2008 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.

January

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 6-12

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

January 13-18

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.

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

33rd 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 at www.usccb.org. If you are able, join a group attending the National March for Life Monday, January 21, 2008, in Washington, D.C.

January 27-February 2

Catholic Schools Week
The theme for 2008 is Catholic Schools Light the Way. 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 3

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

Souper Bowl Sunday
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 6

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

February 14

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

March

March 11

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.

Mach 17

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 13

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.

April 22

Earth Day

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 1

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

May 2

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.

May 11

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 11

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

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.

June 15

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.

Beginning of the Pauline Year

Pope Benedict opens the Year of Saint Paul on the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul in the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside-the-Walls.
For more information and resources, go to the following websites:

July

World Youth Day in Sydney

Join thousands of youth and young adults from around the world in celebrating the twenty-third World Youth Day.

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:

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.

September

September 11

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

September 21

Catechetical Sunday
Celebrate Catechetical Sunday with the theme: The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church. For more information, see the USCCB’s Department of Education.

September 24

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.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

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

October 5

Respect Life Sunday
Download the Respect Life program materials from USCCB's Prolife Secretariat.

October 17-19

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!

Download the flyer for more information and resources. pdf icon (624 KB)

October 26

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 26

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 4

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 30

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.

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 31

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.