Day of Execution - Divine Mercy Chaplet for the Souls of Kayle Barrington Bates (FL) and for his Victim
2025-08-19 19:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York)
You’re invited to join with Catholics for Abolition in NC, as we gather online to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet for the soul of Mr. Bates – to be executed in Florida on this day – and for his victim, Janet White.

If you’d like to pray with us, please go to the Contact page and request the Zoom link for this day. The prayers to the Chaplet will be attached to the email with the link. The Chaplet is recited using regular rosary beads. Newcomers are always welcome!

Day of Execution - Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet for Curtis Windom (FL) and for his Victims
2025-08-28 19:00 - 19:30
Join Catholics for Abolition in North Carolina, via Zoom, as we pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet for the souls of Mr. Windom – scheduled for execution in Florida on this day – and for his victims, Johnnie Lee and Valerie Davis.

If you’d like to pray with us, please go the Contact page and request the Zoom link for this day. The prayers to the Chaplet will be emailed to you with the link at least one day before. The Chaplet is recited using regular rosary beads. If you can stay after our prayer time for a few minutes, please feel free to do so, as we support one another in this important ministry.

STAY of EXECUTION - For Ralph Menzies (UT)
2025-09-05 00:00 - 23:59
The Utah Supreme Court reversed a lower court denial of Ralph Menzies’ petition for a reevaluation of his competency to understand why he is being executed. This is in light of his condition of worsening dementia.

We will not gather to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet for the soul of Mr. Menzies, but prayers of thanksgiving for the Court’s mercy are warranted on our own. Please remember, in your prayers, the soul of his victim, Maurine Husaker, and for her surviving family and friends to find Christ’s Peace.

Thanks be to God for this mercy shown to Mr. Menzies.

REGISTRATION is NOW CLOSED for this Event: An Evening with Sr. Helen Prejean
2025-09-17 19:00 - 20:00 | St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Community, 11401 Leesville Road, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27613, United States
Registration for this event is NOW CLOSED.

Catholics for Abolition in North Carolina (CANC) looks forward to sharing what will be an unforgettable evening with you. Sr. Helen Prejean is not only a huge inspiration to the members of CANC, she is known around the world for her tireless work against the death penalty. She has been instrumental in sparking national dialogue on capital punishment and in shaping the Catholic Church’s vigorous opposition to all executions.

After accompanying and witnessing the executions of two men at Louisiana State Penitentiary, Patrick Sonnier and Robert Willie, Sister Helen realized that this lethal ritual would remain unchallenged unless its secrecy was stripped away. She sat down and wrote her book, Dead Man Walking: An Eyewitness Account of the Death Penalty in the United States. (1993) It ignited a national debate that continues today on capital punishment and its brutal nature. You may have seen the Academy Award winning film, Dead Man Walking based on her #1 NY Times Bestselling book.

Please save the date and join us – in person – for an enlightening evening. Bring family, friends, and especially anyone who is unaware of the Church’s teaching to abolish the death penalty. There will be time for questions and answers with Sr. Helen!

There is no charge for this event, but voluntary donations will be gratefully accepted; however, they are not tax deductible. CANC would like to know how many are planning to join us on the evening of September 17th.

Please note as well: St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Community, at 11401 Leesville Rd, Raleigh 27613, is the venue. However, please do not contact the parish office with questions about this event. Please use the Contact page on this website or email directly to Nancy Jones at director@catholicsforabolitionnc.org. Click the link below for the parish’s Campus Map. The event is being held in “J” Clare Hall.

https://www.stfrancisraleigh.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Campus-Map-_SFA.pdf

Divine Mercy Prayer Chaplet for David Joseph Pittman (FL) - on Thursday, September 18th - and for his Victims
2025-09-18 19:00 - 19:30
Mr. Pittman is scheduled for execution on September 17th at 6PM in Florida. However, we will gather to pray for his soul and the souls of his victims – Bonnie, Barbara, and Clarence Knowles – today, because of the CANC event scheduled for September 17th.

If you would like to join us in our online prayer, please go to the Contact page to request the Zoom link be emailed to you. The prayers to the Chaplet will be included in that email. Newcomers are welcome!

Day of Executions - Praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet for the Souls of Geoffrey T. West (AL) and Blaine Milam (TX) - and for Souls of their Victims
2025-09-25 19:00 - 19:30
Please join us online, as we pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet for two men being executed in two different states on the same day: Geoffrey T. West of Alabama and Blaine Milam of Texas. We will also pray for the souls of their victims, Margaret Parrish Berry (AL) and Amora Carson (TX).

To receive the Zoom link for this prayer vigil, please go to the Contact page where you can request it. The prayers to the Chaplet (said using ordinary rosary beads) will be emailed to you at the same time as the link. Thank you for considering this spiritual work of mercy – to pray for the dying.

Day of Execution - Divine Mercy Chaplet for the Soul of Victor Tony Jones (FL) and the Souls of his Victims
2025-09-30 19:00 - 19:30
Please join with Catholics for Abolition in NC as we meet online to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet for the soul of Mr. Jones – being executed this day in Florida – and the souls of his victims, Matilda & Jacob Nestor.

Request the Zoom link and the prayers to the Chaplet by sending an email through the Contact page of this website. We are an informal group but our prayers are sincere and the Chaplet is powerful. Newcomers are always welcome!

Day of Execution - Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet for the Soul of Ray Lee Ward (IN) and the Soul of his Victim
2025-10-09 19:00 - 19:30
Join Catholics for Abolition in NC as we pray the day before the execution of Ray Lee Ward in Indiana on October 10th, World Day Against the Death Penalty. We will gather to pray this evening, as CANC will be involved in prayer and peaceful protest outside Central Prison in Raleigh tomorrow (from 4:30 to 5:30PM). We will also pray for Mr. Ward’s victim, Stacy Payne.

To request the Zoom link for this prayer and to receive the prayers to the Chaplet, send an email through the Contact page on this website. The prayers are recited on a regular rosary. All newcomers are welcome!

WORLD DAY AGAINST the DEATH PENALTY on October 10th | Join CANC for Prayer and Peaceful Protest in Raleigh
2025-10-10 16:00 - 17:30 | Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral, 715 Nazareth Street, Raleigh, North Carolina
Advocates & Abolitionists! Join us for our annual observance of the World Day Against the Death Penalty. Last year’s event was well attended and appreciated, so we are grateful to be able to offer it again!

4:00 – 4:30PM

Starting in the CHAPEL at Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral, the rosary will be led by Paul Wilson, a charter member of Catholics for Abolition in North Carolina. Then a peaceful one-mile march – with your sign or one of ours – from the Cathedral to Central Prison at 1300 Western Blvd, Raleigh.

4:30 – 5:30PM

Join Nancy Jones and others, foregoing the prayer and march, outside of Central Prison at 1300 Western Blvd, Raleigh. We will be standing in peaceful protest and in solidarity with the 122 men and women on death row. If you plan on joining her at the prison or need info about parking, please reach out to Nancy through the Contact Page of this website.

Let your voice be heard, on this important day, to express your opposition to state-sanctioned killing here and around the world!

Thank you & God bless you!

Divine Mercy Chaplet - Day of TWO Executions | Lance Shockley (MO) and Samuel Lee Smither (FL)
2025-10-14 19:00 - 19:30
Please join with CANC Members and Friends as we pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet on this day when two men are being executed. We pray for their souls and for the souls of the victims – Carl DeWayne Graham, Jr. (MO) and for Cristy Cowan and Denise Roach (FL).

We meet virtually, so please send an email requesting the Zoom link for this evening’s vigil through the Contact Page on our website. The prayers of Chaplet will be attached to that email. All newcomers are welcome! Come and take part in this spiritual work of mercy.

Day of Execution - Divine Mercy Chaplet Vigil for the Soul of Charles Ray Crawford (MS) and his Victim
2025-10-15 19:00 - 19:30
Join Catholics for Abolition in NC as we pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet for the soul of Charles Ray Crawford (MS) and for the soul of his victim, Kristy Ray.

We meet virtually, so please send an email requesting the Zoom link for this evening’s vigil through the Contact Page on our website. The prayers of the Chaplet will be attached to that email. All newcomers are welcome! Come and take part in this spiritual work of mercy.

Day of Execution - Divine Mercy Chaplet Vigil for the Soul of Robert Roberson (TX) and for the Soul of Nikki Curtis
2025-10-16 19:00 - 19:30
Join Catholics for Abolition in NC as we pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet for the soul of Robert Roberson (TX) and for the soul of Nikki Curtis.

We meet virtually, so please send an email requesting the Zoom link for this evening’s vigil through the Contact Page on our website. The prayers of the Chaplet are said with a regular rosary and will be attached to that email. All newcomers are welcome! Come and take part in this spiritual work of mercy.

Day of Execution - Divine Mercy Chaplet Vigil for the Soul of Richard Djerf (AZ) and for the Souls of his Victims
2025-10-17 19:00 - 19:30
Join Catholics for Abolition in NC as we pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet for the soul of Richard Djerf (AZ) and for the souls of his victims – Albert Luna, Jr., Patricia Luna, Rochelle Luna, and Damien Luna.

We meet virtually, so please send an email requesting the Zoom link for this evening’s vigil through the Contact Page on our website. The prayers of the Chaplet (using a regular rosary) will be attached to that email. All newcomers are welcome! Come and take part in this spiritual work of mercy.

Day of Execution - Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet for the Soul of Anthony Todd Boyd (AL) and for his Victim
2025-10-23 19:00 - 19:30
Please join with CANC Members & Friends as we pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet on this day of execution – for the soul of Anthony Todd Boyd (AL) and the soul of his victim, Gregory Huguley.

We meet virtually; please send an email requesting the Zoom link for this evening’s vigil through the Contact Page on our website. The prayers of the Chaplet will be attached to that email as well. All newcomers are welcome! Come and take part in this spiritual work of mercy.

Day of Execution - Divine Mercy Chaplet for the Soul of Norman Mearle Grim, Jr. (FL) and the Soul of his Victim
2025-10-28 19:00 - 19:30
Please join with CANC Members & Friends as we pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet on this day of execution – for the soul of Norman Mearle Grim, Jr. (FL ) and the soul of his victim, Cynthia Campbell.

We meet virtually; please send an email requesting the Zoom link for this evening’s vigil through the Contact Page on our website. The prayers of the Chaplet will be attached to that email as well. All newcomers are welcome! Come and take part in this powerful prayer as a spiritual work of mercy.

Day of TWO Executions - Divine Mercy Chaplet for the Soul of Bryan Frederick Jennings (FL) and Tremane Wood (OK) - and for the Souls of their Victims
2025-11-13 19:00 - 19:30
Please join with CANC Members & Friends as we pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet on this day of execution in Florida – for the soul of Bryan Frederick Jennings – and for the soul of his victim, Rebecca Kunish. We also pray for the soul of Tremane Wood on this day of his execution in Oklahoma – and for the soul of his victim, Ronnie Wiff.

We meet virtually; please send an email requesting the Zoom link for this evening’s vigil through the CONTACT Page on our website. The prayers of the Chaplet will be attached to the email with the Zoom link as well.

All newcomers are welcome! Come and take part in this powerful prayer as a spiritual work of mercy.

Day of Execution - Divine Mercy Chaplet for the Soul of Stephen Bryant (SC) and for the Souls of his Victims
2025-11-14 19:00 - 19:30
Join Catholics for Abolition in NC as we pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet for the soul of Stephen Bryant (SC) and for the souls of his victims – Willard Tietjen, Cliff Gainey, and Christopher Burgess.

We meet virtually, so please send an email requesting the Zoom link for this evening’s vigil through the CONTACT Page on our website. The prayers of the Chaplet, said while using a regular rosary, will be attached to that email.

All newcomers are welcome! Come and take part in this spiritual work of mercy.

OnGoing Event - "Prayer Vigil for Abolition" | Day & Time Change Starts Today
2025-11-17 19:00 - 19:30
Starting tonight at 7:00 PM, our once-a-month ongoing prayer vigil is changing its day and time. It will no longer be at noon on third Tuesdays. Perhaps the change – to third Mondays at 7:00 PM – will allow more people to join us in prayer to end the death penalty.

Use the Contact Page on this website, to request the Zoom link. The same link will be used every month through 2026. The vigil is a 10 to 12 minute non-interactive, ecumenical time of prayer. Participants must remain muted, and cameras can be left on or turned off.

Please consider joining us in prayer, as the men and women on NC’s death rows prepare their minds and hearts for executions to begin again. They need our support more than ever!

Day of Execution - Divine Mercy Chaplet for the Soul of Richard Barry Randolph (FL) and for the Soul of his Victim
2025-11-20 19:00 - 19:30
Please join with CANC Members & Friends as we pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet on this day of execution in Florida – for the soul of Richard Randolph – and for the soul of his victim, Minnie Ruth McCollum.

We meet virtually; please send an email requesting the Zoom link for this evening’s vigil through the CONTACT Page on our website. The prayers of the Chaplet will be attached to the same email.

All newcomers are welcome! Come and take part in this powerful prayer as a spiritual work of mercy.

Day of Execution - Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet for the Soul of Mark Geralds (FL) and the Soul of his Victim
2025-12-09 19:00 - 19:30
Please join with CANC Members & Friends, as we pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet on this day of execution for the soul of Mark Geralds and the soul of his victim Tressa Pettibone.

As we meet virtually for this prayer vigil, please send an email through our Contact page requesting the Zoom link for this evening. The prayers to the Chaplet will be attached to that email. There is no special rosary to follow along – just use your regular rosary beads. All newcomers are welcome to join us!

On this day, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we ask Our Mother to pray for all her children and continue to lead us always to Her Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Day of Execution - Divine Mercy Chaplet for the Soul of Harold Nichols (TN) and the Soul of his Victim
2025-12-11 19:00 - 19:30
Please join with CANC Members & Friends as we pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet on this day of execution – for the soul of Harold Nichols (TN) and the soul of his victim Karen Pulley.

We meet virtually; please send an email requesting the Zoom link for this evening’s vigil through the Contact Page on our website. The prayers of the Chaplet will be attached to that email as well. All newcomers are welcome! Come take part in this powerful spiritual work of mercy.

OnGoing Event - "Prayer Vigil for Abolition" | Day & Time Changed
2025-12-15 19:00 - 19:15

Day of Execution - Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet for the Soul of Frank Athen Walls (FL) and the Souls of his Victims
2025-12-18 19:00 - 19:30
Please join with CANC Memers & Friends as we pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet on this day of execution – for the soul of Frank Athen Walls (FL) and for the souls of his victims: Tommie Lou Whiddon, Cynthia Sue Condra, Audrey Gygi, Edward Alger, and Ann Louise Peterson.

You may request the Zoom link for this prayer vigil through our website’s Contact page. The prayers of the Chaplet will be attached to the email you’ll receive in response. All newcomers are welcome! The group is informal, but the prayer is powerful. Take part in this spiritual work of mercy.

Annual Christmas Carols Outside Central Prison
2025-12-25 10:00 - 11:00
On December 25th, Christmas morning from 10 to 11AM, the Fr. Charlie Mulholland Catholic Worker House will continue their tradition of Visiting the Prisoners by caroling for all incarcerated there. For many years, Christmas visitation has been “suspended.” In response to this suspension, the tradition of caroling, outside Central Prison, began on Christmas morning in 1997. Come help hold up the original 30-foot wide MERRY CHRISTMAS sign and bring your gloves and Good Cheer!

No matter the temperature – meet under the train trestle next to the prison grounds. (You can park in Boylan Heights – please don’t block driveways – or in Dix Park.) It’s guaranteed that your heart will feel warmer the rest of the day. Bring your family and friends, young and old!

May the Love and Mercy of the Christ Child be with all of us now and throughout 2026. Merry Christmas!
