Orland Park
St. Michael Parish, 14327 Highland Ave.: Annual summer food drive for St. Basil Visitation Food Pantry Aug. 3 and 4. Nonperishable food items as well as gift cards for Jewel are accepted. Gift cards should be put into the collection plate or brought to the office. Food donations should be placed in Ministry Room West. Food is especially needed in the summer because most children in that parish receive free breakfast and lunch at school, so this time of year parents need help providing meals. Information: www.stbasilvisitation.org or 708-349-0903.
Frankfort
Portiuncula Center for Prayer, 9263 W. St. Francis Road: Stand Still To Find Your Balance, 5:30 p.m. July 31 to noon Aug. 4. The silent directed retreat invites participants to pause, stand still and pay attention “to discover the sacrament of the present moment, where God is revealed, and grace is offered,” a release notes. Each day of the retreat allows attendees to meet with a trained spiritual director and join in liturgy. An optional reflective activity is available each afternoon. The theme is based on the book “Stand Still: Finding Balance When the World Turns Upside Down” by Terry Hershey. Overnight fee of $385 includes room, meals and individual spiritual direction A single-day option from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug 3, 4 or 5 costs $65 per day, which includes individual spiritual direction and lunch. Registration is required at www. portforprayer.org or 815-464-3880.
Homewood
St. John Neumann Parish, 17951 Dixie Highway: Piecemakers prayer shawl ministry from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursdays. The group makes blankets to distribute to nursing homes, hospitals, to shut-ins, parishes in need and Catholic Charities. Volunteers need basic sewing skills but on-site training and materials are provided. All ages welcome. Information: sjnhomewood.org or 708-798-0622.
Oak Forest
Our Lady of Sorrows Grotto, 5900 W. 147th St.: Pray for Our Nation from 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 2 at the Benedictine Sisters’ property. It features prayers, songs and speakers such as Hope Miller of Pro Life Action League and Simplyprofile.com. She has been speaking at events across the country. Donations will be taken for the Benedictine Sisters and Miller’s work. Participants should bring lawn chairs although some benches will be available. Information: 708-274-9464 or beckmanrtl@yahoo.com.
Oak Lawn
Pilgrim Faith United Church of Christ, 9411 S. 51st Ave.: Intergenerational retreat Aug. 9, 10 and 11 at Tower Hill. Those who want to attend should register as soon as possible. Forms are available on the church website or in the narthex Sunday mornings, as well as in the office during business hours. Information: www.pilgrimfaith.org or 708-422-4200.
Palos Park
Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Church, 8410 W. 131st St.: Annual Ukrainian Pierogi Festival starting at noon Aug. 4 on church grounds. Food includes pierogies, smoked sausage, stuffed cabbage and shish kebab as well as American fare such as cheeseburgers, grilled corn and hot dogs. Basket raffles and cash raffles, petting zoo, games, music and dancing will be featured. Admission is free. Information: 708-361-5165.
What’s going on at your church? Let us know by sending us an email including time, date, place and public contact information at least two weeks before the event or reservation deadline at religion@southtownstar.com.
