Two New Ministries for Catholic Families
Springs in the Desert – Support for Couples Struggling with Infertility
Springs in the Desert accompanies those struggling with infertility by offering a place of respite and solidarity where they can know God’s love for them and discover His unique call to fruitfulness. Firmly rooted in the anthropology, ethics and spirituality of the Catholic Church, and our shared experiences of infertility, Springs in the Desert affirms the goodness of marriage, upholds the giftedness of the child, and advocates for a broader understanding of what it means to be life-giving.
Springs of Love – Catholic Foster and Adoption Support
Springs of Love encourages, educates and equips Catholics to discern and live out the call to foster and adopt, while creating communities of support to help cultivate a culture of foster care and adoption in our parishes. Springs of Love hopes to convey both the beauty and the challenges of fostering and adoption with attention to such issues as adoption after infertility, the impact of trauma on children, parenting a special needs child, the adoption triad, navigating relationships with birth families, the language surrounding fostering and adopting, the role of the Church in caring for children in need of parents, and more.
Below you will find online Catholic events being offered in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. If you would like to submit an event for inclusion in the newsletter, please email all pertinent information in the format used below to pherrera@archphila.org by the 23rd of the month for consideration.
Advent 2022
Event: Advent Prayer Calendar
Inspired by Saint Ignatius of Loyola's Spiritual Exercises, We Thirst Ministries’ interactive, online Advent Prayer Calendar is a fun, inspiring, contemplative, and transformative journey for all who want to prepare their hearts to experience God’s love born anew within them this Christmas. The journey begins with a one-hour video “mini retreat.” Then, each day from December 1st to Christmas, you will be invited to click and open the day’s image on the Advent Prayer Calendar to discover inspiration that will guide your day (reflections, Bible readings, songs, and videos), all carefully designed so that you may experience the season’s true meaning this year.
Location: Online
Mondays, November 14 thru December 5, 9:15 - 10:45 AM
OR Wednesdays, November 16 thru December 7, 7:00 - 8:30 PM
Event: Advent Bible Study - "Adore" with Father John Burns
How are you preparing for Advent? Our Bible Study team will present a 4-week series, consisting of short videos and group discussions, to help us get our minds and hearts ready for that First Coming of the Son of God. We are beginning this series earlier than the actual Advent dates in order to finish before your Christmas busy-ness starts. The Bible Study is FREE, and workbooks will be provided. We will present this at 2 different times so PICK THE TIME that is best for you. Light refreshments will be served. Please join us!
Location: Holy Cross (Delaware County) Parish Center,651 E Springfield Road
Springfield PA 19064
More Info: It is helpful for us to have a headcount to ensure we have enough workbooks. To save a seat, or for more information, please contact Pattie Stevens at pattiejstevens@comcast.net or 484.868.8571
Tuesdays, November 29th, December 6th, 13th, and 20th – 7:00 - 8:30 PM
Event: Zoom discussion on “Everything You Wanted to Know About the CREED but Were Afraid to Ask!” Please join St. Augustine Parish (Philadelphia) as we host four virtual discussions during Advent on the CREED. “Why do we have more than one Creed? Why do we call God, Father? What does “consubstantial” mean?” We will discuss and answer these and other questions you might have regarding the Creed. Join us and our special guest participants via Zoom on the dates and times listed!
11/29 “I believe . . .” What is the Creed? - Rev. G. Dennis Gill, S.L.L., M.Div., Director, Office for Divine Worship and Rector of the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, Philadelphia -
Register at the link below:
12/6 “I believe in one God, the Father . . .” - Ms. Paula Manchester, M.A, Adjunct Professor, Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary, School of Theological Studies - Register at the link below:
12/13 “I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ . . .” - Joseph T. Kelley, Ph.D., D.Min., Professor of Religious and Theological Studies, Merrimack College - Register at the link below:
12/20 “I believe in the Holy Spirit . . .” - Rev. Kevin DePrinzio, OSA, PhD., Vice President for Ministry; Faculty, Theology Department, Villanova University - Register at the link below:
Location: St. Augustine Parish (Philadelphia) via Zoom
Five Thursdays beginning December 1, 2022 at 7 PM
Event: Behold Visio Divina Group (virtual small group for women)
Are you looking for some prayer, encouragement and community this Advent? Join Behold Visio Divina on praying with art through this season. Each week, we will gather virtually to pray with the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary through art, followed by discussion. We'd love to have you join us during this special season.
Facilitator: Katie Weiss, Founder, Behold Visio Divina Registration: Register through this link for a printed copy of the book, or register through this link for a PDF copy of the book.
Friday, December 2nd, 2022 7:00 pm
Event: Charismatic Mass and Healing Service
ALL are invited to celebrate mass with the St Ignatius of the Antioch Charismatic Prayer Group. Father or Prayer teams will pray over individuals for their needs. And the Anointing of the Sick will also be offered . Come and Enjoy the Praise and worship songs and the Power of the Holy Spirit and receive all that Jesus wants to give you and put on your heart. Bring a friend and a family member who also needs blessings. Father Chris Walsh will be our Celebrant!
More Information: questions: Renee' Cereby 267-357-5008
Friday, December 2, 2022
Event: A Night of Hope: Retreat & Bonfire
Peak Encounter Ministries invites all young adults (college, 20s, 30s) to join us for a great event featuring a witness talk on hope by young adult David Serrano, outdoor Mass, and bonfire fun with s’mores and hot chocolate! Please register by November 28, and get a discount for registering with friends!
Location: Malvern Memorial Cabin (600 Monument Ave., Malvern, PA)
Friday, December 2 – Sunday, December 4
Event: Traditional Men’s Retreat with Jeff Cavins (in person and virtual option)
We are pleased to welcome back Jeff Cavins, Bible teacher, speaker and host of “Life on the Rock” on EWTN to lead this weekend retreat for men of all ages and backgrounds. This retreat will include Mass each day, talks by Jeff, adoration and time for personal reflection.
Location: Malvern Retreat House, 315 S Warren Ave, Malvern PA
More info: Registration is required for this event. Contact the retreat house at 610.644.0400 or click here
First Friday, December 2, 2022, at 7:00 pm
Event: Mass and Healing Service
All are invited to the First Friday, December 2, 2022, at 7:00 pm, Mass and Healing Service with Our Lady of Fatima's pastor, Rev. Roland Slobogin as the celebrant. Come to praise the Lord through songs with the music ministry, receive the Eucharist, have prayer teams laying on of hands for individual healing after Mass and hear witness stories. "Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise." Jer. 17:14
Location: Our Lady of Fatima, 1 Fatima Drive, Secane, PA 19018 (Delaware County)
Friday, December 2, 7:00 PM
Event: “Light the Night” – An Evening of Adoration, Praise & Worship – Witness by Mark Griswold
Join us for our upcoming evening of Adoration, Praise & Worship, and Witness Talk by our very own Mark Griswold that is part of our new effort at St. Norbert this year titled “Light the Night”. Our third one is all about “Preparing the Way!” Make this part of your Advent and enter more fully into this beautiful time of preparation for Christ’s coming. This monthly Holy Hour + is open to everyone! If you’ve been around for a bit, this is similar to our former Festival of Praise evenings. Fellowship to follow, RSVP today!
Location: St. Norbert’s, Paoli, PA
December 2 - 4, 2022
Event: Sister-To-Sister Weekend Retreat for African/Black Catholic Women
Sister-To-Sister Weekend Retreat is an annual event for Catholic and non-Catholic Women, who want to spending some quality time and to deepen her relationship with God.
More Info: Arrival Time: Friday @ 4:30 PM - Departure Time: Sunday after 11:00 AM Mass; Cost: $110 (Discount is available if you need it)
Saturday, December 3, 2022 – 9:30 am-11:30 am (Doors open at 9:00 am with continental breakfast.)
Event: Special Training for Ministers with Youth: How to Pray with Those You Serve
Join us for a special training to equip Ministers with Youth, DREs, catechists, and others who serve with the youth with the skills to pray with them as part of a Prayer Team. The goal is to equip adults who serve with youth with the skills to be part of Prayer Teams at county Arise! Youth Evenings of Adoration plus events with youth in their community.
Presenter: Meghan Cokeley, Director of the Office for the New Evangelization of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
Location: Visitation BVM at 196 N Trooper Rd, Norristown, PA; The meeting will take place in the basement of the rectory. Balloons will mark the way!
Saturday, December 3
Event: Eucharistic Day featuring Eucharistic Miracles Exhibit
In keeping with the Eucharistic Revival launched by our Bishops this past summer, all are invited to participate in a Eucharistic Day in Bridgeport, PA. The day will begin with the 9:00 a.m. parish Mass in the Ordinariate Form celebrated by Fr. Bill Cantrell. From 10:00 - 2:00 the public is invited to the lower level of the school building to view the Eucharistic Miracles Exhibit compiled by Blessed Carlo Acutis in 2005. Also from 10:00 - 2:00, all are encouraged to spend some time in Eucharistic Adoration in the church. The day will conclude with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and homily by Fr. Peter DiMaria at 2:00 p.m. Drop in for a while or spend the day! (St. John the Baptist Catholic Church is a parish in the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter.) Free admission.
Location: St. John the Baptist Church, 502 Ford St. Bridgeport, PA
Saturday, December 3, 2022, 9A-12P
Event: Women’s Advent Breakfast
Register now for a Women’s Advent Breakfast hosted by Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Doylestown. All women are invited to attend this event featuring guest speaker Magdalene Riggins, Executive Director, Evangelization & Formation, Diocese of Allentown. Maggie will present a talk on The Peace and Joy of Advent. Registration is $35 per person and includes a full, hot breakfast buffet.
Location: Doylestown Country Club, 20 Country Club Lane, Doylestown, PA 18901
Saturday, December 3rd at 6pm
Event: Frassati Advent Feast
Frassati Fellowship will be having an Advent Feast, which includes meditation on advent, and preparing our hearts for Jesus to be born in our hearts on Christmas. Not to also mention burgers, warm homemade soup, hot cocoa, hot cider, firepit and of course Beer/wine!
Cost: $10
Location: 950 Michigan Avenue Swarthmore, PA, 19081
Monthly Rosary Walk with the Sisters of Life (Next walk: Dec 3 at 10:30 AM)
Event: Rosary Procession for Life
Join us in praying all four sets of mysteries of the rosary for the protection of life and for the healing of our culture. Alternating between two different locations, we meet one Saturday every month to walk through our city's streets, praying to Our Lady for Philadelphia and the world.
Locations:
- Meet at 10:30 AM at Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, Philadelphia (January 7, March 4 and May 13)
- Meet at 10:30 AM at Visitation B.V.M., Kensington (December 3, February 4, and April 1)
December 5 or December 10, 2022
Event: Are You Called to Be a Deacon in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia?
We invite Catholic men (and wives if married) between the ages of 29 and 55 to
join us an in-person presentation with a panel of clergy about discerning a
vocation to the Permanent Diaconate and admittance to the School for Diaconal
Formation program.
Two options:
- December 5 at 7:00 PM: Saint Mary Magdalene Parish, St. Francis Hall, 2400 North Providence Road, Media, PA 19063
- December 10 at 10 AM: Holy Innocents Parish, 1337 East Hunting Park Avenue - Philadelphia, PA 19124
December 6, 7 8, from 6 -9 pm
Event: Eucharistic Summit: Sewing Hope into Broken Hearts
The St. Raymond Nonnatus Foundation presents a free an on-line “Eucharistic Summit” with over 20 Catholic Authors and Speakers to enrich your faith and understanding the gift of the Holy Eucharist. The event is being held on Vimeo.com, but registration is required in advance.
Location: On-line at Vimeo.com. Link to event will be sent after registration.
Speakers: Bishop William Byrne of the Diocese of Springfield, MA; Gary Zimak, Allison Gingras, Fr. Daniel Bowen, O.deM, William Hemsworth, Anne DeSantis, Mickey Kelly and more.
Link to Register:
Thursday – December 8, 2022
Event: Spirit Power - Rock the World with Prayer!
Join us as singer, songwriter evangelist Marty Rotella along with guest speakers Fr. Stephen DeLacey and Anna Iatesta present a day of reflection which includes Mass, Inspiring Music and Uplifting Talks. What a way to move into and celebrate the Advent season.
Location: Malvern Retreat House, St. Joseph’s Hall 315 S Warren Ave, Malvern PA
Thursday, December 8th, 2022, following 8:30 am Mass – 6:00 pm
Event: Exposition of Sacred Relics at Holy Martyrs Catholic Church, Oreland, PA.
Pray in the presence of more than 150 Sacred Relics. The True Cross of our Lord, the Cloak of Saint Joseph, Saint John the Baptist, Saint Philomena, Saint John Vianney, Saint Anthony of Padua, Saint John Neumann, Saint Katharine Drexel, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Saint John Paul II, Saint Damian of Molokai, Saint Therese and Venerable Fulton J. Sheen. There is no cost for admission. Contact the office to arrange a visit for your parish or school.