Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will be the celebrant and homilist at a Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul to remember those who lost their lives or are suffering in any way due to the hurricane. All are welcome and media are invited to cover.

Friday, September 9, 2005
12:05 p.m.
Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul
18th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia

The Cardinal has also asked that all 274 parishes of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia hold a special collection during Sunday Masses as soon as possible to assist with relief efforts.

All funds donated by parishioners will be forwarded by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to Catholic Charities USA. Catholic Charities USA, which has been commissioned by the U.S. Catholic Bishops to represent the Catholic community in times of domestic disaster, responds with emergency and long-term assistance as needed. Its Disaster Response Office connects the Church's social service agencies and disaster planning offices across the nation. For more information, please visit www.catholiccharitiesusa.org or call 1-800-919-9338.

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Editor's Note: There will be a mult-box feed for the Mass on September 9th. Television cameras will not be permitted in the Cathedral. Reporters and still photographers will be permitted inside with limited movement. Live trucks please enter the Archdiocesan parking lot on 17th Street between Vine and Race Streets.

Contact
Donna M. Farrell
Director of Communications
215-587-3747