Sister Emily Brabham of the Sisters of St. Francis of Clinton will be among the throng in Philadelphia this week for the World Meeting of Families 2015 and to see Pope Francis.
“There is a lot of excitement to be present and to be part of it,” Sr. Brabham, a novice with the Clinton Franciscans, said. The conference concludes Sept. 27 with the Festival of the Families. Pope Francis will make remarks on Sept. 26 and preside at Mass Sept. 27.
Sr. Brabham, who lives and works in the Archdiocese of Chicago, is attending the conference as part of a delegation from the archdiocese. “This will be an opportunity to have a conversation and to delve deep into what affects family life at all stages. Not just raising children, but caring for an aging parent, among other topics.”
She was pleased to learn that two of her students from Chicago high schools, now attending John Carroll University, will be at the conference. “I am so happy that two students for whom I was a youth minister are involved in their faith while in college. They are as excited as I am to be present at this historic event!”
Beginning with 1994, The Year of the Family, the Pontifical Council for the Family has been responsible for organizing the World Meeting of Families in Rome (1994); Rio de Janeiro (1997); Rome (2000); Manila (2003); Valencia (2006); Mexico City (2009); Milan (2012); and now, Philadelphia (2015). Since its inception by St. John Paul II, the World Meeting of Families has sought to strengthen the sacred bonds of family across the globe.