Friday, July 4

July 4th Festival

Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church will host its 76th 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 takeaway sales, as well as bingo and children’s games, will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The raffle drawing for 11 total prizes, including the $10,000 grand prize, will be held at 3 p.m. in the parish hall. For more information, contact the church office at 205.871.8121. 

Friday-Saturday, July 18-19

John Carroll Catholic Class of 1975 reunion

The Class of 1975 will hold its 50th reunion, beginning on Friday night from 6-9 p.m. at Buffalo Wild Wings, 4507 Riverview Parkway in Birmingham. The next day will begin with Mass at 4:30 p.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Birmingham, 2 Xavier Circle. Father Joe Culotta will be the celebrant. Following Mass, a night of dinner, dancing, and reminiscing will take place at Vestavia Country Club from 6-10 p.m. The cost per person for the evening is $75 with cocktail attire recommended. A cash bar will be available. The club is located at 400 Beaumont Drive. Please RSVP by June 18. For questions, reservations, and payments, please e-mail jcchs50th@yahoo.com or call 205.718.2450.

Wednesday, July 23

Immaculee Ilibagiza to speak at local parish

Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Hoover will host Immaculee Ilibagiza from 6:30-8 p.m. as she speaks to parishioners. Ilibagiza survived the 1994 Rwandan genocide by hiding in a 3'ft. x 4ft. bathroom for 91 days with seven other women. She endured fear, starvation, fear, anger, and despair for months, all while her family, community, and nearly one million of her tribe were slaughtered. Remarkably, the tragedy transformed Ilibagiza into a strong woman dedicated to peace and reconciliation. Her autobiography, Left to Tell, has sold more than two million copies and is in the process of becoming a major motion picture. Following her talk, Ilibagiza will sign copies of her book until 8:30 p.m. Tickets for the speaking engagement are $25, which can be paid via Venmo, check, or credit card. The church is located 4600 Preserve Parkway.For more information, please visit https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLBC8XCZDQM73/checkout/AQTP34RMV7HUHR7JA4JHTBN5.

Saturday, July 26

Retreat to be held at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament

The Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration invite young women ages 18 to 29 to the annual "At The Well Retreat" from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville. The event will include a talk by Sister Faustina Maria, morning and afternoon Masses, the sacrament of reconciliation, midday prayer and Rosary with the nuns, a Eucharistic Healing Service, as well as tours of the Shrine, John Paul II Eucharistic Center, and Blessed Carlo Acutis Eucharistic Miracle exhibit. A registration fee of $25 includes breakfast and lunch. To register, please visit www.olamnuns.com/register.

Friday-Saturday, July 25-26

Catholic Charismatic Renewal Conference

The 25th Anniversary Conference of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal of Birmingham will be held at John Carroll Catholic High School, 300 Lakeshore Parkway in Birmingham. The conference theme is “Come Holy Spirit With Your Fire” and will feature Ralph Martin as the main speaker along with Father James Hedderman and Father Frankline Fomukong. Martin is the president of Renewal Ministries, a professor of theology at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in the Archdiocese of Detroit, and director of Graduate Theology Programs in Evangelization. The registration fee for the conference is $50 for individuals and $130 for a family of 3 or more. For more information, please e-mail Jeannie Wade at Jwade3585@outlook.com or call Ray Makofsky at 205.999.8947. To register, visit www.catholiccharismaticrenewal.org. Everyone is welcome!