Conference for Pastoral Leaders – EMPOWERING GEN NOW

A transformative regional conference on Listen, Teach, Send: A National Pastoral Framework for Ministries with Youth and Young Adults, the United States Bishops’ guide for families and pastoral ministers in the accompaniment and evangelization of youth and young adults in their journey to and with Jesus Christ. This conference is hosted by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in partnership with the Office for Faith Formation with Youth and Young Adults of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Taking place on October 24 & 25, 2025, this gathering centers around the theme Empowering Gen Now, emphasizing the urgent call to equip, inspire, and uplift today’s young people in their faith journey. Through dynamic discussions, interactive workshops, and collaborative networking, participants will explore practical strategies to engage youth and young adults, helping them grow spiritually and lead with confidence in their communities.

Whether you are a parish catechetical leader, educator, family ministry leader, or actively involved in youth ministry, this conference invites you to be part of a national movement that listens, teaches, and sends forth young disciples with renewed purpose. We invite you to register today and share it with ministry peers.

• To read the Listen, Teach, Send: A National Pastoral Framework for Ministries with Youth and Young Adults, click here: ENGLISH | SPANISH
• To order a hard copy bilingual version of Listen, Teach, Send | Escucha, Enseña, Envía, click here.

PLEASE NOTE: Additional details will continue to be updated as details are confirmed.

Sharing the conference with others? Download the PDF flyer.

Meet our Presenters! (more to come)

Conference Details

• Dates: Friday, October 24, 2025, and Saturday, October 25, 2025
  • Kicks off on October 24 at 5:30 pm with check-in and dinner, followed by Evening Prayer, and our First Session: Empowering Gen Now. The evening concludes with a Networking Reception.
  • Continues October 25 at 8:30 am with check-in and Continental Breakfast, followed by Lectio Divina with Archbishop Pérez, and Individual Sessions on Listening, Teaching, and Sending with “practice” workshops. The conference concludes with Holy Mass at 4:30 pm.
  • Click here for the full conference schedule.
• Location: Cardinal O’Hara High School, 1701 Sproul Rd, Springfield, PA 19064
• Conference fee: $80 per person
  • The fee includes materials, access to all the presentations, snacks, meals for both days (Friday night dinner. Saturday continental breakfast and lunch), and the Friday night Networking Reception.

Who can attend?

• Ministers with Youth
• Young Adult Leaders
• Catechetical Leaders and Teachers
• Leaders in Family and Parent Ministry
• Scout leaders
• Adults serving in CYO sports
• Parish Ministry leaders

What will I experience at the conference?

• Dynamic presentations from national speakers all experts in the field of accompanying young people and the disciplines of listening, teaching, and sending them forth.
• Opportunities for practice and conversation with other pastoral leaders from a variety of ministries with young people.
• Prayer in community with others who journey with the young Church.

Q&A

1. During the conference, will we go through the document itself? No. The conference will instead focus on unpacking the document through reflection, practice, and conversation.
2. Do I need to have read Listen, Teach, Send to participate in the conference? No, although it is highly encouraged!
3. I am traveling from outside the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Where can I stay overnight? The OFFYYA will work with a hotel to reserve a block of rooms at a discounted rate for guests traveling longer distances.

Sharing the conference with others? Download the PDF flyer.

This conference is done as a partnership of the Office of Faith Formation with Youth and Young Adults (OFFYYA) and the Office for Life and Family with the USCCB and the National Catholic Committee on Scouting.