ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA

Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will be the celebrant and homilist at the Saint Patrick's Day Observance Mass. Concelebrants of the Mass include Most Reverend Joseph P. McFadden, Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia, Reverend Kevin J. Gallagher and Reverend Christopher M. Walsh, Chaplains, Saint Patrick's Day Observance Association of Philadelphia.

The Mass is usually held at Saint Patrick Parish on Rittenhouse Square but because of the Bicentennial of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia it is being celebrated at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.

Sunday, March 9, 2008
8:45 a.m. Procession
9:00 a.m. Mass
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
18th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia


Following Mass, Cardinal Rigali will join marchers from over 190 groups in the 238th Saint Patrick's Day Parade. The theme of the parade this year is Saint Patrick, Bless All Those Serving the People of God.

Michael Bradley, President of Saint Patrick's Day Observance Association, has formed a Ring of Honor, which this year includes Reverend Joseph McLoone, Chairman of the Bicentennial Celebration for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and Pastor of Saint Katharine Drexel Parish in Chester, Delaware County; Reverend John McNamee, Pastor of Saint Malachy Parish in Philadelphia; Sister James Anne Feerick I.H.M., teacher at Saint Aloysuis Academy in Bryn Mawr, Montgomery County; James White, President of J.J. White, Inc., and Michael O'Neill, Chairman of Business Leadership Organized for Catholic Schools (BLOCS) and CEO of Preferred Unlimited.

Editor's Note: For more information about the Saint Patrick Day Observance Association, please visit www.philadelphiastpatsparade.com.

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Editor's Note: An audio and video mult-box feed will be provided in the parking lot of the Cathedral. Please enter on 17th Street, between Race and Vine Streets. Crews will need a bnc connector and a recording deck or a live truck. Television cameras will not be permitted in the Cathedral. Reporters and still photographers will be permitted in the Cathedral.

Contact
Meredith Wilson
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747