Theme: “Those who Hope in the Lord will run and not be weary” (cf. Is 40:31)
Where? Sheraton Hotel Downtown Philadelphia Liberty AB Conference Room
Where Next? Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter & Paul in Philadelphia
Who? All young adults (18-39 years old)
When? Saturday, November 23, 2024, on the Vigil of the Solemnity of Christ, the King of the Universe
What time? Doors open at 1:00 pm at the Sheraton Hotel (Liberty AB Conference Room). The program begins at 2:00 pm. The day concludes with a Vigil Mass at 9:30 PM.
What? 3 Dynamic keynote speakers from around the country, meeting new friends and ministries, music, Adoration & Confession, Vigil Mass celebrated by the Archbishop, and much more!
Each year, on the Solemnity of Christ the King of the Universe, Pope Francis calls the Church around the whole world to celebrate youth and young adults. As a response to this invitation the Office for Ministry with Young Adults (OMYA) is overjoyed to bring to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, The Well: A Conference for Young Adults!
The theme for this year’s celebration is Hope in the healing power of Christ. “Those who Hope in the Lord will run and not be weary” (cf. Is 40:31) Our keynotes will speak about how to encounter, nourish and share this Hope with others!
How can we encounter the Hope of the Lord and find a sense of belonging and identity in Christ? How can we nourish Hope in ourselves and others through formation, accompaniment, and fellowship. How can we share this Hope with others through incarnational evangelization, missionary discipleship and service?
The scripture passage of the Samaritan woman meeting Jesus at the well embodies this theme of Hope in the healing mercy of Christ. Similar to the Samaritan woman, we are thirsty for an encounter with Christ that will offer us living water. Our one Hope is to be nourished by the words of Christ that teach us everything about ourselves. Like the woman at the well, our hearts cannot help but leave our water jars and run to tell everyone about this Hope in Christ. In service, we share and proclaim, “Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! He cannot be the Messiah, can he?” (John 4:29)
Thank you to our wonderful sponsors that play an integral part in lowering the cost of the conference and opening up the healing power of Christ to young adults throughout the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and beyond! Interested in becoming a sponsor?
Father DeLacy was born in Delaware County and attended St. George grade school and was involved with the CYO and then Msgr. Bonner High School, where he played soccer and basketball. He attended West Chester University for a degree in accounting and was associated with the Neumann Center, coached CYO Volleyball (where he won two championships but should have won three), and became the Youth Minister. After graduation, he worked for a year and taught CCD. Despite his great efforts to fight and resist God’s plan, he responded to God’s call to enter the St. Charles Seminary. He was ordained a priest in 2004 and was assigned to SS. Peter and Paul Parish while also leading retreats for the Malvern Retreat House and for Rachel’s Vineyard. He then served as the School Minister at Archbishop Carroll High School and Pope John Paul II High School. He was then appointed as the Vocation Director for the Diocesan Priesthood for eight years. In 2021, Archbishop Perez made him his Vicar for Faith Formation with Youth and Young Adults.
Fun facts about Father Delacy are that he has gained outstanding proficiency in conducting ice breakers and playing Beer Pong (with water). Father does not enjoy musical talent. You may contact Fr. DeLacy at fr.sdelacy@archphila.org or 215-587-3979.
Ms. Andrea Mueller was born in Latrobe, Pennsylvania and raised in Clifton, Virginia. She is one of five children. In 2017, she returned to Pennsylvania to attend Saint Joseph’s University (SJU).
Ms. Mueller graduated from SJU in 2021 and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology. She minored in Spanish and English. In 2022, she received a Master of Science degree in Experimental Psychology, with a focus in social psychology research, from SJU.
Ms. Mueller was appointed to various leadership and academic roles during her time at SJU, including Student Senate Campus Ministry Chair, Writing Center Tutor, and Psychology Graduate Assistant. She also served in various young adult ministry and service-related roles that helped her establish a passion for serving the broader community of Philadelphia and the Church. She was a youth minister at a local parish, coordinated weekly service opportunities, and led the Philadelphia Service Immersion Program for undergraduate students.
After graduating, Ms. Mueller worked as a management consultant at PwC within its People Analytics practice, serving a variety of clients across continents and industries. She gained experience in assessing employee feedback via surveys and research best practices, to improve employees’ experience at work and increase organizational effectiveness.
Ms. Mueller currently serves as the Director of Fellowship and Service for the Philadelphia Chapter of Young Catholic Professionals and is a member of Saint Patrick Parish located in Rittenhouse Square.In her free time, Ms. Mueller enjoys exploring the broader Philadelphia area, soaking in art of all kinds, attending Mass, running long distances, and meeting new people.
Reverend Timothy Tarnacki, O.S.P.P.E. is a priest of the Order of Saint Paul the First Hermit, also known as Pauline Fathers and Brothers. He was born in Poland and immigrated with his family to the United States at the age of 12. He grew up in Stamford, Connecticut, and joined the Paulines by starting his postulancy after graduating high school in 2008.
Father Tarnacki attended the Pauline Seminary and the Pontifical University of Saint John Paul II in Krakow, Poland. He graduated with a Master’s Degree in Theology, specializing in Biblical Exegesis. He made his final religious vows in 2015 at the Marian Shrine in Czestochowa, Poland. Most Reverend Andrzej Zglejszewski, Auxiliary Bishop of Rockville Centre, ordained him to the priesthood in 2016 at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown (Bucks County).
Following ordination, Father Tarnacki began ministering at the Shrine. Since that time, he has been particularly involved with the Shrine’s youth and young adult ministry, being the co-founder of Czestochowa Young Adults (CYA) Group. He has also served in various capacities including Shrine media coordinator; chaplain and theology teacher for the Shrine’s homeschooling community; coordinator of lector and altar servers’ groups; and more.
Here are some interesting facts about Fr. Timothy:
1). St. John Paul II is his favorite saint and his vocation story is closely linked to JP2’s death!
2). Timothy is actually his religious name that he chose, being inspired by the two Letters of St. Paul to St. Timothy.
3). He loves playing sports, running, traveling and hiking in the mountains (the highest peak that he climbed so far was 14,278′).
You can reach Fr, Timothy at fr.ttarnacki@archphila.org or 215-587-4544.
Eucharistic Host with Rays: The Eucharistic symbol in this logo emphasizes that the Eucharist is the “source and summit of the Christian life (Vatican II, Lumen Gentium, no. 11). The Eucharist gathers the young adult community together and is truly in the center of it. “In the many transitions that young people face, they should be able to find a ‘home’ wherever Mass is celebrated (USCCB, Listen, Teach, Send). By pointing young people toward the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist and inviting them to active participation in a Eucharistic community, we offer young people an encounter with the Lord who is always present, mercifully understanding, and the source of all healing. (USCCB, Listen, Teach, Send)
Open Hands: Open hands are a symbol of prayer and openness to receive God’s grace. Hands that are lifted are a common Biblical image of prayer, “I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands, calling on your name” (Psalm 63:5). The open hands in gesture of prayer are a reminder for young adults that prayer is the foundation of a life of discipleship. As Pope Francis addressed the young people, he said to them: “Hope is nurtured by prayer. Prayer preserves and renews hope. It helps fan the spark of hope into flame.” Open hands are also a symbol of good works, especially done in service to others, as Jesus reminded us: “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40).
Shield Outline: The shield is often used in Christian iconography to represent faith. Portraying faith as a shield is a reminder that amidst spiritual and worldly battles, young adults can find their identity, belonging and strength in their relationship with the Lord, “the Lord is my strength and my shield” (Psalm 28:7). This symbol of a shield also invites young adults, as St. Paul wrote to the Ephesians, to “hold faith as a shield, to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one” (Ephesians 6:16). By holding faith as a shield, young adults are reminded: “Please, do not leave it to others to be protagonists of change. You are the ones who hold the future!” (Francis, Christus Vivit, no. 174)
Dove: The open hands also resemble the shape of a dove. A descending dove is a common symbol of the Holy Spirit, as we learn in the Gospel of Matthew, that as Jesus was baptized, “the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove coming upon him” (Matthew 3:16). The Holy Spirit gathers young adults together in the Church and leads them on a mission, to become sent forth as missionary disciples. "Christ draws near to young people in order to listen to them, teach them, and send them forth, filled with the Holy Spirit to” (USCCB, Listen, Teach, Send) In this way, they can become, “protagonists of the revolution of charity and service.” (Francis, Christus Vivit, no. 174)
