Thursday, Oct. 1

Red Mass

The diocese will hold the annual Red Mass at the Cathedral of St. Paul, beginning at 6 p.m. and followed by a reception. The Red Mass is a tradition within the Catholic Church dating back to the 13th century, when it officially opened the term of the court. The cathedral is located at 2120 3rd Avenue, North, in Birmingham.

Saturday, Oct. 3

Shrine to commemorate St. Francis of Assisi

In recognition of the eighth centenary of the passage of St. Francis of Assisi, the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration at Our Lady of the Angels Monastery will commemorate the saint’s Transitus Day at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville. The event, which follows Pope Leo XIV’s proclamation of 2026 as the Franciscan Jubilee Year, includes the sacrifice of the Mass, spiritual talk, sacrament of Confession, recitation of the Franciscan Crown Rosary, and evening vespers. For more information, please visit olamshrine.com/visit. 

Sunday, Oct. 11

Blue Mass

The diocese will hold a Blue Mass at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, beginning at 5 p.m. The Blue Mass is celebrated in honor of all law enforcement officers and first responders. The church is located at 4600 Preserve Parkway in Hoover.

Monday-Thursday, Oct. 12-15

Priests’ retreat

Priests serving in the diocese will travel to St. Bernard Abbey to attend the annual retreat for priests. Please keep the priests in your prayers.

Thursday-Sunday, Oct. 15-18

National Black Catholic Men’s Conference

The Diocese of Birmingham’s Office of Black Catholic Ministry, in collaboration with the Bowman-Francis Ministry and the Society of the Divine Word Missionaries, will host the 2026 Father Chester P. Smith National Black Catholic Men’s Conference, with the theme, “The Rock I stand on,” at the Sheraton Birmingham Hotel in downtown Birmingham. Registration is required. For complete registration information, please visit bowmanfrancis.org. The hotel is located at 2101 Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard, North, in downtown Birmingham. For any other information, please contact James Watts, director of the diocesan Office of Black Catholic Ministry, at jwatts@bhmdiocese.org or 205.838.8313. 

Friday, Oct. 16

Sarah Hart to hold benefit concert
Sarah Hart, songwriter, singer, and musician, will return to St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Huntsville to perform a benefit concert at 7 p.m. for the Holy Family Capital Campaign. All proceeds will go toward the next phase of the school building project. Tickets will be available before and after each weekend Mass, from the church office, and at the door, if still available. The price per ticket is $25, and those under 18 get in free. The church is located at 2300 Beasley Avenue. Doors open at 6 p.m. For more information, please call 256.534.8459 or e-mail kthrock@aol.com.

Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 17-18

World Mission Sunday

The diocese will hold a second collection at all parishes to support World Mission Sunday, which is sponsored by the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, one of the Pontifical Mission Societies. All funds go directly to the mission dioceses throughout the world. For more information, please e-mail propfaith@bhmdiocese.org.