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New Yorkers planning to make a pilgrimage to Philadelphia for the World Meeting of Families in September can coordinate meeting up with others from the Big Apple in the City of Brotherly Love courtesy of the archdiocesan Family Life/Respect Life Office.
That office is in the process of compiling a list of pilgrims and their contact information for the event in Philadelphia that includes an Adult Congress and a Youth Congress Sept. 22-25 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center and, along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, a Festival of Families Sept. 26 and a Mass celebrated by Pope Francis Sept. 27.
To share travel plans and contact information, pilgrims should send an email to the Family Life/Respect Life Office at flrlevents@archny.org. Include name, contact number and parish, as well as any additional information you would like to share. With your permission, your name and information will be placed on a list of people who can then receive other travelers’ contact information.
Held every three years and sponsored by the Holy See’s Pontifical Council for the Family, the World Meeting of Families is the world’s largest Catholic gathering of families. The theme of the World Meeting of Families—Philadelphia 2015 is “Love Is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive,” emphasizing the impact of the love and life of families on society.
The World Meeting of Families was conceived in 1992 by St. John Paul II to examine how to strengthen the sacred bonds of the family across the globe. The first such gathering was held in Rome in 1994, in conjunction with the Church’s celebration of the International Year of the Family.
Families from all over the world are invited by the Holy Father to attend the global gathering. At the conference, families share their thoughts, dialogue and prayers, working together to grow as individuals and family units. Families may participate in discussion groups on the Christian family’s role in the Church and society, led by numerous distinguished speakers.
The World Meeting of Families—Philadelphia 2015 is sponsored by the Pontifical Council for the Family in Rome and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
Pope Francis is not attending the World Meeting of Families Congress; he is scheduled to be in Philadelphia for related events honoring the family Saturday, Sept. 26 and Sunday, Sept. 27. Among other celebrations, he is to attend the Festival of Families along Philadelphia’s Benjamin Franklin Parkway at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 26 and celebrate Mass for the conclusion of the World Meeting of Families at 4 p.m. Sept. 27, also on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
“This 8th World Meeting of Families being held in Philadelphia is not only an historic opportunity to welcome our Holy Father Pope Francis to the United States, but it’s a grand opportunity to highlight and celebrate the reality that the family is the basic unit of society,” said Kathy Wither, archdiocesan director of the Family Life/Respect Life Office.
“It is in the family that new human beings are brought into the world. The family is where the vocation to love is learned and passed on.”
Mrs. Wither will attend the gathering Sept. 22-23. “I am excited that other New Yorkers will have the opportunity to experience this historic and profound event. There are top-notch speakers, and the opportunity hear them in the context of a world-wide event is second to none.”
“While this Congress is bigger than the Church, it is sponsored by the Catholic Church, which should give all Catholics a sense of pride and unity,” she continued.
“In an age where the culture’s idea of love and marriage is at odds with the Christian concept, the faithful are called to joyfully proclaim the truth of marriage and family life in truth and love.”
She conceded that “isn’t always easy to do…and go against the tide.”
“I think this Congress will boost our hidden reserves and give all God-fearing people a reinvigorated faith to go forth as missionary disciples of Christ.”
For questions about connecting with other New York pilgrims in Philadelphia, call the Family Life/Respect Life Office at (646) 794-3185. For information, including registration for the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia: www.worldmeeting2015.org.
