Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will be the celebrant and homilist for a prayer service preceding the kick off for the 2009 Catholic Charities Appeal. The Liturgy of the Word will be followed by a reception at The Crystal Tea Room in the Wanamaker Building, Broad and Juniper Streets, Philadelphia. The Catholic Charities Appeal begins throughout parishes in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on Sunday, May 3, 2009 and continues through May 31, 2009.

Monday, April 27, 2009
6:15 p.m.
Saint John the Evangelist Church
21 South Thirteenth Street
Philadelphia

The Catholic Charities Appeal funds the Catholic Social Services programs of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, including senior centers, educational programs for disabled children, hospices and soup kitchens. The Appeal provides hope and gives help to over 250,000 people each year. One hundred percent of the money raised during the Appeal directly benefits those in need in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Founded in 1958 by John Cardinal O'Hara, the Catholic Charities Appeal funds over 80 agencies throughout the five counties of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and has raised an average of $10.3 million annually since 1995. The services that the Archdiocese provides reflect a belief in the sanctity of human life, the dignity of the individual, and the central role of the family in life and society.

For more information about The Catholic Charities Appeal, please call 215-587-3651, or visit www.catholiccharitiesappeal.org.

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Contact
Donna Farrell
Director of Communications
215-587-3747