2024 Annual SixThree Spiritual Retreat
Our 2024 Annual Six-Three Spiritual Retreat at Malvern is scheduled for:
June 14, 15 & 16, 2024
Retreat will be back to a regular schedule, starting Friday evening, Saturday & Sunday morning, available in person or virtual.
We hope you enjoyed your retreat!
Menu: Retreat Director | Guest Speaker | Young Man Initiative | Carlo Acutis
2024 Retreat Director
Fr Douglas McKay, Spiritual Guidance and Liturgy
Fr. McKay is a nationally-recognized retreat director, author and evangelist. He became a priest in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in 1982, and later founded Our House Ministries, a recovery-based ministry group located in Grays Ferry, Philadelphia. The Ministry is dedicated to helping those who are dependent on alcohol or drugs, who are depressed, or who have turned to crime. He has previously served as Chaplain for Holy Family Home and worked with Little Sisters of the Poor. Fr. McKay was awarded the St. Rita Peace Award in 2015.
Jennifer Hubbard, Guest Speaker
Jennifer Hubbard graduated from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College with a BA degree in art history and communications. Upon graduating from college, she worked for a Fortune 100 company for nine years. Jennifer left the professional workforce to raise her two children, Frederick and Catherine. Her youngest child, Catherine Violet, was a victim of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. Jennifer and her husband, Matthew, established the Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation, Inc.® to support those causes that best represent their daughter and her life. The foundation’s current focus is in creating and developing programming that will sustain the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary® in Newtown, CT. Jennifer is a monthly contributor for the Magnificat. Her essays focus on God’s healing presence and His faithfulness. She is the recipient of a 2014 and 2015 Catholic Press Awards and has had her work published in Fairfield County Catholic.
2024 Retreat Special Feature – Young Man Initiative
This your we will be featuring a special initiative designed to cater to the needs of our younger retreatants (ages 17 to 40). On Saturday morning of our weekend retreat we will have a special exercise for these young retreatants that will help them focus on issues that are important to them. The session will include some material and discussion regarding the challenges of people your age and retreatants will be encouraged to offer feedback on how best to tailor our retreat to better meet your needs. The following video will help you understand some of the concepts we will attempt explore in this session…
We are excited to introduce our Young Man’s initiative at the 2024 retreat, scheduled for Saturday morning at 10:45am. This brief yet impactful session is designed for young men aged 17 to 40, drawing inspiration from the “That Man Is You!” program by Paradisus Dei.
The “That Man Is You!” program addresses the significant pressures and temptations that men encounter in today’s culture, focusing particularly on their roles as husbands and fathers. It integrates insights from current social and medical sciences with the teachings of the Church and the wisdom of the saints, aiming to develop the vision of a man fully alive.
Our session will provide materials and foster discussions about the challenges faced by young adults in our modern society. We encourage retreatants to actively participate and provide feedback to help us tailor the retreat to better meet their needs. To gain a deeper understanding of the experiences shared by men who have participated in the “That Man Is You!” program, we will show an introductory video.
Our ultimate goal is to accompany men on their journey, guiding them through the complexities of family and life, and leading them on the pathway to holiness. We look forward to your participation and valuable insights during this initiative.
Who is Carlo Acutis?
Despite what one might think of a young candidate for the honors of the altars, Carlo was an absolutely normal boy, like most of his peers, but with an absolutely special harmony, thanks to his great friendship with Jesus.
In addition to his main duties of his status as that of student and son, he manages to find time to teach catechism to children preparing for First Communion and Confirmation; to volunteer at the soup kitchen of the Capuchins and the nuns of Mother Teresa; to help the poor who live in his neighborhood; to help children in difficulty with their homework; to carry out apostolic works with the internet; to play the saxophone; to play football; to design programs with the computer; to have fun with video games; watching detective films and making home movies with his dogs and cats.
“To always be united with Jesus, this is my life plan” , he wrote when he was only seven years old. And since then he has always been faithful to this program until his departure for Heaven which took place between 11 and 12 October 2006 at the San Gerardo Hospital in Monza.
Since he was a child, Carlo has always shown a great attraction towards “Heaven” . By a special circumstance, given his uncommon maturity in matters of Faith and his great love for the Sacrament of the Eucharist, Carlo was admitted to First Communion at just seven years old and since then he has never missed his daily appointment with the Holy Mass and some Eucharistic adoration either before or after Mass and the daily Rosary.
Carlo writes that when “you stand in front of the sun you tan… but when you stand in front of Jesus the Eucharist you become saints” . For Carlo “the Eucharist is his highway to Heaven” , and also the most powerful means of becoming saints quickly. His famous phrase is: “Everyone is born original but many die like photocopies” .
In order not to die as a photocopy, Carlo draws from the source of the Sacraments, which for Carlo are the most powerful means to grow in virtue, effective signs of God’s infinite mercy for us. Thanks to the Eucharist, Charles heroically strengthens the virtue of fortitude, which will give him that courage common to all saints, to always go against the grain and oppose the false idols that the world constantly offers us.
The Eucharist also fuels in him a very strong desire to constantly tune in to the voice of the Lord, and to always live in his presence. By doing so, Carlo manages to bring that lifestyle learned at the school of the Eucharist: being at school, in a pizzeria with friends or in the square for a football match, or using the computer, becomes a lived Gospel. Carlo managed in an extraordinary way, despite living an ordinary existence like that of many, to dedicate his life, moment after moment, to the highest goal to which all men are called: eternal bliss with God.
Carlo, “the in love with God” , he experienced this strong presence of the divine in his earthly life and tried in every way to generously transmit it to others and still continues to intercede so that everyone can put God first in their lives and say like Carlo: “Not me but God” ; “Not self-love but the glory of God” ; “Sadness is looking towards oneself, happiness is looking towards God” .
Mary Bea Damico, Guest Speaker
Led to Jesus through Our Blessed Mother, Mary Bea is a passionate Catholic Evangelist, with a deep love for the Eucharist, Our Lady, and for our one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. Her witness is one of giving her continuous ‘Yes’ at the calling of Our Lord – in the workplace, in the family and in the world. Most recently, she responded to the Lord’s whisper to create a place of Eucharistic Encounter for the youth at Malvern Retreat House, building upon the life and work of Blessed Carlo Acutis – and the challenge to become the saints we were created to be.
Mary Bea is the President of Vovéo Marketing Group, a full service B2B Marketing Agency which she founded in January of 1995. A graduate of St. Joseph’s University, Mary Bea has served on the Haub School of Business Marketing Advisory Board, and is an active member of the Malvern Retreat House Board, as well as the St. Patrick School Board. She serves on the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Eucharistic Revival Committee, and is an active member of St. Patrick Parish Malvern. Through her business, Mary Bea has worked to assist many Catholic Non-Profit organizations – such as World Meeting of Families, Miraculous Medal Shrine, and National Centre for Padre Pio.
She has been a retreatant at Malvern since 2018, and has attended nearly 30 retreats.
Passing of Ralph G. DiGiovanni
It is with great sadness that we inform you about the passing of our friend Ralph G. DiGiovanni. We ask you to keep Ralph and his family, in your prayers.
Ralph is a Six-Three man, 38 year reteatant at Malvern and brother of Six-Three Executive Committee member and former CA Captain Mark DiGiovanni. In 2019 Ralph served as Honorary CA Captain and has been a special friend to many Six Three men over the years.
Ralph has been suffering over the last couple years with progressive cognitive loss and was recently transported to hospice care. Sadly, we received word that he passed quietly last night, Wednesday, February 3, 2021, shortly before midnight. We ask that his friends and fellow Six-Three men keep Ralph and the entire DiGiovanni family in your prayers during this difficult time.
Services for Ralph will consist only of a Funeral mass to be held at St. Mary Magdalen Church, 2400 N. Providence Rd., Media, Pennsylvania 19063 on Monday, February 8th at 11:00am.
This service will also be available via live stream from St. Mary’s website: https://www.stmarymagdalen.net/live-stream
God Bless….Prosit,
Six Three Group
Executive Committee Members
2019 Retreat Director – Fr. Carl Janicki
Fr. Carl Janicki is the Director of Campus Ministry at Cabrini University in Radnor, Pennsylvania. A priest for more than 20 years, he has also worked in ministry at Cardinal Dougherty High School. He served that community for 12 years as Campus Minister, then President, before moving on to his current position at Cabrini. Fr. Janicki represented Cabrini during the 2015 Papal visit to Philadelphia for the World Meeting of Families, at which he served in Media Relations, and provided “color” commentary during the Pope’s Closing Mass on the Parkway for CBS 3, Philadelphia.
Learn about our 2019 Guest Speaker Kevin Reilly >>
2016 Malvern Communion Mass & Luncheon
Our Communion Luncheon is being moved to Neumann University this year to accommodate an expected larger crowd for the Sunday, November 13 event. The luncheon will feature a 10:30am Mass followed by a keynote presentation by nationally known speaker Leah Darrow. She was a former contestant on America’s Top Model and a New York City model, who turned her life around when she reverted back to her Catholic faith. She inspires both the young and old alike with her speeches on authentic love and faith.
She will be receiving the St. Joseph the Worker Award, along with former Malvern Retreat House President Jim Fitzsimmons and lifelong Catholic community volunteers Dr. Rocco & Barbara Martino. More information will be forthcoming.
For additional information about Sponsorship Opportunities, please contact Edie Petillo at 484-321-2544 or epetillo@malvernretreat.com.
Special Thanks To Kevin Reilly!
The Six Three Group would like to thank Kevin Reilly for visiting and sharing his life story with us. Many members of the group have contacted us with very positive comments regarding our Saturday afternoon guest speaker. Thank you Kevin for helping to make our 2016 retreat exceptional!
We encourage all Six Three Men to keep Kevin in your hearts and keep his powerful message in your thoughts. Also you can hear Kevin talk sports before and after every Eagles game on the Philadelphia Eagles Network. Click here to LISTEN LIVE!
– Eagles Radio – 94WIP ( 94.1FM) 1pm Game:
– Countdown to Kickoff Show – 10AM – 11AM
– Eagles Pre-Game Show – 11AM – 1PM
– Eagles Post Game Show – Follows game – 6PM
– Eagles 5th Quarter – 6PM – 7PM
We also encourage you to support his efforts by referring Kevin Reilly to speak to other groups with whom you are associated, so that they may witness the power of the Holy Spirit as we did on retreat this year. Visit Kevin’s website for details.
2015 Annual Communion Mass & Luncheon
Event Information
Date: Sunday | November 15, 2015
Time: 11:00 am
Location: Upper McShain Conference Center
Entrance B, 315 S. Warren Avenue Malvern, PA 19355
Contact: 484-321-2544
If you prefer to be seated with other members of your group, Six Three Group tables are now forming (by request).
Join us for our annual communion Mass and luncheon to honor this year’s recipients of the St. Joseph the Worker Medal. Honorees will include Martie Gillin, a nationally acclaimed speaker, nonprofit leader and founder of SpeakUP; Bob Sims, a financial adviser and 65 year retreatant, friend and benefactor of Malvern Retreat House; Lou Baldwin, a renowned writer who is well known in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and James F. Nolen III, builder and philanthropist.
This event is for both retreatants and friends.
Tickets
$50 individual
$400 – Table of Eight
Email about tickets: mail@malvernretreat.com
or call: 484-321-2544
Please see the sponsorship information below:
For additional information about Sponsorship Opportunities, contact Edie Petillo at 484-321-2544 or epetillo@malvernretreat.com
Sponsorship Opportunities
‘$2,500 Founders Sponsor (Note: Tables sit a maximum of 8)
Company/Family name recognition – Inside front cover page ad (first in receives front cover)
8 tickets for Lunch
Company/Family name in Annual Report
$1,000 Prosit Sponsor
Company/Family name recognition – Inside back cover page ad (first in receives back cover)
6 tickets for Lunch
Company/Family name in Annual Report
$500 Ferreck Sponsor
Full page ad
4 tickets for Lunch
Company/Family name in the Annual Report
$250 Sullivan Sponsor (Ideal for retreat group sponsorships)
Half page ad
2 tickets for Lunch
Company/family name in the Annual Report
$100 Cabrey Sponsor
Quarter page ad
Company/family name in the Annual Report
Guest Speaker Gary Zimak for SixThree 2014
We are happy to announce that we have booked a very special dynamic and inspiring guest speaker for our 2014 Six Three Group retreat! Gary Zimak is an Catholic Evangelist, Author, Radio Host and popular Catholic speaker. Gary is a regular guest on EWTN and hosts his own show Following The Truth on BlogTalkRadio Monday – Friday at 8PM Eastern.
We are excited to have Gary on retreat with us this year and look forward to him supplementing our spiritual retreat with his unique perspective and insights.
Register today to see Gary on our Annual Six Three Retreat June 13 through 15, 2014
Here is a little more about Gary
If you would like to learn more about Gary Zimak, please read “his story” below or visit his website to find out everything Gary is working on. www.followingthetruth.com
Gary’s Story
In 2008, Gary Zimak was working as a project analyst when he felt the call to form Following The Truth, an apostolate dedicated to teaching the truths of the Catholic Faith. Initially performing his work for the Lord on a part time basis, Gary had a life changing experience in 2011 when he consecrated his life to Jesus through Mary. A few months later, he became a FULL TIME Catholic lay evangelist!
Using a combination of radio, writing, social media and live talks, Gary puts his communications skills to work for the Lord and His Church. The author of the best-selling book “A Worrier’s Guide To The Bible”, Gary is well known as an authority on the art of combating anxiety by establishing a deeper relationship with Christ. His second book “Listen To Your Blessed Mother” focuses on Mary’s words in Sacred Scripture and is receiving a great deal of attention. Gary hosts a daily radio show on BlogTalkRadio and is a regular guest on Catholic Answers Live, EWTN’s The Son Rise Morning Show and Catholic Connection with Teresa Tomeo and Relevant Radio’s Morning Air. Additionally, he is a frequent guest on numerous other Catholic radio shows. Gary is a member of Catholics United for the Faith, the Knights of Columbus and The Catholic Radio Association and resides in New Jersey (just over the bridge from Philly) with his wife Eileen and twin daughters, Mary and Elizabeth. He is an instructor for RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) at Sacred Heart Parish in Riverton, NJ, a member of the leadership team for the men’s group That Man Is You! at Corpus Christi Parish in Willingboro, NJ and the chaplain for the Catholic Business Network of South Jersey.
Adhering to the principle of the “2 S’s” (Simple and Substantial), Gary Zimak presents the authentic teaching of the Catholic Church in a way that can be understood by the ordinary “person in the pew”! Having been a Catholic who “went through the motions” for most of his life, Gary understands the importance of getting to know Jesus Christ and the teachings of His Church. He can assist you in achieving the peace that can only be found by having a personal relationship with the Lord!
2014 Annual SixThree Spiritual Retreat
This event is complete but we have left this page active for reference.
Visit the 2014 Wrap Up page for more about our 2014 retreat
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We are pleased to announce that our 93nd Annual SixThree Spiritual Retreat at Malvern is scheduled for June 13-14-15, 2014.
Our goal this year is to continue to incrementally improve the spiritual quality of the SixThree retreat experience and begin a trend of growing the number of annual retreatants for years to come. This year we are planning an exciting retreat which includes:
- C.A. Captain for 2014: Dr. Stephen Humbert
- Retreat Director St. Joseph’s Hall: Fr. Michael Shea, C.M.
- Retreat Director Our Lady’s Hall: Fr. John Corbet. O.P.
Our 2014 Annual Six-Three Spiritual Retreat at Malvern is scheduled for:
June 13, 14 & 15, 2014
Suggested good will offering is $235
2013 Communion Mass & Luncheon
Six-Three Men please join us at this year’s communion Mass and Luncheon. Our very own Joe O’Donnell is scheduled to be honored with the presentation of the St. Joseph the Worker Medal in recognition of his life-long committment and dedicated leadership to the advancement of the retreat apostolate at Malvern.
We invite you to join us for our Eucharistic Celebration and Luncheon with the Men and Women of Malvern.
Highlights:
The Installation of our New Retreat Captains:
Armando Moral Ss. Peter & Paul Group
Denis Reilly PECO-Good Shepherd Group
Joseph Pagano Sons of Italy Group
Michael McCarthy Most Blessed Sacrament Group
Dr. Stephen Humbert Six-Three Group
Dr. Russell & Gina Montalbano Our Lady of the Rosary Family Group
Robert E. Casper Our Lady Queen of Peace Group
Andrew Bryan Woratyla L.J. Ferdinand – Hazleton Group
Marguerite D. DiLolle Our Lady of Peace Group
Philip Nicolo Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Group
St. Joseph the Worker Medal Honorees:
We honor three recipients of our St. Joseph the Worker Medal for their spiritual guidance, professional accomplishments, and continued loyalty to Malvern Retreat House and the community:
Dr. Rosalie M. Mirenda
President of Neumann University
Joseph F. O’Donnell
Joseph F. O’Donnell, former Chairman of Malvern Retreat House and 76-consecutive-year retreatant with the Six-Three Group
Cost: $50 per person
Click here to view this event’s flyer.
Come Show Your Malvern Pride
Come out and represent the Malvern Retreat House in the Annual Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Parade!
DATE: Sunday, March 11, 2011
- 9:30 AM. Phila. St. Patrick’s Day Parade Mass (optional) St. Patrick’s Church 20th & Locust Sts. Phila. PA 19103 (it’s Daylight Savings time – turn your clocks ahead).
- 11:00 AM. – Malvern group meets at the North side of JFK Blvd. between 16th & 17th Streets
- 12:00 PM. Parade begins
PARADE ROUTE:
16th and JFK up the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to the Art Museum (1.2 miles)
DRESS:
Dress warmly and for outside weather. (No jeans, no inappropriate logos or messages)
Kilts, top hats, tuxedos are allowed.
Green if you have something, but not required.
NOTE!
The parade is a family event and is being televised live. Alcohol is prohibited.
Come show your Malvern pride.
For information and to sign up, contact Michael Norton at 484-321-2539 or mnorton@malvernretreat.com
Prosit,
Jim Fitzsimmons
President
