Every few years, the Holy Father calls youth and young adults from all over the world to participate in a World Youth Day, which often becomes a powerful and life-changing encounter with Christ and the Church for those who take part.
The Pope also asked young people to gather during this time in their local churches around the world. As a response to this invitation, a special event will take place in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on Saturday, Nov. 15 for young adults: The Well: Young Adult Conference!
Hosted by the Office for Ministry with Young Adults, The Well is a conference for all young adults (18-39 years old) from all walks of life (college students, single, married, and of different ethnic backgrounds). It will take place at the Sheraton Hotel and at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul in Philadelphia. The theme for this year’s celebration is witness: “You are my witnesses because you have been with me” (cf. John 15:27).
How can young adults witness the encounters of others who have found the Lord and find a sense of belonging and identity in Christ? How can they nourish themselves with the witness of others through formation, accompaniment, and fellowship? How can they share this witness with others in a meaningful way?
Young adults from across the Archdiocese will gather Nov. 15 for The Well: Young Adult Conference, a local celebration in union with World Youth Day featuring fellowship, keynote speakers, and a vigil Mass with Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez.
The keynote speakers for this conference, Heather Khym (cohost of the internationally popular Abiding Together Podcast) Jamie Baxter (founder of Exodus 90), and Damon Owens (executive director of Joyful Ever After — joyfuleverafter.org — and National Parish Engagement Officer for Communio.org) will guide young adults how to encounter, nourish, and share this witness with others.
Participants will have the opportunity to gather in fellowship, listen to three powerful keynote speakers, and most of all experience an encounter with the Lord, just like the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:4-42), through eucharistic adoration, confessions, and a solemn vigil Mass with Archbishop Nelson Pérez.
More information about how to sign up for The Well: A Conference for Young Adults! can be found at the OMYA’s website: https://phillyyam.org/thewell/. The final day to register for standard registration is Nov. 10.
This special celebration for young adults in Philadelphia reminds all of us that we are celebrating together with young people of all nations and in union with the Holy Father, just like at the international World Youth Day.
The Well can become an opportunity, as Pope Francis pointed out, “to stir up enthusiasm for a new chapter of evangelization full of fervor, joy, generosity, courage, boundless love, and attraction,” and our young people can help guide the entire community toward embracing this spirit in our Archdiocese.
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Father Timothy Tarnacki, OSPPE, is director of the archdiocesan Office for Ministry with Young Adults, and Andrea Hall is associate director.
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