Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will speak at the 2nd annual Summer Peace Festival on:

Saturday, August 18, 2007
Summer Peace Festival: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Prayer Service for Peace: 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. -- Cardinal Rigali will speak on the festival stage
Fairhill Park
4th Street and Lehigh Avenue
North Philadelphia

The Summer Peace Festival is an opportunity for community members of all faiths and cultural backgrounds to stand against violence in their community while celebrating peace through song, dance, art and ecumenical prayer. This year's event is also the culminating celebration of the 10 Catholic Social Services' Beacon Summer Programs, which have collectively served more than 1,500 youths this summer.

Young people from the programs will be promoting the message of "Peace in Our City" through their performances on the festival stage. They invite children, youth and adults from across the city to enjoy a moon bounce and dunk tanks, crafts and face painting, locally based food vendors and raffle prizes donated by Philadelphia merchants. In addition, festival goers will be able to participate in conflict resolution sessions. Last year, more than 500 people attended; many more are expected at this year's new location in Fairhill Park.

The 2007 Summer Peace Festival is sponsored by the North Philadelphia Catholic Coalition in conjunction with Beacon Programs in Catholic Schools, a partnership between Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and Philadelphia Safe and Sound.

Comprised of Catholic parishes and organizations in North Philadelphia, the coalition is committed to renewing, reviving and ministering to the North Philadelphia community in order to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to all people. The Beacon Programs establish safe havens for community residents through a continuum of after-school, youth development and family-support activities.

For more information about the Peace Festival or North Philadelphia Catholic Coalition partners, please contact Bethany Welch, 302-494-8618 or bjwelch@udel.edu.

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Contact
Meredith Wilson
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747