Calendar: Aug. 22 – Sept. 27

CATHOLICS RETURNING HOME, six-week series of listening sessions and Catholic updates for those who have been away or want to learn more about the Catholic faith. Starting Aug. 22, 7-8:30 p.m. Light refreshments served. St. Edward the Confessor Parish Center, 4921 West Metairie Ave., Metairie. 888-0703; steddy.org.

BENEFIT CONCERT, Aug. 24, 7 p.m., Archbishop Hannan High School gym, to help with medical expenses of Brendan David, a 2019 graduate who suffered a brain injury incurred days after graduation. Proceeds from concessions, a raffle, jewelry and magnet sales go toward his long-term care. Brendan is a Mary Queen of Peace graduate. Archbishop Hannan senior Julia Ernst will sing selections from various genres of music. Admission: $5 for students; $10 for adults, higher donations accepted. Tickets sold at door. Make checks payable to Brendan David Special Needs Trust. To follow his miraculous journey by going to his Facebook page: Brendan’s Miracle. 71324 LA 1077, Covington.

YOUNG CATHOLIC STUDENTS MOVEMENT, Mary Queen of Vietnam Parish, invites all students to the annual “Back-to-School” Mass Aug. 25, 11 a.m., to ask for God’s blessings and sanctification for the new 2019-20 school year. Students, parents and teachers will receive a special blessing from the celebrant. 14001 Dwyer Blvd., New Orleans. 920-0610; 975-6608.

YOUTH TESTIMONY FROM MEDJUGORJE, Aug. 28, 6:30 p.m., in the parish community building, St. Anthony of Padua in Luling. Several youth made an eight-day parish pilgrimage to Medjugorje and will talk about their experiences. Also, monthly Mass and healing services on the last Thursday of the month, Aug. 29, 5-5:45 p.m. confession; 6 p.m. Mass followed by healing service with Father Anthony Odiong, celebrant. 234 Angus Drive, Luling.

40 DAYS FOR LIFE, launch party, Aug. 29, 6:30 p.m., with keynote speaker Shawn Carney, president of 40 Days for Life, whose life was portrayed in the movie “Unplanned” about  former abortion clinic worker Abby Johnson’s life. Dinner is provided. 2019 40 Days for Life begins Sept. 25 and continues through Nov. 3 with a prayerful presence at Women’s Health Care Center, 2701 Gen. Pershing St., New Orleans. Details: Sarah Zagorski at [email protected], 835-6520. To sign up for a vigil hour time, go to https://prolifelouisiana.org/get-involved/40daysforlifela/40daysforlifenola/vigil-signup/. Kickoff event is at  St. Angela Merici, 901 Beverly Garden Drive, Metairie.

ST. RITA, Harahan, Back-to-School skate night, Aug. 29, 6:30-8:30 p.m. $5 per skater, skates included. Private fundraiser for St. Rita School. Airline Skate Center, 6711 Airline Drive, Metairie. Details, call 737-0744.

ST. ANGELA MERICI, new 2019-20 officers invite female parishioners to join the Ladies Auxiliary (SALA), Sept. 3, 7 p.m., for a special “Meet and Greet Wine and Cheese” party in the Kern Center (gym). Dues: $20 a year. Cake mixes and icing available to bake for Catfish Festival Sept. 27-28.

ARCHDIOCESAN ANNUAL EVENING OF CONFESSION, at all Catholic parishes Sept. 11, 5-6:30 p.m. For tips on going to confession, visit https://nolacatholic.org/evening-of-confession

JAZZED FOR LIFE, fourth annual “Jazzed for Life” Respect Life coordinators and volunteers day of networking, Sept. 14, 8 a.m. networking; continental breakfast; speakers 9 a.m.-noon; networking continues until 1 p.m. Archbishop Aymond will open the day with prayer. Speakers: Dr. Kathy Allen, “Healing After Abortion”; Susan Deboisblanc, bioethics and life issues. Respect Life Coordinators, pastors, vicars, deacons, volunteers and anyone interested invited. Register: https://respectlife.arch-no.org/jazzed-for-life

MERCY ACADEMY, celebrating 150 years of the Sisters of Mercy in New Orleans as well as reunions of classes of 1944, 1949, 1959 and 1969 and the feast day of Our Lady of Mercy, Sept. 15, with a Mass, brunch and election of officers for the Mercy Alumnae Association. Chateau Golf and Country Club, 3600 Chateau Blvd., Kenner. Nominations taken for the Mother McAuley Award given to an active alumna, and book fee awarded to two relatives of alumnae attending a Catholic school. Brunch is $30; alumnae Dues: $15 for 2019-20. Deadline to register: Sept. 3. Call 717-6555.

St. Elizabeth’s Guild, 49th annual Volunteer Activists Awards Luncheon, Sept. 27, 11:30 a.m., Hyatt Regency, 601 Loyola Ave., New Orleans. Doors open at 10:45 a.m. Ten community activists honored: Bebe Babst, Barra L. Birrcher, Deborah and John Blancher, Elizabeth A. Boh, Celie Fraiche Clark, Gayle Leaumont Gaubert, Stacy F. Pellerin, Margaret Wood Ransone and Erin Shea Stahnke. Hall of Fame honorees are Blanche M. Comiskey, Ronnie Kole, Sybil Haydel Morial and John P. Laborde. A Dillard’s fashion show, entertainment, silent auction, raffles, parade of prizes held. The guild supports children’s programs serviced by Catholic Charities such as Padua House, St. John the Baptist Head Start, Cornerstone Kids, Isaiah 43 and Therapeutic Family Services. Tickets: visit bidpal.net/stelizabethsguild or call 236-8720.

INTRODUCTION TO CENTERING PRAYER RETREAT, sponsored by the Benedictine Sisters Retreat Center in Cullman and Contemplative Outreach Birmingham, Aug. 30-Sept. 1, with registration Aug. 30, 6-7 p.m.; weekend ends after noon meal on Sept. 1. Centering prayer fosters a deeper intimacy with Christ through the silence and stillness of contemplative prayer. Private rooms and the ability to maintain silence are required. Cost: $245 a person (private room), lodging, meals, linens included. (256) 734-8302, e-mail at [email protected].

CATHOLIC CHARISMATIC RENEWAL OF NEW ORLEANS (CCRNO), annual healing retreat for men and women, “Holiness and Wholeness,” Sept. 20-22, with Jim Murphy, outgoing president of ICCRS at the Vatican, and Father Bill Henry,  pastor of St. Joseph Church in Greenville, Mississippi, and a sought-after spiritual director with a special gift of prayer for healing. Both add pastoral experience and charismatic healing ministry to this retreat. On-site rooms still available, although they were totally booked in 2018. For registration and information: www.ccrno.org; 828-1368; [email protected].