Awareness Week
Sponsored by the National Coalition for Church Vocations (NCCV). For more information and an implementation kit, contact NCCV at 800-671-6228 or nccv-400@aol.com. Also see the NFCYM vocations site for articles and resources.

January 21

Martin Luther King Junior’s Birthday
Celebrate the call to equality and the gift of diversity. Visit The King Center website to learn more.

January 22

37th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade
Sponsor or attend a candlelight prayer vigil calling upon all to uphold, affirm, and celebrate life in all its forms. Find information about pro-life activities at www.usccb.org. If you are able, join a group attending the National March for Life Friday, January 22, 2010, in Washington, D.C.

January 31-February 6

Catholic Schools Week
The theme for 2010 is Catholic Schools - Dividends for Life. Find out what your diocese has planned, or consult the National Catholic Education Association for more information.

February

February Is Black History Month

The USCCB website www.usccb.org offers resources for the Day of Prayer for African American Families to kick off this month, which has been designated as Black History Month since 1976.

February 7

World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life
Go to National Collation for Church Vocations to learn more about annual celebrations.

Souper Bowl of Caring
This annual service fundraising event, conducted on Super Bowl Sunday, helps churches and synagogues collect money to distribute to the charity of their choice. Go to www.souperbowl.org or call 800-358-7687 for more information.

Boy Scout Sunday
See the special Blessing for all Scouts at the NFCYM website. Read about the history of Boy Scout Sunday.

February 14

Valentine’s Day
Promote abstinence education using NFCYM's resource for True Love Waits.

February 17

Ash Wednesday
The beginning of Lent calls us to penitence, fasting, and almsgiving. Review NFCYM's resource page on Lent.

March

March 7

Girl Scout Sunday
Use the Special Scout Blessing and/or obtain a special bulletin insert from Girl Scouts USA or by telephoning 800-223-0624.

March 29

Holy Week
A perfect time to call young people to participate in the celebrations of the Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil) as well as a retreat, a day of reflection, or video study of a film about Jesus (Jesus of Nazareth, Jesus Christ Superstar, Godspell, etc.).

April

Child Abuse Prevention Month

Reach out to at-risk youth in foster homes, juvenile detention centers, and other service centers. Go to the Child Welfare Information Gateway, a service of the Children’s Bureau, Administration for Children and Families. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website.

April 11

Yom HaShoah

This is the Day of Rememberance for those who died in the Holocaust. See if your community hosts an ecumenical prayer service, or sponsor your own, to mark the occassion. Gather more information and view links to resources.

April 25

World Day of Prayer for Vocations

Go to the National Collation for Church Vocations to learn more about annual celebrations or the USCCB Secretariat for Vocations and Priestly Formation. Pope Benedict XVI declared a "Year for Priests" from June 19, 2009 to June 19, 2010. Learn more at the USCCB website for Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations.

April 22

Earth Day

Learn more about our responsibility to care for creation and the call for stewardship and solidarity. Also consult the Environmental Justice Resource Manual, available from the NFCYM, for activities related to protecting the environment and learning about related issues. Earth Day Website.

May

Proms

Call the young people and their prom dates together to do the Blessing of Couples and of Car Keys.

May 6

National Day of Prayer
See the National Day of Prayer website for more information or join the local observation activities in your community.

May 9

Mother’s Day
A great time to use the Blessing of Parents and to have young people serve them breakfast or give their mothers flowers.

May 23

Pentecost
Celebrate the Spirit and all those who have been or will be confirmed this year.

May 31

Memorial Day

Honor those who died in service to our nation.

June

Final Exams

Host a Just-Us Exams Week, during which young people come to the church or school to help each other study for exams each afternoon/evening. Invite adults to assist with tutoring, support, and hospitality.

Baccalaureate Sunday

Use the Blessing of Graduates and the Ideas for celebrating Baccalaureate Sunday.

Closing of the Year for Priests

The Year for Priests concludes in Rome with an international gathering of priests with Pope Benedict XVI on June 19, 2010. For more information on the Year for Priests and the vocation to the priesthood, go to the following websites:

June 20

Father’s Day
Another great time to use the Blessing of Parents and to have young people present their fathers with flowers or serve them breakfast after Mass.

July

Service Immersion Experience and Work Camps

July is a great time to participate in these experiences. Check out if there is one in your local area or sponsored by your diocesan office. Or check out some of the national work camp programs for youth, such as: