On June 17, members of the local Padre Pio Prayer Group participated in a morning of eucharistic adoration, benediction, prayers including the Rosary, and worshipping during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The celebrant was Father Paul Asih, M. S. P., pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Bessemer. Padre Pio, canonized as St. Pio of Pietrelcina, formed the Padre Pio Prayer Group in 1952 after Pope Pius XII urged Catholics to form prayer groups to fulfill the Blessed Virgin Mary’s request at Fatima for more prayer. Members become spiritual children of Padre Pio, who is considered a 20th century St. Francis of Assisi. All Catholics of the Birmingham diocese are welcome to the local group and new members are encouraged. Meetings are held at Our Lady of Sorrows on the third Saturday of each month at 10 a.m. The next meeting, July 15, will welcome Father Eric Gami as celebrant. The church is located at 1728 Oxmoor Road in Homewood.