Diocese of Allentown

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Diocese of Allentown on Pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

Join your fellow faithful of the Diocese of Allentown on Pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on Tuesday, October 7, 2025 – the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary!

All are invited to enjoy a beautiful day celebrating the Jubilee Year of Hope as a Diocese! The Pilgrimage begins at 10:00 am with arrivals and guided tours, followed by time to visit the over 80 chapels and oratories that make up “Mary’s House.” There will also be a youth holy hour in the Crypt Church, keynote speakers (English and Spanish), a Rosary Pilgrimage in five languages with beautiful music by our Diocesan Choir.  The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available throughout the day.  The day will end with Mass in the Great Upper Church at 3:00 pm celebrated by Bishop Schlert. 

There is no need to sign up for the Pilgrimage (unless your parish is hosting a chartered bus that requires registration).  There is plenty of free parking available.  Pilgrims are invited to pack a lunch, visit nearby restaurants within walking distance of the Basilica, or visit the cafeteria within the Basilica. 

The Pilgrimage Program runs from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm – but the Basilica is open to the public from 6am to 6pm so feel free come early or stay late!

Each pilgrim will receive an official booklet for the day as well as a complimentary copy of the October edition of the Magnificat. 

“Visiting the Basilica is a powerful way to take advantage of the grace of the Jubilee and to be filled with the hope that flows from the embrace of our Mother.”  The Most Reverand Timothy P. Broglio, Archbishop for Military Services & President of the USSCB.

Visit the Diocese of Allentown Pilgrimage Committee webpage for updates and information or email pilgrimage@allentowndiocese.org.  

*NEW EPISODE* Ready, Willing, & Able Podcast: Athletics and Faith

The Allentown Diocese Office of Education offers the “Ready, Willing, & Able” podcast for Catholic parents. The newest episode explores how sports and faith relate to and benefit each other. The podcast provides content which will support and empower parents as primary educators of the faith for their children. Host Genevieve O’Connor has an MTS in Moral Theology from the University of Notre Dame, and she invites a series of guests to explore a wide range of topics, including: family prayer, modesty, and bringing the liturgical seasons alive for kids. Listen to Ready, Willing, and Able on its website: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2410685, or look it up on your favorite podcast streaming platform. Click here for graphics

*DATES ADDED* Retrouvaille: Rediscover the Love in Your Marriage 

Tens of thousands of couples have healed their marriages through Retrouvaille (pronounced Retro-vy).  If you know anyone who could benefit from this program, please pass this on.  Couples learn to build communication skills and to increase intimacy.  It provides help for marriage problems, difficulties or crises.  The next program begins the weekend of August 1 – 3 and October 3 – 5 at the Family Life Center in Malvern, PA.  For more information, or to register, visit www.HelpOurMarriage.org or call 215-766-3944 or 800-470-2230.  All inquiries are strictly confidential.

Restore: Healing Retreat for Women Healing from Betrayal Trauma

Thursday, Nov 13-Sunday, Nov 16, 2025 at St. Mary of Providence Center in Elverson, PA. This retreat is for women healing from sexual betrayal trauma due to an intimate partner’s infidelity, pornography use or sex addiction.
God longs for us to live from the truth that we are His beloved daughters, carefully created and infinitely loved. The traumas we’ve suffered, and the subsequent emotional and spiritual wounding, keep us tethered to identity lies, distortions and adverse patterns of thinking and relating. Through unique, facilitated healing encounters, we listen for the Holy Spirit’s promptings as He reveals the wounds, the memories, the circumstances that caused dis-integration within us. With Him, we are gently invited into a fully integrated experience – mind, heart, body, spirit, soul. Come…and let Him Restore you!
Retreat Leaders: Father Allen Hoffa of the Diocese of Allentown, De Yarrison of You Are Made New Ministry, and Laura Ercolino of Hope’s Garden.
Email De at de@youaremadenew.com with questions. For more information and to register, go to: https://youaremadenew.com/restore-retreats-betrayal-trauma/.

*NEW* PA March for Life – Bus From Bethlehem

Attend Pennsylvania Right for Life March at Harrisburg State Capitol on Monday, September 22rd.  A bus will depart Sacred Heart Church, Bethlehem at 8:00 am and return around 4:00 pm. Cost is $20.00 per person. For more information, contact Andrew – (484) 259-7740 / andrewazan3rd@rcn.com. 

Retreat to Fatima and Lourdes with Fr. John Frink

Take a pilgrimage to Fatima and Lourdes from June 7-16, 2026 under the spiritual direction of Fr. John Frink. Click this link: https://www.206tours.com/cms/frfrink/ to view detailed itinerary, pricing information, and to book.

Divorce Recovery Support Group

If you are suffering a divorce or separation, or perhaps grieving a past divorce, join us for prayers, donuts and encouraging conversation. BYOC – bring your own coffee. St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Whitehall, second floor of the parish office on the first Saturday of each month, 9:00 to 10:00am (after the 8:30am Mass).  For information call 505 688-8663.

Better Together Widow and Widower Social Group

Better Together Widow and Widower Social Group, a community that allows widows and widowers to connect with others in the same circumstance, meets monthly at Assumption Church, 4101 Old Bethlehem Pike, Bethlehem, PA. Some past meetings include a picnic in the summer, a sing-along/make your own sundaes, and an All Souls remembrance service. All are welcome to join us on the second Wednesday of each month at 1:00pm in the Jubilee Center. For more information, please contact Mary Williams at 610-867-7424 x 16.

 FreeWill Estate Planning Tool

 August is National Make-A-Will Month
August is National Make-A-Will Month, and the Diocese of Allentown is sharing a free will-writing tool to help steward your family, finances, and faith. Estate planning is an act of faithfulness that empowers you to thoughtfully honor the blessings you’ve received from God. Consider creating a will that includes a legacy gift for our parish. Visit FreeWill.com/allentowndiocese to make a will at no cost.