A series of Catholic community events are scheduled across central Kentucky during December, according to the Archdiocese of Louisville.

On December 6, an archdiocesan celebration for Our Lady of Guadalupe will take place at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, beginning at 10 a.m. The event will include Mass and the rosary. For further details, those interested can contact mkincaid@archlou.org.

The annual “Lighting of the Tree of Remembrance” is set for December 5 at Calvary Cemetery. Gates close at 6:25 p.m., with Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre leading a prayer service before the tree lighting. Attendees may personalize free ornaments to honor loved ones, which will also be available throughout December in the cemetery office.

An Advent Lessons and Carols service featuring choirs from Cathedral of the Assumption and St. Agnes Church is scheduled for December 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the cathedral on South Fifth Street. St. Stephen Martyr Church will host its own Advent Lessons and Carols celebration on December 16, with a musical prelude starting at 6 p.m.

The Archdiocese’s Charismatic Renewal group invites all to a prayer and praise event on December 14 at St. Bernard Church’s checkerboard room. More information is available from Jessica Webster via email.

Immaculate Heart of Mary Church will hold its closing Mass on December 14 at 9 a.m., followed by a reception.

Several Advent retreats are being offered this month: Mount Saint Francis Center for Spirituality hosts one on December 13 in Indiana; Nazareth Retreat Center offers another on December 6 in Kentucky; and Lay Missionaries of Charity present a half-day retreat on December 13 at St. Aloysius Church in Shepherdsville.

Efforts to promote religious vocations continue with Holy Hours organized by the St. Serra Club of Louisville, including one scheduled for December 10 at St. Margaret Mary Church chapel, as well as their next luncheon meeting on December 15 featuring Father Pat Dolan as speaker.

Other community activities include Louisville Cursillo’s Christmas Ultreya celebration (December 6), Flaget Alumni Association’s annual Christmas party (December 10), Life-Giving Wounds’ holiday party (December 11), support groups for mental health concerns and grief held regularly at local parishes, and ongoing meetings such as Parents of Addicted Loved Ones every Sunday afternoon.

Additional programs range from concerts—such as performances by the Mid-Kentucky Chorus around the archdiocese and a Christmas concert by Louisville Mandolin Orchestra—to blood drives, Bible studies led by local clergy, exhibitions like the St. Carlo Acutis Eucharistic Miracles World Exhibit (December 6-7), and educational offerings from the Archdiocese Ministry Institute.

Catholic Charities continues to seek volunteers for various roles within their organization; more information can be found through their website or by contacting Debbie Belt directly.

Catholic Charities will also host “Coffee and Conversations with Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre and Lisa DeJaco Crutcher,” CEO, providing an opportunity to learn about recent developments within Catholic Charities followed by tours of their facilities.