A public awareness poster at Catholic hospital in Florida calls attention to the problem of human trafficking. CNS file/Tom Tracy)

Noting that immigration and human trafficking are major concerns not just for the United States but around the world, the Peoria Diocesan Council of Catholic Women is inviting the Catholic community to come together in prayer.

Masses have been scheduled in each of the 12 vicariates of the diocese and will be offered through next March. The Macomb Vicariate will host the first one, which is planned for Friday, Sept. 13, at 5:30 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, 125 N. Fayette St., in Carthage.

The others will take place:

• Galesburg Vicariate: Tuesday, Sept. 17, 7 a.m., at Immaculate Conception Church, 200 W. Broadway, Monmouth;
• Peoria Vicariate: Friday, Sept. 20, 8 a.m., at St. Mary of the Woods Church, 119 E. Saint Mary St., Princeville;
• Ottawa Vicariate: Sunday, Sept. 22, 7 a.m., at St. Michael the Archangel Church, Lundy and Shabbona, Streator;
• Danville Vicariate: Wednesday, Sept. 25, 7:15 a.m., at St. Paul Church, 1303 N. Walnut, Danville;
• Kewanee Vicariate: Tuesday, Oct. 15, 5:30 p.m., at St. Anthony Church, 204 W. Main St., Atkinson;
• Bloomington Vicariate: Friday, Oct. 18, 5 p.m., at St. Patrick Church of Merna, 1001 N. Towanda Barnes Road, Bloomington;
• Pekin Vicariate: Monday, Nov. 4, 6 p.m., at St. Joseph Church, 303 S. Seventh St., Pekin;
• LaSalle Vicariate: Monday, Nov. 18, 7:30 a.m., at Holy Family Church, 311 N. Woodland Ave., Oglesby;
• Champaign Vicariate: Tuesday, Nov. 19, 6 p.m., at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church, 100 Church St., Thomasboro;
• Pontiac Vicariate: Saturday, Dec. 7, 8 a.m., at St. Mary Church, 119 E. Howard St., Pontiac; and
• Rock Island Vicariate: Saturday, March 7, 7 a.m., at St. Pius X Church, 2502 29th Ave., Rock Island.

People are encouraged to check their parish bulletins as their Mass date approaches.

“Joining to pray in community at Mass for these causes is one way we all can petition God and bring attention to the need for God’s guidance and mercy as decisions are made on matters of immigration and human trafficking,” according to Melissa Appel, Human Trafficking Concerns chair, and Barbara Harzman, Immigration Concerns chair, for the PDCCW.

They said any money received at the Masses would be donated to Catholic Charities.