CHARLOTTE — The Diocese of Charlotte’s Family Life Office has opened registration for its bus pilgrimage to the National March for Life Jan. 18-20, 2024, in Washington, D.C.
A highlight of the three-day, two-night trip is the Opening Mass of the National Prayer Vigil for Life, celebrated each year at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. This year, it will be on Jan. 18.
“It is always powerful to see the Church gathered to witness for life, with cardinals, dozens of bishops, and hundreds of priests and seminarians, united with thousands of the faithful in prayer for the protection of life,” said Father Peter Ascik, director of the diocese’s Family Life Office.
On Jan. 19, the morning of the march, pilgrims will attend LifeFest, a new pro-life rally organized by the Sisters of Life and the Knights of Columbus. Father Ascik said the event is an opportunity to be informed by talks and testimonies that show the impact the pro-life message has on the lives of real people.
On. Jan. 20, the group will visit the St. John Paul II National Shrine for Mass and a tour.
Fees are $50 per person for students (four per room), $200 per person for a double occupancy room, and $350 per person for single occupancy. Lodging, bus transportation and breakfast both mornings are included. For more information, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Jan. 12, 2024 update: The pilgrimage is now sold out.
— Annie Ferguson
CHARLOTTE — The Diocese of Charlotte has announced the dates for eight special collections for 2024.
These annual collections fund vital ministries and help support our priests and religious who give generously of their lives in service to the Church.
The 2024 special collections and their dates are:
Jan. 20-21: Combined Mission Collection to benefit Church in Latin America, Church in Central and Eastern Europe, United States Mission Appeal (Black & Indian Missions), Catholic Home Missions, and Church in Africa.
March 30-31: Seminarian Education Collection (first of two collections)
May 18-19: International/National Combined Collection to benefit Catholic Relief Services, Collection for the Holy Land, Collection for the Works of the Holy Father (Peter’s Pence), Catholic University of America, Catholic Communications Campaign
Sept. 21-22: Priests’ Retirement Benefits
Oct. 19-20: World Mission Sunday (Propagation of the Faith)
Nov. 2-3: Seminarian Education Collection (second of two collections)
Nov. 23-24: Catholic Campaign for Human Development
Dec. 7-8: Religious Retirement
On the Diocese of Charlotte’s redesigned website, www.charlottediocese.org, learn more about these special collections as well as other ways to financially support the various ministries of the Church in the Diocese of Charlotte, including the Diocesan Support Appeal and the Foundation of the Diocese of Charlotte.
— Catholic News Herald