Religion Digest (10/28/12)

Parishioners at St. Jude Catholic Church in Ceres will celebrate their 50th anniversary today with a special bilingual Mass at 12:30 p.m., followed by a free chicken dinner from 2:30 to 4 p.m.

Catholics in Ceres were part of St. Anthony's parish in Hughson until they broke ground in 1952 on Central Avenue for their own church building. In 1953, Bishop Merlin Guilfoyle — then of the San Francisco Archdiocese — dedicated the new Ceres church building and established St. Jude's as a mission.

In 1962, the same year the Stockton Diocese was created, its first bishop, the Rev. Hugh Donohue, established St. Jude's as a parish with the Rev. John Coghlan as its first pastor. He remained there until his retirement in 1988.

By 1967, S. Jude's had outgrown its original location and bought property on Mitchell Road. A permanent church was dedicated there in 1981. The Rev. Ariel Munoz-Sanchez is the current pastor.

The church, which has more than 800 active families who attend nine weekend Masses — three English and six Spanish — invites past parishioners and priests to attend their 50th anniversary celebration. St. Jude's is at 3824 Mitchell Road in Ceres. For more information, call (209) 537-0516.

Other upcoming faith-based activities include:

ARTS AND MUSIC

BARRY MCGUIRE — 7 p.m. Saturday, Turlock Community Theater. Concert by Barry McGuire and John York benefits Turlock Gospel Mission. Tickets: $25/$50 individual, $1,000 VIP table for four, from www.turlockgospelmission.org.

BELLS OF BLESSING — 4 p.m. Nov. 4, Modesto Church of the Brethren, 2301 Woodland Ave. Ten bell choirs featuring about 100 bells in concert to benefit the Salvation Army. Directed by Rich Colla. Offering. (209) 523-1906.

HYMNATHON — 5-7 p.m. Nov. 4, Turlock Covenant Church, 316 Laurel. Two hours of hymn singing, with participants invited to raise funds for Feed My Starving Children, a program to send boxes of food to hungry children in poor countries. If 200 singers get $150 each from sponsors, that would provide $30,000, enough to send 136,00 meals. (209) 668-0400.

CLASSES

REFORMATION SERIES — 6 p.m. Sunday, Grace Orthodox Presbyterian Church, 1448 Standiford Ave., Modesto. Concluding lecture on "The Great Awakening: Revival Comes to America" to celebrate anniversary of Protestant Reformation. Tonight: "How to Promote Genuine Revival." Refreshments follow. Free. (209) 522-5922.

SURVIVING THE HOLIDAYS — 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Modesto Covenant Church, 913 Floyd Ave., Room D-105. Stories from folks who have gone through a holiday after the death of a loved one, plus DVD and book with helpful tips. (209) 529-2666.

CLERGY SYMPOSIUM — Noon to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 8, Community Hospice Patient Services Center, 4368 Spyres Way, Modesto. Annual symposium includes lunch with keynote speaker Nancee Sobonya, the filmmaker of "The Gifts of Grief," an educational documentary. Workshop offers practical information to faith leaders on how to provide care to congregations, as well as how to identify the physical, emotional and spiritual effects of grief. Free. Register at (209) 578-6300.

MISCELLANEOUS

BUDDHIST RETREAT — 1-3:30 p.m. today, Unitarian Fellowship of Stanislaus County, 2172 Kiernan Ave., Modesto. Pannavati Bhikkuni, founding co-abbot of Embracing Simplicity Hermitage, will speak on overcoming fear and living with compassion at the church's 9 and 11 a.m. services, followed by a potluck vegetarian lunch and the afternoon sitting meditation with a Dharma talk. Co-sponsored by Insight Meditation Modesto. Offering. (209) 343-2748.

CHRISTIAN BERETS DINNER — 6 p.m. Thursday, Modesto Centre Plaza, 1000 K St., Modesto. "Unspeakable Joy" annual gala benefits Christian Berets, a nonprofit that runs camps and programs for people with special needs. Dinner, silent auction, dessert auction, guest speaker, etc. $30. (209) 524-7993.

CHRISTMAS FAIRE — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 13880 Joshua Way, Sonora. Homemade jam, jelly, candy, baked goods and handcrafted items and gifts. Lunch of soup, salad, bread and pie served from 11 a.m. to2 p.m. for $10 each. Drawings for quilts, paintings, afghans, more. Proceeds benefit local and national charities. Free admittance. (209) 532-4639.

PARENTS NIGHT OUT — 5-11 p.m. Friday, Unity Church of Modesto, 2467 Veneman Ave. Children ages 5-10 will have meal, activities, movie and games. $8 per child or $5 each for two or more. Reserve spot at (209) 578-5433.

RUMMAGE SALE — 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Christ the King Episcopal Church, 6443 Estelle Ave., Riverbank. Clothing, household goods, books, etc. (209) 869-1075.

SWEDISH PANCAKE BREAKFAST — 7:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday, Hilmar Covenant Church, 20056 American Ave. Swedish pancakes with lingonberry or syrup, bacon and sausage, coffee and juice, home-baked goods. Donations benefit youth programs. (209) 668-0400.

HOLIDAY MARKETPLACE — 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Modesto Christian High School gym, 5902 Sisk Road. Annual event includes vendors, raffle, handcrafted items, product giveaways, retail merchandise. Holiday cafe offers food for purchase. Free entrance. (209) 527-7377.

BAZAAR AND CRAFT FAIR — 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Fellowship Bible Chapel, 501 E. Canal Drive, Turlock. Homemade bakery items, Christmas cards, wreaths, doll clothes, etc. Free entrance. (209) 581-7145.

BOUTIQUE SHOPPING — 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Trinity United Presbyterian Church, 1600 Carver Road, Modesto. More than 30 specialty vendors with fashion, decor, gifts and more. Kids craft corner. (209) 529-3228.

RUMMAGE SALE — 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, First Presbyterian Church of Turlock, 2619 Berkeley Ave. Furniture, household goods, etc. Sale benefits mission trip to Guatemala next June. (209) 632-2324.

YFC DINNER — 5-9 p.m. Saturday, Central Valley High School, 4033 Central Ave., Ceres. 17th annual Christmas auction and dinner benefits Youth for Christ, a nonprofit agency that works with at-risk youth. $20 per person or $30 per couple. Reserve by Nov. 1 at auctionyfc.eventbrite.com or (209) 522-9568, ext. 111.

BOUTIQUE SALE — 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Geneva Presbyterian Church, 1229 E. Fairmont Ave., Modesto. "Second Chance Boutique Sale" benefits youth activities. Christmas gifts, sale items, etc. (209) 524-6841.

DIWALI CELEBRATION — 11 a.m. Nov. 4, children's activities, 6 p.m., service, Shree Ram Mandir temple, 3401 Claus Road, Modesto. Vegetarian food served. (209) 551-9820.

CHURCH BAZAAR — 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Nov. 9-10, Central General Baptist Church, 944 N. Central Ave., Ceres. Baked goods, candy, crafts, jewelry, Avon, Tupperware and food available for purchase. (209) 538-7545.

GARAGE SALE — 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 10, Cornerstone Community Church, 2000 Sunrise Ave., Modesto. First annual flea market/garage sale benefits children's ministry. Handcrafted items, bathroom fixtures, etc. (209) 526-8574.

CRAFT FAIR — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 10, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 11, St. Mary's Catholic Church, 59 Oak Ave., Oakdale. Homemade items, home decor, jewelry, commercial vendors, baked goods, food booth. Proceeds benefit scholarship programs. (209) 985-1486.

Send events by noon Tuesday to snowicki@modbee.com or fax to (209) 578-2207.