*NEW* AbbeyFest 2026
Join thousands of Catholics for AbbeyFest 2026 on Saturday, September 19, at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown, PA. This celebration of faith, family and music brings youth, young adults and families together for a day of Eucharistic Adoration, Reconciliation, Holy Mass and live Christian music. This year’s lineup includes Danny Gokey, Seph Schlueter, Lost & Found, Sarah Kroger, Brother Isaiah, Hannah Schaefer, Joe Melendrez, Gio Morales, the Jesus Youth Philly Band and more. Come experience the joy of a vibrant Catholic community gathered together in faith. Learn more and register at THEABBEYFEST.COM. See flyer here.
NEW* Bus to PA March for Life
A bus is scheduled for the Pennsylvania March for Life taking place at Harrisburg State Capitol Building on Monday, September 21. Before departure, there will be an optional Mass at 7:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church located 1817 1st Street, Bethlehem PA 18020. Bus Departure is at 8:00 a.m. from Sacred Heart Church. Please park 1814 Second Street in Bethlehem, PA across from church parking lot (in school chain linked fence).
Time permitting, we might enter the PA Capitol to visit politicians or grab a bite to eat at cafeteria. Bus will return around 4:00 p.m. to Sacred Heart Church; we will make a gas station stop to grab a bite to eat and use restrooms. You may also bag a lunch.
Email andrewazan3rd@Gmail.com to reserve a seat. Include rider’s names and mobile number. Payment is $20.00 per rider. Pay in advance with checks made out to Sacred Heart. Mail checks to Andrew Azan: PO Box 3278, Bethlehem, PA 18017. Please bring $5.00 for bus driver tip, which we will collect on the way home.
*NEW* Young Adult Summit of Faith
Young adults are invited to “Summit of Faith: A Frassati Young Adult Event” on Saturday, August 29, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Carbon County Environmental Education Center. Inspired by the witness of St. Pier Giorgio Frassati, spend the day growing in faith and fellowship through hiking, praying the Liturgy of the Hours, exploring the center’s wildlife, sharing a meal, and serving together through trail maintenance.
Lunch is provided. Please indicate any dietary restrictions when registering.
Bring your hiking shoes, water bottle, sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, bug spray, and work gloves. Register for $10 at allentowndiocese.org/events/
Love Jesus Back Family Holy Hour
All are invited to a “Love Jesus Back” Family Holy Hour on Tuesday, September 8 at 6:00pm at St. Theresa Church, 1408 Easton Rd., Hellertown. Presiding will be Fr. Brendon Laroche, pastor at St. Ursula Parish, Fountain Hill. Come spend time with Our Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament, thank Him for His great love, and pray for those who do not yet love Him in return. A potluck dinner will precede the Holy Hour, offering a chance for fellowship with other families. Sign up for the potluck at tinyurl.com/4t34wr58. No RSVP is necessary for the Holy Hour. This Holy Hour is sponsored by the St. Monica Ministry of the Diocese of Allentown
*NEW* Annual Wedding Anniversary Mass
Married couples across the Diocese are invited to renew their vows and thank God for the gift of the Sacrament of Marriage during the annual Diocesan Wedding Anniversary Mass, Sunday, Sept. 20 at 3 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena, Allentown. Doors will open at 2 p.m. so couples may receive their certificates. The Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Alfred Schlert.
During the Mass, the couples will receive a special blessing and will have the opportunity to renew their vows publicly. Couples will be presented with a Wedding Anniversary Certificate as a token of appreciation. Family members are invited to take part in the celebration to show their support and celebrate the unwavering commitment of the couples on this significant occasion.
The registration deadline is Monday, Sept. 7. Register online at allentowndiocese.org/events/
*NEW* Bishop Schlert on Rabbi’s Podcast
Men’s Conference 2026
Catholic men, renew and strengthen your faith at our annual Men’s Conference on Saturday, November 21 at DeSales University. The Conference will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
What does it mean to “come home” to Mary? In a world that often feels chaotic and uncertain, we all long for a place of belonging, peace, and hope. As our spiritual mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary leads us to her Son and invites us to find refuge in the heart of the Church. Join us for a day of inspiring speakers, prayer, fellowship, and spiritual renewal as we discover what it means to come home to Mary. Learn more and sign up at www.menaliveinchrist.org/
*NEW* Mass for the Memorial of St. Monica
The annual Mass for the Memorial of St. Monica, celebrated by Bishop Schlert, will take place on Thursday, August 27, at 6:00pm at Queenship of Mary Church, 1324 Newport Avenue, Northampton. All members of the diocese are invited to come join in prayer for the return to the Faith of fallen-away loved ones. A buffet dinner ($15 per person) will follow the Mass. Register for the dinner by emailing dre@carloacutisprep.org. This evening of prayer and fellowship is sponsored by the St. Monica Ministry. View the flyer here.
Healing Service
All are invited to a Healing Service with Encounter Ministries, hosted by St. Francis de Sales, Robesonia on Saturday, August 29, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The evening includes praise and worship, preaching of the Gospel, and individual prayer teams available for anyone seeking healing. All are welcome, no registration required. View the flyer here.
Young Adult Disc Golf
Have you ever wanted to try disc golf? Join the Diocese of Allentown Young Adult Commission for a series of beginner training sessions led by Commission member Adrian Anatalio, an avid disc golf player with years of experience. Whether you’ve never thrown a disc before or are looking to improve your skills, these fun and welcoming sessions will teach you the basics of the game while giving you the opportunity to meet other young adults and enjoy the outdoors. Participants are encouraged to attend one or all of the training sessions, culminating in a friendly tournament this October!
Remaining Training Sessions are 1) Wednesday, August 26, 5:30 p.m. at Upper Macungie Disc Golf Course, and 2) Tuesday, September 15, 5:30 p.m. at Northampton Community College Disc Golf Course. Tournament will be Saturday, October 10, at 10:00 a.m. (Location and details to be announced.) Sign up for the sessions by searching Young Adults at www.allentowndiocese.org/
Feast of Santo Nino Celebration
Join the Filipino Apostolate of Berks and Beyond in a multicultural celebration of the Philippines’ “biggest and most colorful tradition,” the celebration of Santo Nino. Mass, novena, and blessing of statues will begin at 3 p.m. on Sunday, August 16, at St. Ignatius Loyola Church, Sinking Spring. There will be a potluck social after the Mass, and doors will open at 1:30 to drop food off. Please RSVP before August 10 by texting how many people in your party to 610-670-1429. View the flyer here.
Subscribe to the AD Times Online
To switch to an online subscription of the AD Times, please send your name, mailing address, and email address toadtimes@allentowndiocese.org.
Each week you will receive an email from the diocesan news website, AD Today. It will have all the latest news from the Diocese and will include a link to the latest online issue of the AD Times.
To visit the AD Today website, go to www.ad-today.com.
Daily Mass with Bishop Schlert
- Thursday, September 3 – 8:00 a.m.
Holy Trinity, Whitehall - Wednesday, September 9 – 6:00 p.m.
St. Peter the Fisherman, Lake Harmony - Wednesday, September 16 – 8:00 a.m.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bethlehem - Thursday, September 17 – 8:00 a.m.
Holy Family (St. Michael the Archangel Church), Minersville
Ready, Willing, & Able Podcast: Vocations and Parenting
In this month’s episode of “Ready, Willing, & Able,” host Genevieve Anatalio dives into the topic of parenting children with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The principals of the Diocese of Allentown’s three special learning centers join her on the show, each offering unique insights into this beloved population.
Her first guest, Kaylee Simcik from John Paul II Center for Special Learning in Shillington, speaks about seeing children with special needs through a Catholic lens and encourages parents to advocate for their children’s participation in the Sacraments. Her second guest, Beth Grys from Mercy School for Special Learning in Allentown, highlights the deep faith present in people with disabilities and how it is both possible—and essential—to nurture that faith. Finally, Bob Giba from St. Joseph Center for Special Learning in Schuylkill Haven shares how his own journey of faith has been closely connected to his work with the special needs community.
Anatalio and her guests agree that while disabilities can present challenges for both children and parents, they need not be limitations in the faith. Rather, they can be extraordinary opportunities for grace. Listeners will also hear about the many offerings of the Diocese’s special learning centers, as each principal highlights what makes them most proud of their school.
Listen to Ready, Willing, and Able on its website: https://www.buzzsprout.com/