Religion Digest: Events around the Modesto area

MUSIC AND ARTS

TRIBUTE QUARTET — 7 p.m. Saturday, North Modesto Church of God, 1918 Sherwood Ave. A Southern gospel group from Nashville will be in concert with the Herb Henry Family. $10 at the door. (209) 538-3838

INCENDIO — 3 p.m. March 10, Congregation Beth Shalom, 1705 Sherwood Ave., Modesto. Group concludes "Sunday Afternoons at CBS" concert series for the year and fuses genres such as Spanish guitar, jazz, Celtic, Eastern European, Middle Eastern and electronic. $20 adults, $15 seniors and students, $7 children. (209) 571-6060

CHICAGO CHOIR — 6 p.m. March 10, Modesto Covenant Church, 913 Floyd Ave. Touring choir from North Park University in Chicago will perform. Theme: "Lifting the Highest Praise." Free. (209) 527-4110

CD RELEASE PARTY — 7 p.m. March 15, Calvary Reformed Church, Ripon. Radio Friendly, a local Christian band, will stage a party for its new CD, "Love Is Alive." Free.

CLASSES

MARRIAGE SEMINAR —8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Celebration Center,323 Kerr Ave., Modesto. "Our Secret Paradise," a Jimmy Evans video series with seven sessions on how to be successful in marriage and other relationships. Bring a sack lunch; drinks and dessert provided. No child care. Free. (209) 523-7962

ELDER SAFETY — 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 15, CrossPoint Community Church's family life pavilion, 11th and Needham avenues, Modesto. Tenth annual Seniors Against Financial Exploitation seminar by the Stanislaus Elder Abuse Prevention Alliance, a program of Catholic Charities. FBI special agent Scott Schofield from Sacramento will be keynote speaker on Internet fraud. Also speaking is Glenn Gulley, an investigator with the Stanislaus County District Attorney's office who specializes in mortgage fraud. The day begins with a light breakfast and includes lunch. Free. Must register by Friday. (209) 529-3784

DOMINICAN SISTERS — 7 p.m. March 10-12,St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 1813 Oakdale Road, Modesto. Three nuns from fast-growing Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, will speak to youth and adults during three-day Lenten series.

March 10, for teens only, "Hungering for Holiness in the Year of Faith." March 11: "What is Truth? Discovering Our Faith in the Beauty and Mystery of the Church."

March 12: Loving the Truths of Our Faith — Practicing Faith in Daily Life." Free refreshments.(209) 551-4973

PURITY SEMINAR — 6:30 p.m. March 15 to3:30 p.m. March 16, Celebration Center, 323 Kerr Ave., Modesto. Overnight seminar for girls in junior high and high school teaching the importance of abstinence. Includes optional silver ring ceremony. $25 by March 11 or $30 after that date, includes meals and snacks. (209) 523-7962

MISCELLANEOUS

MASS FOR POPE — 6 p.m. Thursday, Cathedral of the Annunciation, Stockton. Bishop Stephen Blaire and priests of the Stockton Diocese will celebrate a Mass of thanksgiving for Pope Benedict and pray for guidance for cardinals, meeting to elect new pope. Open to all.

MAHA SHIVARATRI — 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 6 p.m. Saturday, Shree Ram Mandir temple, 3401 Claus Road, Modesto. Hindu worship of Lord Shiva with music, talk and prayer for peace. Vegetarian food served each day. (209) 551-9820

TRAFFICKING MOVIE — 7 p.m. Friday, Harvest Christian Center, 1000 E. Monte Vista Ave., Turlock. Movie, "Trade of Innocents: Justice Needs a Hero," a story about the sex trade, will be shown. Donations benefit Without Permission, a nonprofit focusing on human trafficking in Stanislaus County.

SEUSSVILLE CARNIVAL, DINNER — 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday, Trinity Presbyterian Church, 1600 Carver Road, Modesto. Whoville games, bounce house, food court, face painting, puppets, etc. from11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Silent auction and hors d'oeuvres at 5 p.m., with dinner at 6 and live auction at 6:30; benefit for Trinity Nursery School. Carnival: tickets $1 each or 30 for $20; dinner: $10 per person. RSVP by Wednesday. (209) 578-5625

MEN OF GOD CONFERENCE — 7-9 p.m. March 15, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. March 16, Big Valley Grace Community Church, 4040 Tully Road, Modesto. Bob Vernon, former assistant chief of police for Los Angeles, will speak. Conference includes breakfast March 16 and raffle from area sporting goods stores. Tickets: $15 from www.bigvalleygrace.org or at church office. (209) 577-1604, ext. 381

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