Saturday, Dec. 2

Advent Journey to Grace 

Women of all ages, including middle and high school girls, are invited to join Johnnette Williams at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church’s Family Life Center in Homewood. Come to prepare your heart for the coming of Christ and learn about your authentic femininity. Registration will take place from 8-9 a.m. Father Frankline Fomukong will celebrate Mass at 9 a.m., and Williams will speak at 10 a.m. The retreat is free to attend and will feature gifts, door prizes, refreshments, and crafts for the girls. Please RSVP with your name, phone number, and number of guests to cwestbrook@womenofgrace.com. The life center is located at 3295 Parkridge Drive.

Saturday, Dec. 2

Parenting conference

The Diocese of Birmingham’s Office of Discipleship and Mission will present a one-morning conference at Meet on Morris for all parents, guardians, and primary care givers of children of any age, Steps Proactive Parenting: Build a Happier Family. School and parish leaders exploring resources for parents are also welcome. The conference will be led by Steven Ward, founder and executive director of STEPS Ministries and author of STEPS: A Daily Journey to a Better Life. The cost to attend is $10 per person. Payment will be accepted at the door. The venue is located at 2325 Morris Avenue in Birmingham. To register online, please visit bhmdiocese.org/discipleship.

Friday, Dec. 8

Holy Day of Obligation

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary: This is the patronal feast day of the United States of America. Note: The solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a holy day of obligation.

Wednesday-Sunday, Dec. 13-17

Advent Retreat

Blessed Trinity Shrine Retreat, run by the Missionary Servants of the Most Blessed Trinity, will host an Advent Retreat, starting Dec. 13. Retreatants are welcome to come for one night or for all four nights. The retreat is an opportunity to rest in preparation for Christmas. Enjoy the beauty of the spirituality center and pray with the sisters in the morning and evenings in their beautiful chapel. Reflections for Advent will be available for guests to reference during the retreat. The fee to attend is $90 per night per person (includes all meals). Please note that on Dec. 15 and 16, the shrine will have its annual Christmas Time in the Pines celebration, meaning the silence of Holy Trinity will be temporarily missing on those two evenings. To learn more and to register please visit, msbt.org/btsr. The shrine is located at 107 Holy Trinity Road in Fort Mitchell.

Friday, December 15

Rorate Mass

St. Bernard Abbey will celebrate a candlelight Rorate Mass in honor of Our Lady at 6:30 p.m. The Mass and refreshments afterward will be sponsored by Catholic young adults. Anyone can attend, yet the Mass and event are geared towards young adults.

Thursday-Friday, Dec. 14-15

Diocesan Children's Choir Festival

The diocesan Office of Sacred Music will hold a Diocesan Children’s Choir Festival/Concert at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, beginning with registration at 4 p.m. Thursday will include rehearsals until 7 p.m. The next day will begin at 8:30 a.m., also at St. Mark’s, and will conclude with the concert at 5 p.m. The event is open to children of our diocese (grades 3-8). Students wishing to attend will be exempt from school on Friday.

Sunday, December 17

Advent Franciscan Crib Devotion

The Secular Franciscan Order's local fraternity invites all in the diocese to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the first nativity scene at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Bessemer. In 1223, St. Francis was inspired to create and preach at a living nativity scene to help people understand and appreciate the great gift and mystery of the Incarnation in Greccio, Italy. Eight hundred years later, his inspiration can be found in household, public, and church nativity scenes around the world. Add to your Advent by joining the St. Joseph Cupertino Secular Franciscan fraternity for music, a Franciscan crib devotion, and St. Francis’ favorite almond cookies immediately following the Sunday 9 a.m. Mass. The church is located at 2400 7th Avenue, North.

Sunday, Dec. 17

Christmas at the Cathedral concert

The Diocesan Office of Sacred Liturgy will host the annual “Christmas at the Cathedral,” starting at 5 p.m. The Christmas concert will be held at the Cathedral of St. Paul and will feature the Diocesan Choir, as well as a few special guests. The concert is open to the public and is free to attend. 

Friday, Dec. 22

Jazz Christmas Concert

Our Lady, Queen of the Universe Catholic Church in Birmingham will host a Jazz Christmas Concert from 7-9 p.m. The concert will feature The Birmingham Heritage Jazz Band with guest Dr. J. Reginald Jackson, saxophonist. The church is located at 961 Center Street, North.

Saturday, Dec. 23

Simbang Gabi

The Simbang Gabi Mass and celebration for the Filipino Catholic community will take place at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, starting at 10 a.m. Bishop Raica will be the celebrant. The church is located at 2061 Patton Chapel Road in Hoover. 

Monday, Dec. 25

Christmas Day