Diocesan Social Action Office - Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland

07/23/2026

July 26, 2026 • 17th Week in Ordinary Time

On July 26 we celebrate the feast day of Joachim and Anne, the parents of Mary. Anne is the patron saint of grandmothers, since she herself was Jesus’ grandma. While many cultures around the world honor the elderly and give them the highest respect, in our own country we have witnessed the neglect and sometimes even the abuse of our elders. Your challenge this week is to be an advocate for the “wisdom people” in your life. How can you show respect for the older people in your own family, or on your block, or in a nursing home in your community?How can you support the needs of the elderly through legislation? Can you offer a smile, a greeting, and perhaps even a visit with an elder who is lonely and gets few visitors?

©Center for Ministry Development. Published by the Pastoral Center. http://pastoral.center. All rights reserved.

07/22/2026

07/16/2026

July 19, 2026 • 16th Week in Ordinary Time
Saint Camillus de Lellis, whom we honor on July 18th, is one of the patron saints of those who are sick. He himself was afflicted with illness, yet he reached out to care for those who were suffering—in hospitals, on plague-ridden ships, even on battlefields with injured military troops.He risked his own life to relieve the pain of others. Your challenge this week is to reach out to someone who is suffering—from physical pain, from depression or sadness, from alienation or bullying. Can you be the gentle hands and compassionate heart of Jesus for him or her? Who is it in your family, neighborhood or community who needs a healing touch?

©Center for Ministry Development. Published by the Pastoral Center. http://pastoral.center. All rights reserved.

07/09/2026

July 12, 2026 • 15th Week in Ordinary Time
July 14th is the feast day of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, the patron of the environment and ecology. She was from an Algonquin tribe that had been hit with a smallpox epidemic which took the lives of her family. As a teenager, she was introduced to Scripture by missionaries and she was baptized. She led a very prayerful life devoted to the Eucharist and to serving others. Some in her tribe ridiculed her and she endured great suffering for her faith. Yet she never wavered in her beliefs. Your challenge this week is to take a step out in faith like Kateri, talk with a friend or someone in your family about your faith. Share what is important to you about it and then encourage those you talk with to do the same. You may be laughed at or ridiculed, or even surprised by a warm reception. Whatever the response, thank God in prayer for the opportunities you have to bring the good news to others and continue to be a living witness of your faith.

©Center for Ministry Development. Published by the Pastoral Center. http://pastoral.center. All rights reserved.

07/02/2026

July 5, 2026 • 14th Week in Ordinary Time
Family reunions happen a lot during the summer months. You may have seen signs or notices in parks where families have reserved space to come together to catch up on news, share family stories and food and to celebrate their heritage. When we take time to nurture relationships and to support and celebrate our families, it is a blessing. Our families are the first places we learn about faith and what it means to be a part of God’s family. There are some things we know about being a part of God’s family: we must feed the hungry, clothe the naked, give drink to those who thirst and visit those in prison. Our families help us do this good work.

©Center for Ministry Development. Published by the Pastoral Center. http://pastoral.center. All rights reserved.

06/29/2026

Governor DeWine has officially called for the abolition of the Death Penalty in Ohio! From our Catholic teaching we know that there is no legitimate moral reason for continuing the death penalty. Please join us (and the great folks Catholic Mobilizing Network)
in asking the Governor to commute the sentences of those on death row to life in prison.

Ohio Clemency Petition Urge Gov. DeWine to take clemency action on Ohio’s death row before he leaves office. Tell Gov. DeWine — Take Clemency Action Now! Join us in urging Gov. DeWine to continue his positive leadership on the issue of the death penalty by granting commutations to those on Ohio....

06/25/2026

June 28, 2026 • 13th Week in Ordinary Time
We mark Independence Day every July to celebrate our freedom as a democratic nation. We honor the creation of the Declaration of Independence, which describes the equality of all people and their right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Your challenge this week as you prepare for July 4th is to celebrate human rights, but to also ask yourselves—as individuals and as families—how much you uphold these rights. Do you vote? Do you study the positions of candidates so you can vote with an informed conscience? Do you advocate with your state and national legislature for bills which defend the human rights of all God’s people? On a personal level, do you defend others from persecution, ridicule, or the denial of their right to life, freedom and happiness?
©Center for Ministry Development. Published by the Pastoral Center. http://pastoral.center. All rights reserved.