As we bid July farewell and greet the waning of summer, we celebrate today the Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola. I've benefitted greatly from Ignatian spirituality, and in particular have found great consolation in the well-known Suscipe prayer penned by St. Ignatius. I share it here:
Take Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will, all that I have and possess. Thou hast given all to me. To Thee, O lord, I return it. All is Thine, dispose of it wholly according to Thy will. Give me Thy love and thy grace, for this is sufficient for me.
We celebrate today also the joyous news that St. John Henry Newman will soon be declared the 38th Doctor of the Church! Received into the Church by Pope Leo XIII, declared a saint only six years ago by Pope Francis, and now rightly recognized as a Doctor for the Universal Church, we give thanks for the witness of Newman. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-07/st-john-henry-newman-set-to-become-newest-doctor-of-the-church.html
Be assured of my prayers for you, your families, and your ministry.
In Christ,
Take Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will, all that I have and possess. Thou hast given all to me. To Thee, O lord, I return it. All is Thine, dispose of it wholly according to Thy will. Give me Thy love and thy grace, for this is sufficient for me.
We celebrate today also the joyous news that St. John Henry Newman will soon be declared the 38th Doctor of the Church! Received into the Church by Pope Leo XIII, declared a saint only six years ago by Pope Francis, and now rightly recognized as a Doctor for the Universal Church, we give thanks for the witness of Newman. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-07/st-john-henry-newman-set-to-become-newest-doctor-of-the-church.html
Be assured of my prayers for you, your families, and your ministry.
In Christ,
Dr. Daniel A. Drain
Director, Office for Life and Family
Save the Date! September 27th @ St. Peter's, West Brandywine
Forum on Infertility: "Better, Moral Alternatives to In-Vitro Fertilization and the Spiritual Care for Couples"
Meet the Speakers information attached below!
Save the Date!
Archdiocesan Marriage Enrichment Conference - Saturday, February 28th
I'm proud to announce the launch of a new formation series for couples in partnership with the John Paul II Foundation: Together in Holiness
Starting with a day-long conference for couples on February 28th - featuring Mass, dynamic presentations, and on-site childcare, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia is embarking on a new phase of marriage renewal and accompaniment for couples and families. Be on the lookout for more information to register and to launch the formation series at your parish soon.
Together in HolinessTM
Where Spouses Discover God’s Plan for Their Family
Together in Holiness is a marriage enrichment initiative that inspires couples to grow together in holiness and empowers and equips parents to form their children in the Catholic faith. It accomplishes this mission in two complementary ways:
- An annual, one-day Conference series for couples in dioceses
- A year-round Formation series for couples in parishes, schools, and small communities
Together in Holiness is unique in that it offers a place of encounter, where God’s plan for marriage and family is proclaimed and a desire for holiness is enkindled in the hearts of married couples. This is complemented by ongoing formation for spouses within a natural community of friends who accompany each other on the path to holiness by providing formation that will help learning take root in daily living.
The Conference Series
- Dynamic presentations from national, local, and Foundation speakers
- Availability of the Sacraments: Mass, Reconciliation, Eucharistic Adoration
- Affordable on-site childcare
- Exhibitor opportunities for diocesan and local ministries, resources, and activities
- Fellowship with other Catholic couples
The Formation Series
- Short, compelling video presentations
- Peer groups of couples who accompany each other in a process of formation
- Host Couples formed and supported by the St. John Paul II Foundation
- Guidebook that enhances and deepens formation
- Bring it Home segments aimed at translating learning into living
- Website that serves as a portal to all videos, materials, and recommended resources
- Available for Spanish-speaking couples through translated materials and captioned videos
“As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live. Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song. The future starts today, not tomorrow.”
-St. John Paul II
The Office for Ministry with Young Adults is hosting The Well: Young Adult Conference!
Once again, we’re bringing the spirit of World Youth Day to you!
The conference will take place on November, 15th at the Sheraton Hotel & the Cathedral Basilica!
There is a discounted ticket price early bird registrations, college students, and those who register in a group!
Learn more about our speakers below or check out our website for updates! https://phillyyam.org/thewell/
The conference will take place on November, 15th at the Sheraton Hotel & the Cathedral Basilica!
There is a discounted ticket price early bird registrations, college students, and those who register in a group!
Learn more about our speakers below or check out our website for updates! https://phillyyam.org/thewell/
THE WELL: YOUNG ADULT CONFERENCE VOLUNTEERING!
We are in need of volunteers the day of the event to support with setup, cleanup, registration, hospitality etc.
If you are interested to join our team, please fill our volunteering form or contact Andrea Mueller: amueller@archphila.org
THE WELL: YOUNG ADULT CONFERENCE EXHIBITORS & VENDORS APPLICATION!
Interested in representing your ministry or organization during our vendors/exhibitors portion of the Young Adult Conference?
We are excited to have vocations, young adult ministries, missionary groups, apostolates, and Catholic organizations represented during our exhibitors and vendors portion of the day in which young adult attendees can mix, mingle, and learn more about the key ministries throughout the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
Please sign up to represent your ministry by completing this application form. All exhibitors/vendors applications will be reviewed by our internal team. If you are approved as an exhibitor or vendor, you will be sent a confirmation email.
If you have any questions, please contact: amueller@archphila.org
REGISTER TODAY - Empowering Gen Now, USCCB Workshop on Listen, Teach Send
A transformative regional conference on Listen, Teach, Send: A National Pastoral Framework for Ministries with Youth and Young Adults, the United States Bishops’ guide for families and pastoral ministers in the accompaniment and evangelization of youth and young adults in their journey to and with Jesus Christ.
- Kicks off on October 24 at 5:30pm with check-in and dinner, followed by Evening Prayer, and our First Session: Empowering Gen Now, Evening concludes with a Networking Reception.
- Continues on October 25 at 8:30am with check-in and Continental Breakfast, followed by Lectio Divina with Archbishop Pérez, Individual Sessions on Listening, Teaching, and Sending with experts in the field, and “practice” workshops. The conference concludes with Holy Mass at 4:20 pm.
- A dynamic gathering for $80 per person: The fee includes snacks, meals for both days (Friday night dinner. Saturday continental breakfast and lunch), and the Friday night Networking Reception.
- REGISTRATIONS OPEN! Scan the QR code for additional information and registration or visit OFFYYA.org > Conference for Pastoral Leaders
Abbeyfest Volunteers!
Abbeyfest will take place on September, 20, 2025 at the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa!
Abbeyfest is in need of volunteers in three specific areas: parking, ticketing, and security. Each shift is 3 hours long. You can find more information and sign up here!https://abbeyfestministries.volunteerhub.com/vv2/lp/AbbeyFest2025
Catholic Women’s Conference 2025
Join Catholic women from the greater Philadelphia area for a day of fun, friendship, faith formation and prayer at the Catholic Women’s Conference.
The 2025 theme is “Women on Mission: The Feminine Genius in the New Apostolic Age” based on the book From Christendom to Apostolic Mission: Pastoral Strategies for an Apostolic Age.
At this year’s conference, we will explore the beauty of our feminine genius and the unique position of Catholic women, transformed by Christ, to bring the light of the Gospel to a society that no longer knows it needs Him.
Speakers include: Mary Ann Wiesinger-Puig, Sr. Faustina Maria Pia, SV, Bishop Joseph Perry, Fr. Sean Loomis, Fr. Thomas Viviano, Dr. Delia Larrauri and Elizabeth Leon.
Saturday, October 18, 2025, 9am-4:00pm, at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown, PA.
Tracks available in English and Spanish. Early sellout is expected. Register today at: www.catholicwomensconference.org.
Nationwide Invitation to Prayer for the End of Taxpayer Funding of the Abortion Industry
History was made recently when Planned Parenthood and other big abortion businesses were banned from receiving federal Medicaid dollars for a period of one year. However, Planned Parenthood sued, and a preliminary injunction was granted by the court that requires taxpayer funding to continue.
History was made recently when Planned Parenthood and other big abortion businesses were banned from receiving federal Medicaid dollars for a period of one year. However, Planned Parenthood sued, and a preliminary injunction was granted by the court that requires taxpayer funding to continue.
Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), and Bishop Daniel E. Thomas, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities are inviting Catholics to join a focused effort of daily prayer to stop taxpayer funding of the abortion industry.
The prayer effort invokes the intercession of Saint Joseph, Defender of Life, and runs from now until October 1, the beginning of Respect Life Month. The invitation and prayer may be found here: https://www.usccb.org/prolife/nationwide-invitation-prayer
Please share this invitation broadly to encourage many to pray.
Thanks for all that you do to build a culture of life!