Holy Spirit, Lord of Light! From your clear, celestial height, Your pure beaming radiance give!
Evangelization News, Tips & Ideas
Returning to Mass - We Can't Wait
As we prepare to come back to Mass after the pandemic, listen to local Catholics share their excitement to be back in Church! The Returning to Mass videos are a compilation of testimonies from local Archdiocese of Philadelphia Catholics about their excitement to return to Mass after their prolonged fast from the Eucharist during the COVID19 restrictions. Check them out and share them with others to help prepare our hearts to be with Jesus in the Eucharist again!
Returning to Mass/Regresando a misa Video in Spanish:
Returning to Mass Video in Vietnamese:
Returning to Mass - The Plan
To stay up to date on the unfolding plan for resuming public Masses and other sacraments and ministries in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, visit our website Arise: Restoring Catholic Life after the Pandemic:
Please also check your local parish website and/or e-bulletin for information about your parish's plans for resuming public Masses.
St. Francis Homes for Children Thanks You!
A message from the Staff of St. Francis Homes for Children
I would like to say “thank you” to all the donors who reached out at the request of the Office for the New Evangelization to help the youth at St Francis Homes for Children. Words cannot express the outpouring of emotion that I as well as Ms. Carolyn Connelly have felt at the generosity displayed by those who care towards those in need. The items donated have had a profound effect on their lives during these uncertain times.
Peace and Blessings, Deacon Anthony Willoughby (http://sfsj.org/)
St. Francis Homes for Children now has all they need for the summer - thank you for your wonderful generosity!
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 asking the miraculous intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary to put an end to the coronavirus.
When:
Rosary in English:
After May 31, Monday through Friday at 8:00-8:30 PM (EST)
Rosary in English:
After May 31, Monday through Friday at 8:00-8:30 PM (EST)
Rosario en español:
Después del 31 de mayo , Lunes a Viernes a las 6:00-6:30 PM (Hora del Este)
More log-in details, visit:
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.
Spiritual Support for You and Your Family During the Pandemic
During these difficult days, the Lord always remains close to us and provides us with 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: http://archphila.org/resources/
Family Prayer Services for Use at Home (by Fr. Joseph McLaughlin)
Virtual Events
Faith Formation Series on the Book of Revelation
In the first century of the Church, Jesus issued letters to the seven principle churches of Asia as representative of the Church universal, wherein He offered words of praise and challenge. Two-thousand years later, these letters remain essential for interpreting our experience as Church today and building up a strong spiritual life. Join Fr. Sean Loomis from Annunciation B.V.M. parish in Havertown, as he unpacks these letters and their meaning for us today. A new video is released every Saturday.
Speaker: Fr. Sean Loomis, Parochial Vicar, Annunciation BVM, Havertown
- Watch each week at this link: Series on the Book of Revelation
Saturday, May 30, 2020 - 5:00 - 7:30 PM
Event: Virtual Pentecost Vigil Celebration
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia Charismatic Renewal invites everyone to join in an evening of praise and worship, teaching and prayers for healing as we prepare for the glorious Solemnity of Pentecost.
Event: Virtual Pentecost Vigil Celebration
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia Charismatic Renewal invites everyone to join in an evening of praise and worship, teaching and prayers for healing as we prepare for the glorious Solemnity of Pentecost.
Location: Live-streamed from the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul and the Shrine of Saint Katharine Drexel, Philadelphia
More info: Click here for the flyer
Saturday, May 30, 2020 – 8:00 PM
Event: The Solemnity of Pentecost: Extended Form of the Vigil Mass
Join us for a special Pentecost Celebration—the Extended Vigil. This Vigil will especially implore the aid of God, the Holy Spirit, to come to his Church as we move out of the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Vigil will be streamed live from the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul and the Shrine of Saint Katharine Drexel, Philadelphia.
Celebrant: Reverend Gerald Dennis Gill, Pastor and Rector
Livestream at this link: https://vimeo.com/414514269 or watch on EWTN
Sunday May 31st-June 6, 2020
Event: A 7 Day Virtual Retreat with the Dominican Friars and the Sisters of Life
This Pentecost, spend seven nights on a digital retreat with the Dominican Friar hosts of the podcast Godsplaining and the Sisters of Life. Each evening retreat will begin with a prayer, will feature a twenty minute conference, and conclude with a meditation or hymn. As summer begins, allow this retreat to kick start your spiritual life. The Holy Spirit will set our hearts on fire with love! As the traditional prayer goes, “He will renew the face of the earth.”
For more information and to register visit: https://aleteia.org/online-pentecost-retreat/
Continuing Mondays at 7:30 PM through Monday, June 22
Event: Life in the Spirit: A Virtual Conference
The Lord has more for you! He desires an intimate relationship with you through openness to His Holy Spirit and His gifts. Renew and ignite the power of the Holy Spirit within you! Come and experience freedom with the Holy Spirit!
The conference team includes: Host, Maria Richardson of Saint Maria Goretti Parish; Father Stephen DeLacy, Vocations Director for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia; Kathleen McCarthy, In His Sign Catholic Radio Network; Gloria Domino, Catholic Charismatic Renewal; and Gina and Russ Montalbano, Bethany Music Ministry.
More information and registration: https://youaremadenew.com/life-in-the-spirit-2020/
The conference team includes: Host, Maria Richardson of Saint Maria Goretti Parish; Father Stephen DeLacy, Vocations Director for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia; Kathleen McCarthy, In His Sign Catholic Radio Network; Gloria Domino, Catholic Charismatic Renewal; and Gina and Russ Montalbano, Bethany Music Ministry.
More information and registration: https://youaremadenew.com/life-in-the-spirit-2020/
(The conference videos will be recorded so new participants can watch the missed sessions; all are welcome to join!)
Tuesday June 2nd and each Tuesday until July 7th, 7:30 PM
Event: Virtual study for moms of "The Bible and the Virgin Mary"
Journey with area moms as we delve into discovering Our Blessed Mother and the role she has played throughout sacred scripture. Using the beloved series "The Bible and the Virgin Mary," that can be found on Formed.org, we will virtually discuss each session of this twelve part series. This series is sponsored by St. Pius X in Broomall, Nativity BVM in Media and Visitation BVM in Trooper.
More information: Email Sarah Albanese at sarah.albanese@gmail.com for the Zoom link and for more info.
Wednesday, June 3rd, 7:00-8:30 PM EST
Event: Flannery O'Connor: Solitude, Imagination and the Oddities of Life
Though long hailed a literary icon both for America and for the Catholic Church, Flannery O’Connor in the present moment may be more compelling than ever. Recent scholarship had traced the final thirteen years of her life which she spent in ill health and isolation on her family farm in Georgia. The world O'Connor observed from her own kind of isolation was dark and strange, and yet ineradicably marked by grace. The Collegium Institute at Penn invites you to join us for a panel with four distinguished thinkers, all women, who will gather together to discuss their fascination with one of the greatest American female writers.
More info: Tune in for a dynamic evening conversation via Zoom exploring Flannery O’Connor on the imagination, solitude, and the glorious oddities of life.
More info: Tune in for a dynamic evening conversation via Zoom exploring Flannery O’Connor on the imagination, solitude, and the glorious oddities of life.
For a full description, speaker bios, and a link to RSVP click here to save your spot in this online event!
June 10-14, 2020
Event: For Women: Discover the Gift Virtual Event
Join the GIVEN Institute for a small taste of GIVEN’s signature event, the Catholic Women’s Leadership Forum! Since we cannot hold our in-person event this year, we welcome you to our online event, Discover the Gift, where we invite all women “to receive the gift they are; realize the gifts they’ve been given; and respond with the gift that only they can give.” On each morning of June 10-14, 2020, we’ll host a keynote speaker and explore the gifts and challenges of Catholic women’s leadership. We have a very special prayer time planned at noon, and we’ll come together for Evening Prayer and reflections at night.
For more information and to register visit: https://giveninstitute.com/discover-the-gift/
Event: For Women: Discover the Gift Virtual Event
Join the GIVEN Institute for a small taste of GIVEN’s signature event, the Catholic Women’s Leadership Forum! Since we cannot hold our in-person event this year, we welcome you to our online event, Discover the Gift, where we invite all women “to receive the gift they are; realize the gifts they’ve been given; and respond with the gift that only they can give.” On each morning of June 10-14, 2020, we’ll host a keynote speaker and explore the gifts and challenges of Catholic women’s leadership. We have a very special prayer time planned at noon, and we’ll come together for Evening Prayer and reflections at night.
For more information and to register visit: https://giveninstitute.com/discover-the-gift/
June 11-13, 2020
Event: Catholic Marriage Summit
An international gathering of marital experts, presented by Joyful Ever After, and crafted to take your relationship to an entirely new level. The summit brings together the world’s most trusted and inspirational voices to speak on the beauty (and the messiness) of marriage. If you are…
Event: Catholic Marriage Summit
An international gathering of marital experts, presented by Joyful Ever After, and crafted to take your relationship to an entirely new level. The summit brings together the world’s most trusted and inspirational voices to speak on the beauty (and the messiness) of marriage. If you are…
- Excited about making the good parts of your marriage great…
- Committed to making the weak parts strong…
- And open to recharging all the things in between…
The 2020 Catholic Marriage Summit will show you how to get the marriage you want out of the marriage you have.
Speakers: Damon and Melanie Owens of Joyful Ever After, Ted and Beth Sri, Bill and Rebecca Donaghy, Scott and Kimberly Hahn and many more
More information and registration: JoyfulEverAfter.org
Speakers: Damon and Melanie Owens of Joyful Ever After, Ted and Beth Sri, Bill and Rebecca Donaghy, Scott and Kimberly Hahn and many more
More information and registration: JoyfulEverAfter.org
June 16 at 7:00 PM
Event: Zoom Presentation: Padre Pio and Pandemics
In the current COVID-19 pandemic, the faithful have been turning to St. Padre Pio—one of the world’s most prayed to saints—for healing. But did you know that Padre Pio’s ministry was directly connected to our last great worldwide pandemic, the Spanish Flu? In honor of the anniversary of Padre Pio’s canonization on June 16, join West Chester University professor and anthropologist, Dr. Michael A. Di Giovine, for a discussion on the connection between St. Pio’s stigmata, the pressures of his early popularity, and the Spanish flu. He will also talk about St. Pio’s devotion to Our Lady of Fatima, to whom he turned when struck with illness. Dr.Di Giovine, a parishioner of SS Peter and Paul Parish who has conducted decades of research on the saint, will also pray with us for St. Pio’s blessing through one of his relics.
How to join: To access the meeting, you need to download the Zoom app on your computer or smartphone. After you do that, just click on the link below at the time of the event. The meeting ID and password are also included if you need it.
- Join Zoom Meeting: https://wcupa.zoom.us/j/97137281786?pwd=eFBFNzhST1U1bkJMTzNhLzhKT1FqZz09
(Meeting ID: 971 3728 1786; Password: 593969)
Monday, June 29- Wednesday, July 2, 2020
Event: Quo Vadis Discernment Retreat for Young Men in High School (Online!)
High school men – incoming freshmen to graduated seniors – are invited to join us for an awesome 3-day retreat experience from Monday, June 29th to Wednesday, July 1st. Click here to watch the 1-minute invitation video
- The Retreat will still be hosted by Fr. DeLacy, the Seminarians from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, and Deacons/Priests of the Archdiocese!
- There will still be great talks by the seminarians and awesome prayer experiences including Mass, Liturgy of the Hours, and Eucharistic Adoration.
- There will still be great games and campers will still gather with friends for small group discussions.
- There will still be a great t-shirt (and mask!).
Full details and registration information at https://heedthecall.org/events/quo-vadis/
Monday through Friday, July 20-24, 9:30 -12:00 PM and 1:30-3:00 PM
Event: Bioethics Summer Intensive Course Online
This week-long course will serve as an immersion the thought of St. John Paul II concerning the human person as a lens through which to view bioethical questions: assisted reproduction, end-of-life decision-making, allocation of scarce resources in epidemics, etc. The course aims at equipping students to think about issues in bioethics through the lens of John Paul II and the Church.
Taught by: Faculty of the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family in Washington, DC
More information: The class fee is $150. Registration closes on July 13.
Registrations forms and more information can be found at https://www.johnpaulii.edu/events/view/bioethics-summer-intensive-course-online
Event: Bioethics Summer Intensive Course Online
This week-long course will serve as an immersion the thought of St. John Paul II concerning the human person as a lens through which to view bioethical questions: assisted reproduction, end-of-life decision-making, allocation of scarce resources in epidemics, etc. The course aims at equipping students to think about issues in bioethics through the lens of John Paul II and the Church.
Taught by: Faculty of the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family in Washington, DC
More information: The class fee is $150. Registration closes on July 13.
Registrations forms and more information can be found at https://www.johnpaulii.edu/events/view/bioethics-summer-intensive-course-online
Ways You Can Help
Parish Support Initiative
The Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia has launched the Parish Support Initiative in collaboration with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to help meet the needs of parishes who have been directly impacted by the coronavirus. We understand that the suspension of public Masses has impacted parish communities in many ways. This initiative enables and encourages individuals to directly support their home parish, or a parish in need, during the pandemic.
The Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia has launched the Parish Support Initiative in collaboration with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to help meet the needs of parishes who have been directly impacted by the coronavirus. We understand that the suspension of public Masses has impacted parish communities in many ways. This initiative enables and encourages individuals to directly support their home parish, or a parish in need, during the pandemic.
Those interested in donating to the Parish Support Initiative should visit SupportMyParish.org, or click here.
Below are additional resources for pastors and parishioners to learn more about the Parish Support Initiative:
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.
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.
July 6-16, 2020 - Philadelphia Catholic Scholars Program for young men, Wynnewood, PA
August 5-9, 2020 - Biking for Vocations
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