THE WELL

A Conference for Young Adults
November 15, 2025
1:00 PM – 10:00 PM

We’re bringing the spirit of world youth day to you! 

The Office for Ministry with Young Adults is overjoyed to host The Well: A Conference for Young Adults!

• Theme: “You also are my witnesses, because you have been with me” (Jn 15:27).
• 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 15, 2025
• 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!
• 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! This year, we will also have a Hispanic track!

ABOUT THE EVENT:

Each year, the Pope 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: Young Adult Conference! The theme for the 2025 Conference was given to us by the Holy Father! Theme: “You also are my witnesses, because you have been with me” (Jn 15:27).

The scripture passage of the Samaritan woman meeting Jesus at the well embodies this theme of WITNESS! Similar to the Samaritan woman, we are thirsty to find our belonging and identity in Christ. As we are nourished by the words of Christ that teach us everything about ourselves, we are more fully equipped to share our witness of the good news. Like the woman at the well, our hearts cannot help but leave our water jars and run to tell everyone our witness of our encounter with Christ. In service, we share and witness, “Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! He cannot be the Messiah, can he?” (John 4:29)

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:

HEATHER KHYM

Heather Khym is the co-host of the internationally popular Abiding Together Podcast. She and her husband, Jake, are the cofounders of Life Restoration Ministries, where she serves as director of vision and ministry of the British Columbia-based apostolate. She has more than twenty-five years of experience as a speaker and retreat leader, offering workshops and conferences in the United States and Canada. She attended Franciscan University of Steubenville, studying theology and catechetics. Heather is passionate about evangelization, discipleship, and creating an environment for people to have a personal encounter with God. She lives with her husband in British Columbia, Canada and has three young adult children.

DAMON OWENS

Damon Owens is an international speaker and evangelist. He is executive director of Joyful Ever After, and National Parish Engagement Officer for Communio.org. The first executive director of the Theology of the Body Institute, Damon has dedicated three decades to helping couples get the marriage they want from the marriage they have and equipping the Church to evangelize through the renewal of healthy relationships, marriage, and the family.

SCHEDULE:

The Schedule will be announced soon!

REGISTRATION INFORMATION:

We look forward to welcoming you on conference day at the Sheraton Hotel and at the Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter & Paul, Downtown Philadelphia. Please find below all the information you will need to register for participating in this event.

CONFERENCE PASSES:

ADD-ONS:

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE COST OF REGISTRATION? 

• Nationally acclaimed keynote speakers
• Conference t-shirt
• Community building at the Sheraton Hotel Downtown

DINNER:

• Dinner is not included in the registration cost, unless you have purchased the add-on cheesesteak buffet dinner (which will be provided at the Sheraton Hotel)
• Participants who are not purchasing dinner at the Sheraton are encouraged to make a reservation at nearby restaurants or visit the Reading Terminal Market.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT REGISTRATION:

• All sales are final. Please note that all sales are final and we will not be able to grant refunds. However, registrations are transferable. If you are unable to attend the conference and you can find someone to come in your place.
• Registration confirmation. Once you complete your online registration, you will receive an email receipt confirming your registration. If you do not receive an email receipt, check to make sure you have fully completed your online registration. Once you arrive for the conference you’ll need to check-in at the door.
• Large group registration. If you wish to register a large group, you can do this in the registration form or by check, please send us an email if you need to do this via check and we will accommodate your request.
• Scholarships. If you would like to attend the conference, but financial burdens are preventing you from doing so, please send us an email and we can provide scholarship options based on your level of need.

VOLUNTEERING AT THE CONFERENCE:

We are in need of volunteers the day of the event to support with setup, cleanup, registration, hospitality etc. If you are interested to join our team, please fill our volunteering form or contact Andrea Mueller: amueller@archphila.org

VENDORS & EXHIBITORS TABLING

Thank you for your interest in representing your ministry during our tabling portion of the Young Adult Conference! We are excited to have vendors, vocations, young adult ministries, missionary groups and more represented during our tabling portion of the day in which young adult attendees can mix, mingle and learn more about the key ministries throughout the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Please sign up to represent your ministry by completing this form linked here or by emailing amueller@archphila.org

In keeping with the Catholic mission of this event, all ministries represented must be in conformity with the Magisterial Teaching of the Catholic Church.  If the mission or practices of an organization conflict with Catholic teaching, the Office for Ministry with Young Adults reserves the right to opt not to accept that organization for tabling.  

BECOME A SPONSOR

By organizing this event, we are aiming to create an opportunity for young adults to experience a transformative encounter with the Lord, just like the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:4-42). This can happen especially through the Eucharist, Confessions, Eucharistic Adoration, fellowship, powerful keynote speakers, and fellowship! Please consider supporting this mission! 

You can submit your sponsorship donation through this online form: https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=JktPEm

Sponsors receive conference passes with dinner and other benefits, depending on the level of contribution. We are extremely grateful for your consideration of partnering with us to serve young adults across Philadelphia! We expect to draw between 300-500 young adult attendees and religious. 

Sponsorship Packages can be reviewed below. If you would like to discuss optionality for integration of your branding at the conference further, we are happy to do so. Please note that donations of any amount are welcome and appreciated!

Contact Fr. Timothy Tarnacki if you have any questions about becoming a sponsor: fr.ttarnacki@archphila.org

FAQ & CONFERENCE MAP

Where do I park?
Free parking is available in the parking lot of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on 17th street. Overflow parking is available a short walk away at Roman Catholic High School which is also free! Street parking is also available.

What is the cost of the conference?
You can find registration costs listed here: https://phillyyam.org/thewell/#registration

Can I arrive late to the conference?
There are options to arrive late to the conference, but you must get in contact with Andrea Mueller to navigate this: amueller@archphila.org

Who are the speakers for this conference?
We are pleased to welcome gifted speakers to lead the Young Adult Conference, selected for their expertise on our conference theme.  To see topics, photos, and biographies of these presenters, please click here: https://phillyyam.org/thewell/#speakers

Who should attend the Young Adult Conference?
There will be something for everyone at the Young Adult Conference, so all are invited! The speakers will direct their remarks so that they are applicable and relevant to young adults in all three states of life – married, single, and religious. Our non-Catholic friends are also very welcome to attend! The talks will address specifically Catholic themes, but these are also universal truths that will be valuable and life-giving to every young adult.

Are tickets required to get in? 
Tickets are not required for the conference. If you have completed your paid registration (you will receive an email receipt in your inbox), name tags will be printed for each name included in your registration. Name tags will be picked up during check-in on the day of the conference.  All attendees should check-in under their own last name, even if attending as a group, provided that the names were included in the registration form.

Conference Map: