Posted October 11, 2017

Anthem, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s ministry for youth and young adults, gathered some 300 young people for an Oktoberfest party complete with an oompah band, Bavarian pretzels and of course, beer in big steins. New friends were made in the context of a Catholic gathering, which was the whole point of the affair — read all about it here. (Photos by Sarah Webb)

  • Young adults chat with one another at a party thrown for about 300 of their peers by Anthem, the youth and young adult ministry of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, in October. A survey of some 900 young adults indicates they highly value efforts to gather people through social events. (Photo by Sarah Webb)

  • The band Polkadelphia leads the crowd in song.

  • Folks met new friends and no one was a loser, even after a game of foosball, at the Oktoberfest event.

  • Ike Ndolo adds his tasteful music for the party.

  • Dozens of women line up to see who can hold a stein full of water the longest.

  • Casey DePauw from the University of Pennsylvania is all smiles as she won the contest for holding a stein full of water the longest.

  • A contest to see who could hold a stein full of water the longest leaves Dan Lomady from St. Patrick Parish in Philadelphia and Chad Burns from Nativity of Our Lord in Warminster battling it out. Lomady came up the winner and won a pair of Beats cordless headphones.

  • James Syrow (left) and Jude Cooke meet over a game of foosball.

  • Authentic German food was enjoyed by all.

  • Father Bob Ianelli and Anthem staffer Abby Gutowski (center right) enjoy chatting with young adults from the area.

  • Courtney Fail (left) from St. John the Evangelist Parish in center city, Tricia Lester from St. George in Glenolden and Santonio Hill, a FOCUS missionary, strike up a conversation.

  • Enjoying a good time together are, from left) Greg Noga, Jomar Mayor, Anne Baker, Father Richard Owens and Kyra Malamood.

  • Polkadelphia entertains the crowd.