December 14, 2009
Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will host the 54th annual Cardinal's Christmas Party for Children for approximately 400 children who received services from community or residential agencies of Catholic Social Services this year. The party begins with a colorful parade, followed by presents and entertainment.
Sheraton Philadelphia City Center Hotel
17th Street between Vine and Race Streets
Philadelphia
1:15 - 2:15 p.m. - Cardinal Rigali finishes greeting children and poses for photos with high school student volunteers.
2:35 p.m. -- Parade of marching bands, clowns, jugglers enters ballroom.
2:50 p.m. - Christmas Story play on stage by Bishop Shanahan High School students.
3:00 p.m. -- Cardinal Rigali talk to the children and Santa's arrival.
The marching band will be comprised of students from Archbishop Ryan and Archbishop Wood High Schools. The All-Catholic Jazz Band will welcome Santa Claus at 3:00 p.m. Stepdancers from Conwell-Egan High School and Bishop McDevitt High School and the cheerleaders from Cardinal Dougherty and Father Judge and performers from Kennedy-Kenrick will provide pre-party entertainment. The Cardinal O'Hara Drum Lines from Archbishop Ryan, Archbishop Wood and Cardinal O'Hara also will perform.
The Cardinal's Christmas Party for Children not only provides entertainment and presents for the children, it also raises funds to support programs of Catholic Social Services throughout the year. Catholic Social Services assists more than 137,000 children, adults and families throughout the five-county area of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (Philadelphia, Bucks, Delaware, Chester and Montgomery Counties).
As in past years, the Sheraton Philadelphia City Center Hotel will generously provide its services for this event. Mrs. Jacqueline Delaney is the event chairperson. Deacon John Hunter, Director for Development for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, is the event coordinator.
Contact
Donna Farrell
Director of Communications
215-587-3747