Professor Named to Director Role for Family Meeting '15

Mary Beth Yount to Lead Content and Programming for Philadelphia Event

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Organizers of the World Meeting of Families to be held in Philadelphia next year announced this week the appointment of Mary Beth Yount, PhD, as director of Content and Programming for the September 2015 event. 

Yount, who is on loan from Neumann University where she is an assistant professor of Pastoral and Theological Studies, will be responsible for leading the development of programs and educational sessions for the conference, which will be held September 22-27, 2015.

Yount has 85 international and national presentations on topics related to the theology of the family, parenting, and education to her credit. Her university courses, which number nearly 30 distinct classes, cover a wide range of topics including theological anthropology, marriage and the family, ethics, education, morality, ecclesiology, scripture and church history.  

She brings a strong background in program design, development and administration to this role with previous experience as the Founder and Director of Brookline Kids Preschool as well as Project Coordinator for Duquesne University Press in Pittsburgh, PA.

“Dr. Yount is not only an outstanding scholar but a passionate advocate for families,” said Bishop John McIntyre, Episcopal Liaison for the World Meeting of Families. “Her valuable expertise will no doubt enhance the 2015 World Meeting of Families and bring a depth and richness to its content, which we hope will be the hallmark of our event. We are deeply grateful to Neumann University for sharing someone as capable and enthusiastic as Dr. Yount in planning for this once in a lifetime event.”

Dr. Yount holds a bachelor’s degree in theology and philosophy from the University of St. Thomas, a master’s degree in theology from St. Mary’s University, and a doctorate in theology from Duquesne University. 

“The World Meeting of Families—Philadelphia 2015 is an opportunity for families across the world to rejoice and celebrate what really matters in life,” Yount said. “Together we can grow in living out God’s invitation to love each other, drawing all closer to God. I feel incredibly blessed to be able to participate in developing the content and events for this historic celebration.”

Residing in Media, Pennsylvania, with her husband James and their four children, the Younts are members of St. Mary Magdalen Parish where they are active in promoting healthy marriages and families within their community.

For more information regarding the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia in September 2015, please visit  www.archphila.org or www.WorldMeeting2015.org.  ; You can also engage the World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 on Facebook (Eighth World Meeting of Families), Twitter (@WMF2015) and Instagram (WMF2015).

About World Meetings of Families

Beginning with 1994, The Year of the Family, the Pontifical Council for the Family has been responsible for organizing the World Meetings 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 Saint John Paul II, the World Meeting of Families has sought to strengthen the sacred bonds of family across the globe.

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