GLOBAL.diocesan shieldThe Diocese of Superior will observe a National Day of Prayer Friday, Sept. 9, in union with dioceses across the country.

Archbishop Joseph Kurtz, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, has called for the observance to promote peace in the wake of violence and racial tensions in many communities.

The Diocese of Superior will not host a central event on that day, explained Office of Worship Director Paul Birch. Instead, priests already celebrating Masses will be encouraged to focus their homilies on peace and use special readings and prayers of the faithful to correspond with the observance.

The USCCB is also calling for the faithful to pray a special rosary for peace. Catholics whose churches are not celebrating a Sept. 9 Mass, as well as Knights of Columbus and those praying in adoration to the Blessed Sacrament, are all invited to pray the rosary for peace.

Communities with well-established ecumenical relationships may also host ecumenical prayer services, he said.