Theme: "We the People: Proclaiming Faith and Freedom"

More than 14,000 delegates and exhibitors are expected to attend the 102nd Annual Convention and Exposition of the National Catholic Educational Association in Philadelphia, March 29 through April 1, 2005. Most of the sessions will be held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center and will signal the start of a second century of service to Catholic education.

Schools and parishes in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia are sponsoring a Freedom Parade on the Parkway on Monday evening, March 28th , that features marching bands, a chorus and 5,000 students. On Wednesday, March 30th, a Concert of Excellence featuring student musicians and singers from the Catholic schools in the Archdiocese will be held at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.

Archbishop John Foley, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications in the Vatican and a Philadelphian, will present a keynote address. Other notable keynotes are Timothy Shriver, chairman and CEO of Special Olympics; and Sister Mary Rose McGready, D.C., former president and CEO of Covenant House.

Three U.S. cardinals will celebrate liturgies: Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia; Cardinal Edward Egan, Archbishop of New York; and Cardinal William Keeler, Archbishop of Baltimore.

The NCEA convention is open to anyone working in or interested in Catholic education. It features general sessions and liturgies, department meetings, development sessions, technology sessions, presentations and workshops. An integral part of the four-day convention is the exposition, which features the latest in educational equipment and supplies.

The NCEA last met in Philadelphia in 1996. It is the largest private, professional education association in the world. Its membership represents more than 200,000 educations serving 7.6 million students at all levels of Catholic education.

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Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747