FLAME members gather for fellowship during a weekly event, part of a growing archdiocesan ministry for Catholics in their 40s and 50s. (Photo: Nancy Di Nenna)

By Gia Myers • Posted September 3, 2025

Nancy Di Nenna calls herself a “late revert back to the Catholic faith,” returning at age 37. But as she entered her 40s, she found herself in an awkward middle ground. Catholic young adult groups, aimed at those ages 18 to 39, no longer felt like a fit.

“We just couldn’t relate,” she said of attending fellowship events with teens and 20-somethings. “While every age group has its challenges, those in their 40s and 50s are thinking more about retirement, downsizing, relocation, marital challenges, and adjusting to being empty nesters. This demographic is dealing with a lot.”

She soon discovered she wasn’t alone. Many Catholics her age longed for community and deeper faith formation but found no dedicated groups for their stage of life.

That changed last year, thanks to a providential encounter. Di Nenna met Archbishop Nelson Pérez during a Eucharistic event in Newtown, Bucks County, part of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage leading to the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. She shared her concern with the archbishop: “We completely skip a 20-year demographic,” she told him.

His reply was simple: “Start something.”

Nancy took his words to heart, likening them to “The Great Commission,” in which Jesus instructs his disciples to spread the Gospel to all nations.

A Philadelphia-area native baptized at the now-closed Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Bridgeport, Di Nenna is today a parishioner at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Southampton. She holds an MBA from La Salle University and works in the insurance industry.

Her “revert moment” came years earlier when a friend invited her to a 40 Hours Devotion at St. Mary Magdalen Parish in Media, where she met Capuchin Father Pio Mandato, known for his connection to St. Padre Pio. That encounter reignited her love for the faith.

Inspired by Archbishop Pérez’s challenge, she developed a plan and collaborated with others, including Meghan Cokeley, director of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Office for the New Evangelization.

The result was FLAME – short for Faith, Liturgy, Apostolate, Ministry, and Eucharist – a group dedicated to fostering vibrant Catholic life among those in their 40s and 50s.

It is the first fellowship of its kind in the archdiocese, offering spiritual growth, service opportunities, and genuine community for Catholics navigating midlife.

“We can all learn from each other, and we have a shared connection,” Di Nenna said.

The group held its first event in May 2024 and has been growing steadily. Every week, Di Nenna receives requests to join FLAME’s Facebook group or email list.

“It’s spreading,” she said of the group’s membership.

FLAME is not tied to any single parish. Instead, it partners with different parishes – primarily in Bucks and Montgomery Counties for now – to host weekly gatherings that include Bible study sessions, Holy Hours, and fellowship nights, on both weeknights and weekends.

Members range from single to married, with diverse life experiences but a shared faith.

“Our goal is to support one another in following Jesus Christ by our words, thoughts, and deeds,” Di Nenna said. “We don’t want to keep Jesus for ourselves.”

Her hope is to see FLAME membership and events expand throughout the entire Archdiocese of Philadelphia. “I want to make it available to everyone,” she said.

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For more information, visit FLAME’s Facebook group at facebook.com/groups/phillyflame or email KindledFlame@yahoo.com.