The Mental Retardation Services Division of Catholic Social Services will send a contingent of 75 people to Rome for Jubilee World Day for the Disabled. These pilgrims will depart for Rome on Tuesday, November 28, 2000 and return to Philadelphia on Wednesday, December 6, 2000. The group will attend the Jubilee World Day for the Disabled Mass celebrated by Pope John Paul II at Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome on Sunday, December 3, 2000. After the Mass, the Archdiocesan representatives will have the honor of attending an audience with the Holy Father at the Vatican.

The group includes those with special needs and those who care for them. They represent:
St. Edmond's Home for Children (Rosemont, Delaware County): Residential program for children with multiple disabilities, ages three to 21
• 26 pilgrims including five physically and mentally challenged children who reside at the Home and get around with the use of wheelchairs, 15 staff people and six family members. Trip funded by St. Edmond's Home for Children Women's Auxiliary (affiliated with Saint Edmond's since 1917)
Divine Providence Village (Springfield, Delaware County): Residential program for developmentally disabled adult women and children
• 18 pilgrims including 12 residents of the Village, five staff people and one family member
Cardinal Krol Center (Springfield, Delaware County): Residential program for developmentally disabled men
• 23 pilgrims including 12 men who reside at the Center, eight family members, two members of the Blessed Louis Guanella Council of the Knights of the Columbus and one administrator
Family Living Program (Philadelphia): This program supports adults with a diagnosis of mental retardation living in homes with families who are committed to assist them in activities of daily living
• Three travelers including two individuals currently in the program and the program administrator
Community Outreach Program (Delaware County): This program assists adults with special needs living at home or on their own to be able to have consistent and frequent access to community services
• Four travelers including two individuals who participate in the program and two staff to accompany them

All of these programs function under the auspices of the Mental Retardation Service Division of Catholic Social Services, Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The Assistant Director of the Mental Retardation Services Division will also be going on the trip. The staff traveling to the Jubilee work in various capacities within the organization, including direct care, nursing, rehabilitative and administrative positions.

Contact
Donna Crilley
Broadcast and Media Specialist
215-587-3747