Upcoming events

Holy day of obligation

This year, The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (Dec. 8) falls on a Saturday and it is a holy day of obligation. The morning Masses on Saturday, Dec. 8, will be for the Immaculate Conception holy day. Masses after 4 p.m. on Dec. 8 are for the Second Sunday of Advent.

Science of the Guadalupe miracle

The Our Lady of Guadalupe Conference — Sunday, Nov. 18, at Cardinal Rigali Center — will focus on the scientific, cultural and theological aspects of the miraculous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe on the tilma of St. Juan Diego, to whom Our Lady appeared in 1531 at Tepeyac Hill in Mexico. Theologian David Keys will focus on the coded messages within the image, both for people of 16th century and modern man. Those elements could not have been scientifically know at that time. Father Bruce Nieli, CSP, will be a speaker, Sister Cathy Doherty, SSND, pastoral associate at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Ferguson will join Keys and Father Neili in a panel discussion. The Institute for Theological Encounter Science and Technology (ITEST) and the archdiocesan offices of Sacred Worship and Hispanic Ministry are sprsoring the conference, which starts at 2 p.m. and ends at 5 p.m. Cardinal Rigali Center is at 20 Archbishop May Drive in Shrewsbury. For more information, contact [email protected] or [email protected].

Teachers’ art exhibit

Tony Bodnar of Trinity Catholic High School will be among four featured artists for the second annual teachers art exhibit, “Those Who Teach Can Two (Too),” at Good Shepherd Arts Center. The exhibit’s opening reception will be 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24.; the show will run until Saturday, Dec. 15. Also, at the opening reception, the arts center will celebrate its third birthday with a birthday cake. Good Shepherd Arts Center is at 252 S. Florissant Road in Ferguson. Hours are: Wednesday and Thursdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Friday, 2-8 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Other hours are by appointment. For information; visit www.goodshepherdarts.org

Vitae Foundation event

Father Jonathan Morris, Fox News analyst and author, will speak at the Vitae Foundation’s St. Charles Pro-Life Event on Thursday, Nov. 29, at the St. Charles Convention Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza in St. Charles. Dinner and program begin at 7 p.m. The event raises funds to promote a culture of life and to help educate women facing unplanned pregnancies about resources available to assist them in making informed decisions. Father Morris was program director of SiriusXM’s “The Catholic Channel” until 2015. He also serves in campus ministry at Columbia University. Reservations will be accepted online at www.vitaefoundation.org/events or by calling (573) 634-4316. The registration fee is $50 per person and $25 is tax-deductible.

Celebrating Baby Jesus

The Daughters of St. Paul will host their annual Birthday Party for Baby Jesus on Saturday, Dec. 1 — 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. — at Pauline Books & Media at 9804 Watson Road in Crestwood. The party has become a St. Louis tradition over the past 25 years as generations of families have come to enjoy the festivities and to spend time with the Pauline Sisters, who have the help of a dozen local volunteers in organizing the free event. Ultimately, the party enables children to experience the true meaning of Christmas. The party will include the nativity story, a birthday cake, photo ops with Baby Jesus (costumes and backdrop provided/bring your own camera) and more. For more information, call (314) 965-3512.

Convent Camino vocations retreat

Catholic religious sisters of St. Louis will host a vocations retreat, the Convent Camino, Dec. 14-15 starting at the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet motherhouse at 6400 Minnesota Ave. in St. Louis. The Camino gives single women ages 18-40, the chance to visit with Catholic sisters in their houses and convent, learn about the sisters’ communities and ministries and join them in prayer and fellowship. The cost is $25, but scholarships are available. For information or to register, visit www.goo.gl/eLJ1ck or contact Sister Amy Hereford, csj, at (314) 972-4763 or [email protected].