DIOCESE

A Gathering of Women
Take time to get in touch with God, yourself and other women. Spend February 28 from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at “Inner Path: A Gathering of Women” at Villa Marie Center on the Isle of Hope, 6 Dolan Drive, Savannah. Fay Key, spiritual director for the Green Bough House of Prayer will facilitate the day. Donation $10. Bring a bag lunch. Beverages and snacks provided. Pre-registration required.

Call or e-mail Jackie Griffith, SSJ, 912-201-4067 or jagriffith@diosav.org for registration form and details.

Abuse Hotline Number
To report sexual abuse of a minor by a Diocese of Savannah employee or volunteer, call the abuse hotline number at 888-357-5330 or the Office for the Protection of Children and Young People, 912-201-4073 or 912-201-4074. To read the diocesan policy on sexual abuse of minors, go to http://diosav.org/childyouthprotection.

“In the Footsteps of Pope John Paul II”
Join spiritual director Father Mariusz K. Fuks, on a 9-Day Pilgrimage to Poland and the Czech Republic from April 15–23, 2009. Visit Warsaw, Niepokalanow, Czestochowa, Krakow, Wadowice, Auschwitz and Prague. Cost: $2395.00 + departure taxes and fuel surcharges.

For more information, contact Karen at 1-800-225-7662 ext.15.

ALBANY AREA

CRS Fair Trade Weekend
The southeast office of Catholic Relief Services will offer a “fair trade retreat” February 27-28 in Americus, beginning at 7:00 p.m. with dinner, a fair trade multi-media presentation, and a discussion with Fair Trade experts. On Saturday, a day-long workshop (ending at 4:30 p.m.), hosted by Café Campesino, a fair trade coffee roaster and company in Americus, will deal with the nuts and bolts of fair trade versus conventional trade, fair trade and our faith, and how to promote CRS Fair Trade coffee, chocolate and handcrafts. Accommodations will be at Koinonia Farm in Americus. The cost is $30.00 and covers dorm-style lodging and all meals. Space is limited to 20 participants.

For more information, contact: Simone Blanchard at 404-681-4600 or sblancha@crs.org.

AUGUSTA AREA

“An Evening in Ireland”
Ancient Order of Hibernians in America, Richmond 1 Division, Augusta, presents “An Evening in Ireland,” featuring Harry O’Donoghue, Roger Drawdy & the Firestarters, and the Augusta Irish Dancers. Date: Friday, February 20; Show Time: 7:30 p.m. Irish buffet dinner at 6:30-7:30 p.m. Place: Julian Smith Casino, 2200 Broad Street, Augusta. Tickets: $25.00 each. Cash bar available.

Tickets available from Hill Drug Co, any member of the Augusta AOH, or Ralph Bowles (706- 825-3192, rbowles@bowlesconstruction.com), Terry Wick (706-955-6524, terry@terrywick.net) or Jeff Ryan (706-284-1531 kilswah@aol.com).

Spring Conference
The women of the Augusta Deanery will hold their third Women’s Spring Conference on April 18 at Saint Teresa of Avila Church, Grovetown. The conference will feature two nationally known speakers: Dr. Ronda Chervin from EWTN and Gail Buckley, founder and Executive Director of Catholic Scripture Study International. The conference will begin with 8:30 a.m. Mass, followed by breakfast snacks, the presentations will last from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Lunch and door prizes will be provided. Tickets are $25, if purchased by April 1 ($40 afterwards). They may be purchased at Saint Teresa’s church office or at Saintly Gifts, 3857 Rose Lane, Augusta.

For more information, call Jeannine Eckert at 706-854-0329 or Sharon Parr at 706-860-2977.

COLUMBUS AREA

Patrick Madrid at Saint Anne’s
Best-selling author and EWTN television host Patrick Madrid will present a series of seminars on the biblical and historical foundations of the Catholic faith at Saint Anne Church, 2000 Kay Circle, Columbus, February 20-21. The seminar will be free of charge and will be held in Visitation Hall on Friday, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Lunch will be included so registration is required by February 18.

To register, call Saint Anne Church at 706-561-8678 or register online at
www.stannecsg.com.

Deimel Legacy Ball
The Fourth Annual Deimel Legacy Ball will be held on March 28 at the Columbus Trade Center to benefit Columbus Catholic schools: Our Lady of Lourdes School and Saint Anne Pacelli Catholic School. The black-tie optional event will commence at 7:00 p.m. The special guest speakers will be Vince and Barbara Dooley of the University of Georgia. Also attending will be special guest, Bishop J. Kevin Boland. Participants will enjoy a variety of music at the Deimel Ball. The Catholic School Choir led by Elwood Madeo and the Tad William’s Band will entertain guests. Tickets are $65 each which includes dinner and dancing.

For more information, contact Danni Harris at 706-561-8232 or dharris@sasphs.net.

MACON AREA

Lenten Parish Mission
Father David Wilton, Fathers of Mercy, will present a Lenten Parish Mission entitled “God Has a Plan!” at Saint Joseph Church, Macon, March 1-4. The mission will begin at 7:00 p.m. Sunday and run through Wednesday. All are invited.

Scholarship Opportunity
Mount de Sales Academy announces a scholarship opportunity for rising 9th graders. A Mercy Scholarship exam will be given March 7. Application material and entrance testing (if needed) must be completed before taking the scholarship exam. Next entrance testing: February 21; deadline for registration is February 20.

To register or receive more information, call Linda Cardwell, Director of Admissions, 478-751-3240.

Roaming Catholics Travel Club
Join the Roaming Catholics Travel Club and Father Mike Ingram on a 7-night Alaskan Explorer Cruise September 25-October 2 on Holland America Line’s” Zaandam.” Prices begin at $1,599 per person and includes taxes, port charges, gratuities, travel insurance, airfare from Atlanta, and all bus transfers. Registration form and $500 deposit due by March 11.

Call 478-788-6386 for more information.

SAVANNAH AREA

Serra Club Meeting
The Serra Club of Savannah will meet on February 21 following the 9:00 a.m. Mass at Saint James Church in Room B next to the Gym. Sister Camille Collini, csj, Vicar for Religious for the Diocese of Savannah, will be the guest speaker. All are welcome.

Be the Face of the Unseen
All are invited to be the face of the homeless in Savannah. Come spend the night as a homeless person on the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist plaza February 21. Bring your refuge against the cold—a box, a tarp, or a sheet of plastic and help us build a box city in witness to Savannah’s street people. Also, be sure to bring your own water bottle. Gather February 21 at 8:00 p.m. in the Cathedral Parish Center for prayer, reflection, and a simple meal. At 9:00 p.m., the “homes for the night” will be set up. Sunday morning participants will attend the 8:00 a.m. Mass in the Cathedral which will be followed by breakfast and conversation at the Social Apostolate with Sister Pauline O’Brien.

Reservations must be made by February 16. Adults 18 and older. Simply reply by email to jagriffith@diosav.org with your contact information or call 912-201-4067.

Benedictine Oblates Mass
Father Ronald Gatman, osb, will celebrate Mass for the Benedictine Oblate Community at the Priory Chapel of Benedictine Military School, 6502 Seawright Drive, Savannah on February 22 at 4:00 p.m. A pot-luck supper will follow.

For directions, call Mike Williams at 912-596-5694.

Savannah Deanery Youth Mass
Bishop J. Kevin Boland will celebrate the next Savannah Deanery Youth Mass on March 1 at 6:00 p.m. in the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist. All young Catholics are invited.

VALDOSTA-BRUNSWICK AREA

Azalea Festival
Saint Joseph Church, 2011 Darling Avenue, Waycross, will hold an Azalea Festival on March 7 from 8:00 a.m. -2:00 p.m. Sausage biscuit breakfasts will be available for $1.00 from 8:00 a.m. BBQ Pork with all the trimmings will be available from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. for $5.00.

Tickets for BBQ are available from members of the Council of Catholic Women, or at the door, or contact Georgie Brandon at 912-287-9099.