Resources offered to commemorate
9-11 anniversary

Bp. Robert Banks will celebrate a Mass at 7 p.m. Sept. 11 in St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, Green Bay, to commemorate the anniversary of last year's terrorist attacks on the United States.

In a letter to pastors and parish directors, Bp. Banks said, "It would be appropriate for parishes also to commemorate Sept. 11 either individually or together with other parishes and/or faith communities."

"Sept. 11 has changed our lives and the life of the world," Bp. Banks added. Let us pray that a new seriousness in our land will make us more aware of our nation's need for God's guidance."

To help parishes commemorate Sept. 11, the diocese's Pastoral Services department has sent parishes prayers and other resources. In addition, various offices of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops prepared a packet of resources for the observance.

The nine days leading to the first anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, must be "a time to remember, a time to deepen our commitment to discipleship, and a time to strengthen our active participation in efforts to build a more just and peaceful world," the USCCB materials say.

The USCCB materials are contained in "Nine Days to 9/11: Looking Back and Moving Forward" for parishes, schools, diocesan staffs and various communities.

Most of the recommendations spring from the bishops' pastoral message last November, "Living With Faith and Hope After Sept. 11," in which they called on Catholics to pray, fast, teach, dialogue, witness, do service, stand in solidarity and be a people of hope.

The nine-day period beginning Sept. 3 was chosen as the preparatory period because it is a novena.

"A novena is repeated nine successive times for special intentions, often focusing on hopeful mourning, yearning and prayer," the materials say. "Novenas often end on the ninth day with a special feast of joy and hope."

Suggestions are offered for students in elementary and middle school, youth groups, parish communities, school staffs, small faith communities and adult parish groups. Among the ideas:

• Abstain from smoking, alcohol, gambling and excessive caffeine intake for the nine days.

• For children, abstain from soda pop and the Internet.

• Start planning an alternative gift fair for the holidays.

• Choose an international justice issue about which your group is going to contact their elected representatives.

• Invite leaders of the Muslim, Jewish or other Christian communities to address your staff, class, parish or committee.

• Pray one mystery of the rosary each day or begin staff or committee meetings with a rosary.

• Have students sponsor a fund-raiser or collect needed goods for a local shelter for victims of domestic violence.

• Volunteer 30 minutes of service for each of the nine days.

• Celebrate the Eucharist daily during the nine days.

Although much of the national resource material is available free on the Web at www.usccb.org, some items may be ordered from USCCB Publishing by calling 1-800-235-8722 between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. (CDT).