Wednesday, January 1

Holy Day of Obligation 

The Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God. The day is a holy day of obligation. 

Saturday, January 4

New altar consecration

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Parish will celebrate the completion of their recent renovation with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Raica at 10 a.m. The bishop will bless and consecrate the new altar during Mass. A luncheon will follow. The church is located at 334 Main Street in Gardendale. For more information, please visit seasgardendale.org.

Tuesdays, January 7-April 8

The Third Option Marriage Program

Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Hoover will begin a 14-week marriage program in January designed to help married couples discover new ways to create a more fulfilling and meaningful relationship. Many couples navigate marriage by balancing between his desires and her desires or by choosing between keeping the peace or arguing. However, these approaches often lead to extremes and can hinder true connection. The Third Option will offer practical tools to move past old baggage and misunderstandings, fostering an effective and loving partnership. Strong families begin with strong marriages. The program will be held on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the St. Jude Room. The church is located 4600 Preserve Parkway. For more information, please visit www.popcatholic.org/adult-programs.

Saturday, January 11

Prayer Breakfast

The Catholic Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama’s Office of Black Catholic Ministry will host a Diocesan Prayer Breakfast in commemoration of the  Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., starting  at 10 a.m. During the breakfast, Sister Patti Chappelle, SNDdeN, a social worker for the District of Columbia, will offer a personal reflection, "Where do we go from here?" Tickets are $25 and are available for purchase through the Office of Black Catholic Ministry, jwatts@bhmdiocese.org or 205.838.8313.

Sunday, January 12

Open House

St. Rose Academy in Birmingham will hold an open house for prospective students and families from 2-4 p.m. The school is located at 1401 22nd Street, South. For more information, please visit strosebhm.org. 

Saturday, January 18

Respect Life Mass 

Bishop Raica will celebrate the Respect Life Mass at the Cathedral of St. Paul at 9 a.m. Following Mass, a prayer vigil and witness for life will take place at 10:45 a.m. in front of the Planned Parenthood location in Birmingham, 1019 1st Avenue, North. For more information, please visit birminghammarchforlife.com. The cathedral is located at 2120 3rd Avenue, North in Birmingham.

Saturday, January 25

Santo Nino de Cebu Festival

Bishop Emeritus Robert Baker will celebrate Mass, marking the Santo Nino de Cebu Festival, at St. Francis Xavier Church, starting at 11 a.m. The celebration will coincide with the annual cultural and religious festival of the same name held in the Philippines. The church is located at 2 Xavier Circle in Birmingham. For more information, please call 205.871.1153.

Sunday, January 26

Open house at OLS

Parents will have a great opportunity to learn how to empower their child’s future with an affordable Catholic-centered education and discover how curriculum combines faith and service with academic excellence at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School’s open house from 2-4 p.m. Shadowing opportunities are also available. The school is centrally located at 1720 Oxmoor Road in Homewood. For more information, please call 205-879-3237 or visit olsschool.com.

Friday, January 31

Catholic Schools Mass

Bishop Raica will celebrate the Catholic Schools Mass at the Cathedral of St. Paul, starting at 10 a.m. The annual Mass is held for all sixth graders in the diocese. For more information, please contact the Catholic Schools Office at 205.838.8322.