Bishop Earl Fernandes will speak to the Catholic Men’s Luncheon Club on Friday, Dec 2. This will be his first appearance before the group since his ordination and installation as the 13th bishop of the Diocese of Columbus.
The meeting will follow the 11:45 a.m. Mass at Columbus St. Patrick Church, 280 N. Grant Ave. Free parking is available in the Columbus State Community College Grant Avenue parking lot (25-S), across the street from the church. No reservations are necessary. A $12 donation for the lunch and meeting is suggested.
The club will not meet in January. Its next meeting will be on Friday, Feb. 3, when the bishop presents the club’s annual diocesan Catholic Man of the Year award.
The December luncheon will be sponsored by the Bottoms Up Diaper Bank (www.bottomsup.life). Contact Jim Gernetzke at jimgernetzke@noslumine.com if you are interested in sponsoring a future luncheon.
Watterson sponsors open house
Columbus Bishop Watterson High School, 99 E. Cooke Road, will host its annual open house from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20.
Prospective students are invited to tour the building; meet faculty, staff and coaches; and learn about the school’s academic, faith, service and co-curricular programs. Deacon Chris Campbell, the school’s principal, will speak at 2 p.m.
John XXIII changes Mass time
The Tuesday Mass at Canal Winchester St. John XXIII Church, 5170 Winchester Southern Road, will be at 6 p.m. instead of 8:30 a.m. beginning Tuesday, Nov. 29, with Father Brian O’Connor hearing confessions from 5 to 6 p.m.
Masses at 8:30 a.m. will continue on Mondays and Wednesdays through Fridays, with the weekend Mass schedule of 5 p.m. Saturdays and 8:30 and 11 a.m. Sundays also remaining unchanged.
Simbang Gabi to be celebrated at Holy Cross
The Simbang Gabi celebration, a traditional Philippine novena of Masses in honor of the Virgin Mary leading to Christmas, will take place at Columbus Holy Cross Church, 204 S. 5th St., at 6:30 p.m. daily from Thursday, Dec. 15 to Thursday, Dec. 22.
The concluding Mass at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23 at Columbus St. Peter Church, 6899 Smoky Row Road, will be celebrated by Bishop Earl Fernandes.
ODU chorus to present concert at St. Francis of Assisi
The Ohio Dominican University chorus will present a Christmas concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27 in Columbus St. Francis of Assisi Church, 386 Buttles Ave.
The concert will feature university musicians, organist Laurel Marazita and accompanist Tessa Wigal in an hourlong program of lullabies and songs of praise to the newborn King. A free-will offering will be taken.
ODU to present several Christmas-themed events
Ohio Dominican University (ODU) will ring in the holiday season with several Christmas-related activities in the week after Thanksgiving, most of them on Wednesday, Nov. 30. All are free and will take place on ODU’s campus at 1216 Sunbury Road, Columbus.
The concert by the university chorus, directed by Sheila Cafmeyer, titled “Pretty Little Baby,” will be from 7 to 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 28 in the Christ the King Chapel and will feature lullabies, Scripture readings, poetry and songs of praise to the newborn King. It also will be presented at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27 in Columbus St. Francis of Assisi Church, 386 Buttles Ave. and at 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27 at Columbus St. Anthony Church, 1300 Urban Drive.
The events of Nov. 30 will begin with ODU’s 21st annual holiday art market from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Wehrle Art Gallery. The event features handcrafted items made by university students, faculty and staff and offers a great opportunity to find quality holiday gifts at low prices while supporting the talent, creativity and skills of those in the ODU community.
The university’s Center for Dominican Studies will sponsor a “lunch and learn” presentation on the season of Advent at noon in the St. Catherine of Siena Room of Erskine Hall.
Members of the campus and surrounding communities are invited to a free Christmas dinner in Hamilton Hall from 5 to 7:30 p.m., followed by ODU’s annual Christmas celebration.
Santa will set up his workshop at Erskine Hall and be available from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Catherine of Siena Room of Erskine Hall. Children will be able to complete special Christmas crafts there.
The program will conclude at 6:30 p.m. with the lighting of the campus Christmas tree in front of Erskine Hall and the blessing of a special Nativity scene. There will be special remarks by university President Connie Gallaher, music by ODU’s band and choir, and prayers for a safe Christmas season for all.