Sunday, December 1

Parish to inaugurate a special year

St. Mary of the Visitation Catholic Church in Huntsville will inaugurate a “Year of Renewal” for the parish with Mass celebrated by Bishop Raica at 11 a.m. The bishop will also bless side altars in the church. For more information, please call 256.536.6349. The church is located at 222 Jefferson Street, North. 

Thursday, December 5

Advent night of reflection

Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Birmingham will hold a night of reflection for the Advent season, starting with snacks from 5-6 p.m. The speaker, Father Gray Bean, will begin at 6:30 p.m. The night, open to all, will focus on repentance, submission, expectant hope, and preparing for the restoration we have in Jesus’ birth. The church is located at 708 1st Street, South. For more information, please e-mail olf@josephite.com.

Monday, December 9

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This is the patronal feast day of the United States of America. Upon a recent clarification from the Vatican, even though the solemnity falls on a Monday this year, the faithful are still obligated to attend Mass.

Saturday-Sunday, December 14-15

‘Come to the Stable’ 

St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Hoover will hold its ninth annual “Come to the Stable” event from 5-7 p.m. on Saturday and from 8 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. on Sunday. Every family is invited to present and share with the community their Nativity set to contemplate and meditate on the Christmas celebration. There are Nativity representations on display made of a variety of materials from many countries and cultures. See how this important event in Christian and universal history has been captured and celebrated throughout the world. While the event is a gathering of St. Peter’s families for Christmas, the parish extends the invitation to all families of the diocese to participate, for it is a wonderful way to share our beliefs with our children and grandchildren without the stress of the commercial aspects of the season. The church is located at 2061 Patton Chapel Road. For more information contact the St. Peter’s parish office at 205.822.4480 or Giorgio Barbi at 205.824.0613. Communication via e-mail is also available at gpbarbi@aol.com.

Thursday, December 19

25th anniversary celebration 

All are invited to join the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration as they celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The 7 a.m. Conventual Mass will be celebrated by Cardinal Raymond Burke. Michael Warsaw, CEO of EWTN, will give a talk at 9:30 a.m., and Father Mitch Pacwa will lead a Eucharistic Healing Service at 2 p.m. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. This event is free to attend and open to all. The shrine is located at 3224 County Road 548. You do not have to be a member of the Adoration Sodality to attend. To learn more, please visit iadorethee.com.

Saturday, Dec. 21

Padre Pio Prayer Group

The Padre Pio Prayer group will meet at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Homewood. All are welcome to attend the hour of prayer, Rosary, adoration, and Holy Mass led by Father Eric Gami. The church is located at 1728 Oxmoor Road. For more information, e-mail angkolar@att.net or call 205-410-2033. 

Saturday, Dec. 21

Write the Vision: A Prophetic Call to Thrive

The Diocesan Office of Black Catholic Ministry will host a Pastoral Planning Conference from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Chancery. The conference is part of the office’s effort to create a step-by-step Regional Pastoral Plan of Action (RPPA) for the diocese, which will help identify the unique needs of the African American community. The Chancery is located at 2121 3rd Avenue, North in downtown Birmingham. Seating is limited. To RSVP, please contact James Watts at jwatts@bhmdiocese.org or 205-838-8313.

Wednesday, December 25

Christmas Day