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Merry Christmas!
Come, Let Us Adore Him!
"[St.] Augustine drew out the meaning of the manger using an idea that at first seems almost shocking, but on closer examination contains a profound truth. The manger is the place where animals find their food. But now, lying in the manger, is he who called himself the true bread come down from heaven, the true nourishment that we need in order to be fully ourselves. This is the food that gives us true life, eternal life. Thus the manger becomes a reference to the table of God, to which we are invited so as to receive the bread of God. From the poverty of Jesus’ birth emerges the miracle in which man’s redemption is mysteriously accomplished."
— Pope Benedict XVI
Evangelization News, Tips & Ideas
Spending time indoors during the cold winter months? Get Formed!
Sixty-five parishes in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia are subscribed to the Catholic online platform, FORMED.org. This “Catholic version of Netflix” can be streamed to your TV or mobile device and contains some of the best Catholic content there is – video series, movies, books and study programs – all to help you grow in your faith, find deeper peace with God, and share what you believe with others. FORMED also helps you evangelize because you can invite people to watch a video, listen to a talk, or read a book by sharing your parish access code with them.For a list of parishes subscribed to FORMED, visit phillyevang.org/formed.
Pick a Saint for 2018 (literally!)
At the beginning of each new year, some Catholic communities have a tradition of picking a saint as patron for the year. One way to do this is to follow these steps:
- Print out a list of saints (Click here for a list)
- Cut up the list, fold each piece, and place all saints in a bag or box
- Invite people to choose a saint from the bag, first praying with them a Hail Mary or other prayer during which you ask the Holy Spirit to give the person the saint meant for them
- Learn about the saint you've chosen, pray for your given prayer intention, and watch how that saint "shows up" in your life throughout the year!
"You cannot be half a saint. You must be a whole saint or no saint at all."
-Saint Thérèse of Lisieux
Fraternus Information Session - February 12
A few months ago, we introduced the Fraternus ministry to you as one way we are working to stem the tide of young men who are leaving the Church. Fraternus is a parish-based ministry in which adult Catholic men are formed to be "True Mentors" for boys and young men of the parish to help guide them into authentic, virtue-based manhood rooted in Jesus Christ.Men of the Archdiocese who are interested in launching a Fraternus chapter are invited to attend a Fraternus Information Session on Monday, February 12, 2018 at 7pm at St. Charles Seminary in Wynnewood.
Office for the New Evangelization
Upcoming Events
Unbound: Freedom in Christ
One-Day Conference
Unbound is a ministry of healing and deliverance that helps you find freedom in areas of your life where you feel bound. This conference will help you discover the freedom that Jesus Christ has in store for you and teach you how to help others find that freedom.
Saturday, February 24, 2018 - 9am-4:45pm
Location:
SS Simon and Jude Parish Meehan Center, West Chester, PA
SS Simon and Jude Parish Meehan Center, West Chester, PA
Speakers:
Neal, Janet and Matt Lozano of Heart of the Father Ministries
Neal, Janet and Matt Lozano of Heart of the Father Ministries
More info:
View the conference flyer
View the conference flyer
The Cross and the Light - Lent 2018!
March 8, 9, 10, 2018
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia and St. John Bosco Parish invite you to a powerful Passion Play event called The Cross and the Light (see 2-minute trailer video). TCTL is an international, critically acclaimed musical and multi-sensory video experience of Jesus’ Death, Resurrection and the Coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. Its purpose is to offer the audience an encounter with the living Christ by boldly proclaiming what He has done for us.
Location:
St. John Bosco Parish, Hatboro, PA
St. John Bosco Parish, Hatboro, PA
Performance Schedule:
Thurs, March 8 at 10 am and 7 pm
Fri, March 9 at 10 am and 7 pm
Sat, March 10 at 1 pm and 7 pm
Fri, March 9 at 10 am and 7 pm
Sat, March 10 at 1 pm and 7 pm
Around the Archdiocese...
If you would like to submit an event for inclusion in the newsletter, please email all pertinent information to asanders@archphila.org for consideration. Please submit event information in the format used below.
January 1, 2018 - Midnight
Event: Midnight Mass at the CathedralMidnight Mass for the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God and Octave Day of the Nativity of the Lord; Confessions available before Mass beginning at 11:30 PM;
Location: Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia
More information: View/Print the Midnight Mass flyer
January 5, 12, 19, and 26, 2018, 7:30pm
Event: Saint Paul: A Contemporary Teacher for Young Adults
All of us need mentors in our lives to live more fully the Christian life. One of the greatest preachers and teachers of the Faith in the history of the Church is the Apostle, Saint Paul. He continues to pass on the Word of God to us today in compelling and assuring ways to guide us as present day followers of Christ, especially in a time and society when this is increasingly unpopular and often very difficult.Presenter: Fr. Dennis Gill, Rector & Pastor of the Cathedral Basilica
Location: Archdiocesan Pastoral Center, 222 North 17th Street, Philadelphia
More info: Please check out the digital flyer!
Sunday, January 7, 2018, 2pm
Event: The Sisters of Life invite you for Mass for the Epiphany with Carols and Cookies to follow in the Church Hall
Join the Sisters of Life as they celebrate their first Christmas in Philadelphia!
Location: St. Malachy's Church, 1429 N 11th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122
More info: View the invitation and please note parking instructions
RSVP: Please RSVP to philly@sistersoflife.org or 267-831-3100
Tuesday, January 9, 2018 at 7 pm
Event: “Everyday Mysticism – Seeing Christ in My Everyday Life”
Speaker: Father Thomas Whittingham, Pastor, St. Katharine Drexel Parish.
Father Wittingham will share with us how opening our eyes to see that Jesus’ own life is being lived out in the lives of everyone we meet each day can turn our “everyday” existence into a “mystical” experience. The talk is based on the life and writings of Caryll Houselander, using insights from some of her writings.
Location: Saint Stanislaus Parish Center, the building located behind the Church at 51 Lansdale Avenue (corner of Lansdale and Main Streets [Route 63]) in Lansdale, PA 19446
To learn more: There is no cost to attend, and registration is not required; Questions? Call the Saint Stanislaus Parish Center, 215.855.3133.
Monday, January 15, 2018, 6:00PM–7:15PM
Prelude Music & Reflections on King’s Legacy, 5:30–6:00PM
Prelude Music & Reflections on King’s Legacy, 5:30–6:00PM
Event: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Interfaith Prayer Service
2018 Theme: “Building the Beloved Community within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.”Location: St John Chrysostom Parish, 617 S. Providence Road, Wallingford, PA 19086
Presider & Homilist: Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.
More info: No cost to attend; All are welcome!January 17, 24, 31 Feb 7, 2018 (4 Wednesdays)
Event: We Thirst: Lessons in Mercy, Christian Reflections on Addiction
You are invited to this educational and inspirational four-week series on the epidemic of addiction within the context of the Christian community. This unique series is designed to not only educate and raise awareness, but also to offer hope and support, foster mercy, faith, and love and to encourage transformative action. The program is intended for everyone in the community. Each week examines one aspect of the bio-psycho-social-spiritual model of addiction.
Location: St. Bede the Venerable Church (In Drexel Center) 1071 Holland Road, Holland, PA (Northampton) 18966
Speaker: Nina Marie Corona MA CRS
More info: Click here
January 22-26, 2018
Event: The Church is a Field Hospital: Unbound Retreat for Catholic Priests
Learn a simple, personal way to pray with your parishioners to be free of their burdens. Receive personal ministry. Connect with other priests who use or want to use Unbound in pastoral care. If you are unsure whether you should attend this retreat, a prayerful reading of "Unbound: A Practical Guide to Deliverance" by Neal Lozano will help you know if this is the right time for you.
Location: Sacred Heart Retreat House, 920 E. Alhambra Road, Alhambra, CA 91801
Speakers: The Most Reverend David G. O'Connell, Fr. Ethan Southard, Neal Lozano, and Matt Lozano
More info: Please contact Heart of the Father Ministries at info@heartofthefather.com or 610-952-3019 ext. 1
January 26, 2018, 7:00 pm – January 28, 2018, 12:00 pm
Event: Come and See Weekend for High School Men
A Come And See Weekend is a perfect opportunity for men who are considering a vocation to the priesthood to come to St Charles Borromeo Seminary to see what seminary life is like and explore the possibility of their own call to the priesthood.
Location: St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Wynnewood, PA
More info: View the website
Friday, February 2, 2018 – 9:30am-2:30pm
Event: The Path of Discipleship: Orienting Everything in Your Parish to the
Formation of Disciples of Jesus Christ
This workshop is designed to help parish leaders put order and purpose into the activities and events in a parish so that everything has a common goal and direction: the formation of authentic disciples of Jesus Christ.
Speakers: Jason Simon, Executive Director, Evangelical Catholic; Fr. Stephen DeLacy, Director, Vocations Office; Meghan Cokeley, Director, Office for the New Evangelization
More details: View/Print the Flyer
To register: $25 per person; phillyevang.org/events
Sunday, February 4, 2018, 2pm
Event: Malvern Women's Tea
Speaker: Meghan Cokeley, Office for the New Evangelization
Topic: What's All the Talk about the Feminine Genius?
Location: Malvern Retreat House, Malvern, PA
More info: $25 per woman; Visit the website
Monday, February 12, 2018 - 7:00-8:30pm
Event: Fraternus Ministry Information Night for Men
Men of the Archdiocese, do you have a passion for working with and guiding young men? Do you have sons that you want to guide into virtuous Catholic manhood? Come to an information night about the Fraternus ministry that can give you the tools to accomplish this mission.
Location: St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Wynnewood, PA
More info: View the flyer; No cost to attend; RSVP online
February 21, 28, Mar 14, 21, 2018 (4 Wednesdays)
Event: We Thirst: Lessons in Mercy, Christian Reflections on Addiction
You are invited to this educational and inspirational four-week series on the epidemic of addiction within the context of the Christian community. This unique series is designed to not only to educate and to raise awareness, but also to offer hope and support, foster mercy, faith, and love and to encourage transformative action. The program is intended for everyone in the community. Each week examines one aspect of the bio-psycho-social-spiritual model of addiction.
Location: St. Margaret's Church, 208 North Narberth Ave., Narberth, Pa 19072
Speaker: Nina Marie Corona MA CRS
More info: Click here
February 23, 2018, 7:00 pm – February 25, 2018, 12:00 pm
Event: Come and See Weekend for Post-High School Men
A Come And See Weekend is a perfect opportunity for men who are considering a vocation to come to St Charles Borromeo Seminary to see what seminary life is like and explore the possibility of their own call to the priesthood.
Location: St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Wynnewood, PA
More info: View the website
Saturday, February 24, 2018 - 9am-4:45pm
Event: Unbound: Freedom in Christ One-Day Conference
Unbound is a ministry of healing and deliverance that helps you find freedom in areas of your life where you feel bound. Come and discover the freedom that Jesus Christ has in store for you.
Location: SS Simon and Jude Parish Meehan Center, West Chester, PA
Speakers: Neal, Janet and Matt Lozano of Heart of the Father Ministries
More info: View the flyer
Monday, February 26, 2018, 7pm
Event: Archbishop's Lecture Series
Speaker: Archbishop Wm. Michael Mulvey
Topic: "Christians and Muslims: Love Creates a Dialogue Between Friends"
Location: St. Charles Seminary, Vianney Auditorium, Wynnewood, PA
More info: More information coming soon at scs.edu
Saturday, March 3, 2018, 8:30am-5pm
Event: ManUp Philly Men's Spirituality Conference
Man Up Philly is an annual men's conference aimed at energizing and enabling us to be better sons, fathers, and husbands, by living our faith and leading our families by example.
Location: Mirenda Center for Sport, Spirituality, and Character Development, Aston, PA
More info & registration: manupphilly.com
Saturday, March 17, 2018 - 2pm Procession; 2:30pm Mass
Event: Cultural Heritage Mass
Native American, Asian, African, European, Caribbean, and Brazilian Catholics welcome all to this celebration!
Principal Celebrant and Homilist: Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap
Location: Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia
More info: View the flyer
Saturday, March 24, 2018, 10:30am
Event: Mass for Persons with Disabilities and Their Caregivers
Honoring the Gifts of Persons with Disabilities, the Deaf Community, Family, Friends and Caregivers; Mass will be followed by a reception
Principal Celebrant and Homilist: Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap
Location: Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia
More info: Please RSVP; View the flyer
LOOKING AHEAD...
April 4-6, 2018 - Humanae Vitae Symposium, Washington, DC
April 14, 2018 - Fraternus Training Conference for Men, Wynnewood, PAApril 21, 2018 - Cassock Classic Ultimate Tournament, Wynnewood, PA
April 29, 2018 - "Find Your Greatness" event with Dr. Allan Hunt, Lansdale, PA
May 1, 2018 - Mothers of Children with Disabilities Retreat Day, Malvern, PA
June 16, 2018 - The Culture Project International Spring Banquet,
SS. Simon and Jude Parish, West Chester, PA
July 27-29, 2018 - Casting Nets Evangelization Institute (English/Español), Malvern Retreat House, Malvern