Religion briefs

By Compiled by Times staff writer

Bahais to mark birth of religion's central figure

Bahais will celebrate the birth of a central figure of their faith, the Bab, at 7 p.m. Friday with devotions and dessert at the Bahai Center, 676 Second Ave. S.

Mirza Ali-Muhammad, a merchant from Shiraz, Persia, now Iran, was born on Oct. 20, 1819. In 1844 he proclaimed a new divine message and took the name the Bab, which means gate. Fearful his teachings would spread, the authorities executed him in 1850. The Bab said his mission was to alert people to an even greater religion, which would appear within 20 years. In 1863, a leader named Bahaullah announced that he was the founder of that new religion. Members of the Bahai faith are followers of Bahaullah and his teachings.

Pinellas congregations are invited to a workshop to learn ways to help alleviate hunger in the community.

The program will be from 5 to 8:45 p.m. Tuesday at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 1199 Highland Ave., Largo. The cost is $6 and includes dinner and training materials. Call (727) 821-0666 to R.S.V.P.

Retreat planned at St. Jude Cathedral

The Rev. Clement Burns will present a three-day retreat, beginning Monday, at the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle, 5815 Fifth Ave. N. Mass will be said at 11 a.m. and evening service at 7:30 p.m. The retreat will conclude Wednesday evening.

Burns is a Dominican and is stationed at St. Gertrude Priory in Cincinnati, where he is in charge of novice brothers.

The purpose of the retreat is to call Catholics and others to a new or renewed relationship with Jesus. Those who attend should take their Bibles or buy one at the cathedral. Call the parish office at 347-9702.