Dining out

Fish fry at Knights of Columbus Hall, Bloomington — Every Friday: 5 to 9 p.m. at 1114 American Blvd. Cost is $10.95. Call (952) 888-1492 for reservations.

Chicken and rib dinner at Knights of Columbus Hall, Bloomington — Every Wednesday: 5 to 9 p.m. at 1114 American Blvd. Cost is $10.95. Call (952) 888-1492 for reservations.

KC pancake breakfast at Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Maplewood — December 4: 8 a.m. to noon at 1725 Kennard St. Cost is $7 for adults, $5 for children and under 5 are free.

KC pancake breakfast at Blessed Sacrament, St. Paul — December 4: 8 a.m. to noon at 1801 LaCrosse Ave. Cost is $7 for adults, $5 for children and under 5 are free.

KC pancake breakfast at St. Thomas the Apostle, St. Paul — December 4: 8 a.m. to noon at 2119 Stillwater Ave. Cost is $7 for adults, $5 for children and under 5 are free.

St. Nick’s pancake breakfast at St. Peter, Richfield — December 4: 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 6730 Nicollet Ave. S. Cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children 4 to 12. Bring a camera to get a picture with St. Nick.

KC benefit pancake breakfast at St. Michael, Farmington — December 4: 9 a.m. to noon at 22120 Denmark Ave. Proceeds will go to assist the Mark and Kerrie Davis family of Farmington who lost their home to a fire.

KC shrimp and steak dinner at Knights Events Center, Shakopee — December 9: 5 to 8 p.m. at 1760 Fourth Ave. E. Cost is $12 for shrimp or steak and $15 for both. Children’s meal available for $3.

KC waffle and pancake breakfast with Santa at Knights Events Center, Shakopee — December 11: 8 a.m. to noon at1760 Fourth Ave. E. Cost is $7 for adults and $5 for ages 5 to 12.

Breakfast with Santa at St. Matthew, St. Paul — December 11: 9 a.m. to noon at500 Hall Ave. Tickets are $7 for adults and $4 for children under 12. Pictures with Santa are $3.

KC Brunch at Epiphany, Coon Rapids — December 11: 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 1900 111th Ave. N.W.  Menu includes ham, sausage, eggs, pancakes, French toast and more.  Cost is $5.50 for adults, $4.50 for seniors, $3.25 for 6-11 and $18.50 for family.

Parish events

Art Zannoni presents, ‘The gospel of Mark at a Glance’ at Mary, Mother of the Church, Burnsville — December 1: 7 p.m. at 3333 Cliff Road. Zannoni, biblical scholar, theologian and author will explore the meaning of the Gospel of Mark.

‘A Simple Christmas Art Fair’ at Cretin -Derham Hall School, St. Paul — December 1: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 550 S. Albert St. Features gifts made by members of the CDH community, as well as people from around the world.

CCW Christ Child Luncheon at St. Ignatius, Annandale — December 2: 10:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 35 Birch St. E. Features cookies and candy available at Santa’s Sweet Shoppe.

‘Christmas Bingo: It’s a Ho-Ho-Holy Night’ at Lumen Christi, St. Paul — December 2: 7 p.m. at 2055 Bohland Ave. A holiday comedy featuring interactive bingo. Tickets are $25 at the door for adults and $15 for children.

InVocation Christmas Concert at  Annunciation, Minneapolis — December 3: 7 p.m. at 509 W 54th St. Concert is free, but free will offering benefits The Emergency Foodshelf Network. For information, visit http://www.invocationsingers.org.

Annual Christmas Village at St. Raphael, Crystal — December 3: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 7301 Bass Lake Road. Features gift baskets, handmade doll clothes, games, entertainment and more.

Unique boutique at St. John Vianney, South St. Paul — December 3 and 4: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to noon Sunday at 789 17th Ave. N. Features a variety antiques, collectibles and vintage jewelry. Lunch of homemade bread and soup available Saturday.

Winterfest at Sts. Peter and Paul, Loretto — December 3 and 4: 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday and 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 145 Railway St. E. Features pulled pork sandwiches and live music Saturday and a build-your-own-omelet breakfast with St. Nicholas Sunday.

Christmas fair at St. Hedwig, Minneapolis — December 3 and 4: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and after the 5 p.m. Mass Saturday and 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Sunday at 129 29th Ave. N.E. Features crafts, baked goods and a Christmas Store for children (everything is $1). Cookies and beverages will be served.

Christmas boutique at St. Cyril, Minneapolis — December 3 and 4: 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to noon Sunday at the corner of 13th Avenue and Second Street N.E.

Christmas bazaar at St. Vincent de Paul, Brooklyn Park — December 3 and 4: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at 9100 93rd Ave. N. Features a variety of baked goods, live music and a soup and sandwich lunch.

Christmas boutique at St. Lawrence Catholic Shurch and Newman Center, Minneapolis — December 3 and 4: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at 1203 Fifth St. S.E. Features homemade food, fair trade coffee, live music and hand crafted gifts.

Christmas bake and boutique sale at Incarnation, Minneapolis — December 3 and 4: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Saturday and 8:30 a.m. to noon Sunday at 3801 Pleasant Ave. S. Features baked goods, holiday boutique and a pancake breakfast Sunday.

Christmas boutique and bake sale at Annunciation, Minneapolis — December 3 and 4: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.  Saturday and 8:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.  Sunday at 509 W. 54th St. Features a variety of baked goods, silent auction, crafts, a toy shop and a coffee shop.

Unique boutique and cookie sale at St. Austin, Minneapolis — December 3 and 4: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at 4050 Upton Ave. N.

Craft and bake sale at St. Timothy, Maple Lake — December 3 and 4: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to noon Sunday at 8 Oak Ave. N. Features cookie, candies, crafts and more.

Holiday bake sale and boutique at St. Odilia, Shoreview — December 3 and 4: Noon to 6:30 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday at 3495 N. Victoria St. Features holiday crafts, card, decor and baked goods.

Christmas craft boutique and bake sale at Guardian Angels, Oakdale — December 3 and 4: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Saturday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Sunday at 8260 Fourth St. N. Features more than 50 crafters, a secret Santa for the kids and holiday baked goods. Santa will be on hand Saturday.

Celtic Christmas concert featuring Katie McMahon at St. Michael historic church, St. Michael — December 4: 4 p.m. at 22 N. Main St. Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door after 3 p.m.

Messiah sing-a-long with the Minnesota Chorale at St. Olaf, Minneapolis — December 4: 6:30 p.m. at 215 S. Eighth St. Bring a score or borrow one at the event. Free will offering.

‘A Northeast Christmas’ concert to benefit Pope John Paul II School at Our Lady of Lourdes, Minneapolis — December 4: 1:30 p.m. at 1 Lourdes Place. Features traditional Christmas carols performed by the students and choirs from other Northeast Minneapolis parishes. Tickets range from $10 to $25. For information, call (612) 789-8851.

Christmas bake sale at St. Matthew, St. Paul — December 10 and 11: Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to noon Sunday at 500 Hall Ave. Features cookies, candy and other holiday treats packaged for gift-giving.

St. Anthony of Padua Women’s Guild Christmas craft and bake sale at Catholic Eldercare, Minneapolis — December 10 and 11: 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday and 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at 817 N.E. Main St. Features baked goods, crafts and “Toni’s Attic Treasures.”

Unique boutique and cookie sale at St. Austin, Minneapolis — December 10 and 11: 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at 4050 Upton Ave. N.

French Christmas Boutique at Our Lady of Lourdes, Minneapolis — December 10 and 11: Noon to 8 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at 1 Lourdes Place. Featuring French Tourtiéres (meat pies), caramel rolls, items straight from Paris in French Boutique, Dollar Store, Christmas Village, Catholic Louvre, French Bakery, raffle, silent auction items, fleur-de-lis jewelry and much more! For more information find us on Facebook, call (612) 379-2259 or check our website: http://www.ourladyoflourdesmn.com.

‘Neal & Leandra: The Light of Christmas’ at St. Joan of Arc, Minneapolis — December 11: 7 p.m. at 4537 Third Ave. S. Tickets are general admission and are $20. They are available at the door, online at http://www.stjoan.com or by calling (612) 823-8205. All proceeds are for the St. Joan of Arc Care Fund, helping the community’s needy neighbors. Refreshments will be available.

Prayer/liturgies

Legion of Mary prayers in front of Planned Parenthood, St. Paul — Every Friday: 3 p.m. at 1965 Ford Parkway. For information, call (651) 439-9098.

Rosary of the unborn at Pregnancy Choices LifeCare Center, Apple Valley — Every Thursday: 7:15 p.m. at 15026 Glazier Ave. For information, visit http://www.rosaryofthe unborn.com.

Compline prayer at Assumption, St. Paul — Sundays through Dec. 18: 7 p.m. at 51 W. Seventh St. The 1/2 hour ecumenical prayer service will be sung by the Minnesota Compline choir. For information, visit http://www.minnesotacompline.org.

Advent Vespers with the Sisters of St. Joseph at St. Catherine University chapel, St. Paul — Sundays through Dec. 18: 4:30 p.m. at 2004 Randolph Ave. For information, visit http://csjprayer.net/advent-vespers-2011.

Advent Lessons and Carols at St. Mark, St. Paul — December 4: 4 p.m. at 2001 Dayton Ave.

Advent Vespers with the Sisters of St. Joseph at Provincial House chapel, St. Paul — Dec. 11: 6:30 p.m. at 1880 Randolph Ave. For information, visit http://csjprayer.net/advent-vespers-2011.

Knights of Columbus traveling rosary at St. Columba, St. Paul — December 4: 2 p.m. at 1327 Lafond Ave.

All night vigil with the Blessed Sacrament at Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Paul — December 2 and 3: 7 p.m. Friday to 8 a.m. Saturday at 401 Concord St.

World Apostolate of Fatima Vigil of Reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary  at St. Peter, Mendota — December 2 and 3: 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. at 1405 Highway 13. For information, call (651) 454-1289 or http://www.fatimaonline.org.

Advent Evensong at St. Cecilia, St. Paul — December 4: 7 p.m. at 2357 Bayless Place. Refreshments to follow.

National Night of Prayer for Life at St. Timothy, Maple Lake — December 8 and 9: 9 p.m. Thursday to 1 a.m. Friday at 8 Oak Ave. N.

Advent Evensong at St. John the Baptist, New Brighton — December 11: 4 p.m. at 835 Second Ave. N.W. Festival hospitality to follow.

Singles

Sunday Spirits walking group for 50-plus Catholic singles — ongoing Sundays: For Catholic singles to meet and make friends. The group usually meets in St. Paul on Sunday afternoons. For information, call Judy  at (763) 221-3040 or Al at (651) 482-0406.

Singles group at St. Vincent de Paul, Brooklyn Park — ongoing second Saturday each month: 6 :15 p.m. at 9100 93rd Ave. N. Gather for a potluck supper, conversation and games. For information, call (763) 425-0412.

50-plus Second Sunday Supper event at St. Joan of Arc, Minneapolis — December 11: 5 p.m. at 4537 Third Ave. S. Includes social hour, old-fashioned Christmas celebration with a sing-a-long at 7 p.m. Cost is $10. Call (952) 884-5165.

School events

St. Nicholas party for pre-schoolers at Blessed Trinity School, Richfield — December 2: 8:30 to 10 a.m. at 7540 Penn Ave. S. St. Nick will stop by and there will be games run by Blessed Trinity eighth-graders. Call (612) 866-6906 for information.

Blessed Trinity Catholic School’s Grand Gala at the Edina Country Club, Edina — December 3: 5 p.m. to midnight at 5100 Wooddale Ave. Features dinner, auctions, games and live music. To make a reservation, email braunt@btcsmn.org.

Open house at St. Batholomew School, Wayzata — December 5: 5:30 to 7 p.m. at 630 E. Wayzata Blvd. For students entering pre-school to grade 6. For information, visit http://www.st-barts.org/school.

Bright Beginnings Preschool open house at Our Lady of the Lake, Mound — December 7: 9 to 11:30 a.m. at 2411 Commerce Blvd. For children ages 2 to 5 and their parents. RSVP to (952) 472-1284, ext. 150.

‘Haroun and the Sea of Stories’ presented at Academy of Holy Angels, Richfield — December 8 and 10: 7 p.m. Thursday and 4 and 7 p.m. Saturday at 6600 Nicollet Ave. S. Tickets are $5. Call (651) 789-2651 for information.

‘A Very Hill-Murray Christmas’ variety show at Hill Murray School, Maplewood — December 9 to 11 and 15 to 18: 7 p.m. Dec. 9, 10 15 16 and 17; 2 p.m. Dec. 11 and 18. Dinner Theatre Dec. 17 at 5 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and students and $6 for children under 12. To order tickets, visit http://www.hill-murray.org.

Other events

Advent retreat with Jesuit Father Matt Linn at St. Richard, Richfield — December 3: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 7540 Penn Ave. S. Cost is $30 for pre-registration, $35 at the door, and includes lunch and snacks. Topic is, “Letting Christmas Change Your Life.” For information, email ignatianassociate@gmail.com or call (651) 457-4339.

‘The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge’ Christmas play at Open Window Theatre, Minneapolis — December 7 to 11, 14 to18, 21 to 23 and 27 to 30: Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. at 1313 Chestnut Avenue. For more information call (651) 955-9123 or http://www.openwindowtheatre.org.

‘Discover the Star of Bethlehem’ presentation at Our Lady of Victory Chapel at St. Catherine University, St. Paul — December 8: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 2004 Randolph Ave. Physicist Terry Flower will speak. RSVP to (651) 690-6819