AURORA—Three parishes here will take part in the 26th  International Week of Prayer and Fasting to pray for an end of the “culture of death” in the U.S.

 

Hosting the evening services will be:

 

â–º Our Lady of Good Counsel, 620 Fifth St.;

 

â–º St. Rita of Cascia, 750 Old Indian Train; and

 

â–º St. Joseph, 722 High St.

 

A statue of Our Lady of Fatima will be displayed at each parish during the days of prayer there, said Isabel Chavez, who helped organize prayer services.

 

The International Week of Prayer and Fasting is, according to its website, a “grass-roots effort” so “people of all ages, backgrounds, and races (can) gather to pray for an end to the ‘culture of death,’ and for a newfound appreciation for basic human rights, particularly in the United States of America.”

 

An opening prayer vigil for the week will be held at the Basilica in Washington, DC, on Sept.  29, 2018. 

 

The services in Aurora are among many around the nation for those unable to make it to Washington. 

 

Catholics from around the diocese are welcome to join those in Aurora at any of the scheduled services. 

 

The prayer schedule and intentions are:

 

Oct. 4: 5 p.m. Holy Hour, 6 p.m. Mass, Our Lady of Good Counsel; vocations, youth and end of violence

 

Oct. 5: 7 p.m. Holy Hour, Our Lady of Good Counsel; clergy and reparation for abuses

 

Oct. 6: 7 p.m. Holy Hour, Our Lady of Good Counsel; conversion of sinners

 

Oct. 7: 5:45 p.m. Holy Hour, St. Rita of Cascia; immigration and human trafficking justice

 

Oct. 8: 7 p.m. Holy Hour, St. Rita of Cascia; social justice outreach

 

Oct. 9: 5:30 p.m. Holy Hour, St. Rita of Cascia; dignity of the family

 

Oct. 10: 7 p.m. Holy Hour, St. Joseph; government and military leaders; community service men and women

 

Oct. 11: 7 p.m. Holy Hour, St. Joseph; religious and spiritual freedom

 

Oct. 12: 6 p.m. closing Mass, 7 p.m. beginning of 22-hour Holy Hour, St. Joseph; dignity of life from conception until death

 

Oct. 13: 5 p.m. ending of 22-hour Holy Hour, St. Joseph; Pope Francis and his prayer intentions