Calendar Jan. 9-31, 2021

GOD’S SPECIAL CHILDREN, monthly Mass, Jan. 10, 2 p.m. St. Francis Xavier Church, 444 Metairie Road, Metairie. Masks required; social distancing observed. 2021 Mass dates will be: Feb. 7, March 7, April 11, May 9, June 6, July 11, Aug. 1, Sept. 12, October (to be determined),  Nov. 7 and Dec. 5. 

NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING CLASS, in Spanish with Karen Canales, two parts, Jan. 11 and Feb. 8. St. Jerome Parish, 2402 33rd St., Kenner. Cost: $15 (for materials). (504) 443-3174 or [email protected]. 

ST. BENILDE, free DVD presentation, “God’s Mercy in Suffering and Suicide,” Jan. 15, 7-8:30 p.m., in the cafeteria. This talk is from “Explaining the Faith Series” by Father Chris Alar. Masks/facial coverings and physical distancing requirements observed. 1901 Division St., Metairie. Contact Val Hebert at [email protected] or (504) 427-0327.

ANNUAL SILVER WEDDING ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION for couples who have been married for 25 years, March 14 at 3 p.m. at St. Joseph Church in New Orleans. This prayer service – not a Mass –  is only for couples married in the year 1996 in celebration of their 25th wedding anniversary. Parishes are asked to register couples by Jan. 20, using the online form at www.nolacatholic.org/wedding-anniversary. This gives ample time to prepare scrolls and seating arrangements. Anniversary couples should contact their parish rectory before Jan. 15.

NEW ORLEANS PROUDLY PRO-LIFE GALA, held virtually Jan. 16, 7 p.m. Featuring former New Orleans Saints player Ben Watson and his wife Kirsten with Louisiana Sen. Katrina Jackson and Archbishop Gregory Aymond. Visit www.prolifegala.com or watch it live on WLAE-TV. Support the gala with a tax-deductible contribution at  https://prolifelouisiana.org/galaregistration. Call (866) 463-5433.

YOUNG CATHOLIC PROFESSIONALS turns four years old as a local organization with a celebration, Jan. 20, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at Loft18, 3128 Metairie Road, Metairie. Beer and wine specials; networking. http://www.ycpneworleans.org/ or [email protected].

MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR THE UNBORN in the Holy Innocents Prayer Garden (St. Patrick  No. 1 Cemetery, 5000 Canal St., New Orleans) Jan. 22 at noon. Prayers for those lost to miscarriage, stillbirth or abortion and those who mourn them.

DAY OF PRAYER AND RECOLLECTION, with Father Jerome Earley, Jan. 23, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., “John of the Cross and the Love of God.” Sponsored by New Orleans Discalced Carmelites at Notre Dame Seminary,  2901 South Carrollton Ave., New Orleans. Lauds and Mass celebrated. RSVP seven days in advance at (504) 296-4110.

RACHEL ROSARY, for those killed by the legalization of abortion since 1973, Jan. 23 following the 8:30 a.m. Mass. St. Edward the Confessor Church, 4921 West Metairie Ave., Metairie.

ST. JUDE NOVENA, Our Lady of Guadalupe/International Shrine of St. Jude will host a free, nine-day novena given by Oblate Father Andy Sensenig, Jan. 23 beginning at noon through Jan. 31, and at 9:30 a.m. on Sundays, Jan. 24 and 31. 411 North Rampart St., New Orleans. Streamed live on Facebook (St. Jude Shrine New Orleans).

NOTRE DAME SEMINARY, hosts a Eucharist Lecture Series throughout 2021 in honor of the Year of the Eucharist. Seminary rector, Father James Wehner, will present the first lecture Jan. 27 at 5:30 p.m., at Notre Dame Seminary’s Schulte Hall, 2901 South Carrollton Ave., New Orleans.

ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW ORLEANS RETREAT CENTER, women’s retreats: Jan. 15-17, “Called to Be Antibodies of Solidarity” with Matt Rousso; Jan. 29-31, “Becoming a Disciple of Jesus of Nazareth” with Father Glenn LeCompte; Feb. 19-21, “Women’s Retreat: The Infinite Tenderness of God” with Legionaries Father Jacob Dumont. Social distancing requirements will be followed; masks required. To register, visit https://neworleansretreats.com. 5500 St. Mary St., Metairie. (504) 887-1420.

ST. ELIZABETH ANN SETON, open house for prospective students in pre-kindergarten 1 through seventh grades and their parents, Jan. 20. Register for a specific hour and grade at  www.seasschool.org. Private tours also available. Call (504) 468-3524.

RETROUVAILLE, a weekend program designed to provide help and support to married couples of all faiths who are undergoing difficulties, offers its next session Jan. 15-17  at the William J. Kelly Retreat Center in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. Sponsored by the Catholic Church, Retrouvaille has proven helpful for couples who are troubled or if the relationship has grown distant. Visit https://www.helpourmarriage.org/ or email [email protected].

CONFESSIONS will be available in all parishes on the following Lenten Wednesdays from 5-6:30 p.m.: March 10, March 17 and March 24.

WORKSHOPS, for new extraordinary ministers of holy Communion (EMHC)and basic workshops for readers, will be presented by the Office of Worship this spring. Attendance for EMHCs is required before a person can be delegated by the archbishop to serve in this ministry. Attendance for readers is strongly recommended for new readers and those who have not previously attended a workshop. Find the complete schedule at the Office of Worship website: https://nolacatholic.org/lay-liturgical-ministry-formation. Participants need to pre-register with their parish before attending. Information on Spanish-language workshops may be found through the Hispanic Apostolate. (504) 861-6300 or [email protected].

THE NEW ORLEANS CHILDREN’S CHORUS will hold registration for the spring semester through the end of January for new singers ages 5-16. No special talent or experience is required. Parents of interested singers should contact Teena Baudier at (504) 482-2883 or (504) 388-8871; email [email protected]; or visit www.neworleanschildrenschorus.org to register. Spring semester rehearsals on Mondays will be outside, socially distanced and with masks, when the weather allows. When the choirs can’t meet in person, they will meet on Zoom. A spring concert will be outdoors May 2. In 2019, the chorus and alumni members performed in concerts in Florence and Verona, Italy.