Parish festival. 70th annual festival sponsored by St. Mary Parish at 58th and M Streets in Sacramento. From 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Features bingo, games, crafts, giant slide, international foods and Italian dinner served from 11 a.m. with baked chicken and pasta. For information call (916) 452-0296.

Friday, Aug. 24

Media softball challenge. At 6 p.m. at the Sacramento Softball Complex at 3450 Longview Dr. off of Watt Avenue. To benefit Mercy Foundation. Cost is $3 per person or $10 per family. For information call (916) 851-2700 or visit
the Web site at http://www.mercysacramento.org.

Saturday, Aug. 25

Family barbeque. Sponsored by the Auburn Council (no. 6149) of the Knights of Columbus from 3 to 8 p.m. at St. Joseph School at 11600 Atwood Rd. in Auburn. Steak or chicken dinner served from 4 to 7 p.m.; cost is $10 per person. Children’s hamburger or hotdog plate for $4. Music by Denim and Lace. Proceeds to benefit the Placer Women’s Center and the Placer County Children’s Receiving Home. Reserve tickets by Aug. 20. For information call Jim Letcher at (916) 663-2849 or Mike Kitchell at (916) 663-2270.

Sunday, Aug. 26

Catholic Daughters’ bus trip. Annual trip to Harvey’s Casino at South Lake Tahoe. Cost is $22 per person with $20 slot credit and $3 food credit. Depart St. John Vianney Church at 10497 Coloma Rd. in Rancho Cordova at 7:30 a.m. and return at 7:30 p.m. For reservations by Aug. 20 call Marie Welchert at (916) 366-7557.

Friday, Aug. 31

Charismatic Mass and healing service. At 7 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Church at 32nd St. and Broadway in Sacramento. Father Bill Feeser will preside. Enter church grounds from 33rd St. For information call Deacon Gerald Pauly at (916) 451-3738.

Saturday, Sept. 1

First Saturday Fatima devotion. Including pro-life Mass and rosary process to nearby abortion clinic, followed by benediction. At 7:45 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Church at 12th and S Streets in Sacramento. All are welcome to join in this prayer for life. For information call Carol Schoner at (916) 791-1819.

Thursday, Sept. 6

Natural Family Planning introductory session. From 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Mercy Women’s Center at 4747 Engle Rd. in Carmichael. Registration is $15 per woman/couple. For information call (916) 484-2118.

Saturday, Sept. 8

Rummage sale. From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Stanford Settlement at 450 W. El Camino Ave. in Sacramento. Shop for toys, clothing, household items and more. For information call (916) 927-1303.

Thursday, Sept. 13

“Always Our Children.” A Catholic support group for parents of lesbian, gay or bisexual children of any age. The group, approved by Bishop William K. Weigand, provides a save place to share, an opportunity to receive the support of other parents, a place of compassion and an environment of trust and confidentiality. Meets the second Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. Interested parents can leave a message at (916) 497-1365.

Sat. and Sun., Sept. 15-16