Office for Life and Family December Newsletter
Archdiocese of Philadelphia
ST. ANDREW CHRISTMAS NOVENA
On January 5, 2025, Archbishop Nelson Pérez launched his initiative Trust and Hope as a response to the stark reality that 83% of Catholics are disconnected from the life of the Church. This Advent, all are invited to pray the St. Andrew Christmas Novena (November 30-December 24) for the intention of the reconciliation of inactive Catholics with the Church, their home. We will especially remember our family, friends, neighbors and co-workers who are part of the 83%. To participate, visit phillyevang.org/novena.
Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen.
This prayer is prayed fifteen times daily.
!!MONTHLY GIVEAWAY: ADVENT BUNDLE!!
The Office for Life and Family team would like to send you a Catholic family gift bundle which includes devotionals and activities for Advent for you and the family. In order to enter for a chance to win this month's bundle, here’s what you have to do: Post a picture of you putting up a flyer for one of the events in this newsletter in your church OR a picture of you or your family praying the highlighted prayer of the month together, found at the beginning of the newsletter. (Only the Office will see this picture.)
Newsletter Giveaway
Click the Sign Up button to enter the giveaway!
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MINISTRY HIGHLIGHT
PRAYER, WINE, CHOCOLATE
Prayer Wine Chocolate takes a soft, joyful approach to evangelization. The founder, Amy Brooks, has been encouraging her readers and community to use this time of year to gift loved ones with prayerful, faith-centered gifts that are modern and trendy, but do not undermine our faith. Prayer Wine Chocolate has grown from a blog to an annual retreat and to a parish ministry. Prayer Wine Chocolate provides a way to welcome and encourage women of the parish to embrace their faith more fully. By putting God first and nurturing Catholic friendships, it creates opportunities for women to grow spiritually and socially, accompanying each other as the heart of the home and parish. The time spent in communion with each other empowers women to bridge their prayer lives from the church building into their everyday lives. Prayer Wine Chocolate answers the call to "lower the barrier of entry" by inviting women to have a glass of wine and to pray a Rosary in a relaxed, supportive, and reverent environment. Our Lady often takes it from there, inviting even non-Catholics to convert to the faith! Learn more over at prayerwinechocolate.com.
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PRO-LIFE EVENTS
PEACE IN THE WOMB CAROLING - December 13, 9:00am
NATIONAL MARCH FOR LIFE- January 23, 2026
The annual National March for Life in Washington, D.C. is taking place Friday, January 23, 2026. This year's March features Sarah Hurm as the testimony speaker and Sanctus Real as the musical performers, among others. The schedule for the day is as follows:
10am Archdiocese of Philadelphia Mass at the Basilica
11-1pm Rally ft. music by Sanctus Real, the Friends of Club 21 Choir, and pro-life speakers
1pm March through D.C.
Click the link below to see the National March for Life website.
SAVE THE DATE: Evangelium Vitae, "The Gospel of Life" Event - February 14, 2026
Evangelium Vitae Symposium- Pope St. John Paul II's letter to Catholics, Evangelium Vitae ("The Gospel of Life") marked its 30th anniversary this year. To celebrate, the Pro Life Union in conjunction with the Archdiocesan Office for Life and Family will be holding a Symposium on the document at Our Lady of Czestochowa Shrine in Doylestown. More details will be forthcoming, but please save the date!
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Interested in praying in front of a Planned Parenthood near you? Visit https://www.40daysforlife.com/en/ to find opportunities to pray with people.
Download the USCCB Word of Life Petitions for Mass and Bulletin Blurbs for December:
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ADVENT RETREATS
ADVENT RETREAT @ THE CATHEDRAL - December 13
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COME HOME ADVENT RETREAT: December 20
Join the St. Raymond Nonnatus Foundation for Freedom, Family, and Faith for a special half-day retreat this Advent Season. The “Come Home Advent Retreat” welcomes anyone seeking to deepen their faith—especially those longing to return to the Catholic Church. Enjoy inspiring talks, quiet time for reflection, a delicious lunch, the opportunity for Confession, and the celebration of Mass at 4:00 pm. Come and rejoice in the coming of Christ with us! Please register on or before December 6th.
Time: 11:30am-5pm
Place: The Daylesford Abbey, 220 S. Valley Road, Paoli, PA 19031
Speakers: Fr. Joseph Serano, O. Praem, Dr. Anne DeSantis, Mickey Kelly, and Julieanne Bartlett
Cost: $70 per person
Questions: Email director.srnf@gmail.com
Speakers: Fr. Joseph Serano, O. Praem, Dr. Anne DeSantis, Mickey Kelly, and Julieanne Bartlett
Cost: $70 per person
Questions: Email director.srnf@gmail.com
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EVENTS FOR YOUR MARRIAGE
TOGETHER IN HOLINESS: A CATHOLIC MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT CONFERENCE - FEBRUARY 28, 2026
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MORE EVENTS
THAT MAN IS YOU (TMIY), "THE FIGHT OF FAITH" -
Saturday mornings through December 13th
TMIY is an interactive men’s program that combines the latest findings of modern science with the teachings of the Church and the wisdom of the saints to develop authentic male leaders capable of transforming themselves, their families and greater society. This 13-week series offers a host of well-known teachers and motivational speakers that will help men identify, be equipped and engaged in the battle raging today for our souls and the souls of our loved ones. Join us for food, fellowship, and faith. Coffee and Refreshments: 6:30-7AM; Presentation: 7-7:30AM; Small Groups: 7:30-8AM; Dismissal: 8AM. Men of all ages are welcome.
Where: Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 2130 Franklin Avenue, Morton PA. 19070
To Register: For more details on the program and to register, go to www.olphmorton.org. Or contact Jim Minnick 610-457-1828 or email jimminnick8@gmail.com.
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Milk & Honey: A Theology of the Body for Me and Mommy - January 10, 2026
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2025 Catholic Christmas Catalog
Looking for a Catholic Christmas Gift Catalog? Search no more! Download the free catalog here: https://catholicchristmas.carrd.co/
Amy Brooks, foundress of Prayer, Wine, Chocolate, has led the charge on putting together the Cozy Christmas Catalog- a compilation of Christmas gifts from different Catholic small businesses and organizations.
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From the Office for Persons with Disabilities
The below network intends to help those in need find Catholic therapists. Each listing includes the provider’s religious affiliation, and if it lists Catholic, they have successfully completed the Office for Persons with Disabilities' vetting process. If you know of a mental health professional who may be interested in joining the network, please share the attached post outlining the requirements. Especially in need of mental health professionals that speak multiple languages. Click on the image to be redirected to the network website.
Please share this information with the attached website widely in your parish. Consider including it in your bulletin.
Religious Education for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children:
Local Bereavement Ministries
St. Jude, Chalfont:
https://stjudechalfont.org/bereavement-ministry ; 267-270-6188
Assumption BVM, Feasterville: https://www.abvmfeasterville.org/Home/Bereavement#:~:text=Names%20are%20received%20through%20the%20rectory%20or%20mentioned,to%208%3A30%20PM%20in%20the%20Rectory%20Meeting%20Room ; 215-355-8897
St. John Bosco, Hatboro:
215-672-7280
St. Stanislaus, Lansdale/Mary, Mother of the Redeemer, North Wales: https://ststanislaus.com/home/bereavement-ministry/ ; 215-896-2720
St. Andrew, Newtown:
https://www.standrewnewtown.com/bereavement ; 215-968-2262
Nativity of Our Lord, Warminster:
St. Peter, West Brandywine:
610-585-7972 ; ppeterson2244@gmail.com
This list is not exhaustive. Please contact your local parish to inquire about possible bereavement ministries that exist.
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Downloadable Event Flyers to post in your church:
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Dr. Daniel Drain, Director ddrain@archphila.org; 215-587-5661
Maria Riedlmeier, Operations Coordinator mriedlmeier@archphila.org; 215-587-0500
Dcn. Pat Kennedy, Marriage Prep pkennedy@archphila.org; 215-901-8446
