SMCS STUDENT LEADER: St. Mary Catholic High School student Sammi Weiss was selected to represent St. Mary Catholic Schools, Neenah/Menasha, at the 2024 Wisconsin Leadership Seminar June 14-16 on the campus of Carroll University in Waukesha. Weiss will have the opportunity to meet with other young leaders from across Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. During the seminar student leaders will have the chance to interact and grow as leaders through engagement with keynote speakers, service projects, workshops and panels with industry and community leaders. Responsibility, service, inclusiveness and decision making are the four pillars of the seminar.
CHRISTMAS STARS AUDITIONS: Auditions for “Christmas Stars,” an annual holiday-themed musical revue, will be held on Saturday morning, May 11, and Thursday evening, May 16, at the Xavier Fine Arts Theatre, 1600 W. Prospect Avenue, Appleton. Students entering kindergarten through 12th grade in the 2024-2025 school year and adults of all ages who enjoy singing and dancing are invited to audition. An online application and audition scheduling instructions are available at the “Join Our Cast” link on the production’s website: www.christmasstars.org. Auditions are by appointment. Music and accompaniment are provided by the producers. Rehearsals are on Sunday evenings from the end of August through early December. Performances for 2024 will be Dec. 5-8 and Dec. 12-15.
AFRICAN VIOLET SHOW AND SALE: The Oshkosh African Violet Society will hold a show and sale, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, May 4, and 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 5, in Leannah Hall, St. Jude the Apostle Parish, 513 Knapp St., Oshkosh. Hundreds of African violets and related plans will be available for immediate purchase. Cash and credit card payments will be accepted. Supplies and equipment will also be for sale. Club members will be present to answer any questions. Admission is free.
BOOYAH SALE: The St. Agnes Men’s Club is sponsoring a booyah sale, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or until gone, Sunday, May 5, St. Agnes Parish Social Hall, 1484 Ninth St., Green Bay. Proceeds benefit local charities.
PLANTING SEEDS OF FAITH: Are all welcome to decorate your own flower pot that will soon bloom with flowers for your family to enjoy all summer. Soil and seeds are provided at “Planting Seeds of Faith,” 11 a.m. Sunday, May 5, at Prince of Peace Parish, 3425 Willow Road, Green Bay (Bellevue).
CATHOLIC CHARITIES GALA: Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Green Bay will hold the “Inspired to Act Gala,” 5 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, May 9, at the Marq, 3177 French Road, De Pere. The evening will include a social, dinner, auction items and music by the Fannins. Purchase tickets at https://e.givesmart.com/events/A0Q/.
COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVE: The American Red Cross and Green Bay Packers are holding the Give Back Community Blood Drive, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, May 6, in the Johnsonville Tailgate Village at Lambeau Field, Green Bay. The Johnsonville Tailgate Village is located in the east parking lot. Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. All presenting donors will receive a free giveaway item while supplies last. To make an appointment or for more information, visit Donate Blood, Platelets or Plasma. Give Life | Red Cross Blood or call 1-800-733-2767.
PRAYER SHAWLS: A “Prayer Shawl Give-Away” will be hosted by Prince of Peace Parish following Masses on Saturday, May 18, and Sunday, May 19, at the church, 3425 Willow Road, Green Bay (Bellevue). The special shawls, stitched in prayer and blessed, will be available while supplies last. Help someone be wrapped in prayer with a new shawl. For more information, contact Deb at (920) 468-5718.
ON STAGE: Xavier Children’s Theatre, directed by Maureen Milbach, will present “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” 7 p.m. Friday, May 17, at Xavier Fine Arts Theatre, 1600 W. Prospect Avenue, Appleton. The production is an adaptation by Kathryn Schultz Miller of the classic Hans Christian Anderson tale, told with humor and some audience participation. Tickets are available online www.xaviertheatre.com or at the Xavier Fine Arts Theatre box office, (920) 733-8840. The show is approximately 45 minutes and is ideal for children in pre-K through sixth grade. Children attending the performance are invited to stay for a “talk back” with the cast and director of the production.
SCRIPTURE/DIVINE REVELATION TALK: Norbertine Fr. Johnathan Turba will present “Scripture and Divine Revelation,” 12 noon to 1 p.m. and repeated from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, at the Norbertine Center for Spirituality at St. Norbert Abbey, 1016 N. Broadway, De Pere. A proper understanding of divine revelation and Scripture helps us build our faith on a firm foundation. It teaches us greater reliance on God, deeper trust in God’s saving work, and a way to navigate the storms of life. This talk will provide an overview of the church’s teaching on divine revelation and Scripture, and provide a variety of resources through which attendees can further deepen their understanding. Freewill offerings will be collected. Registration is optional. To register or for more information, visit Events | St. Norbert Abbey (norbertines.org).
OCONTO FALLS FOOD TRUCK EVENT: Food trucks will sell their specialties from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 6, in the St. Anthony Parish parking lot, 253 N. Franklin St., Oconto Falls. Beverages will be available for purchase. The event will also include music.
BIKE COLLECTION: New and gently used adult bicycles will be collected from 8 a.m. to 12 noon on Saturday, May 11, in the parking lot of St. John the Baptist School, 2561 Glendale Avenue, Howard. The bikes will be donated to Spokes of Hope, a nonprofit organization that provides for individuals who rely on bicycle transportation. Spokes of Hope volunteers make sure the bicycles are in working order and make minor repairs. For more information on Spokes of Hope, visit Spokes of Hope – Whatsoever You Do, Inc.
MUSEUM EXHIBIT: The exhibit “History of the Green Bay Diocese 1600-1880” will be on display at the Green Bay Diocesan Museum from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, May 13, and 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 18, during Brown County History Week. The museum is located in the lower level of St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, 140 S. Monroe Avenue, Green Bay. Come see the story of Wisconsin and the impact that the Catholic Church has had on the development of the state. A new exhibit will open on Aug. 1.
FREEDOM COUNTRY FEST: LOCASH, the American country music duo known for “I Love This Life,” “One Big Country Song” and other hits, will headline Freedom Country Fest 2024, Friday, June 7, at the St. Nicholas Church grounds, W2035 Hwy S, Freedom. Opening for the duo will be multi-platinum-selling country group BlackHawk and country artist/songwriter Brady Lee. Gates open at 5 p.m. Advanced purchase tickets are on sale now at freedomcountryfest.com. Reserved seating is $60 and includes a reserved seat, cash bar and VIP porta potties. Pit VIP tickets are $60 and include standing-room-only pit at center stage, cash bar and VIP porta potties. General admission tickets are $40 each. Tickets are also available at the St. Nicholas Parish office. Several Fox Valley businesses will also have tickets available for purchase starting in May. Visit the event website for more information. Tickets may be purchased at the gate the night of the concert for $70 each for reserved seating and pit VIP, if available, and $55 each, general admission. On-site parking is $10. The outdoor music festival is an all-ages event.
SUMMER SPORTS CAMPS: Registration is open for summer athletic camps offered by St. Mary Catholic Schools, Neenah/Menasha. Camps include tennis, girls’ volleyball and basketball, and boys’ basketball and football. The camps are open to any student from any school. To register or for more information, visit 2024 SMCS Sports Camp Registration.