Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

Catholic Charities of Louisville is inviting the community to participate in its 40-Day PeopleUp Lenten Challenge. This initiative encourages individuals to engage in activities that uplift others during Lent, complemented by a daily suggestion calendar.

“It’s a call to participation,” said Neal Sullivan, director of marketing communications for Catholic Charities. “The challenge calls people to lift someone up during Lent, in addition to giving something up.”

The challenge is rooted in the principle of Catholic social teaching known as the Call to Family, Community and Participation. “We have an obligation to participate in society and work together towards the common good,” Sullivan explained.

The Lenten challenge is part of the broader "People Up" initiative launched last year by Catholic Charities. According to Sullivan, this effort aims to involve both Catholics and the wider community in assisting those in need.

Sullivan highlighted pressing social issues such as poverty and food insecurity within the city. He stated, “That’s not acceptable. There are things to do. What better way to inspire people to participate in solving these problems than putting out this challenge tied to the 40 days of Lent?”

The challenge focuses on four pillars: serve, give, learn, and pray. To facilitate participation, Sullivan has created a calendar with daily suggestions available at cclou.org/peopleup/.

Events scheduled at Catholic Charities’ offices on 435 E. Broadway include sessions on Catholic social teaching, language services for businesses, a high school student open house, human trafficking prevention education, an estate-planning seminar, and a mentor mocktail hour.

These events aim to educate participants about various societal needs and provide opportunities for involvement.