The second annual Family Life Conference of the Archdiocese of New York is scheduled for Saturday, April 13 at Transfiguration Church in Tarrytown, to be conducted in English and Spanish from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.   

The gathering will feature a bilingual Mass; morning and lunchtime hospitality; English and Spanish presentations; exhibits; and opportunities for small group sharing. The presentations will be on topics such as fatherhood and service projects. The exhibits will include information tables staffed by representatives from groups affiliated with Family Life.        

“It will bring people from different parishes and schools in the archdiocese,” Theodore J. Musco, director of the Office of Family Life, told The Good Newsroom, adding that the gathering will feature speakers who will “help us all understand a little bit better the importance of family in our culture, in our world today.” 

At 2023’s first annual conference, 130 people attended. About 150 to 200 attendees are expected this year, Musco said.                 

Musco noted the speakers will assist in “expanding our vision as to what we can do to help families grow in faith…The Church still has influence [in today’s society], especially with families. And we’re going to look at some of the Vatican’s perspectives on family life – to try to help people understand the importance of good, strong Catholic families.”       

The presenters at the conference will include Father Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst, delegate for Catechesis, Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization; and Guadalupe Ospino, National Family Life and Hispanic Ministry speaker. 

Presenters will also include Dr. Hosffman Ospino, chairman of the Department of Religious Education and Pastoral Ministry, Boston College (Guadalupe’s husband); Riquelmy Lamour, Licensed Clinical social worker, and mental health professional; Dr. Jimmy Walters, author and speaker, Fatherhood and Mission; and Robin Klueber, regional specialist, Manhattan, Youth Faith Formation of the archdiocese.   

The Office of Family Life notes that its mission is based on the four pillars of marriage and family life in the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops document, “Called to the Joy of Love: The National Pastoral Framework for Marriage and Family Life Ministry.” Those pillars are prayer and relationship with Christ, formation, accompaniment, and advocacy.    

The advocacy, the office says, is carried out through outreach to families in their homes, parishes, and Catholic schools.     

The Family Life Conference is open to parents and sons and daughters of at least high-school age.   

Transfiguration Church, served by the Carmelite Friars, is located at 268 S. Broadway
in Tarrytown. For information on admission fees and other event data visit the Office of Family Life’s website or call the office at (646) 794-3191.