March

4th Day Cursillo gathering planned in Missoula
The Missoula Deanery Secretariat is planning a Fourth Day gathering Saturday, March 28, at Blessed Trinity Parish in Missoula, featuring Mark Frei, director of Pastoral Services for the Diocese of Helena, and Doug Glevanik, Missoula Deanery Secretariat’s diocesan secretariat representative. Frei will speak on the movement in the diocese, and Glevanik on the history of Cursillo. It is set for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and includes lunch.

All Cursillistas are welcome. For more information, contact Glevanik at 543-8980, or Connie Pribyl at 542-8892.

April

Latin Mass continues at Frenchtown parish
Sunday, April 5, is the next date for the celebration of the Extraordinary Form of the Liturgy of the Mass (according to the 1962 edition of the Roman Missal and as permitted by Pope Benedict XVI in Summorum Pontificum) at St. John the Baptist Church in Frenchtown. Mass will begin at 11 a.m. Confessions are scheduled at 10 a.m. and the rosary will be prayed at 10:30 a.m.

Engaged Encounter offers 7 weekend programs
Engaged Encounter, a marriage preparation program for engaged couples, is planning seven weekends for engaged couples throughout this year. Coming weekends include April 3-5 in Kalispell and Great Falls, and June 5-7 in Great Falls. Scheduled next fall are Sept. 18-20 in Kalispell, Oct. 2-4 in Butte and Oct. 16-18 in Great Falls.

For information and registration, couples should contact a registration couple in the area where they wish to attend: Jerry and Maureen LaChere, 594-1780 in Butte; Bob and Vickie Williamson, 727-5507 in Great Falls, and Stan and Margie Smith, 756-5848 in Kalispell.

Couples are encouraged to make a weekend one to six months before their wedding date. Non-Catholics are welcome. Engaged Encounter helps them to communicate effectively in marriage and to prepare for marriage, not just a wedding celebration.

May

27th Holy Spirit Conference May 1-3 in Helena
The Helena Diocese’s 27th Holy Spirit Conference on May 1-3 will feature a line-up of speakers, children and youth ministry. Mark your calendar, spread the word, invite a friend and come to experience the healing power of Jesus. Watch for information about the speakers and details in future issues of The Montana Catholic or visit www.diocesehelena.org.

Nursing banquet, celebration coming up in Butte
The annual St. James School of Nursing banquet and celebration weekend will be held May 15, 16 and 17 at the War Bonnet Hotel in Butte. No-host receptions are scheduled at 7 p.m. Friday, and 6-7 p.m. Saturday, followed by a banquet honoring the St. James class of 1959. For more information, call Claire Holman at 406-723-4258, or Deanna Thomas, 406-782-4435. Mass will be at 9 a.m. Sunday at Holy Spirit Parish; brunch will follow at the War Bonnet. All nurses are welcome. May 11 is the deadline for banquet reservations. Call Claire Holman at 723-4258 or Deanna Thomas at 782-4435.

June

DCCW convention set for June 26-28 in Kalispell
The Helena Diocese Council of Catholic Women will host Karen Hurley, the first U.S. president general of WUCWO, and Mary Frances Thompson, province director for the National Council of CCW, at their annual convention June 26-28 in Kalispell. Events will be held at the Kalispell Grand Hotel and Central School Museum. Those wishing to stay at the hotel should make reservations early. More information is available from Ann Wohl by calling her at 406-837-6737 or e-mailing her at annwohl@dragonheim.net.

Annual video contest open to college students
The Christophers announce their 22nd Annual Video Contest for College Students, which challenges students to interpret the theme, “One Person Can Make a Difference,” in a short film of five minutes or less. Cash prizes totaling $6,000 will be awarded, including a first prize of $3,000. Past winning films have included narratives, documentaries, animation and even music videos. Deadline for entries is June 8, 2009.

It is open to students currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs at colleges or universities worldwide. Entries will be judged on overall impact, effectiveness in conveying theme, artistic merit and technical proficiency. Winners will be announced in September.

Official entry forms are available by writing to: College Video Contest, The Christophers, 5 Hanover Square, New York, NY 10004; by calling the Youth Department at 212-759-4008; or online at www.christophers.org/videocontest. The Christophers use print and electronic media to encourage individuals to use their God-given talents to make a positive difference in the world. Their motto is: “It’s better to light one candle than to curse the darkness.”

On-going

Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites
St. Joseph, Guardian of the Redeemer, is a local group of the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites (OCDS) located in Butte. Presently, members come from Helena, Bozeman, Belgrade and Butte.

Secular Carmelites are called to make prayer penetrate their whole existence. The group meets at St. Joseph’s Church, Butte, the third Sunday of the month. For more information, call Melldie Freeman, group leader, 406-494-7949, or Becky Hyle, formation director, 406-494-3892.

Benedictine monastic life
The Benedictine Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery in Duluth, Minn., invite single women 21 or older to experience monastic life by living with them and participating in some of their ministries as a Benedictine Associate volunteer for six months to a year or longer. Room and board are provided, plus opportunities to participate in spiritual and educational programs. For more information, contact Sister Grace Marie at (218) 723-5984 or gmbraun@duluthosb.org, or write to St. Scholastica Monastery, 1001 Kenwood Ave., Duluth, MN 55811.

Secular Franciscans meet in Missoula
People who want a deeper experience of Christ and knowledge of the humble and peace-loving traditions of St. Francis of Assisi may contact the Secular Franciscan Order in Missoula. It is a group of Missoula-area married, single and divorced lay people who meet every month in fraternity. A two-year discernment period is required. Meetings begin at 10 a.m. the second Saturday of each month in the Loyola Chapel behind St. Anthony’s parish center. For more information, contact Joe Korona at 549-4239.


Published in The Montana Catholic, Vol. 25, No. 3, March 20, 2009.