Nine Days to 9-11

Tuesday, September 3
We prepare ourselves to remember the tragic events of September 11, 2001. We are a people who pray. We pray for the victims and their families, and for those who have since died working to end terror and violence. We pray for national and world leaders, for police and firefighters, for health care and relief workers, and for military men and women. We pray for an end to terror and violence. We also pray for the Afghan people and for our adversaries. We pray for peace.

Wednesday, September 4
We are a people who fast. Why do we fast? Fasting helps us be more concerned about others. Fasting makes us more open to God and ready to act when God calls us. Today, we fast because we want a just and peaceful world and we want to protect all innocent human life. Give up something today— a favorite activity or food, a few minutes to help someone in need.

Thursday September 5
We are a people who teach. Pope Paul VI once said, "If you want peace, work for justice." Today, practice two skills that teach and work toward justice. One, treat others with dignity—each of us has equal value in God's eyes. Two, help those who are the most vulnerable among us, especially the poor.

Friday, September 6
We are a people who dialogue. We need to know more about other faiths and understand them better, especially Judaism and Islam. Spend some time today reading in the library or online about these other faith traditions.

Saturday, September 7
We are a people who bear witness. A "witness" is someone who gives testimony or has personal knowledge of something. Recall a time when you were treated with respect and dignity. As you remember that experience, be a witness to the respect and dignity that we are capable of showing to each other throughout the day.

Sunday, September 8
We are a people who serve. On a personal level, serve others by doing small acts of kindness throughout the day. On a broader level, donate to Catholic Charities to help those in our neighborhoods and communities, to Catholic Relief Services, which provides international aid to those in Afghanistan, Central Asia, and the Middle East, or to the Catholic Campaign for Human Development address the root causes of poverty in the United States at the community level.

Monday, September 9
We are a people who stand in solidarity. Stand for one minute of silent prayer. Remember those who suffer injustice throughout the world. Remember world leaders that they might make peace and justice a top priority for all people. Research and act on an international peace and justice issue. Learn more about these issues at http://www.nccbuscc.org/sdwp/index.htm.

Tuesday, September 10
We are a people who hope. Above all, we turn to God and to one another in hope. Hope is rooted in God's promise and is nourished by prayer, penance, and acts of charity and solidarity. Hope is at the center of who we are as a Eucharistic people. Hope is what allows us to proclaim, "Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again" and know that he truly comes again. If possible, participate in the Eucharist today.

Tuesday, September 11
We are a people who remember. We remember the interruptions of the news reports, the faces of families and New York City rescue workers, the faith of communities at prayer. Like other historical tragedies, the memories of this day will stay with us forever. As Catholics, our remembering helps shape who we become in the future. Today, and as the months and years continue to unfold, we honor our memories and allow them to mold us into people of hope. Share a memory and your hopes for how the events of a year ago might teach us to become more Christ-like.

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