Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Erie

06/21/2026

Happy Father's Day to all fathers, grandfathers, godfathers and the men who lovingly guide, protect and support others in faith and family.

Today, we give thanks for the gift of fatherhood and pray that all fathers may follow the example of St. Joseph, fostering faith, offering wisdom and reflecting God's love in the lives of those entrusted to their care.

May God bless all fathers today and always. St. Joseph, patron of fathers, pray for us!

06/21/2026

Today is World Refugee Day, an opportunity to recognize the God-given dignity, courage, and resilience of refugees and to renew our commitment to walk with them in hope. As Pope Leo XIV reminds us in Magnifica Humanitas, "A litmus test for social justice today is the treatment of migrants, refugees and those forced to move due to poverty, violence, climate change and environmental disasters. The way a society treats them reveals whether its sense of justice is driven by fear or by the spirit of fraternity.”

Under U.S. and international law, a refugee is someone who has been forced to flee his or her country because of persecution, or a well-founded fear of persecution, based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.

The Catholic community in the United States has long served refugees and advocated on their behalf as a way of living out Christ’s call to welcome the stranger and affirming the sanctity of every human life. With global displacement higher today than any other time in recorded history, including through a steady rise in religious persecution, this commitment remains more important than ever before.

06/19/2026

On June 19, 1865, Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas with the news that the more than 250,000 enslaved Black people in the state were free. This day came to be known as , now officially a federal holiday.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free” - Luke 4:18

📖Learn more about Juneteenth at: https://nmaahc.si.edu/juneteenth

06/19/2026

“Lift Every Voice and Sing,” a hymn written by James Weldon Johnson and set to music by J. Rosamond Johnson, first premiered in 1900.

It is a prayer of thanksgiving to God for faith and freedom and has become known as the Negro National Anthem and the Black National Anthem.

As we lift our voices today, we honor a song that carries the story of resilience, faith, and hope across generations. May we continue to walk forward in that same spirit of gratitude and freedom.

🎶Listen to a rendition by Rochelle Rice at National Museum of African American History and Culture: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ejnj0cuksg&t=52s

"Lift every voice and sing,
'Til earth and heaven ring,
Ring with the harmonies of Liberty;
Let our rejoicing rise
High as the listening skies,
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun,
Let us march on 'til victory is won."

Singer Rochelle Rice sings "Lift Every Voice and Sing."

06/19/2026

Today we commemorate Juneteenth, a day that celebrates freedom and honors the dignity of every person, created in the image and likeness of God.

As Catholics, we are called to recognize the inherent worth of every individual and to work toward justice, reconciliation and peace in our communities. May this day inspire us to reject racism, uphold the dignity of all people and build a society rooted in love and respect.

"The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me... to proclaim liberty to captives and release to prisoners." (Isaiah 61:1)

May God continue to guide our nation in the pursuit of freedom, unity and justice for all.

06/19/2026

Today is the anniversary of Sharing Catholic Social Teaching: Challenges and Directions (1998).

"In our own day, the Church offers to everyone the treasury of her social teaching in response to another industrial revolution and to developments in the field of artificial intelligence that pose new challenges for the defense of human dignity, justice and labor.” (Pope Leo XIV)

📽Watch CST in 3 Minutes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNcBCPVbYDU

📖Read it here: USCCB https://www.usccb.org/resources/sharing-catholic-social-teaching-challenges-and-directions.

Catholic Social Teaching in 3 minutes is a fast-paced animation fro...

06/19/2026

06/18/2026

Contact your legislators today and help protect educational opportunity for Pennsylvania families.

House Bill 2632 could reduce access to Pennsylvania’s tax credit scholarship programs, impacting thousands of students and families who rely on these opportunities to choose a quality education rooted in faith and values.

➡️ Take action now through the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference Voter Voice: https://www.pacatholic.org/voter-voice/

Make your voice heard — contact your legislators today.

06/17/2026

As the United States saw a sharp rise in executions of people on death row in 2025, the Executive Director of Catholic Mobilizing Network calls for US ...

06/17/2026

Our latest Social Service & Impact Newsletter is here!

This month, we reflect on the Spiritual Works of Mercy: forgive injuries and bear wrongs patiently—two of the most challenging, yet transformative, calls we receive.

Forgiveness isn’t easy, especially when it feels undeserved…but through Christ, healing and mercy are always possible. You can explore reflections, resources, and upcoming retreat opportunities in this issue.

📬 Read the newsletter here:

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Erie Newsletter