Thursday, April 2

Holy Thursday

Friday, April 3

Good Friday 

Saturday, April 4

Swieconka

The Cathedral of St. Paul will hold Swieconka (Blessing of the Baskets) at 9 a.m. with Bishop Raica. Swieconka (sh-vee-en-soon-kah) is one of the most enduring and beloved Polish traditions. Baskets containing a sampling of Easter foods are brought to church to be blessed on Holy Saturday. The basket is traditionally lined with a white linen or lace napkin and decorated with sprigs of boxwood (bukszpan), the typical Easter evergreen. This food is shared on Easter morning in a ritual breaking of the fast. For more information, please e-mail krista@stpaulsbhm.org. The cathedral is located at 2120 3rd Avenue, North in Birmingham.

Saturday, April 4

Holy Saturday

Sunday, April 5

Easter Sunday

Thursday, April 9

2026 Rey of Hope Gala 
Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School in Birmingham will hold its annual Rey of Hope Gala from 5:30-9 p.m. at The Club. The gala will include a wonderful silent auction, fabulous wine and dinner, and an exciting live auction with trips, jewelry, and more. The evening will also feature students and alumni ready to share the school’s mission. Tickets start at $250 and sponsorships start at $1,500. To purchase tickets, please visit https://give.hfcristorey.org/event/rey-of-hope-gala-2026/e733282. For more information, please e-mail ajackson@hfcristorey.org. The Club is located at 1 Robert S. Smith Drive in Birmingham.

Friday-Saturday, April 10-11

Natural Family Planning workshop in Spanish

In collaboration with the Couple to Couple League, the Office of Hispanic Ministry will sponsor a Natural Family Planning workshop in Spanish at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Montevallo. On Friday, the session will take place from 6-9 p.m., and on Saturday, the session will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude at 4 p.m. Men and women are required to attend together. Those unable to attend can attend a duplicate workshop on May 15-16 in Hunstville. For more information, please e-mail mbonilla@bhmdiocese.org. The church is located at 80 St. Thomas Way. 

Sunday, April 12

Father Ray Dunmyer to mark 50 years of priesthood

Prince of Peace Catholic Church will celebrate Father Ray Dunmyer’s 50 anniversary of ordination to the priesthood during the 11 a.m. Mass. All are welcome and a reception will follow. The church is located at 4600 Preserve Parkway in Hoover. For more information, please contact that parish at 205.822.9125.

Friday, April 17

RIP Bishop Foley

The eighth anniversary of Bishop David E. Foley’s death. He was installed as the Diocese of Birmingham’s third bishop on May 13, 1994, and retired on May 10, 2005. May he rest in peace.

Saturday-Sunday, April 18-19

Bloomin’ Festival

The 42nd annual Bloomin’ Festival Arts and Crafts Fair will be held on the campus of St. Bernard Abbey from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, with an admission donation of $10 (children 12 and under free). More than 150 booths will be filled with artists demonstrating and exhibiting their unique handcrafted work. The festival serves as the largest annual fundraiser for the operation and maintenance of St. Bernard Preparatory School. St. Bernard’s monks will be there as well to sell their famous homemade bread and cookies. For more information, visit bloominfestival.com or call 256.739.6682. The abbey is located at 1600 St. Bernard Drive, Southeast in Cullman. 

Friday-Sunday, April 24-26

Worldwide Marriage Encounter weekend

Worldwide Marriage Encounter will hold a weekend for the Diocese of Birmingham at St. Bernard Abbey in Cullman, starting on Friday at 7 p.m. and concluding on Sunday at 4 p.m. The weekend is for all married couples seeking to renew the romance, revitalize their marriage, communicate more openly, find deeper intimacy, and focus on their spouse. For more information or to register, please visit wwme.org or call Frank and Kathryn Wessling at 205.530.3607. The abbey is located at 1600 St. Bernard Drive, Southeast. 

Friday-Sunday, April 24-26

Hispanic Young Adult Retreat-Reaviva

The diocesan Office of Pastoral Juvenil will host a young adult retreat at Camp Tekakwitha, offering an opportunity to rekindle their relationship with God, build community, and renew their sense of purpose in life. For more information, please e-mail kcastillo@bhmdiocese.org. The camp is located at 8500 Deer Haven Road in Springville.