The California Catholic Ministry Conference is the annual conference for catechists, liturgists, lay ministers, religious educators and other interested Catholics statewide. Register at cacmc.net.
A gather for men discerning a priestly vocation on the first Thursday of the month from 5:45-8:30 p.m. at Star of the Sea Church, 4420 Geary Blvd., San Francisco. Contact Father Cameron Faller, at faller.cameron@sfarch.org.
First Friday evening Mass each month at different parishes around the archdiocese. This month at Corpus Christi Parish, 62 Santa Rosa Ave., San Francisco. Celebrants include Father Raymund Reyes, Father Thomas Thodukulam, Father Jesse Montes and Father Andrew Igegbulem. Sfspirit.com or John Murphy, (650) 261-0825.
Free monthly support session on the first Wednesday of the month is led by Deacon Christoph Sandoval. Located at St. Mary's Cathedral in the Msgr. Bowe on the west side of the parking lot. To register please contact Deacon Sandoval at 415-567-2020 Ext. 218 or csandoval@stmaryscathedralsf.org.
Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone leads a St. Nicholas Day prayer service featuring the Benedict XVI Choir, 6 p.m. at St. Patrick Seminary and University, 320 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park. Focus on O Antiphons, ancient prayers sung at vespers during the last week of Advent. Free, but registration required. Eventbrite.com.
Procession in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe begins at 5 a.m., All Souls Church, 315 Walnut Ave., South San Francisco, ends with 2 p.m. cathedral Mass. cruzadaguadalupana.org, or Pedro Garcia, (415) 333-4868, pedro@losninosinc.org.
The archdiocesan Filipino ministry hosts the annual Simbang Gabi Commissing Mass, 7:30 p.m., St. Mary's Cathedral, 1111 Gough St., San Francisco. The Mass heralds the beginning of parish Simbang Gabi novenas throughout the archdiocese. Estelle.Oloresisismo@gmail.com.
‘Mananitas’ (Singing to the Virgin Mary), starting at 5 a.m., followed by Mass at 6 a.m., with traditional hot drinks and food afterward. Sacred Heart Church, 10189 State Route One, Olema in Marin County. (415) 663-1139.
Celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe’s feast. Music with Trio Plata, 12-3 a.m. Eucharistic adoration, 3-4 a.m. Mananitas 4-5 a.m. Mass at 5 a.m. with breakfast after. Corpus Christi Church, 62 Santa Rosa Ave, San Francisco.
A daylong exploration of Advent themes facilitated by Dominican Sister Ingrid Clemmensen, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Dominican Center, 43326 Mission Circle, Fremont. $40 includes lunch. Register by Dec. 10. (510) 933-6360.
Celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe after the 10:30 a.m. bilingual Mass. Mariachi de San Francisco and Azteca Danza will perform; homemade food, drinks and raffle. Sacred Heart Church, 10189 State Route 1, Olema. Learn more: www.marinsacredheart.com or 415-663-1139.
All are invited to join the St. Cecilia Community in our annual celebration of Advent as we prepare for the birth of our Savior. Reflective readings and inspired song will be led by the St. Cecilia adult choir.
Mission Dolores Basilica Choir presents its annual Candlelight Christmas Concert, 5 p.m., Mission Dolores Basilica, 3321 16th St., San Francisco. Featuring "Mass of the Shepherds," an unpublished work by Brazilian classical composer Jose Mauricio Nunes Garcia. Concludes with audience sing-a-long. Tickets at cityboxoffice.com/MDB, or missiondolores.org.
Traditional carol and music by St. Mary's Cathedral Choir and the St. Brigid School Honor Choir, with cookies and desserts. 7:30-9 p.m., cathedral's St. Francis Hall. $25 adults, $15 students and seniors, children under 5, free. Reserve at (415) 567-2020, x 213. Tickets also sold at the door. smcsf.org.
Free support for all those affected by the incarceration of a loved one on the third Thursday of each month. From 6:30-8:30 p.m at St. Paul of the Shipwreck's Francis Center, 3333 Jennings St., San Francisco. Childcare available. Contact Julio Escobar for more information at (415) 614-5572.
These free sessions provide information on the grief process, and tips on coping with the loss of a loved one. Facilitated by Deacon Christoph Sandoval 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. in the Msgr. Bowe room (west side of parking lot level). For more information contact Sister Elaine at (415) 567-2020, ext. 218.
Winter concert, "A Ceremony of Carols," 7 p.m., St. Ignatius Church, 650 Parker Ave., San Francisco. Concert sells out early. Reserve at Eventbrite.com, or visit stignatiussf.org.
St. Emydius Church 8th Annual Turkey Drive to benefit St. Anthony Foundation in the Tenderloin, which serves San Francisco's most needy. Bring frozen turkeys and boxes of fresh vegetables to the parking lot across from the church. Online donations can be made at SFTurkeyDrive.com, or contact Pierre Smith, sfpierre@aol.com.
Handicapables was founded in San Francisco in 1965 to give the disabled and their caregivers and opportunity for monthly Mass, lunch and fellowship. Both the noon Mass and the lunch following are held in the lower halls of St. Mary’s Cathedral at 1111 Gough Street, San Francisco. RSVP by contacting Diane Prell at (415) 452-3500. Visit www.handicapables.com. Dates are subject to change.
New Year's retreat with Dominican Father Bartholmew Hutcherson, 7-10:30 p.m., Dominican Center, 43326 Mission Circle, Fremont. Freewill offering. Register by Dec. 28. Visit the sisters' website at msjdominicans.org for complete retreat information and registration.