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Web: www.nbccongress.org

Taking Care of Yourself: Tips for Caregivers

From NIH / National Institute on Aging

Taking care of yourself is one of the most important things you can do as a caregiver. Caregiving is not easy — not for the caregiver and not for the person receiving care. It requires sacrifices and adjustments for everyone. Often, family caregivers must juggle work and family life to make time for these new responsibilities.

Caring for an older adult can also be rewarding. Many people find that caregiving provides a sense of fulfillment and that they like feeling useful and needed. But the ongoing demands of taking care of someone else can strain even the most resilient person. That’s why it’s so important for you to take care of yourself. This article can help you find ways to look out for your own well-being so you can be there for others.

Increasing Voter Turnout Among Black Catholics

By Joan Neal, Associate of the National Black Sisters Conference

The right to vote is both a civil right and, for Catholics, a sacred responsibility. Catholic Social Teaching calls us to participate in the political and social life of our society on behalf of the common good. It is our duty to make our voices heard through the ballot box in order to do our part in creating a more just, humane, and loving community. Exercising the freedom to vote is how we make important decisions for our communities and our country. Voting is our vehicle to ensure that government works for the people and not the other way around.

While the right to vote is a hallmark of a functioning democracy, Black people in this country know that not everyone has always been equally eligible to exercise this right. The US has a long history of trying to prevent African Americans from exercising their right to vote. It is precisely because of this history and its current iteration that every eligible Black person must participate in our democracy by casting their vote in every election. Our ancestors suffered and died to secure our right to participate in the democratic process and we must protect that right for future generations.

With only a little over 2 months left before the next midterm elections, it is urgent that all citizens and legally eligible people fulfill their responsibility and cast their vote. Today, when our voting rights are in danger of being taken away again, it is our turn to speak out, show up, and fight back. Individually or with friends, family, neighbors, or community members, we must stand for human dignity, justice, equality, and the common good.

As people of faith, we believe that the ability to vote freely, safely, and equally is an affirmation of our human dignity and the dignity of all our neighbors. Therefore, we must make every effort to turn out as many eligible voters as possible, especially young people and those who may face obstacles participating in the process.

Below are additional materials that may assist in increasing voter turnout: a statement from Bishop Daniel E. Garcia, chairman of the USCCB Subcommittee for the Promotion of Racial Justice and Reconciliation; and a flyer that shows where changes to voting laws have occurred. Please share these resources as widely as possible so that others have what they need to fulfill our moral responsibility and participate in the upcoming mid-term elections.

Bishop Garcia Underscores the Significance of the Voting Rights Act and Encourages Recommitment to the Work Which Remains

WASHINGTON - The Voting Rights Act was signed into law on August 6, 1965. The landmark legislation helped advance equal access to the ballot and strengthened participation in our democracy. In recognition of the six decades since it was enacted, and its continued significance today, Bishop Daniel E. Garcia, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Subcommittee for the Promotion of Racial Justice and Reconciliation issued a statement.

First-appointed delegate to Black Catholic community excited to begin ministry 

By Katie V. Jones | Catholic Review

The month of May transformed Deacon Darron Woodus’ ministry. The 56-year-old was ordained May 10 as a permanent deacon for the Archdiocese of Baltimore and appointed by Archbishop William E. Lori as the archbishop’s first delegate for Black Catholics, a newly created role supporting Black Catholic communities throughout the archdiocese. 

Bishop Braxton’s Statement on Paragraph 176 of Pope Leo XIV’s First Encyclical Asks Forgiveness for the Catholic Church’s Approval of the Enslavement of African People

10 June 2026

By His Excellency,

The Most Reverend Edward K. Braxton, Ph.D., STD

Bishop Emeritus, Diocese of Belleville

Paragraph 176 tucked into the text of His Holiness,

Pope Leo XIV’s Encyclical, “Magnifica Humanitas,” (Magnificent Humanity), asks forgiveness for the Catholic Church’s approval of the enslavement of African People. Those who only skim papal documents could easily skim past the paragraph without grasping its landmark significance.

New Washington Retreat House Helps Carry Forward Legacy of St. John Paul II  

by Marietha Góngora V. | The Tablet

Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore, supreme chaplain of the Knights of Columbus, blessed the new Saint John Paul II Retreat House in Washington, D.C., during an Aug. 26 Mass and dedication ceremony. Located next to the Saint John Paul II National Shrine, the new building is designed as a space for prayer, retreats, and spiritual renewal.

St. Alphonsus Liguori’s second Black priest hopes to revitalize its community through ministry

By Andrea Y. Henderson | St. Louis Public Radio

Upon entering the massive gray stone revival-style Catholic church off North Grand and Cook Avenue, parishioners and visitors are warmly greeted by an usher with a simple “Welcome to the Rock.”

Before people take their seats at St. Alphonsus Ligouri, most are chatting with fellow church members, while some are hugging friends across pews and others are practicing their Sunday meditation.

Bishop Robert Boxie attends New (Baby) Bishop School

Join the National Black Catholic Congress in offering prayers for Bishop Robert Boxie, the newly consecrated Auxiliary Bishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, for safe travels and a successful week at the New Bishops’ Training in Rome.



Photo and video by Dr. Ansel Augustine

A Sign in the Sanctuary: Sister Thea Bowman Shines During Ecumenical Worship

By Fr. Dave Domanski, OFM Cap., Pastor of Holy 
Spirit Parish, submitted 8/31/2026

On Friday, August 28, 2026, Holy Spirit Parish of the Diocese of Cleveland (1341 East 131st St., Garfield Heights, Ohio) hosted its first-ever combined ecumenical choir in collaboration with neighboring Black churches from several Christian denominations. Inspired by Jesus’ prayer “that they may be one” (John 17:21–22), the evening gathered voices, pastors, and church members in a powerful witness to Christian unity. Holy Spirit’s music director, Lisa Cameron, who comes from a Pentecostal tradition, had long dreamed of conducting an ecumenical choir. Together with the “131 Praise and Worship” choir, she invited neighboring congregations to join in song, prayer, and fellowship. Approximately 120 people attended, representing a variety of predominantly Black Christian communities and their pastors. Renata Napier of the Apostolic Church of God in Christ was the worship leader and Rev Demetrius Booker, retired Ohio State Pastor of the Church of God, preached an inspiring word on Christian unity and service. During the singing of “Let’s Have Church” by The Choir Room, light from the rose window at the back of the church shone directly upon the image of Sr. Thea Bowman in the sanctuary. Many witnessed the moment, including Sylvia Little Harris, who helped establish the Thea Bowman Center (11901 Oakfield Ave., Cleveland, Ohio) in 2001. Sylvia reflected, “The light shining around Sister Thea’s picture is a sign that she was present with us at Holy Spirit tonight—that’s her halo. Sister Thea loved that Old Time Religion and gospel music. And didn’t we have both tonight!” As the community pondered this grace-filled moment, we recognized it as a sign of the Holy Spirit’s encouragement in our shared work of building Christian unity and peace across denominations. With grateful hearts, we thank Sister Thea for her inspiration, her witness, and her joyful presence among us that evening.

How to Pray: The Liturgy of the Hours

From FOCUS


If you’ve ever wanted a way to pray consistently—not just when you remember, when you’re inspired, or when life feels difficult—the Liturgy of the Hours offers exactly that.

Many Catholics long for a deeper prayer life but struggle with one common challenge: consistency. Life gets busy. Schedules change. Good intentions fade. The Liturgy of the Hours provides a way to anchor prayer into the natural rhythm of each day.

The Four Spiritual Practices: Lectio Divina, Forgiveness, the Examen, Centering Prayer

Straight Answers: Why Do We Offer Mass for the Dead?

By Fr. William Saunders | Arlington Catholic Herald

The offering of Mass for the repose of the soul of the faithful departed is linked with our belief in Purgatory. We believe that if a person has died fundamentally believing in God but with venial sins and the hurt caused by sin, then God in His divine love and mercy will first purify the soul. After this purification has been completed, the soul will have the holiness and purity needed to share in the beatific vision in heaven. While each individual stands judgment before the Lord and must render an account of his life, the communion of the Church shared on this earth continues, except for those souls dammed to hell.

The Vatican Council II affirmed, “This sacred council accepts loyally the venerable faith of our ancestors in the living communion which exists between us and our brothers who are in the glory of heaven or who are yet being purified after their death…” (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, No. 51).

The "Trinity" Icon

By Patristix

One of Orthodoxy's most famous icons, here's a short glimpse of just how much beautiful theology is woven into this single image.

How to answer when someone asks, "Are You a Good Person?"

From Catholic Answers Live

Mark Brumley provides a thoughtful response to a common question posed by evangelists: "Do you think you're a good person?" Drawing on scripture and Catholic theology, Brumley explains why the answer isn't a simple yes or no.

Being a Good Person and Catholicism

By Dr. Anne DeSantis | Catholic 365

The Gift of Our Faith

Being Catholic, following our faith, loving God, and living out the sacramental life of the church is monumental as we strive to love God with our hearts, minds, and souls. Knowing and following the Catechism of the Catholic Church is an area that many devout-minded Catholics care and talk about often. Worry that children and grandchildren will stop caring about faith and going to Mass are top topics for a good many middle-aged and older adults who genuinely care about Catholicism.

Purpose in the Pain

Suffering is part and parcel to everyone’s life. You can have victory when you realize there is purpose to the pain. Our suffering is transformative, brings compassion, is a catalyst towards God, and purifies us. Don’t waste your suffering, it is transformative and valuable.

The surprising spiritual power of church bells

By Philip Kosloski | Aleteia

Bells not only call people to prayer, they have a spiritual weight that isn't widely known.

In older cities, especially in the downtown area, bells ring out every hour from the steeple of the local church or cathedral. They are sometimes hard to hear in the hustle and bustle of traffic, but when visiting a country parish the bells can be heard from miles around.

September is Suicide Prevention Month

What Is It Like To Survive A Suicide Attempt? 
People Share Their Stories | TODAY

(This video is age-restricted due to sensitive content. You will be asked your birthdate prior to viewing.)

The Process of Grieving

Grief is an inevitable part of our lives; it’s the evidence of how significant a loss is to us. When loss comes, how should we process our grief? What does the Bible say about grieving? In this final sermon in our series, Pastor McCarthy provides us with several key steps we can implement when we grieve.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2026
Feast Day of St. Peter Claver

September 9 is the feast day of Saint Peter Claver, a Jesuit missionary known as the patron saint of slaves, African missions and interracial justice. St. Claver spent his life serving enslaved Africans who were brought to Colombia during the 17th century.



Born on June 26, 1580, in Catalonia, Spain, St. Claver studied at the University of Barcelona and joined the Jesuits at age 20 in 1602. While studying philosophy at Majorca in 1605, St. Claver developed a friendship with Jesuit Brother Alphonsus Rodriguez. Br. Rodriguez, who spent his days doing menial work as a doorkeeper, encouraged St. Claver to become a missionary in the Spanish colonies in America.

The Knights of St. Peter Claver: 
A Shining Light through Eternity

By Robert Alan Glover & Beth Simkanin | Black Catholic Mission

The Knights of Peter Claver is the largest and oldest Black Catholic lay organization in the United States. Founded in 1909 in Mobile, Alabama, by four Josephite priests and three African-American lay men, the organization was established to offer lay Black Catholics “a way to find fellowship and work together to promote the Gospel while serving the community and promoting educational, social and economic advances.” Headquartered in New Orleans, the Knights of Peter Claver strive to spread faith, hope, and love through friendship, unity, and Christian charity. 

The organization is named after St. Peter Claver, a Jesuit priest who dedicated his life serving and ministering to enslaved men, women and children in Columbia. He was canonized by Pope Leo XIII in 1888 and his feast day is September 9. He is the patron saint of enslaved people, African missions and interracial justice. 

SEPTEMBER 14, 2026
Feast of the Triumph of the Cross

From MNNEWS TODAY


The Feast of the Triumph of the Cross is celebrated on 14 September. This is the day on which, in 335 AD, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem was dedicated.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2026
Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows


Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows: An Example of Perseverance through Suffering

From Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

The feast day of Our Lady of Sorrows is observed on September 15. The occasion is a time for reflection on Mary’s sorrows as the Mother of Christ and her example of perseverance through suffering.

From Faith ND

There are few saints who have such widespread popularity as Francis. His simple, absolute devotion to the Gospel and to poverty has indelibly shaped Christian spirituality, and his work to renew the church has borne fruit far beyond the limits of his life on earth.

Francis was born in Assisi, Italy in 1181, and was baptized Giovanni di Bernardone. His father, Pietro di Bernadone was a successful silk merchant, and the Bernadone family was very wealthy. Pietro’s trade often brought him to France; indeed, he was in France when his son was born. Thus, Pietro took to calling his son Francesco, “the Frenchman.”

Twelfth-century Italy was populated with troubadours, poets who would travel around, reciting popular courtly poetry and love songs. As a young man, Francis was captivated by these troubadours and enamored with the romantic, chivalric ideals that were enshrined in these courtly love poems.

Top 10 Best Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) Programs in the US [2026 Rankings]

From Black Spectacles

The Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) is a five-year professional degree that prepares you to become a licensed architect directly from undergrad. Unlike a four-year pre-professional architecture degree (which requires a graduate degree before you can pursue licensure), the B.Arch is NAAB-accredited and counts toward the education requirement in most states. For students who know they want to pursue architecture, it's the fastest path from high school to the profession.