Yes, childcare will be available onsite! It will be open from 10:30 -5 p.m. (the majority of programming). Childcare is open to children ages 18 months through 8 years and will be staffed by Cathedral employees. There are spots for 25 children, so register early to secure your spot. Sign your kid(s) up by indicating the number on your registration form.
Childcare registration will close once capacity has been reached.
Children not eligible for childcare are welcome to join you for the event! The talk and discussion content is centered on living a life of prayer and evangelization, which could be of interest to older kids, or they could bring quiet activities along.
All children will be with their families for Mass, lunch and our evening social hour.
Cultivate
Gathering for Prayer, Community, and Mission
Brought to you by the Birmingham Community of Mission, Young Catholic Professionals, and The Cathedral of Saint Paul.
Saturday, February 21st
10:30 AM – 8:00 PM
The Cathedral of St. Paul,
Birmingham, AL
Impact the culture through a renewed witness of life and the Gospel.
Culture-the way people think, act, speak, create, govern, educate, worship, work, spend money, form friendships, and live daily life. When these moments are animated by the Gospel, culture is influenced from the inside out, as faith becomes visible through ordinary, faithful living.
The good news is this:
Together, we have the ability to impact the culture for Christ.
Join other lay Catholics from around Birmingham for an event full of the inspiration, encouragement and equipping to do just that.
Be Inspired
Prayer is the basis of all Christian life. If we desire to witness to others we must first be connected to our Lord through prayer.
As the Catechism reminds us: “Prayer is a battle. Against whom? Against ourselves and against the wiles of the tempter who does all he can to turn man away from prayer, away from union with God (CCC, 2725).” Be inspired to cultivate this life of prayer with others who have experience in this battle as well. We’ll worship together at Mass, and spend personal prayer time with our Lord in adoration.
Build Community
Our prayer leads us to witness, and our witness is amplified when it’s surrounded in kind.
Let’s build communities centered on Christ. Let’s build communities with a lifelong desire for mission. Let’s build communities that will transform the culture.
While participating in social time over meals, discussions and happy hours, you’ll recognize you are not alone in your efforts to build Catholic culture in your local community. You’ll have time to share stories that call to mind the building of a city in which Christ and his Church have been restored to the center of the human narrative.
Get Equipped
While hearing content drawn from “The Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity”, you’ll be wrapped up in the drama of the Gospel and re-convicted that this is a call for everyone.
Imagine a culture where Catholic principles are lived out and taught. Cultivate will remind you of the necessity to live a life of prayer and give witness to the joy of the Gospel. Come join us and be empowered to build authentic Catholic culture throughout Birmingham!
Featuring talks from insightful speakers
Sister Anna Christi
Sr Anna Christi, OP is a Dominican Sister of Saint Cecilia serving at Saint Rose Academy in Birmingham. She is a catechist and formation leader in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. In her years as a Sister, she has served as a teacher in schools in Tennessee, Virginia and in the NOLA French Quarter and as a catechist, youth group leader, and retreat leader in the diocese of Aberdeen, Scotland. Outside school hours, she can be spotted walking in the neighborhoods around Saint Rose, cooking jambalaya, reading PG Wodehouse, and praying before the Blessed Sacrament in gratitude for the great and small ways “the Lord works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28)!
Father Victor Ingalls
Fr. Victor Ingalls grew up in Montgomery, AL. He attended Furman University in Greenville, SC. Upon graduation, Fr. Victor entered seminary for the Archdiocese of Mobile. He spent two years in Philadelphia at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary and then four years at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, Italy. Fr. Victor was ordained on June 2, 2012 in Mobile and has since served in parishes in Auburn and Daphne. From 2016 until June of 2023 he served as the Vocations Director for the Archdiocese where he oversaw the formation of young men studying to be priests and preached to young people around the south half of Alabama about “vocation,” i.e. “calling” in life. In June of 2023, Fr. Victor was appointed as the Executive Director of Multicultural Ministry for the Archdiocese of Mobile as well as pastor of four historically Black and Creole parishes as well as one mission—St. Francis Xavier (Toulminville), Our Mother of Mercy (Plateau), Prince of Peace (Down the Bay), St. Peter the Apostle (Chastang) and Our Lady of Sorrows Mission (Fairford). In July of 2024, Fr. Victor was also named pastor of St. Theresa (West Mount Vernon) a Native American Choctaw parish.
David West
David West was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, and attended John Carroll Catholic High School. He went on to study at Auburn University, where he became involved in Catholic campus ministry through FOCUS and the Auburn Catholic community. During this time, he encountered Jesus Christ in a profound way and committed his life to living as a disciple. Following graduation, David served with FOCUS as a campus missionary for five years at the University of Kentucky and the University of Maryland, and later served as a Regional Director in Alabama for three years. In 2022, he transitioned out of full-time ministry and now serves as a Director at Coastal, a Salesforce consultancy. David remains deeply committed to missionary discipleship, currently leading a men’s Bible study and serving as the coordinator for the Community of Mission in Lexington, where he lives with his wife, Frankie, and their three children.
Offering a varied & powerful schedule of events
10:30 a.m. // Registration Opens
Check in starts at the Cathedral Life Center. Stop by for nametags and a raffle opportunity! Open until the first keynote at 11:00 AM. Childcare begins, available until the Mass.
11:00 A.M. // Keynote 1: Prayer- Sister Anna Christi
Sister Anna Christi speaks on the impact a life of prayer can have on us. This content will inspire you to establish and cultivate a life of prayer.
11:30 A.M. // Adoration + Confessions
Spend time before our Lord in individual silent prayer. Priests will be available to hear confessions.
12:30 p.m. // Lunch and small group discussion
FOCUS Alumni will cater lunch for all attendees. Gluten-free and dairy-free accommodations will be provided. Plan to eat with your small group.
1:30 P.M. // Keynote 2: Community- Father Victor Ingalls
Father Victor Ingalls speaks on the beauty and necessity of community. This talk will encourage you to embrace communal life as a source of growth, support, and faith.
2:00 P.M. // Small Group Discussion
Take time to reflect on the talk with other attendees, considering the role of shared life, belonging, and community in everyday life.
3:00 P.M. // Homeless Lunch Packing Service Project
We’ll pack lunches for the homeless, to be delivered by the Cathedral’s ministry working to address chronic homelessness in Birmingham
3:50 P.M. // Keynote 3: Mission- David West
David West speaks on the essential role of the laity in the Church’s mission to the world. This talk will encourage participants to live out their baptismal call to transform culture through faith.
4:20 P.M.// Small Group Discussion
Discuss the talk content and relevant real-life examples with other attendees, sharing the trials and triumphs of your experience living mission in your local community. (Childcare concludes after this discussion time.)
5:00 p.m. // Anticipatory Mass
Join us for the Cathedral’s Anticipatory Mass, which fulfills the Sunday obligation.
6:00 p.m. // Dinner & Happy Hour (sponsored by Birmingham Young Catholic Professionals)
Enjoy dinner and drinks as you continue to build friendships and socialize with other attendees. Event concludes at 8 p.m.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will there be childcare available?
Can I bring my spouse? Kids? Friends?
This event is open to everyone! The content will ask you to reflect on and grow in your life of prayer and evangelization, and is best suited to an audience open to doing so. Children are welcome to join you, either in childcare or with you in programming.
Do I need to be affiliated with FOCUS to attend?
No! This event is presented by FOCUS Alumni in partnership with Birmingham Young Catholic Professionals and The Cathedral of St. Paul, and draws attendees from all three organizations (and beyond). Prior involvement with FOCUS (The Fellowship of Catholic University Students) is not necessary.
Is there a cost?
No cost! Come enjoy a day of prayer, conversation and community building, all on us. Costs are covered by FOCUS Alumni, Birmingham Young Catholic Professionals and The Cathedral of St. Paul.
Will meals be provided?
We’ll be providing lunch and dinner. Snacks and coffee will also be available. Gluten-free and dairy-free options will be offered, but let us know on the registration form if you’ve got other dietary needs.
What's the venue like?
We’ll be utilizing The Cathedral of St. Paul’s facilities in downtown Birmingham. We’ll be in the main chapel for Mass and prayer, and the Cathedral Life Center multipurpose room for the rest of our programming. Signage and our friendly staff will be posted to help guide you.
The Cathedral’s address is 2120 Third Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203.
Parking is available in the Cathedral’s lot at the corner of 22nd St. and Third Ave., but is limited. Parking is also available in metered spots on nearby city streets (and is free on the weekends).
What if I can't make it for the whole day?
Come for part of it! We know nap schedules and other commitments come up, so join us for what you can. Please let us know if you won’t be joining us for the whole day. This can be done by replying to our final details email closer to the event.
What should I bring?
A journal or notebook, prayer items (Bible, devotional, etc.) and a water bottle are all suggested. Bring anything else you need!
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Register for Cultivate 2026