Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia will bless the new St. Rocco Center and the land of the planned Parish church during the ceremonial groundbreaking at the site on the feast of the Parish's namesake. The evening will include a procession from the center to the site of the planned St. Rocco Church led by the Divine Providence Choir. In addition, there will be tours, slideshows and traditional Mexican and Puerto Rican refreshments.

5:00 p.m. Activities begin
7:00 p.m. Blessing/Groundbreaking
Monday, August 16, 2010
St. Rocco Center
9016 Gap Newport Pike
Avondale, Chester County 19311


St. Rocco Church, once completed, will seat 500 people and will be built in a Mexican style with a plaza in front. The recently completed St. Rocco Center will serve the Spanish speaking community of Southern Chester County, which is currently served by the Mision Santa Maria, Madre de Dios.

The mission began in July of 1992 and currently serves five parishes with 12,000 registered members, 2,800 families, 1,200 children in the Religious Education Program and six community Masses celebrated each weekend in Spanish. The community is made up of first and second generation Mexican immigrants and a large community of Puerto Rican parishioners. The mission also serves a smaller community of people from Argentina and Columbia.

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Editor's Note: For more information on St. Rocco Parish and Center please call 610-268-3365

Contact
Meredith Wilson
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747