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.

Friday-Sunday, Oct. 2-4

Clean Out for Christ indoor yard sale
St. Patrick Catholic Church in Adamsville will hold their annual Clean Out for Christ yard sale sponsored by the parish’s St. Vincent de Paul Society conference, beginning at 8 a.m. on Friday and concluding at 4 p.m. The next day, the sale will reopen at 8 a.m. and continue until 3 p.m. On Sunday, the sale will be held from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., and all items except furniture will be half price. The indoor sale will be held in the gymnasium and feature items ranging from home decor and kitchen items to tech gadgets, furniture, toys, and vintage surprises. During the sale, concessions will be available, including a hot dog lunch. Forms of accepted payment include cards and cash. Proceeds benefit the ministries of the church and the mission of the St. Vincent de Paul organization. The church is located at 301 Shamrock Trail. For more information, please e-mail desi@saintpatrickcc.com.

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. 

Monday, Oct. 5

Green Mass

Holy Family Catholic Church in Ensley will host the 6th annual Green Mass at 7 p.m. The Mass, sponsored by the Passionist Communities of Alabama and the diocesan Office of Black Catholic Ministry, will be held in thanksgiving for all who labor in “green jobs.” The church is located at 1910 19th Street. For more information, please contact John Meehan at 205.616.3027. 

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, Oct. 15

ARISE Night of Healing

Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Parish will host an ARISE Night of Healing in their Family Life Center, starting at 6:30 p.m. The guest speaker will be Grant Fenske, a Third Order Dominican, Encounter Ministry graduate, and host of a weekly radio program called "Healing by Faith." Father Patrick Mary, M.F.V.A., will lead Eucharistic Adoration and Alex Kubik will lead the music. Priests will be available to hear Confessions. The church is located at 1728 Oxmoor Road in Homewood. For more information, please e-mail ariseworshipbham@gmail.com. 

Saturday, Oct. 17

Padre Pio Prayer Group

The Padre Pio Prayer Group of Birmingham will meet at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church at 9 a.m., beginning with Mass and followed by Benediction, the Rosary, and prayers to Padre Pio. Father Joseph Mary, M.F.V.A., will lead us in prayer.  All are welcome to attend. The group meets monthly on the third Saturday. The church is located at 7340 Cahaba Valley Road. For more information, please contact Angela Kolar at angkolar@att.net. 

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.

Saturday, Oct. 24

Magnificat Breakfast 

The Service Team of Mary, Woman of Faith, Chapter of Magnificat invites the women of the diocese to its Magnificat Prayer Breakfast beginning at 9:30 a.m. and continuing until 12:30 p.m. at St. Elias’ Parish Hall. The speaker, Lynn Pepe, is originally from San Lorenzo, California where she was raised in the Catholic faith and attended public school and CCD. When her second daughter, Gianna Rose, was born with special needs, Pepe wondered why God picked her and her husband to raise His baby with these challenges; however, she says God always knew they would love her beyond measure. Tickets for the Oct. 24 Magnificat Breakfast are on sale through Oct. 18. A meal ticket is $20 and includes a catered breakfast. Student tickets cost $15 for ages 13-22. Tickets can be purchased online at BirminghamMagnificat.org or by e-mail at magnificat0296@gmail.com. If purchasing a ticket by regular mail, please send a check payable to Magnificat to: Magnificat Tickets, C/O Jan Smith, 1367 Winola Lane, Birmingham, AL 35235 by Aug. 19. Tickets are also available at Alpha Church Supply and Gifts and Holy Roses Flowers and Gifts. Tickets for priests, deacons, and religious brothers and sisters are complimentary, but reservations are still required. No tickets will be sold after Oct. 18 or at the door. Please call or text Jan Smith at 205-381-8481 if you have ticket questions or would like additional information. St. Elias is located at 836 8th Street, South, in Birmingham.