Thursday, July 4

July 4th Festival

Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church will host its 75th Annual 4th of July Festival this year from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the church’s campus in Homewood. The festival will host the Trash & Treasure rummage sale in the school gymnasium and parking deck from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Plate lunches will be available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and bulk BBQ take away sales as well as Bingo and children’s games will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The raffle drawing for 19 total prizes, including the $5,000 grand prize, will be held at 3 p.m. For more information, contact the church office at 205.871-8121. 

Thursday, July 4

July Fourth Picnic Fundraiser

St. Michael Catholic Church in Florence will hold their annual July Fourth Picnic Fundraiser, starting with BBQ and chicken stew sales at 6 a.m. until sold out. From 9:30 a.m. until 1 p.m., children's games, children’s bingo, and hot dog meals will be available. Bingo for adults will be available in two different time slots: 1-4 p.m. and 6-7 p.m. The church is located at 2751 County Road 30. For more information, please e-mail stmichaelcatholic@gmail.com.

Friday, July 5

60th anniversary of vows

Abbot Marcus Voss of St. Bernard Abbey in Cullman will mark his 60th anniversary of vows as a Benedictine monk. The abbey anticipates a public celebration in September. Please visit stbernardabbey.org for the latest details.

Mondays, July 8-22

Lunch and Learn at Prince of Peace

Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Hoover will be offering a new three-part lunch and learn series in the St. Jude room called "Grief: Embracing and Finding Hope in our Sorrow." Dr. Dale Wisely will lead the series, which will highlight the reality that loss comes to each of us, without fail. Scripture can serve as a companion in grief, leading the faithful to God. Dr. Wisely will explore the biblical stories of Ruth and Naomi and the death and raising of Jesus’ friend Lazarus, pointing out insights and hope into the universal experience of loss and sorrow. Registration for each class is required at popcatholic.org. The church is located at 4600 Preserve Parkway.

Sunday, July 14

Blood Drive

St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Hoover will be hosting a blood drive from 7:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. in conjunction with LifeSouth Blood Centers. The parish’s Knights of Columbus Council 7584 is sponsoring the drive, and they ask that the faithful consider donating blood, which is considered a true gift of life. The church is located at 2061 Patton Chapel Road. For more information, e-mail philselig@charter.net.

Wednesday-Sunday, July 17–21

National Eucharistic Congress

The 10th National Eucharistic Congress, the first in 83 years, will be held in Indianapolis, Indiana. It will be a reinstitution of the fruitful tradition not seen in America since the start of World War II. Each day will feature a series of impact sessions, breakout sessions, and assemblies at the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, culminating in Mass on Sunday with a special papal delegate. For more information, please visit eucharisticcongress.org.

Monday-Saturday, July 22-27

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Level 1 adult formation course

Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church will host an adult formation course for level one (children ages 3-6) of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. The formation will take place Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The program is a method of religious formation based on the work of Maria Montessori that uses the Bible, the Mass, and hands-on materials to explore the greatest mysteries of our Catholic Christian faith. This course is designed for people interested in beginning Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in their parish school of religion or school or people who work with children and would like to know more about the religious needs and capacities of the 3-6-year-old child. The second part of this course will be offered July 2025. To learn more or to register, please email mwimberly@olsschool.com, call 205-871-1431, or visit cgsusa.org. Registration is required by July 1. The church is located at 1728 Oxmoor Road in Homewood.

Friday-Saturday, July 26-27

Catholic Charismatic Renewal of Birmingham Conference 

The 23rd Annual Catholic Charismatic Renewal of Birmingham Conference will be held in the Family Life Center at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Homewood. On Friday, the evening begins at 5 p.m., and the next day, the conference begins at 8 a.m. The conference theme is “Unity in the Body of Christ,” and the main speaker will be Richard Lane. Other guest speakers include Father Frankline Fomukong, Sister Anne Marie Schreiner, Dan Gardner, and Amy Russo. Friday’s Mass will be celebrated by Father Vernon Huguley, and Saturday’s Mass will be celebrated by Father Paul Asih. The registration fee for individuals is $30 and $85 for a family of three or more. Register online at www.catholiccharismaticrenewal.org or mail registration to: CCROB, 1222 Hueytown Road, Hueytown, AL 35023. For further information contact Sally Smith at 205.983.4150 or Ray Makofsky at 205.999.8947. Registration is also available at the conference. Everyone is welcome!