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There are quite a few activities for Catholics to do “out and about” this weekend — outside of Mass, of course. There’s a grand opening, pro-life events and the arts, both live theater and music.

Check out the calendar and for other upcoming events, festivals, retreats, classes and such, be sure to peruse Sunbeams.

The period between conception and birth is still life, just life in a different home.

Passion for Life benefit — The RSVP deadline for this event has lapsed, but the Bioethics Defense Fund will honor Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted tonight with the Witness for Life Award. The event doubles as a fundraiser in which the bishop who often prays in front of abortion clinics, will talk about “Hope in Action: Being a Witness for Life.”

Forget me not pro-life rally — St. Mary’s teens and the Chandler parish’s SACRED praise band will lead a pro-life rally Sunday night at 6:20 p.m. at the parish. Guests from the Legion of Mary, Natural Family Planning, ASU Students for Life will motivate the students and Dan Sullivan will offer a testimony followed by eucharistic adoration and benediction. I think this is part of the normal youth meeting

Vianney — The multimedia, one man drama is in its final days of its diocesan tour. St. Luke Productions is taking the play about St. John Vianney, patron saint of parish priests, to the USCCB Fall Assembly in Baltimore, Maryland next week. “Meet” Vianney tonight at St. Theresa Parish or tomorrow at St. Paul Parish.

St. Peregrine Shrine — The cancer shrine, which Christ the King Parish in Mesa broke ground on nearly a year to the day, is ready to open. Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted will offer  a dedication Mass at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow. Although Catholic in scope — it will feature perpetual eucharistic adoration beginning Nov. 22 — the shrine is open to people of all faiths as it’s a place of solace for those impacted by cancer. It will offer emotional and spiritual support, resources, wigs and more.

Bells concert — Desert Bells International, which boasts three performing ensembles with members as young as 6, will perform at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, 13720 W. Thomas Road in Avondale at 2 p.m. Sunday. The NASCAR race starts at 1:15 p.m., so traffic should be fine. Desert Bells is known internationally and has recorded with the Tonight Show Orchestra. Its members play classical, jazz, showtunes and rock. For more information on the concert or tickets, call (623) 935-2151.