Saturday, September 2

Divino Nino Festival

The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament will hold its annual Divino Nino Festival. The day will include talks on the Divine Child Jesus in both English and Spanish, Mass celebrated by Bishop Raica, a procession and blessing of all children present, and a Eucharistic Healing Service. Lunch will be available for purchase and there will be Divino Nino Cake for all. The shrine is located at 3224 County Road 548 in Hanceville. For more information, please visit www.olamshrine.com.

Saturday-Sunday, September 9-10

Bernard's Brew & BBQ

St. Bernard Abbey will host their annual Bernard's Brew & BBQ. The event features some of the best artisans in the Southeast. While shopping, enjoy live music and the best pulled pork in the Southeast as well as ribs, hamburgers, brats, and chicken. Bring the entire family for a weekend of fun. Hours for the event are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Admission is a $10 requested donation. Children under age 12 and under get in free. No pets, please. Festival guests can also tour our world-famous Ave Maria Grotto at a reduced admission of $5 all weekend. To learn more, please visit stbernardprep.com. The abbey is located at 1600 St. Bernard Drive, Southeast in Cullman.

Saturday, September 9

Sacred Music Academy formation day

The diocesan Office of Sacred Liturgy will host a Sacred Music Academy formation day at the Cathedral of St. Paul, beginning with an introduction to the organ by Bruce Ludwick at 8:30 a.m. In this course, Ludwick, the director of music for the cathedral, will help students discover the fundamentals of how the organ works and its history. Additionally, organ registration will be explored. Following the first course, Francisco Carbonelle, diocesan director of music, will lead the second course, introduction to Gregorian Chant from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon. The course provides a basic introduction in reading and singing Gregorian Chant. Simple chants will be rehearsed in this course as a method for understanding the foundational repertoire of the Church. The academy exists to provide low-cost, comprehensive musical formation for those serving in music ministry by equipping them with the necessary skills to support local parish needs. The academy sponsors three formation days throughout the year. Two courses are offered each day. Each course has a fee of $25. Musicians who accomplish any combination of 12 courses are awarded a certificate in Parish Music Leadership. The cathedral is located at 2120 3rd Avenue, North in Birmingham. To learn more, please visit bhmdiocese.org/sacred-music.

Sunday, September 10

World Day for Grandparents and the Elders

Bishop Raica will celebrate the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly with Mass at the Cathedral of St. Paul at 11 a.m. For more information, please visit bhmdiocese.org.

Wednesday, September 13

Rosary Rally

Discouraged by the state of our world? If so, the St. Rose Academy Dominican Sisters will be holding a Rosary Rally on the 13th of each month at 6 p.m., including a Rosary and other prayer. Please come heed the message of our Lady of Fatima and make reparation for the offenses against the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary. Her immaculate heart will triumph! The school is located at 1401 22nd Street, South in Birmingham. For more information, please call 205-933-0549.

Thursday, September 14

Raising Hope Silent Auction

The Raising Hope Silent Auction 2023, benefitting Catholic Social Services of West Alabama, will take place from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at The River Market in Tuscaloosa. All funds raised will benefit those living in poverty in the seven counties that Catholic Social Services of West Alabama serves. Tickets will be limited, but the bidding on items/baskets can be done virtually. The River Market is located at 1900 Jack Warner Parkway. For more information, please visit csstuscaloosa.org or call 205.759.1268.

Thursday, September 14

Samford University invites Spanish-speaking Catholics

Samford University is reaching out to Catholic, Spanish-speaking individuals interested in learning more about the university with an informational session beginning at 5:30 p.m. The session, complete with a student panel, will be presented entirely in Spanish. Opportunities and experiences that set Samford apart will be highlighted and details of admissions process, scholarships, and financial aid will be provided. The student panel will then offer their experiences and answer any questions about university life. The students will also offer insight into their involvement in student organizations such as the Latino Student Organization, the Catholic Students Association, Greek life, and many more. The session will take place in Ingalls Hall on campus. The university is located at 800 Lakeshore Drive in Birmingham.

Friday, September 15

Clergy Appreciation Dinner

Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church will host the annual Clergy Appreciation Dinner at 6 p.m. The church is located at 5514 Double Oak Lane in Birmingham. For more information, please visit olvchurchbirmingham.com.

Saturday, September 16

Baby Shower for Her Choice

American Heritage Girls Troop AL 1128, chartered by Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, will be hosting a baby shower for Her Choice from 1-3 p.m. to mark the National Day of Service. All are invited to attend the shower in the church’s Social Hall and bring new baby items. Donation suggestions include: diapers (preemie to size 6), baby clothes (preemie to 12 months), baby bottles (4 oz/small), formula (Similac), pacifiers (0-3 months), baby lotion, baby wash, hooded towels, and gift cards. Donations can also be dropped off Sept. 16-17 in the church’s vestibule in designated collection boxes. Cookies and drinks will be provided. The church is located at 5514 Double Oak Lane in Birmingham.

Monday, September 18

Spanish Music Formation 

The diocesan Office of Sacred Liturgy will hold a Spanish Music Formation Course from 7-8:30 p.m. at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Hoover. The course will consist of general musical formation sessions offered in Spanish for Hispanic music ministry leaders. The courses will be offered monthly at the church. Individual parishes may also request the scheduling of formation sessions at local parishes. The goal of this initiative is simply to teach participants fundamental musicianship as a tool for elevating their respective roles in liturgical music ministries. The church is located at 4600 Preserve Parkway. For more information, please visit, bhmdiocese.org/sacred-music.

Saturday-Sunday, September 23-24

Catholic Charities and Communities Appeal Weekend

The Diocese of Birmingham will hold the annual Catholic Charities and Communities Pledge Weekend throughout all parishes in the diocese. For more information, please visit catholiccharitiesbhm.org.

Saturday, September 23

Marriage Tribunal advocate training

The Marriage Tribunal is looking for volunteers willing to be trained as canonical advocates. To help people move through the annulment process, the Tribunal is offering a workshop for the training of new advocates and for use as a refresher course for experienced advocates. The workshop will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Florence from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Lunch will be provided. The church is located at 203 Plum Street. For those wishing to attend, please R.S.V.P. to Mattie Shumate at 205.838.8307 or mshumate@bhmdiocese.org.

Wednesday, September 27

Bingo Luncheon

The St. Elias Ladies’ Altar Society will host their annual Bingo Luncheon from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. The funds raised from the event go to the beloved orphans in Lebanon. The day will include a Lebanese lunch, Bingo, a money tree, a teacup raffle, and an auction of a Lebanese meal for ten. For $15 enjoy a Lebanese lunch that includes baked kibbeh, cabbage rolls, salad, pita bread and Kaak (Lebanese cookies) and a Bingo card. To purchase lunch tickets, visit stelias.org. For more information, please e-mail rosamarie@stelias.org. The church is located at 836 8th Street, South in Birmingham.

Friday-Saturday, September 29-30

Women's retreat

Immaculee Ilibagiza, survivor of the Rwandan genocide and author of Left to Tell and Our Lady of Kibeho, will be leading a retreat for women at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Birmingham. The retreat will last from 5-9 p.m. on Friday and will resume from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday. The cost for the retreat is $57 for one person and $78 for two. Immaculee gives an amazing testimony to the power of prayer and the love of God. The church is located at 5514 Double Oak Lane. To register or for more information, please visit immaculee.com, click “Shop/Events,” then click “Retreats.” Scroll to find the Birmingham retreat. Space is limited.

Saturday, September 30

World Youth Day reunion

All are invited to Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church’s Parish Hall for an evening of reflection about World Youth Day experiences, sponsored by the diocesan Office for Youth Ministry. The gathering will begin and 7:30 p.m. and conclude at 9 p.m. Come listen as pilgrims share the impact of this pilgrimage on their faith lives and their hopes for how we can carry the fruit of World Youth Day. The church is located at 1728 Oxmoor Road in Homewood. For more information, please e-mail cwiget@bhmdiocese.org.

Saturday, September 30

Yard sale

The parishioners of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Jacksonville and St. Joachim Catholic Church in Piedmont will be coming together for their annual yard sale from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. The sale will be held in St. Charles’ Macey Hall. Breakfast, lunch, and baked goods will be available for purchase at a low price. The church is located at 308 7thStreet, Northeast. For more information, please e-mail tricia@stcharlescatholicchurch.com.