Calendar - December 14, 2013

Deadline: Submissions due Thursday (10 days before each issue)
[email protected]
(504) area code unless noted

Dec. 14-21

EVENTS
    CAJUN COFFEE PAWTY, Dec. 14, 1-4 p.m., free food, drink, Cajun music, door prizes, cooking demonstration. Benefits Cafe Hope, Plaquemines Animal Welfare Society, Plaquemines Cat Action Team. Budget Saver, 1951 Barataria Blvd. in Marrero.
    A VERY MARINE CHRISTMAS, Christmas concert with Marine Corps Band New Orleans, Dec. 15, 5 p.m., National Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, 2701 State St., New Orleans.
    JEFFERSON CHORALE, an affiliate of Jefferson Performing Arts Society, performs Handel’s “Messiah,” under direction of Dr. Louise LaBruyere, Dec. 15, 2 p.m.,  St. Cletus Church, 3600 Claire Ave., Gretna. Admission free, donations accepted.
    HEALING MASS, Dec. 16, 7 p.m., followed by healing service with eucharistic benediction and exposition. Free, lit parking in rear schoolyard. St. Anthony of Padua, 4640 Canal St., New Orleans.
    SONGS OF THE SEASON, free, one-hour concert featuring Rachel Van Voorhees, principal harpist with the Louisiana Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, Dec. 18, 7 p.m., Blessed Francis X. Seelos Church, 3037 Dauphine St., New Orleans. Off-street parking. 943-5566.
    BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP, meets Dec. 18, 10 a.m., Archdiocese of New Orleans Retreat Center (Cenacle), 5500 St. Mary St., Metairie. Potluck holiday lunch follows meeting. 288-9040.
    KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS, dine Dec. 18 to support St. Rita of Harahan food pantry. Dec. 18, Phil’s Grill, 1640 Hickory Ave., Harahan. Eat lunch or dinner that day or take out at Phil’s and a portion of the proceeds are donated to the pantry. Sponsored by St. Rita Council 3845 and St. Matthew the Apostle Council 13425. 430-8778.
    MARY OF NAZARETH, motion picture on life of Mary, mother of Christ, Dec. 19, 6:30 p.m., AMC Theaters, Elmwood. Seating begins at 6 p.m. Must purchase $10 tickets in advance at Mule’s Religious Supply Store, Metairie. 468-2919.
    DELTA FESTIVAL BALLET, 32nd annual Nutcracker with live accompaniment by Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Dec. 20, 7 p.m.; Dec. 21-22, 2 p.m. Tulane University’s Dixon Hall. Cast of 114 local children with guest artists Janessa Touchet as Snow Queen and Sugar Plum Fairy, and her Cavalier, Cervilio Amador. Tickets: 888-0931 or online at www.deltafestivalballet.com.
    LOYOLA INSTITUTE OF MINISTRY (LIM), online preaching course offered in spring. Alternating instruction, conversation, practice and feedback, this 10-week course provides students with a theology of and formation in preaching. It includes preparation for and the work of preaching from a Catholic perspective, in varied settings and different occasions. Enrollment limited to 12. http://lim.loyno.edu/preach ing, LIM Director Tom Ryan,  [email protected], 865-2069. Also, online course on social media and ministry (http://lim.loyno.edu/digital-media-and-ministry).

PARISHES
    ST. CLEMENT OF ROME, free Nativity Exhibition, “O Holy Night,” Dec. 21-22, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Vintage and modern nativity figurines and nativity sets from all over the world displayed. Youth choirs perform on Saturday at noon and Sunday at 5:30 p.m. Free admission. Photography encouraged. Vosbein Hall. West Esplanade at Cleary avenues, Metairie.

SCHOOLS
    ST. MATTHEW THE APOSTLE, Home and School Association meeting, Dec. 13, 8:30 a.m., MBC.  All parents invited.

COMING…
    ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS, Irish New Year, Dec. 27, 8-11 p.m., Bantaa’s Fleur de Lis, 111 North Sixth St., Ponchatoula. Crescent City Celtic Band, hors d’oeuvres, open bar. $50 a person. Proceeds benefit Rosaryville Spirit Life Center. 430-6072; (225) 294-5039.
    CATHOLIC CHARISMATIC RENEWAL OF NEW ORLEANS (CCRNO), “Freedom,” annual Holy Spirit Youth Retreat for teens/ young adults, Jan. 3 at 7 p.m.- Jan. 5, 12:30 p.m. Landmark Hotel, 2601 Severn Ave., Metairie. Talks, skits, music, worship, Mass, confession, fellowship featuring Father Steve Bruno, Matt Bourgeois and local priests and youth speakers. Youth groups welcomed. 828-1368.
     FRIENDS OF SAINT ALPHONSUS, Fun Under Frescoes series continues Jan. 8, Creole String Beans in semi-“unplugged” show featuring originals and classics from local R&B and Swamp Pop songbook; March 12, Irish Extravaganza featuring the McTeggart Irish Dancers, Beth Patterson & Her 2 Sexy Thugs.

KUDOS
     URSULINE SISTERS OF NEW ORLEANS joyfully welcome Sister Mary Anne Holmes as prioress. Born in Galveston and a graduate of the Ursuline Academy there, Sister Mary Anne has served as teacher, principal, prioress and treasurer in schools and communities. Sister Mary Anne will live with Sisters Regina Marie Fronmüller and Ginger Cirone at an Ursuline house on Valence Street. She replaces Sister Carla who will remain in New Orleans as director of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor.