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End of Life Seminar, July 25
All are invited to attend an End-of-Life Seminar event on Saturday, July 25, from 9 am-1 pm, at the Diocesan Center (4800 Union Deposit Rd., Harrisburg). The seminar will be presented by Dr. Joseph Meaney, PhD, KM, and Mr. Paul T. Schemel, Esq., DSS Law.
Dr. Joseph Meaney is Past President and Senior Ethicist of the National Catholic Bioethics Center, who will share informative guidance to support our understanding and preparation for end-of-life issues. End-of-Life care and decision making are vitally important topics for almost everyone. Catholics frequently have a different ethical perspective from mainstream society and there are real dangers to accepting advanced directive advice from some medical/legal professionals. Preparation for Eternal Life has always been a paramount concern of the Church, and biomedical and legal changes make that more complicated than ever before.
Mr. Paul Schemel will offer a practical discussion of how Theology of the Body can inform our approach to medical powers-of-attorney, advance directives and POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) documents, and how our will can be a means of both evangelizing our Catholic faith and maintaining peace among the family who survive us.
Registration deadline: July 20. Cost is $10 to attend.
For more information and to register, please visit https://www.hbgdiocese.org/event/a-catholic-perspective-on-end-of-life-care/
Pilgrimage to the National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes
This year, on Thursday, August 6th, the Feast of the Transfiguration, the Diocese of Harrisburg will celebrate the fortieth anniversary of its grassroots pilgrimage to the National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in Emmitsburg, Maryland. It is a Marian day of prayer for world peace through conversion of hearts. Confessors will be available in the morning from 9:30 a.m. through 11:00 a.m. The Most Reverend Timothy C. Senior will celebrate the pilgrimage Mass at 1:00 p.m. in Saint Mary’s Chapel at the Shrine.
Everyone is invited. Please bring your own lunch. Carpooling is recommended. The Legion of Mary Harrisburg Comitium will host a pilgrimage bus departing at 8:15 a.m. from Saint Catherine Labouré Parish, Harrisburg, and picking up additional pilgrims at 8:45 a.m. from Good Shepherd Parish, Camp Hill. Reserve your seat today by sending an e-mail to Amy at amf194@gmail.com or by calling or texting Rita at (717) 884-6836. The schedule for the day is posted at svparish.org (Saint Vincent de Paul, Hanover, PA).
Hope for a Better Marriage: starting September 11
If your marriage feels distant, strained, stuck, or even in crisis, Retrouvaille can help. Retrouvaille is a Catholic program that has helped thousands find new hope, improve communication, and deepen connection. Talk to someone now at 717-356-2185 or visit HelpOurMarriage.org. You can have a better marriage. Don’t wait. Our next program starts on September 11.
Get Connected-Young Adult Mass and Cookout-September 13
Calling all young adults ages 18-39 throughout the diocese! You are invited to join us on September 13 for our annual Get Connected Mass and Cookout! Come meet other faithful young adults from all across south central PA. Are you part of a young adult group? Come share what your group has been up to (and maybe gain some new members). Not part of a young adult group yet? Come see what event options and awesome communities are out there (there are more than you think). Mass will begin at 11:30 AM at St Margaret Mary Church in Harrisburg. Cookout to follow in the pavilion area right next door. There is no payment required (though we encourage you to bring a potluck dish to share). Hope to see you there!
Attachments:
Get Connected (Bulletin).png
Get Connected (Flyer).pdf
Pennsylvania March for Life – September 21
The 2026 Pennsylvania March for Life will be Monday, September 21, 2026, in Harrisburg. Eucharistic Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will be offered prior to the March at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick starting on Sunday, September 20, at 1:30 p.m., lasting overnight and ending at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, September 21. Please commit to one hour (or more) by signing up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4BADAC29A2FECF8-63560295-pamarch
Sunday, September 20 – Monday, September 21, 2026:
1:30 p.m. – 9:00 a.m. – Overnight Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at the Cathedral of St Patrick (212 State Street, Harrisburg). Street parking is free on Sunday and overnight until 8:00 a.m.
9:00 a.m. – Benediction, Cathedral of St. Patrick
9:30 a.m. – March for Life Opening Mass, Cathedral of St. Patrick
11:00 a.m. – March for Life Rally, State Capitol steps
12:00 p.m. – March for Life
1:30 p.m. – March for Life Closing Mass, Cathedral of St. Patrick
For more information, please visit https://marchforlife.org/pennsylvania/
For questions or if your parish is offering bus transportation, please contact Marianne Weltmer at mweltmer@hbgdiocese.org or 717-657-4804, ext. 322.
Beginning Experience Fall Weekend
The Beginning Experience Team for the Harrisburg Diocese announces that they have booked Camp Kirchenwald, Lebanon, PA for a Beginning Experience Weekend, October 30th – November 1st, 2026.
The ecumenical Beginning Experience weekends are an approved program designed for those suffering the loss of a spouse through death, divorce or separation. Hundreds of people have been helped to move towards successful, productive, happy lives by attending one of these weekends.
The weekend is led by persons who have lost a spouse through death or divorce and are trained in facilitating a weekend. Each Beginning Experience Team is certified by the International Beginning Experience Organization.
The following is a testimonial of a person who attended the Beginning Experience Weekend:
“I can tell you that my encounter with the Beginning Experience weekend has brought me greater peace and given me an extended family of lifelong friends who I quickly grew to love and lean on. If you or someone you know is suffering the isolation and pain that can accompany the loss of a spouse or marriage, I encourage you to seriously consider attending the Beginning Experience weekend.”
Beginning Experience is your Church at work to provide help, healing and spiritual restoration. Check the Harrisburg Diocesan website: http://www.hbgdiocese.org/ and go to Laity and Family or check www.beginningexperience.org. Information can also be obtained by contacting the Harrisburg Beginning Experience Team, Julie, at 717-379-0800.