Community events

Novena of Grace

The 80th annual Novena of Grace begins today at St. Aloysius Roman Catholic Church, 330 E. Boone Ave. The nine days of prayer honoring St. Francis Xavier ends March 18.

The theme of the event is “Give Us Only Your Love and Grace.”

The featured speakers are the Rev. Tom Lamanna, novice director for the Jesuit Oregon Province, and Cindy Reopelle, provincial assistant for the Oregon Province’s secondary and middle education.

Novena services will be daily at 12:15, 3:30 (with Benediction) and 5:15 p.m. (with Mass).

The early service will be at 12:30 p.m. on Sundays.

For more information, call (509) 323-5896.

Fig Tree benefit

A breakfast to benefit the Fig Tree monthly newspaper will be Wednesday at 7:15 a.m. at Cataldo Hall on the Gonzaga University campus, 500 E. Boone Ave.

A program celebrating stories of faith in action will conclude by 8:30 a.m.

The minimum suggested donation is $40.

For reservations, call (509) 535-1813.

Lenten film series

Manito United Methodist Church, 3220 S. Grand Blvd., is hosting a Lenten film and discussion series each Saturday during Lent called “The Passion at the Movies.”

The scheduled films have been selected to challenge people to think about their faith.

Today’s film is a 1964 Italian movie (with subtitles) called “The Gospel According to St. Matthew.”

The films begin at 6 p.m. Admission is free.

For more information, call (509) 747-4577

Iraq prayer service

Northwood Presbyterian Church will host a prayer service for the people of Iraq, the church in Iraq and military personnel serving in Iraq.

The service will begin at 7 p.m. Friday at the church, 6721 N. Monroe St.

For more information, call (509) 328-2012.

Women’s retreat

The women’s ministry group Aglow International will hold its Northeast Washington-North Idaho spring retreat Friday through March 18 at the Waitts Lake Open Bible Camp in Valley, Wash.

The theme is “Kingdom Destiny.”

For more information, call (509) 226-1193 after 5 p.m.

Handbell concert

Several choirs are joining together for “Ringspiration 2007,” a handbell concert at 4 p.m. Sunday at St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral, 12th Avenue and Grand Boulevard.

The free concert will include solos as well as pieces with accompaniment by brass and organ.

Unity workshops

Unity Church is hosting two workshops on faith this week.

The first, titled “What is Affirmative Prayer?,” is today from 9 a.m. to noon at the church, at 29th Avenue and Bernard Street. Admission is by donation.

The second workshop, “An Introduction to Radical Forgiveness: Why It Is Important,” will begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the church. Admission is by donation.

For more information, call (509) 838-6518.

Praise worship auditions

Jesus Is the Answer Church is looking for participants in a poetry praise event called “Stir Up the Gifts II” planned for April 22.

The audition for poetry, instrumentals and skits will be today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Auditions for silent praises, singers (solo or group) and miming will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. next Saturday.

All auditions will be at the church, 1803 E. Desmet Ave.

Those auditioning are asked to provide their own music, props and any special clothing required.

For more information, call (509) 536-4803.