"O wonder of your humble care for us! O love, O charity beyond all telling, to ransom a slave you gave away your Son! O truly necessary sin of Adam, destroyed completely by the Death of Christ! O happy fault that earned so great, so glorious a Redeemer!"
Evangelization News, Tips & Ideas
Spiritual Support for You and Your Family During This Crisis
During these difficult days, the Lord always remains close to us and provides us ways to receive His grace even when we cannot attend Mass in person. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has created a webpage listing many excellent resources and online events to nourish you spiritually and help you remain as close as possible to Jesus and the Church during this time.
- Explore these resources at archphila.org/resources.
Wholesome Fun for Families During the Easter Season
Recommendations from the Sisters of Life!
The Church recognizes that Easter is the highest Solemnity of the entire liturgical year, and responds by celebrating not just one day, but eight! The Easter Octave is a perfect time for some family fun at home. Here are some ideas of things to do with the kids:
- Visit Disney World Virtually
- National Aquarium Virtual Tours
- 12 Museums That You Can Visit Virtually
- See Yellowstone National Park Virtually
- Watch Live Cams from the San Diego Zoo
- 50 Fun Crafts for Kids
- 30 Indoor Activities to Keep Kids Entertained
- Math & Reading Games
- Kid-Friendly At Home Workouts
- Follow the Church’s liturgy with your children with Magnifikid:
- Easter Crafts and resources for kids
Monastery Goodies
Throughout the ages, monasteries have been pillars of civilization, sustaining the Church with contemplative prayer and contributing to the local community through hard work. This is still true today. Many deeply contemplative communities of monks and nuns support themselves by producing high quality food, drink and other basic goods, offering them for purchase by men and women of good will. Check out these websites where you can order goods made by Catholic monks in the USA.
- Mystic Monk Coffee: www.mysticmonkcoffee.com, by Monks of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, Wyoming
- Monks Bread: monksbread.com, by Cistercian Monks, Abbey of Genesee, New York
- Gethsemani Farms: www.gethsemanifarms.org by Trappist Monks of the Abbey of Gethesemani, Kentucky
- General site with goods from various monasteries and convents: www.monasterygreetings.com
- Have a recommendation? Click the Blue Reply button below to post your favorite monastery shop!
Not only does purchasing these goods support the monasteries and their life of prayer for the Church, but they can also be a great way to evangelize. Order monastic products as gifts to others and be sure to include an explanation of the monastery it comes from, the life of prayer and work that happens there, and a website where your gift recipients can learn more! Many people will be surprised (and hopefully curious) to learn that there are still men and women today giving themselves over entirely to a cloistered life of prayer on behalf of the world.
Office for the New Evangelization Events
Rosary Campaign
for an End to the Coronavirus
“…there is no problem, as difficult as it may be, that we cannot resolve at this time by praying the Holy Rosary.” – Sr. Lucia of Fatima
Join us online, by phone or in spirit as we pray the Rosary every night at 8 PM. We will ask the miraculous intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary to put an end to the coronavirus.
When:
Every evening, 8:00-8:30 PM* (ET)
until further notice
Every evening, 8:00-8:30 PM* (ET)
until further notice
Please click the link below to tune in each night at 8 PM:
https://zoom.us/j/494480541
Click the link 5-10 minutes early to allow your device to download any necessary software.
https://zoom.us/j/494480541
Click the link 5-10 minutes early to allow your device to download any necessary software.
Or dial-in by telephone:
Dial: (646) 558-8656
Enter the Webinar ID: 494 480 541
Dial: (646) 558-8656
Enter the Webinar ID: 494 480 541
More information:
http://www.phillyevang.org/rosary/
http://www.phillyevang.org/rosary/
Events & Initiatives
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 Sarah at salbanese@archphila.org for consideration.
Ongoing Events, Resources & Videos
Virtual SoulCore Exercise Class
SoulCore (soulcore.com) is a movement that pairs core strengthening, stretching and functional movement with the traditional prayers of the Church. Join Nicky Verna, trained SoulCore leader and parishioner at St. Mary Magdalene Parish in Media, PA for an online SoulCore class. Classes will be Monday-Friday at 11 AM.
SoulCore (soulcore.com) is a movement that pairs core strengthening, stretching and functional movement with the traditional prayers of the Church. Join Nicky Verna, trained SoulCore leader and parishioner at St. Mary Magdalene Parish in Media, PA for an online SoulCore class. Classes will be Monday-Friday at 11 AM.
- Click here to join the class Mon-Fri at 11 AM (Enter password: Jesus412)
Nourish for Caregivers “House Calls” – offered daily at 11:00 a.m. EST
During these uncertain times, Nourish For Caregivers will continue to foster community for caregivers in the privacy and safety of your own home through Nourish “House Calls”. Our mission is to bring hope and encouragement to those who feel hopeless and helpless in the face of this viral epidemic. Caregivers may participate via land line, cell phone, or through the use of a computer/tablet device. We hope you will join us as well as share this information with other caregivers who may benefit from these shared experiences. Each call will last approximately one hour depending upon the number of participants.
During these uncertain times, Nourish For Caregivers will continue to foster community for caregivers in the privacy and safety of your own home through Nourish “House Calls”. Our mission is to bring hope and encouragement to those who feel hopeless and helpless in the face of this viral epidemic. Caregivers may participate via land line, cell phone, or through the use of a computer/tablet device. We hope you will join us as well as share this information with other caregivers who may benefit from these shared experiences. Each call will last approximately one hour depending upon the number of participants.
- Visit this website for log-in information: https://nourishforcaregivers.com/
Access Formed for Free (For a limited time only!)
Our friends at the Augustine Institute have graciously made available to all of us in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia FREE access to their online platform Formed.org. If your parish is not already subscribed to Formed, this is an excellent way for anyone in the Archdiocese to access free Catholic videos, books, movies and content for kids. Content is available in English and in Spanish. Here how to access Formed for free:
- Visit https://formed.org/signup
- Type “Faith at Home Philadelphia” in the search box and click that title when it comes up
- Enter your info and click SignUp
- Enjoy!
Our Sunday Visitor COVID19 Impact
OSV has created an excellent webpage with resources and applications that will assist parishes in continuing to reach out to parishioners and the wider community. Explore these resources on this webpage here:
Ascension Press COVID Resources
Ascension Press has also generated wonderful resources to assist you in continuing ministry during this crisis. The resources include a weekly webinar for parish leaders on how to effectively reach out during this time. Resources can be found here:
Did you miss this presentation in person? Watch the video version
Event: What Can We Do? The Role of the Laity in a Time of Crisis
This presentation addresses the role of the laity in response to the crisis of the scandals of the Catholic Church. Many of its points are also relevant to our current pandemic crisis as well.
Talk description: As the Church undergoes this period of profound crisis, many of us feel helpless as we watch a drama unfold that we can do nothing about. But the truth is that we are not powerless. The history of the Church tells us that lay people have a role to play in the Church’s times of turmoil. In the video below, you will find a reflection on the mission of the laity in times of ecclesial crisis and learn what you can do to cooperate with Christ’s action to purify and heal His Church.
Presenter: Meghan Cokeley, Office for the New Evangelization, Archdiocese of Philadelphia
More information: This presentation is 75 minutes in length. The video and full details can be found at: http://www.phillyevang.org/laity/
Virtual Events
April 17-19, 2020
Divine Mercy Virtual Retreat – Pandemic Edition
**Registration ends this Friday, April 17, 12:00 noon**
Are you worried? Are you afraid to go outside? Are you concerned about the future?
Join us in this retreat as we respond to the current crisis through the message of Divine Mercy. Learn to trust in His Mercy – the medicine for any pandemic. The virtual retreat includes an orientation, night prayer, song meditations, rosaries, and words of hope by the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred of Los Angeles.
Join us in this retreat as we respond to the current crisis through the message of Divine Mercy. Learn to trust in His Mercy – the medicine for any pandemic. The virtual retreat includes an orientation, night prayer, song meditations, rosaries, and words of hope by the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred of Los Angeles.
Retreat Master: Father James Cervantes, MIC is a priest with the Marians of the Immaculate Conception. He was ordained in 2011 in his home parish at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Rowland Heights, California. He currently serves at the Shrine of Divine Mercy in El Salvador, Mindanao, Philippines.
More information and registration: Click here
Sunday, April 19, 2020
Event: Divine Mercy Sunday at St. Agnes in West Chester
Join us for live-streamed Mass and Divine Mercy Devotions as we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday!
Event: Divine Mercy Sunday at St. Agnes in West Chester
Join us for live-streamed Mass and Divine Mercy Devotions as we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday!
- Mass in English at 9 AM; Misa en español a las 10:15 AM
- Divine Mercy Devotions (Devocciones) at 3 PM including Adoration and Benediction
More info: Click here for more details
Sunday, April 19 at 3:00 PM
Event: Live Streamed Holy Hour at Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Parish for Divine Mercy Sunday
The message of Divine Mercy is that God loves us all no matter how great our sins. He wants us to recognize that His mercy is greater than our sins so that we will call upon Him with trust, receive His mercy, and let it flow through us to others. All are invited on Divine Mercy Sunday at 3:00 pm to a Special Live Streamed Holy Hour including Eucharistic Adoration, veneration of the Divine Mercy Image, and recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet.
Please join us on April 19th at 3:00 pm at https://mmredeemer.org/mass-streaming
Thursday, April 23, 2020 - 6:30 - 8:00 PM
Event: Information Session for Those Who Would Like to Help Promote Priestly Vocations
Learn more about how you can be a part of new and innovative ways to encourage and promote vocations in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia through the Serra Club. This webinar will give you more information regarding Serra and vocation promotion. Please RSVP by completing the form found at the link below
Hosted by: Vocations Office for the Diocesan Priesthood
Learn more and RSVP at: https://heedthecall.org/events/serra/
April 25 - May 3, 2020
Event: Novena in Preparation for the 57th World Day of Prayer for Vocations
Around the world on May 3, 2020, Catholics will "Pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest" (Mt 9:38, Lk 10:2). The World Day of Prayer for Vocations is a public, shared prayer for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life, as well as to secular institutes and missionary life. Please join the Vocation Office and Philadelphia Seminarians for a 9-day Novena for Vocations which begins on Saturday, April 25th and continues until Sunday, May 3rd.
How to join: Reflections and prayers for each day will be posted on our website at Heedthecall.org/novena and Facebook page at facebook.com/phillypriest.
Sunday, May 3, 2020 from 1:30 to 3:30 PM
Event: Discerning God's Will for the Average Catholic
Discernment honors the place of God's will in our lives. To be in line with God's will for us, our choices require deep thought, prayer, and consideration. To learn better how to discover and discern God's will your life, men and women, high school age and above, are invited to gather for this online retreat. This retreat will be based on the writings of Fr. Timothy Gallagher, O.M.V.
Presenters: Fr. DeLacy, Vocation Director for the Diocesan Priesthood and Sr. Marianne Lallone, Vocation Directress for the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
To register for this ONLINE retreat, visit Heedthecall.org/GodsWill no later than Monday, April 27th. For questions, please contact Fr. DeLacy at fr.sdelacy@archphila.org.
Presenters: Fr. DeLacy, Vocation Director for the Diocesan Priesthood and Sr. Marianne Lallone, Vocation Directress for the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
To register for this ONLINE retreat, visit Heedthecall.org/GodsWill no later than Monday, April 27th. For questions, please contact Fr. DeLacy at fr.sdelacy@archphila.org.
Thursday, May 7, 2020
Event: National Day of Prayer (virtual event)
The annual Delaware County National Day of Prayer is going virtual this year. This event gathers Christians to pray together for our greatest needs as a country.
Theme: Pray God's Glory Across the Earth
More information: More details are coming soon! Visit the website
Wednesday, May 13th, 1:00-2:15 PM
Event: Webinar: For Your Discernment: An Introduction to Three Ministries That Can Help Your Parish Evangelize
Event: Webinar: For Your Discernment: An Introduction to Three Ministries That Can Help Your Parish Evangelize
Join us for a webinar giving an overview of three major evangelization ministries that help parishes create and sustain ongoing missionary disciple-making in their community. It is designed to assist parish leaders in their discernment of how Christ is calling them to respond to the evangelical imperative, "Go, make disciples."
Ministries covered will be: ChristLife, Evangelical Catholic and Catholic Christian Outreach
Presenters: Meghan Cokeley and Gina Mesko, Office for the New Evangelization, Jane Selner, St. Rose of Lima, North Wales, Kurt Zampier, St. Helena, Blue Bell
Location: Webinar
Ways You Can Help
St. Francis Home for Youth Needs Your Help!
A message from Deacon Anthony Willoughby: The youth at St Francis Home, while safe, are confined to their group homes to comply with social distancing. It is with great humility that I ask if you could help us to keep them active. I am humbly aware of the tough and troubling times that we are experiencing and this “ask” is not something I do lightly, but our youth are so important to me that I believe this will give them a sense of certainty in these uncertain times. Here are some of the items we need:
- board games
- videos
- gift cards to procure them some special meals (McDonalds, Chick–fil-A, Wendy’s, Burger King etc.; $5.00 dollar denominations)
- coloring books, word spell, word finds, etc.
- small electronics
Please mail requested items to:
St. Francis Homes for Youth
Attn: Deacon Anthony Willoughby or Carolyn Connelly
3400 Bristol Pike.
Bensalem, PA 19020
Questions? Contact Deacon Anthony at 267-270-6600 or Carolyn Connelly at 215-642-3119. To learn more about St. Francis Home, visit: http://sfsj.org/
Emergency Relief Fund – Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia
As result of COVID-19, Catholic Social Services food pantries are experiencing a shortage of food and personal items due to their increase in client volume, with some pantries seeing a 100% increase. It’s become nearly impossible for them to accommodate each individual and family that visits them. Please consider a donation to CFGP’s ERF to purchase supplies for the CSS food pantries that are trying to feed those impacted by COVID-19. 100% of ERF’s proceeds will go directly to the food pantries.
Parish Support Initiative
As we navigate the dynamic and ever-evolving health crisis involving the COVID-19 pandemic, The Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia (CFGP), is diligently working to respond to the needs of our faith community at every level. The suspension of the public celebration of Mass had directly impacted our parish communities in many ways. As a result, the CFGP has established the Parish Support Initiative.
- To learn more about the initiative, visit https://www.thecfgp.org/donate/parish-support-initiative/.
LOOKING AHEAD...
Please note that these events, especially those during the summer, are tentative depending on developments related to the COVID19 restrictions. We share them with you so that you can note the dates.
June 29-July 2, 2020 - Quo Vadis discernment retreat for young men, Quarryville, PA
July 6-16, 2020 - Philadelphia Catholic Scholars Program for young men, Wynnewood, PA
August 5-9, 2020 - Biking for Vocations
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