Birmingham Faith Community Events

Birmingham Faith
Community Events

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Spiritual Retreats
Adoration

Ultreya Magnificat
Adult Faith Formation

Vocation Information
B A C PATH
Catholic Home School

Natural Family Planning
Adoption

Project Rachel

B'ham Catholic Singles

Engaged Encounter
Marriage Encounter

Beginning Experience
Retrouvaille

Community Events
Food Pantry

Seniors Activities
Jubilee 2000 Pilgrimage

Catholic Center for Concern
One Voice
JCCHS - CarrolLife

Recycle at OLL

Senior Citizens Events

St Francis Xavier Parish sponsors a monthly Mass-Luncheon-Bingo for Catholic Senior Adults of the Birmingham area on the 4th Thursday of each month, from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm. Donation $5.00. Please call (205) 951-2792, for reservations by 2 days in advance.

Senior Citizens Bingo/Luncheon - Our Lady of Lourdes Parish sponsors a monthly Senior Citizens Bingo & Luncheon. Come join us for Bingo, lunch and good fellowship, 2nd Thursday of each month (October-May) at 9:30 am. Please remember to bring a canned good for the needy. For more information, call the Church Office (205) 836-2274.

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Catholic Community

+ College Scholarships for Catholic Women
The Alabama State Council of Auxiliary Ladies of the Knights of Columbus invite Catholic women in Alabama to apply for a $500 college scholarship. Each recipient must be a practicing Catholic and a resident of Alabama. She may be a high school senior, someone already in college, a woman who would like to return to college, or one desiring to pursue a graduate degree. Please submit 1) a resume, 2) a cover letter explaining why you desire the scholarship, your planned career, and why you feel you deserve this scholarship, & 3) two letters of recommendation, one of which must be from your parish priest. This information must be prepared by the applicant and mailed as a complete package to Ms Pam Morris, Past President; ASK AL KC, 670 Lakeview Drive, Eclectic, AL 36024. All applications must be postmarked by November 30th.

+ St Rose Academy 50th Anniversary 1956-2006 - St Rose Academy is planning its “Fiftieth Anniversary,” in 2006! If you are an alumnus or know someone who attended St Rose, please call the Development Office at 933-0549 ext 106 or email: sanselmo@saintroseacademy.com

+ Marriage Encounter of North Alabama “Do not conform yourselves to this age …” (Romans 12:1-2). Take a break from the hectic pace of life in the modern world and “be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God.” Experience what Marriage Encounter can do to strengthen your marriage vocation in the midst of a society that is increasingly unsupportive of Sacramental Marriage. For more info call (256) 882-2430 or visit: www.wwmealabama.org

+ B'ham Area Food Pantry - the Food item for January is canned meat. Please bring your donations to the Church Office or place them in the Food Pantry baskets near the exits of the Church when you come to Mass. Thank You!

Rosary Makers
Needed! Rosary Makers for Our Blessed Mother: Missions in the US & around the world are in need of Rosaries. You can purchase a beginner's kit that will enable you to make 50 cord Rosaries for less than $10 (instructions included). For info about making Rosaries, call Lady's Rosary Makers, (502) 968-1434.

Choose Life Plates Approved!
The State has received well over the 1,000 commitments needed to approve the issue of the Choose Life Plates! You will soon be able to purchase the tags at any county renewal office. A check for $50 & your registration is all you will need.

Adoptive Families Needed
Catholic Family Services is opening up its waiting list for couples seeking to adopt. For those couples wishing more information or placement on our list for those awaiting a home study, please call (205) 324-6561.

Pro-Life - There are alternatives to abortion. Call 1-800-848-LOVE

Catholic Family Services
is in need of volunteers who can provide translation services to Spanish speaking individuals and families. The agency is compiling a list of those fluent enough in Spanish who can assist the Catholic Family Staff in meeting this need. Anyone wishing to volunteer their time & talent can call (205) 324-6561.

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+ Spiritual Retreats +

Alabama Retreat Centers (Near Birmingham)

"Assisi-South Retreat Center"- presents a variety of Retreat throughout the year. Located in Bessemer, AL, please call (205) 425-0984, for details of upcoming retreats and registration or e-mail: stfranbes@aol.com.

St Bernard Abbey Retreat Center - presents a variety of Retreats throughout the year. If you are interested in their upcoming schedule, you may call (205) 734-8291 ext 144 or e-mail: sbavoc@usa.net.

The Sisters of the Benedictine Spirituality Center at Sacred Heart Monastery in Cullman, Alabama conduct many interesting retreats throughout the year. If you are interested in their upcoming schedule, you may visit them on the web at: www.shmon.org, or you may call them at: (256) 734-8302 or e-mail: shmon@hiwaay.net.

The Sisters of the Blessed Trinity Shrine Retreat, in Ft Mitchell, Alabama conduct many interesting retreats throughout the year. If you are interested in their upcoming schedule, you may call (334) 855-4474 or e-mail: btsr107@juno.com.

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Beginning Experience

+ Food Pantry +

Beginning Experience, an interdenominational program for widowed, separated and divorced people. Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Homewood hosts BE on an ongoing basis. For details, call (205) 969-8509. Information online.

The Beginning Experience Weekend offers Hope, Love & Healing to those experiencing pain and grief due to the death of a spouse or the end of their marriage. Call (205) 969-8509 for details.

OLL's Food Pantry regularly needs the following types of items:
Dry Goods - Corn Meal, Flour, Bisquick, Grits, Cream of Wheat, Macaroni & Cheese, Sugar, Oatmeal and Cooking Oil.
Canned Goods - Peanut Butter, Canned Meats, Tuna Fish, Ravioli, Chili and Canned Potatoes.
Personal Items - Soap, Kleenex, Shampoo, etc. Thank you for your support.

The Food Pantry Committee wishes to thank everyone for their generous donations to the pantry. You are very much appreciated.

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Marriage Encounter:
Upcoming Weekends. . .

Marriage Difficulties??
Retrouvaille Rediscovery...

I place much of my hope
for the future
in marriage encounter (Pope John Paul II)

Our Holy Father invites all married couples to experience the Marriage Encounter Weekend, which is a fantastic gift of the Catholic Church.
For upcoming Marriage Encounter Weekends in your area, call:
Huntsville, AL -
Darriel & Anna Wilks, (256) 828-4308

Birmingham, AL -
(205) 428-3746. Visit them on the web at: www.wwmealabama.org

Montgomery, AL -
Tom & Jeanne Sexton (334) 396-0324

Link to World Wide Marriage Encounter
You don’t need a Marriage Encounter Weekend, You Deserve It!

If your marriage has grown cold or uncaring, Retrouvaille may be the program to get you back on track. Retrouvaille is a highly successful program that teaches positive and simple ways to communicate, ways that can help you to achieve the marriage you want to have. We know also, first-hand couples already separated or divorced who were able to reunite as happy and stable couples after attending the Retrouvaille program. It’s not to late for you, too, to benefit from what Retrouvaille has to offer. Retrouvaille is Catholic in origin, but has been and always will be open to married couples from all faith traditions, and has proven to be equally successful, regardless of the couples faith. For the schedule of upcoming weekend in Birmingham, Alabama or for reservations, call (205) 763-2058 or (800) 470-2230.

Online resources:
For more information call 1-800-470-2230.
To Register Online
Email Contact: Ted/Iris Bjorn

All inquires are confidential.
Although this is a Catholic ministry, it is open to couples of all faiths.

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NFP

+ One Voice +

The Couple to Couple League is sponsoring a workshop on the Sympto- Thermal method of Natural Family Planning. This 4-part class is conducted on a regular basis an usually held at St. Vincent’s Hospital, downtown Birmingham, AL. The classes will be led by Couple to Couple League certified teachers.

To register for an upcoming class or to learn more about the benefits of Natural Family Planning (NFP) - a Safe, Effective & Morally Acceptable method of conception regulation that is approved by the Catholic Church, call Harold & Kathy Gray at (205) 879-2042. Harold & Kathy Gray are teachers of NFP since 1982.

Send e-mail to Harold or Kathy.

ONE VOICE is published weekly for the Diocese of Birmingham, Alabama by the Birmingham Catholic Press, Inc., and is available at a cost of $14.00 per year. If you are a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Church and not receiving the paper, please call the Church Office at (205) 836-2274.

Subscribe to ONE VOICE

Phone
(205) 838-8305
Fax
(205) 838-8319
Mailing Address:
PO Box 10822
Birmingham, AL 35202

Send E-mail

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ONE VOICE STAFF
Publisher: Most Reverend David E. Foley, D.D.

Managing Editor:
Mary A. Crockett

Secretary-Circulation:
Mrs Ann Lanzi

Advertising Manager:
Sam Ciulla

Photojournalist:
David San Miguel

+ Vocation Information +

Community Events

"Come follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." (Mt 4:19) For information about Vocations, please call (205) 838-2184 or by e-mail at vocations@bhmdiocese.org for information or help with registration.

+ Vocations Awareness Week -
Fervent prayers are important for encouraging our people to look and listen for the Lord's Call. Parents, friends, relatives, and those who care about the Lord's Work need to help those chosen individuals who are being called to life as a priest, sister, brother, or deacon. This is not “somebody else's business.” We, the Church, need more priests and more women and men religious. It is up to us to help this happen.

Our Holy Father, John Paul II, has said it is urgent for all the member's of the Church to be convinced of their responsibility to look after Vocations The Word of the Lord must be proclaimed so others can see. Unless the Tradition of the Faith is handed-on, there will be no Faith. (And it appears there is a major effort active in the World to see this happen). What a challenge! What a time to pursue a Vocation!

Is God calling you or someone you know to serve the Church? Bishop Foley invites any men or women, Junior in High School or older, who are considering a vocation to the priesthood, as a sister or in religious life, to call the Diocesan Vocation Coordinator listed below.

Do you know someone who shows the qualities of a future priest, brother, or sister? Have you told him or her? God may want to use you as an instrument in a young person’s vocation. Why not invite one young person to consider Priesthood or religious life?

Did you know that the Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama...
Has 15 diocesan seminarians preparing for Priesthood?
Sponsors free events for men aged 18-40 who are discerning a possible call to Priesthood?
Offers the services of the Vocations Office to assist anyone who is discerning his/her vocation?
Is actively seeking to identify and support all those whom the Lord is calling to Priesthood/religious life?
Needs YOUR help in praying for and fostering vocations?

Vocations Coordinator
(205) 838-2184
PO Box 12047
Birmingham AL 35202-2047
E-mail: vocations@bhmdiocese.org
Information will be provided, and there is no cost or obligation.

Prayer For Vocations
O Lord, send workers for Your harvest, so that the commands of Your Only-Begotten Son may always be obeyed and His Sacrifice be everywhere renewed. Look with favor upon Your family, and ever increase its numbers. Enable it to lead its sons and daughters to the holiness to which they are called and to work for the salvation of others. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

What Can You Do To Help ??

Pray the Vocations Novena, that men & women will answer God's call to church ministry.
Encourage people to consider a religious vocation.
Be Informed about the Church's wide spectrum of ministries.
Volunteer to teach religious education, or for other parish activities.
Offer An Example to youth by proclaiming your faith through your words & actions.
Financially Support struggling seminarians and vocations programs across our nation.

All Graduates of John Carroll High School, please notify Sister Dominica (PO Box 488, Cullman, AL 35046) if you are not receiving the Alumni Bulletin - the Carrollife.

Magnificat Prayer Breakfast -To the women of the Diocese – a wonderful chance for fellowship and inspiration! Event are held on a regular basis and normally take place at St Elias Maronite Rite Catholic Church. A variety of speakers present inspiration witness to faith and God in their lives. For tickets ($7 each) or upcoming events information, call (205) 991-3489 or (205) 252-3867. No tickets are sold at the door.

Attention Birmingham Catholic Singles
Information on upcoming events
CaSBA (Catholic Singles of the B'ham Area)

Catholic Home School -
Information:
Seton Home Study School
1350 Progress Drive
Front Royal, VA 22630
(540) 636-9990; fax (540) 636-1602; Internet at www.SetonHome.org
email: info@SetonHome.org

Recycle At OLL - Show your Stewardship of the Earth. There is now a paper recycling bin behind the Church. Please bring all your clean newspapers for recycling. OLL is accepting Newspapers Only for Recycling due to our Recycling Company's policy. No other types of paper or other items are accepted, due to our Recycling Company's Policies. Thank you.

Also, OLL Youth are collecting Aluminum Cans to help with the expense of the annual Senior High Beach Trip. Please rinse - Crush - & Bag your cans and bring to the Youth house Porch on the first weekend of each month.

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Catholic Family Services
Considering an adoption plan? Call us. We have many loving families who want to be parents.	Catholic Family Services 2164 11th Avenue South Birmingham, AL 35205 (205) 324-6561 Catholic Family Services 1010 Church Street Huntsville, AL 35804 (205) 536-0073 Catholic Family Services 733 37th Street, East Tuscaloosa, AL 35405 (205) 553-9045
Nazareth House
College undergraduates and high-school juniors and seniors interested in working with children/youth who are mentally retarded, in a Saturday morning city-wide program of religious education, please call Sr. Mary Vernon Gentle or Fr. Pat Cullen at (205) 251-1279.
Pregnant? Confused?
Catholic Family Services is committed to offering professional help to women and their families during this difficult time. For information or an appointment, please call (205) 324-6561.

Catholic Center for Concern
The Catholic Center for Concern is an emergency relief agency established under the "umbrella" of the Diocese of Birmingham Catholic Charities. Its purpose and goal is to communicate Christian love by offering emergency relief assistance to needy families. The Center is run by the Consolata Missionary Sisters with the help of Four staff members and many volunteers. To volunteer your time, call the Director at (205) 786-4388.
Catholic Engaged Encounter
is a weekend experience that offers an engaged couple a unique opportunity to discover a fuller appreciation of their own relationship and God's call to them to be united in a permanent union. Weekends are held at the Sacred Heart Monastery in Cullman, AL from 7:00 pm Friday - 3:00 pm Sunday. Cost $155. Per couple and includes weekend meals and accommodations. Please call Bob & Karen Gerchow at (205) 663-6577 for additional information. EE weekends take place on a regular basis throughout the year. Please call to verify scheduling information. + Top +

Adoration

Come spend time in prayer in front of the Blessed Sacrament, at Our Lady of Lourdes. Adoration hours are from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday. If interested in signing up, please call the Church Office.

PATH

PATH has been helping women back to work and helping homeless women with their basic needs for over 10 years in the Birmingham, Alabama area. We are grateful for your prayers and, if possible, for any donations. Call Sister Mary Robert Oliver, Executive Director, or Sandra Balfanz at (205) 322-6854 for more information.

Project Rachel

Spiritual & psychological healing for anyone affected by an abortion experience. Don't suffer alone. Call toll-free, 1-888-343-4992.

+ B A C +

BAC, the Be an Apostle for Christ Foundation, was founded in 1987 by Salesian Brother Charles Todel as a ministry to the poorest of the poor in the Birmingham area. The initial focus was on the needs of the children of poverty and today they support two oratories in the Woodlawn and Gate City neighborhoods.

An oratory is more than just a youth center - it is a home, a school, a playground, a workshop, and a church all rolled up into one. It provides the children with a place to be loved, to learn, to play, to acquire life skills, and to pray.

For additional information, or to adopt a child for one of our year-long Salesian programs in Gate City, call or write:
(205) 591-7310
B.A.C.
PO Box 321576
Birmingham, AL 35232

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Last modified: February 06, 2006

Copyright © 2005 Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church
Birmingham, AL, USA. All rights reserved.