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.

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.

Sunday, Jan. 19

Birmingham Squadron to honor JCCHS trailblazing alumni

The Birmingham Squadron, the D-League team for the NBA New Orleans Pelicans, will hold their annual MLK game at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, starting at 3 p.m. The team, thanks to the help of John Carroll Catholic High School alumni Nick Welden, will recognize the school’s four “trailblazers” who integrated the school in 1964. John Carroll Catholic and the Birmingham Squadron invites all Catholic school students and their families to enjoy the game and represent the gift that is Catholic education. For more information about the “trailblazers,” please visit jcchs.org. Tickets to the game are available at ticketmaster.com. 

Friday, Jan. 24

Open House

St. Francis Xavier Catholic School in Birmingham will hold its annual open house from 9 to 11 a.m. During the open house, attendees will have the opportunity to see students and teachers in action through a guided tour. A presentation with a question-and-answer opportunity will also be offered along with refreshments. Those wishing to attend are asked to gather in the school’s cafeteria. St. Francis Xavier Catholic School is an accredited, classical school which serves students in pre-k3 through 8th grades. New student applications for the 2025-2026 school year open Jan. 21. The school is located at 2 Xavier Circle. To learn more, please visit sfxcatholic.com.

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 Our Lady of the Valley

As Our Lady of the Valley Catholic School celebrates its 40th anniversary, the school will hold an open house from noon until 3 p.m., celebrating the past and looking forward to the future. The event will feature guided tours; stories from staff, alumni, and friends of the school; as well as food and beverages. The school is located at 5510 Double Oak Lane in Birmingham. For more information, please visit olvbirmingham.com.

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.