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New Diocese of Harrisburg Young Adult GroupMe
The Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries is pleased to announce the Diocese of Harrisburg Young Adult GroupMe. It is your one-stop central hub for staying connected. It’s a simple, one-way bulletin for Diocesan and approved young adult events, updates, and opportunities so you can stay in the loop without being overwhelmed. Join the GroupMe with this link: https://groupme.com/join_group/115485485/R4f6KMB4
ded. A 3-minute registration required at this link. (Make sure all slashes and dashesincluded) https://hbgdiocese.formstack.com/forms/charismatic_day_of_renewal
Respect Life Ministry Leadership Gathering – September 29
Respect Life Ministry Leaders are warmly invited to attend the next Respect Life Ministry Gathering on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at the Diocesan Center, 4800 Union Deposit Road, Harrisburg. This gathering will provide the opportunity to learn and share in fellowship with one another.
The schedule is:
5:30-6:30 p.m. – Dinner & Fellowship
6:30-8:30 p.m. – Respect Life Presentations
Presentations to include:
“Theology of the Body: Foundation of Catholic Formation” by Melissa Maleski, Director for Laity & Family and Crystal Noel, Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Schools
“PA Pro-Life: Our Story” by Maria Gallagher, Executive Director, PA Pro-Life Federation
Parishes are welcome to send more than one Respect Life Ministry representative. Should your parish not have an active Respect Life Ministry, please share this invitation with one or two people that could attend to represent your parish. Kindly RSVP by completing this form by Tuesday, September 22. Thank you.
Care for Creation Mass – October 4
Pope Leo XIV proclaimed January 10, 2026, through January 10, 2027, a Holy Year honoring St. Francis of Assisi, marking the 800th anniversary of his death. On October 4, 2026, the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, a Care for Creation Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 am by Most Reverend Timothy C. Senior at Our Lady of Hope (801 W. Chestnut St.) Coal Township, PA. Our Lady of Hope Parish is led by Conventual Franciscans. All are invited to attend. Pilgrims wishing to take part in the day’s pilgrimage but not take the bus are welcome to participate in the events at Our Lady of Hope. $15 chicken barbecue tickets are available by contacting the parish office at 570-648-4432.
https://www.hbgdiocese.org/event/st-francis-of-assisi-an-800th-anniversary-pilgrimage/
Red Mass – October 5
This year’s Red Mass will be celebrated on Monday, October 5, 2026, at 12:00 noon at Saint Patrick Cathedral, 212 State Street, Harrisburg. Bishop Timothy Senior will be the principal celebrant. Rev. Msgr. Dr. William J. King, J.C.D., a priest of the Diocese of Harrisburg and Assistant Professor of Canon Law at Catholic University of America (CUA) in Washington D.C., will be the homilist. All who attend the Red Mass are invited to a reception after the Mass in the Cathedral’s social hall.
At the Red Mass, lawyers, judges, lawmakers, law students, and public officials gather together to pray for God’s wisdom and guidance in their pursuit of justice. The Red Mass originated in medieval England at the time of King Edward I, when the twelve judges of the High Court attended Mass as a group on the opening day of the judicial calendar. Today, the Red Mass generally coincides with the time period in which the U.S. Supreme Court begins its new term.
The Saint Thomas More Society of Central Pennsylvania, an organization of Catholics in the legal profession, sponsors the Red Mass and reception each year. All are welcome and encouraged to attend!
First Annual Catholic Charities Priest Soup Cook-Off – October 10
Soup, priests & a little friendly competition! Support 8 priests as they compete for the title of Best Soup at Catholic Charities’ First Annual Priest Soup Cook-Off on October 10!Your sponsorship helps make this fun event possible while supporting the vital programs and services of Catholic Charities.
Become a Sponsor: https://bit.ly/4fLH6IY
Faith, Elections and Citizenship Seminar – October 14
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has consistently encouraged Catholics to become informed and involved citizens, issuing documents related to faith and citizenship since 1976.
The Pennsylvania Catholic Conference, the public affairs arm of the Commonwealth’s Catholic bishops and dioceses, works to inform and educate the Catholic faithful, legislators and the general public about issues important to Catholics.
Join Eric Failing, Executive Director of the PA Catholic Conference, on Wednesday, October 14, from 6:30-8:00 pm as we discuss the Church’s teachings regarding the moral framework of “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship” with the hope of binding the wounds and healing the bitter political divisions we see in our society today. Registration is free and available at hbgdiocese.org/citizenship.
For questions please contact Brenda Estremera-Garay at bestremeragaray@hbgdiocese.org or 717-657-4804 ext 303.
Attachments: https://www.hbgdiocese.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Faith-Elections-Citizenship-PDF.pdf
2026 Women’s Conference, October 17, Registration – Now Open!
Registration for the 2026 Women’s Conference is now open! This year’s theme is “Look to the Lord.” Join us on Saturday, October 17, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for a day of uplifting speakers, Eucharistic Adoration, Holy Mass, lunch, fellowship, and more!
Bring a friend and come discover the beauty of being a daughter of God!
For more information and to register, visit: https://www.hbgdiocese.org/women
Life-Giving Wounds 2026 Online Retreat -Wednesdays from October 7 through November 18, 2026, 8:15 to 10 p.m. EST
The Life-Giving Wounds Online Healing Retreat is a unique and powerful opportunity for adult children of divorce or separation (ACODs) to deeply reflect on the wounds caused by their family’s breakdown, and find healing alongside other peers who truly understand this pain. The retreat includes meditations, small groups, Q&A, Visio Divina, and retreat guide/journal.
When: Wednesdays from October 7 through November 18, 2026, 8:15 to 10 p.m. EST
Cost: Early bird pricing, offered through September 22, is $200 for adults ages 26+ or $110 for adults ages 18-25. After September 22, the cost of the retreat is $245 for adults ages 26+ and $155 for adults ages 18-25.
For more information visit: Fall 2026 Online Retreat — Life-Giving Wounds
St. Jude Novena
Solemn Novena for St. Jude in Coal Township
A Solemn novena for St. Jude Thaddeus, an Apostle and Patron Saint of Hope and Hopeless Causes, will be held at Our Lady of Hope Church, 863 West Chestnut St., Coal Township beginning on Tuesday, October 20 at 6:30 pm. The Novena will run for 9 consecutive days starting at 6:30 pm with prayers, a brief reflection, sacred music, and the veneration of the true relic. Various priests and deacons will be offering a reflection each night. There will be a closing mass on Wednesday, October 28 at 6:30 pm. Please join us. All are welcome.
Retreat Day for Deaf Catholics – October 24
A retreat day for deaf Catholics, “God Wants to be Your Best Friend” will be offered at St. Joseph Parish in Mechanicsburg on Saturday, October 24. Father Michael Depcik, a deaf priest, will offer the retreat in American Sign Language. Voice interpretation will not be provided. The retreat begins at 9 a.m. with a continental breakfast and includes two presentations, lunch, Confession, and a closing Mass at 4 p.m. Cost is $15 per person. RSVP by October 17 by emailing Dawn Rose at love2kids3@gmail.com. This event is sponsored by the Life & Dignity Office.
Beginning Experience Fall Weekend-October 30-November 1
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.
Diocesan Youth Conference on Christ the King – November 21
The Diocese of Harrisburg will be hosting a Youth Conference on Christ the King weekend for all teens grades 7-12. The event will take place on November 21st at Good Shepherd Church in Camp Hill. Check-in will begin at 12 p.m. with the event beginning at 1 p.m. There will be speakers, breakout sessions, adoration (with praise and worship), service opportunities, Mass with Bishop Timothy Senior, dinner, games, dancing, and more! The event will conclude with communal night prayer at 8 p.m. Price per teen is $30. All adult chaperones attend for FREE! Our speakers will include Marisally Santiago, Youth Director for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Chris Padgett, National Catholic Author and Speaker, and our very own Bishop Timothy Senior! For more information, please visit www.hbgdiocese.org/ctk. Registration will open in August so stay tuned! Any questions can be directed to zhaney@hbgdiocese.org.
Attachments: CTK Speaker Flyer 1.pdf
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