Contact
Cathy Rossi
Communications Director
215-587-3747

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will preside at the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's 16th annual Interfaith Commemorative Prayer Service in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Contact
John Miller
Broadcast and Media Specialist
215-587-3747

Hundreds of people from throughout the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and seven other dioceses are expected to attend the first annual Stewardship Day, presented by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The day long event will be held at the Wyndham Franklin Plaza Hotel.

Contact
John Miller
Broadcast and Media Specialist
215-587-3747

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will celebrate the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's annual Mass for Life. People from throughout the Archdiocese will attend the mass, which marks the 26th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion.

Contact
John Miller
Broadcast and Media Specialist
215-587-3747

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will commission more than 11,000 Catholics as "home visitors" at a special ceremony January 16, 1999. More than 3500 representatives of this group will be present at the ceremony at Villanova University's Pavilion.

Contact
Cathy Rossi
Director
215-587-3747

In a letter dated January 8, 1999, sent to Rev. Msgr. Francis Beach, Regional Vicar for Philadelphia-North Vicariate, Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, accepted the Cluster Pastoral Plan for Cluster 16, and commended the pastors and all who served on the Cluster Pastoral Planning Committee.

The 12 parishes of Cluster 16 are:

Contact
John Miller
Broadcast and Media Specialist
215-587-3747

More than 6,000 people from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia are expected to travel to Washington, D.C., Friday, January 22, 1999, for the 26th annual March for Life, which commemorates the tragedy of the infamous 1973 Supreme Court decision, Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion. Last year, more than 250,000 people attended the March for Life, exhorting lawmakers, the courts, and their fellow citizens to reverse this tragic decision. More than 100 buses will leave from throughout the Archdiocese Friday morning.

Contact
John Miller
Broadcast and Media Specialist
215-587-3747

In a letter dated January 20, 1999, Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, joined with other local clergy, who are members of the Metropolitan Christian Council of Philadelphia, to urge Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge to modify the system that will soon move people from welfare to the work force.

The new federal and state welfare reform laws will go into effect March 3, 1999. The signers of the letter wrote, "We are in agreement with the basic goals of the laws and recognize with many others the clear need for reform toward fostering greater responsibility and accountability and building into the system incentives for self-sufficiency. At the same time, we believe that insufficient attention has been given to the measures that will move people from welfare to family sustaining employment."

The signers of the letter made three recommendations:

1) The Commonwealth must take steps to ensure that people are ready to work through complete literacy and life skills training.
2) Full family sanctions for noncompliance with the work requirement should be revised to allow benefits to continue for children.
3) The definition of work should be expanded to include education and training opportunities that develop the skills to make a person competitive in today's work force.
####

Editor's Note: The text of the letter sent to Governor Ridge follows:

January 20, 1999
The Hon. Thomas Ridge
Governor
225 Main Capitol
Harrisburg, PA 17120

Dear Governor Ridge:

We are writing to express our concern regarding Pennsylvania*s new welfare
system designed to meet the requirements of new federal and state welfare
reform laws which will be implemented on March 3, 1999.

We are in agreement with the basic goals of the laws and recognize with
many others the clear need for reform toward fostering greater
responsibility and accountability and building into the system incentives
for self-sufficiency. At the same time, we believe that insufficient
attention has been given to the measures that will move people from welfare
to family sustaining employment. As the deadline approaches for those who
have been on welfare for 24 months, we have several recommendations for
modifications in the system which will help achieve our goal of moving
people from welfare to the work force.

First, the Commonwealth must take steps to ensure that people are ready to
work. Literacy and life skills training must be completed before a person
can effectively compete in the job market. The availability of day care and
transportation is also of critical concern.

Second, it is shortsighted public policy to punish children for the
mistakes of their parents. With that fact in mind, the full family
sanctions for noncompliance with the work requirement should be revised to
allow benefits to continue for the children.

Third, the definition of work should be expanded to include education and
training opportunities that develop the skills to make a person competitive
in today*s work force.

We strongly urge that modifications be implemented along these lines. We
invite you or appropriate members of your administration to discuss our
concerns and recommendations with us.

Thank you for your thoughtful consideration.

Sincerely yours,

His Eminence Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua
Archbishop of Philadelphia

The Rev. Roy G. Almquist, Bishop
Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod - Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

The Rt. Rev. Charles E. Bennison, Jr., Bishop
Diocese of Pennsylvania - Episcopal Church

The Rev. Dr. Helen Cochrane, Interim Executive Presbyter
Philadelphia Presbytery * Presbyterian Church (USA)

The Rev. James M. Lapp, Conference Pastor
Franconia Mennonite Conference

The Rev. F. Russell Mitman, Conference Minister
Pennsylvania Southeast Conference * United Church of Christ

The Rev. William B. Moore
Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity

The Rev. Larry K. Waltz, Executive Minister
Philadelphia Baptist Association - American Baptist Churches, USA

Bishop Peter D. Weaver, Resident Bishop
Philadelphia Area of the United Methodist Church
Eastern Pennsylvania Conference

The Rev. C. Edward Geiger, Executive Director
Metropolitan Christian Council of Philadelphia

Contact
Cathy Rossi
Director
215-587-3747

The Catholic/Jewish Education Exchange Program (C/JEEP) is a unique interfaith educational program aimed to dispel misconceptions and stereotypes among young people. The program, started five years ago in the Los Angeles area, is sponsored by movie director Steven Spielberg's Righteous Persons Foundation. The program has since expanded to San Francisco, New York, Chicago, and now Philadelphia.

In September 1998, C/JEEP was introduced in the Philadelphia area at Conwell-Egan Catholic High School in Fairless Hills and Akiba Hebrew Academy in Merion. The program is under the direction of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Jewish Committee. The clergymen selected to initiate the program were Rabbi Howard Cove, spiritual leader of Congregation Kol Emet in Yardley, Pa. and Reverend Paul Dougherty, director of Spiritual Formation, College Division, St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, in Overbrook. Father Dougherty teaches about Catholicism at Akiba Hebrew Academy and Rabbi Cove teaches about Judaism at Conwell-Egan.

C/JEEP is designed to implement the spirit and intention of "Nostra Aetate," the 1965 landmark document of the Second Vatican Council which set the stage for improving Catholic/Jewish relations and fostering mutual respect.

# # # #

Editor's Note: If you would like to do a feature story on this program, please contact Marie Kelly.

Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

In a letter dated January 8, 1999, sent to Rev. Msgr. John Bartos, Regional Vicar for Bucks County, Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, accepted the Cluster Pastoral Plan for Cluster 31, and commended the pastors and all who served on the Cluster Pastoral Planning Committee.

The four parishes of Cluster 31 are:

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Feasterville
Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Southampton
St. Bede the Venerable Parish, Holland
St. John Bosco Parish, Hatboro

Cluster 31's plan centers on these objectives:

1) Develop and provide adult religious education. This will be accomplished by establishing the necessary resources to run a cluster-wide Adult Religious Education program.

2) Expand programs to nourish faith life of youth and young adults. This will be accomplished by identifying the needs of youth and young adults through a cluster-wide symposium, and by establishing and/or expanding current youth ministry programs.

3) Strengthen and support the Spiritual Life of Catholic families. This will be accomplished by instituting workshops available to everyone in the cluster, and providing education about counseling resources available through the Archdiocese.

4) Collaborate on evangelization programs. This will be accomplished by training evangelization program leaders and facilitating the establishment of parish evangelization teams.

####
Editor's Note: Media inquiries should be directed to Rev. Msgr. John Bartos, at 215-957-1525.

Contact
Cathy Rossi
Director
215-587-3747

January 31, 1999 marks the beginning Catholic Schools Week in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. More than 120,000 students, parents and teachers throughout the five-county Archdiocese will celebrate with a variety of special religious, social and recreational activities. Catholic Schools Week celebrates the value of Catholic education in the academic and religious development of its students, and recognizes the sacrifices parents make in exercising their right to choose a Catholic Education.

This year's theme is "Inside these doors. . . a tradition of excellence. Catholic Schools: Faith for a Brighter Future." Some recent events that characterized this theme are:

June 1998, 5200 young men and women graduated from our twenty-two Archdiocesan high schools. Our high school graduation rate is98% and 88% of the graduates are continuing to further their education. Our 1998 graduates were offered more than $110 million in scholarship aid. This represents an increase of $8 million over the 1997 amount.

September 25, 1998 - Cardinal Bevilacqua announced the creation of a fiber optic network (Wide Area Network) which will improve and enhance telecommunications capabilities in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is the first diocese in the country to develop this state-of-the-art network. This technological plan will connect Archdiocesan high schools, Catholic Human Services' branch offices and institutions nursing homes, administrative offices and various facilities to the network. As of this writing, 14 high schools are on the network!

September 27, 1998 - Cardinal Bevilacqua dedicated the new Bishop Shanahan High School in Downington - the first new diocesan high school in 31 years. On September 28, 1999 - Cardinal Bevilacqua dedicated the new $3.5 million addition to Roman Catholic High School in Philadelphia.

September, 1998 - Interfaith education program begins in Philadelphia - Catholic/Jewish Education Project (C/Jeep) is an interfaith education program that fosters mutual respect and understanding by placing Catholic clergy in Jewish schools and Jewish clergy in Catholic schools. The program is funded by a grant from the Steven Spielberg Foundation in Los Angeles, and is presently being piloted in Conwell-Egan Catholic High School in Fairless Hills and Akiba Hebrew Academy in Merion. Rabbi Howard Cove, leader of Congregation Kol Emet in Yardley, Pa. teaches about Judaism to students at Conwell-Egan Catholic High School in Fairless Hills, Pa. In turn, Father Paul Dougherty, a Catholic theologian, teaches about Catholicism at Akiba Academy in Merion, Pa.



CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK IS ALSO A WEEK OF FUN! HERE ARE SOME FUN ACTIVITIES THAT ARE GOING ON IN A FEW OF OUR SCHOOLS!!!!

Prelude to Catholic Schools Week - Saturday, January 30, 1999

1:30 - 3:30 p.m. -Catholic High Schools Art Exhibit and Award Ceremony, Auditorium, 222 N. 17th Street, Philadelphia - Art exhibit featuring work of students from Archdiocesan and Private Catholic High Schools. Award ceremony at 2:00 p.m. . Art work will be on exhibit everyday - Sunday, January 31 through Friday, February 5, 1999, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Sunday, January 31st

9:30 a.m. - Holy Saviour Church, 409 E. Main Street, Norristown, PA - Montgomery County
Opening of Catholic Schools Week Liturgy , followed by an Open House. Technology Fair features projects from students in grades 1 - 8.

11:00 a.m. - Transfiguration of Our Lord, 56th and Cedar Avenue, Philadelphia
Opening of Catholic Schools Week Liturgy

11:00 a.m. - St. Andrew Church, School Lane and Foss Avenue, Drexel Hill, PA - Delaware County
Opening of Catholic Schools Week Liturgy followed by a family brunch

1:00 p.m. - Archbishop Wood High School, 655 York Road, Warminster, PA - Bucks County
Open House with an Activities Bazaar and Coaches Corner - students and moderators of the various extra- curricular activities are available to discuss the many programs that the school has to offer. Also, team members and coaches are available to speak with parents and potential incoming students at the Coaches Corner

Monday, February 1, 1999

9:00 a.m. -Our Lady of Good Counsel, 2nd Street Pike, Southampton, PA - Bucks County
Catholic Schools Week Liturgy followed by an exposition of the works of students in Grade 2

11:00 a.m. - St. Nicholas of Tolentine School, 910 Pierce Street, Philadelphia
Golden Agers will be treated to coffee, cakes and various goodies prepared and served by the 8th grade students

12:00 noon - 2:00 p.m. - Nativity B.V.M., Belgrade and Madison Streets, Philadelphia
Students in grades 2 though 8 will visit with senior citizens, present them with cards made by students, and serve the seniors lunch

Tuesday, February 2nd

8:15 a.m. - Blessed Virgin Mary School, 47 MacDade Blvd., Darby, PA - Delaware County
A special breakfast for school volunteers

10:00 a.m. - Archbishop Carroll High School, 211 Matson Ford Road, Radnor, PA - Delaware Co.
Special liturgy honoring teachers who have served in the ministry of Catholic Education for 25 years

11:00 A.M. - Saint Maria Goretti High School, 10th and Moore Streets, Philadelphia
Students will be installed in the National Honor Society

11:30 a.m. - St. Philomena School, 45 E. Baltimore Avenue, Lansdowne, PA - Delaware County
An "indoor picnic" at Marian Hall. The gym floor is covered with picnic tablecloths. After a prayer service, teachers and students will eat their picnic lunch. Each class will provide entertainment.

11:30 a.m. - Archbishop Ryan High School, 11201 Academy Road, Philadelphia
Students will be rockin' and rollin' in the cafeteria to the music of the 50's. The WOGL Radio 50's Party will include a visit of the Pink Cadillac and a two hour dance party. Students will dress in 50's costumes.

1:30 p.m. - St. Joan of Arc, 3556 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia
A "Religion Bee" with students from grades 5 through 8 participating

Wednesday, February 3, 1999

9:30 a.m. - Archbishop Ryan School for children With Hearing Impairments and St. Gabriel School (same campus), Mohawk and Seminole Avenues, Norwood, PA - Delaware County
Students and their grandparents will gather in the church for a prayer service. Grandparents will then visit the classrooms and have refreshments with grandchildren

12:45 p.m. - St. Charles Borromeo School, 1704 Bristol Pike, Bensalem, PA - Bucks County
Faculty vs. Students Volleyball Game

3:00 p.m. - Roman Catholic High School, Broad and Vine Streets, Philadelphia
"Battle of the Sexes" - academic and sports teams from Hallahan Girls and Roman Boys compete

7:00 p.m. - St. Andrew School, 529 Mason Avenue, Drexel Hill, PA - Delaware County
Dedication of the new Monsignor Vincent L. Burns Library Media Center (named for former deceased pastor) featuring technology and integrated curriculum theme projects

7:30 p.m. - Ambler Catholic School, 1 Poplar Street, Ambler, PA - Montgomery County
"Book at Trip Around the World" is the theme that will greet Ambler Catholic School students and their parents as they arrive at the Open House. Each student will receive a passport and travel bag entitling them to travel from country to country (table to table) through reading, writing and language activities

Thursday, February 4, 1999

9:30 a.m. - Monsignor Bonner High School, 403 N. Lansdowne Ave., Drexel Hill, PA - Delaware Co.
Bonner Boys will treat thirty-five volunteers to a continental breakfast.


12:00 Noon - Archbishop Carroll High School, 211 Matson Ford Rd., Radnor, PA - Delaware Co.
Student Appreciation Day in Carroll's gym will include Velcro Wall Jumping (students wear velcro suits and jump on and stick to a velcro wall)

12:30 p.m. - St. Luke School, 2336 Fairhill Avenue, Glenside, PA - Montgomery County
WOGL Radio 50's Party - a vintage 50's car will be at St. Luke's along with a disc jockey from WOGL. Student will dress in 50's attire for the dance.


7:30 p.m. - St. Helena School, 6101 N. 5th Street, Philadelphia
Students are performing an eight act show incorporating the Catholic School Week theme

Friday, February 5, 1999

9:00 a.m. - Transfiguration of Our Lord School, 56th and Cedar Avenue, Philadelphia
Prayer Service followed by presentation by Senator Hardy Williams of citation to students for their efforts in improving the environment and the neighborhood with their anti-graffiti efforts

9:45 a.m. - St. Aloysius School, 3rd and Hanover Streets., Pottstown, PA - Montgomery County
In Begley Hall at St. Aloysius School assemblies will include: The Phillies Phanatic, jugglers, hula hoop contest and a unicycle rider.

Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

In recognition of "Catholic Schools Week"and to affirm the value of Catholic Education to the City of Philadelphia, Monsignor Philip J. Cribben, Secretary for Catholic Education, will accept a proclamation presented by Philadelphia City Council Members on

Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

This year's Catholic School Week is proving to be especially rewarding for the archdiocesan high schools. On Monday, February 1, twelve schools received word from the Academic Enrichment Program sponsored by the Connelly Foundation and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, that they are the recipients of $1.5 million. The twelve schools will receive grants ranging from $75,000 to $200,000.

The Academic Enrichment Program benefits the 22 Archdiocesan high schools and Mercy Vocational High School. Schools are invited to submit proposals of their own priority and design that introduce, enhance or expand programs that help students grow academically. This is the second year of the three-year $4 million grant program. Financing is comprised of $2.4 million from the Connelly Foundation, $1 million from the Archdiocese and the balance to be realized by each participating school's contribution of 15 percent of its proposal budget. Last year's recipients received $1 million, this year's recipients $1.5 million, and $1.5 million is scheduled for the final year.

Josephine C. Mandeville, President of the Connelly Foundation, said, "This collaboration certainly demonstrated the commitment of the innovative administrators and faculties who continually strive to provide enriched learning opportunities to their students. Because the schools are challenged by financial constraints, the Academic Enrichment Program rewards strategic planning and vision. The Connelly Foundation enthusiastically participates with the Archdiocese to support this value- added approach."

Monsignor Philip J. Cribben, Secretary for Catholic Education, said, "Once again, through the generosity of the Connelly Foundation, our schools are able to pursue their quest for academic excellence and bring to fruition their many hopes and dreams."

Of 19 proposal requests, twelve 1999 grants have been awarded and the recipients were notified on February 1, 1999:

Little Flower High School, Philadelphia, PA - $75,000
To enhance student and faculty research and learning capacity in all disciplines via the installation of a state-of-the-art library/information center.


Cardinal O'Hara High School, Springfield, PA - $75,000
Toward acquisition of technology in support of the program, "Laptops for Connected Learners"

Roman Catholic High School, Philadelphia, PA - $75,000
To enhance the English curriculum and utilization of Writer's Solution via the installations of multimedia technology in English classrooms

Saint Hubert High School, Philadelphia, PA - $80,000
To enhance the English and Science curriculum through the use of technology and continued faculty professional development toward integrating computer assisted learning into the curriculum

St. Pius X High School, Pottstown, PA - $90,000
To provide for greater student access across the curriculum via a new multi-discipline computer lab and increased technology available in the Library/Media center

Lansdale Catholid High School, Lansdale, PA - $105,000
To enhance student and faculty access and research and learning capacity across all disciplines via the installation of a multimedia center and acquisition of mobile workstations

Saint Maria Goretti High School, Philadelphia, PA - $140,000
Toward the installation of a Business Technology lab that will prepare students for Microsoft certification at proficiency and expert levels

Cardinal Dougherty High School, Philadelphia, PA - $150,000
Toward the Medical Technology Suite to complement the Medical Careers Health Academy


Northeast Catholic High School, Philadelphia, PA - $150,000
To enhance three areas of the Fine Arts Program, namely, visual arts, musical arts and theater/audio-visual with technology and upgraded equipment

Bishop McDevitt High School, Wyncote, PA - $180,000
Support for the implementation of The Writer's Resource Center designed to improve writing skills across the curriculum

Saint John Neumann High School, Philadelphia, PA - $180,000
Support of NEUMANNVISION, a project dedicated to enhancing curriculum through technology, via the establishment of a multi-educational resource and learning center

Archbishop Ryan High School, Philadelphia, PA - $200,000
Toward the creation of technology centers within classrooms in each discipline to broaden curriculum and facilitate cooperative and collaborative learning methods


# # # # #

Editor's Note: For information on the individual high schools, contact Marie Kelly. Archdiocesan press releases can be found on our website at www.archdiocese-phl.org

Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

The AGAPE Campfire Program, a campfire program for boys and girls sponsored by the Archdiocesan Office of Youth and Young Adults, will pay tribute to American war veterans. In keeping with their program name, AGAPE, which means LOVE in Greek, approximately 35 youth and adult volunteers will gather together to sign Valentine cards, pack goodie bags and arrange fruit boxes on:

Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

The group Gathering of Sisters, a group sponsored through the joint efforts of St. Martin de Porres parish and Catholic Social Services, will celebrate Black History Month with an African Marketplace, an event that will highlight African traditions.

Contact
John Miller
Broadcast and Media Specialist
215-587-3747

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, announces that the Archdiocese has raised $400,000 for relief assistance for the victims of Hurricane Mitch in Central America, through the generous donations of the people of the Archdiocese.

Approximately 10,000 people were killed by Hurricane Mitch in Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Guatemala. The hurricane caused billions of dollars in damage throughout Central America.

People from 189 parishes in the Archdiocese contributed to the collection. Cardinal Bevilacqua announces the money will be distributed as follows: $150,000 to Honduras, $150,000 to Nicaragua, $50,000 to El Salvador, and $50,000 to Guatemala.

Previously, collections in the Archdiocese raised $100,000 for the victims of El Nino in Central America, and $140,000 for the victims of Hurricane Georges.

####

Editor's Note: Two employees of Casa del Carmen Family Center, a program of Catholic Social Services, recently returned from the relief effort in Honduras. They are available for interviews, through Archdiocesan Broadcast and Media Specialist John Miller, at 215-587- 3747.

Contact
John Miller
Broadcast and Media Specialist
215-587-3747

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, applauds Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge for his pledge today to fund a school voucher program in the fiscal year 1999-2000. "I am heartened by Governor Ridge's continued commitment to school vouchers," says Cardinal Bevilacqua. "His budget proposal today is an important step towards making school choice a reality. Parents have the inherent right to choose a school for their children. I am pleased that Governor Ridge is publicly reaffirming that right."

In his annual budget address to the state Legislature today in Harrisburg, Governor Ridge announced that he is proposing $63 million for a pilot school voucher program in Pennsylvania. Currently, 40 cities across the country have school voucher programs, including publicly funded programs in Milwaukee and Cleveland, serving more than 30,000 students. Tens of thousands more students are on waiting lists to participate in school voucher programs. There are 214 elementary schools, 22 high schools as well as private Catholic elementary and secondary schools educating over 121,000 students in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

"Tuition is still beyond the reach of too many parents who cannot afford the twin costs of taxes and tuition," says Cardinal Bevilacqua. "School vouchers would ensure that parents, especially the poor, have a choice. I fervently believe school choice is a matter of justice. For parents facing financial hardship, it is imperative. Simply put, parents, who know what is best for their children, should be empowered to select the best education for those children."

#####

Contact
Cathy Rossi
Director
215-587-3747

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will celebrate a mass honoring altar servers from Montgomery County, Bucks County, and Philadelphia-North Vicariates.

Contact
John Miller
Broadcast and Media Specialist
215-587-3747

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will celebrate Mass and distribute ashes following the Mass on:

Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215 587-3747

Attached is Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua's Lenten Message to be communicated to the people of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia the weekend of February 13th and 14th. Please feel free to quote from the letter or to print it in its entirety.

# # # # #

Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215 587-3747

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will bless the renovated St. Francis Country House in Darby, PA. Cardinal Bevilacqua will also celebrate Mass with the Anointing of the Sick during his visit.

Contact
John Miller
Broadcast and Media Specialist
215-587-3747

McDonald's Restaurants will honor William Fox Jr., longtime head basketball coach and teacher at Father Judge High School, with a special celebration for being selected to coach the McDonald's All American Basketball East team. Mr. Fox will be honored on

Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, issued the following statement in the wake of the United States Senate's acquittal today of President Clinton on the articles of impeachment:



"As individuals and as a nation, we must now move forward from a Presidential crisis that has torn at the moral fiber of this country. I trust that all of us have developed a new appreciation for issues of truth, personal responsibility and moral conscience. " said Cardinal Bevilacqua.


"We will fail as a people if we do not recognize the lessons which must be learned from our country's moral and spiritual climate over the past year," said Cardinal Bevilacqua. "It is my greatest hope that Americans, especially our young people, will develop a new respect for absolute moral truth. Truth is not relevant to one's own situation. Truth is unequivocal, unchanging and absolute. This crisis has brought truth and morality to the forefront of the American people. I hope, as well, that this impeachment process has prompted more people to think about the value of living moral lives."


While Cardinal Bevilacqua has taken no political position on Presidential impeachment or censure, his Eminence recognizes the importance of speaking on moral issues. "I will continue to pray that our representatives in Washington exercise good judgment for the sake of our country and the good people who comprise it. With our prayers and a trust in God, we are assured that a greater good will come from what we have witnessed," said Cardinal Bevilacqua.

###

Editor's Note:
All Archdiocesan news releases can be found on the internet at www.archdiocese-phl.org.

Contact
Cathy Rossi
Communications Director
215-587-3747

This weekend, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's Office for Youth and Young Adults will host its first annual Archdiocesan Youth Conference in Ocean City, New Jersey. The conference will be held at the Flanders Hotel, 11th and the Boardwalk. More than 450 teens will be attending a conference of prayer and faith-sharing. The conference includes liturgies, concerts, speakers, workshops, and dancing.

Busloads of teens will depart for this fun-filled weekend from the following sites:

Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215 587-3747

Operation Rice Bowl, a Lenten program of prayer, fasting, education and almsgiving, launches its 24th annual campaign on Ash Wednesday, February 17, 1999. The 40-day program encourages Archdiocesan parishioners to fast one day a week during Lent. Families place money saved that would have been spent on meals into a cardboard "rice bowl" to remember those suffering from poverty and hunger. After Easter, parishioners will combine their contributions and donate the money to those in need.

This year's theme is "Act Justly, Love Tenderly, Walk Humbly." Catholic Relief Services has designated each of the six weeks of Operation Rice Bowl 1999 as being devoted to six different countries: Guatemala, Sudan, Kenya, El Salvador, India and the United States.

During Operation Rice Bowl 1998, almost $260,000 was raised by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Seventy-five percent of the funds collected were distributed through Catholic Relief Services, an international air agency, and were used for projects aimed at helping low-income people develop skills and resources in countries throughout the world. Twenty-five percent of the funds, roughly $65,000 dollars, remained within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Nutritional Development Services, a division of Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, used the funds to purchase food for the Philadelphia area's poor and hungry.

Operation Rice Bowl materials are available from most local parishes.

#####

Contact
John Miller
Broadcast and Media Specialist
215-587-3747

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will preside at the Rite of Election and the Call to Continuing Conversion for Those Entering into Full Communion, a significant step for people who are joining the Catholic Church. There will be three celebrations.

Contact
John Miller
Broadcast and Media Specialist
215-587-3747

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, decried the burning of a cross in front of an Olney resident's home on Monday night. In this peaceful and racially mixed neighborhood, residents are mystified by the attack and say it is not reflective of attitudes in Olney. Cardinal Bevilacqua said "it is my deep hope that this hate crime does not have its roots in racism. No matter the source, this is a deplorable act, one that was committed by someone who would violate not only another person's home, but their very dignity as a child of God, equal in His eyes and His love."

Mr. Walter Johnson, an African-American who is legally blind, was informed by police about the cross burning. Someone tied a wooden cross to the railing of Mr. Johnson's front porch and set it on fire.

"Sadly, as we approach the millennium, our society is still divided," said Cardinal Bevilacqua. "We must reach out to one another with compassion and respect and remember that Jesus taught us to love one another in the same way He loves us. Every day we should continue our efforts to reject hatred," said Cardinal Bevilacqua.

"My prayers are with Mr. Johnson and the entire community during this difficult time," said Cardinal Bevilacqua. "It is my hope that they and all people of goodwill work together in harmony to build the kingdom of God."


####

Contact
Cathy Rossi
Director
215-587-3747

Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215 587-3747

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, has promulgated a "Protocol for Evaluating Catholic Health Care Collaborative Relationships." The protocol, which comes after extensive consultation with local Catholic healthcare providers and their sponsoring religious congregations, will preserve the Catholic identity of health care apostolates operating in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The Protocol formalizes what has already been normal practice. It officially becomes diocesan law March 25, 1999.

"In the increasingly complex world of healthcare, it is important for Catholic providers to clearly define and maintain their Catholic identity," said Cardinal Bevilacqua. "By formalizing collaborative guidelines, we are establishing parameters within which Catholic healthcare providers may effectively and confidently operate."

Under the Protocol, an Archdiocesan Catholic Health Care Review Committee will be established to review proposed affiliations and alliances with secular healthcare providers. "There has been a need on both sides, the Archdiocese and the Catholic health systems, to clarify what that structure is," said Rev. Msgr. Timothy Senior, Archdiocesan Secretary for Catholic Human Services.

The Protocol is the result of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops' Ethical and Religious Directives issued in 1995. The directives allow for Catholic healthcare providers to be aligned with hospitals which do not adhere to Catholic principles, as long as the Catholic institution limits its involvement in accord with those principles. "Our Catholic institutions must maintain and perpetuate Catholic values," said Cardinal Bevilacqua. "This Protocol translates those values into written guidelines. The guidelines will assist Catholic healthcare institutions who have judged that they have no alternative but to enter into collaborative relationships with non-Catholic providers to carry on their mission of providing quality healthcare in a loving and nurturing environment."

####
Editor's Note: For a copy of the "Protocol for Evaluating Catholic Health Care Collaborative Relationships" please contact Communications Director Cathy Rossi at 215-587-3747

Contact
Cathy Rossi
Communications Director
215-587-3747

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will preside at a mass honoring Blessed Katharine Drexel on her Feast day. More than 1500 people are expected to attend the mass, including members of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, the religious order Blessed Katharine established in 1891. Her Cause for Sainthood is currently being reviewed by a Medical Board assigned by the Vatican Congregation for the Causes of Saints.

Contact
John Miller
Broadcast and Media Specialist
215-587-3747

The Academy of Music will be transformed into a theater filled with young energy and enthusiasm when the Catholic school students of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia take the stage to present "An Evening at the Academy." The performance will take place on

More than 750 students from 130 Catholic Archdiocesan and private schools will participate. The concert will include performances by the Special Education Ensemble, the All Catholic Elementary Chorus and Band, the All Catholic High School Chorus and Band, the All Catholic High School Orchestra, and the Archdiocesan Jazz Band.

Piano soloist Gina Kelly, an eighth grade student at St. Francis de Sales School in Aston and winner of the elementary soloist competition, will be featured.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS PARTICIPATING:

PHILADELPHIA SOUTH

Our Lady of Lourdes
SS. Clement-Irenaeus
St. Monica
Stella Maris

PHILADELPHIA NORTH

Christ the King
Immaculate Heart of Mary
Maternity BVM
Nazareth Academy
Norwood-Fontbonne Academy
Our Mother of Consolation
Resurrection of Our Lord
Ryan Junior Band
St. Adalbert
St. Anselm
St. Athanasius-Immaculate Conception
St. Bartholomew
St. Cecilia
St. Christopher
St. Helena
St. Jerome
St. John Cantius
St. Josaphat
St. Leo
St. Martin of Tours
St. Matthew

BUCKS COUNTY

Holy Trinity
Our Lady of Grace
St. Andrew
St. Bede the Venerable
St. John the Baptist
St. Jude
St. Lawrence
St. Michael the Archangel

CHESTER COUNTY

Assumption BVM
St. Agnes
St. Joseph
St. Monica
St. Norbert
St. Patrick
Ss. Philip and James
Ss. Simon & Jude
Villa Maria Academy

DELAWARE COUNTY

Academy of Notre Dame de Namur
Annunciation
Holy Cross
Nativity B.V.M.
Our Lady of Peace
Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Sacred Heart
School of the Holy Child
St. Alice
St. Aloysius Academy
St. Anastasia
St. Bernadette
St. Denis
St. Dorothy
St. Eugene
St. Gabriel
St. George
St. John Chrysostom
St. Joseph
St. Katharine of Siena
St. Kevin
St. Madeline/St.Rose
St. Mary Magdalen
St. Pius X
St. Thomas the Apostle
St. Thomas-Good Counsel

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Ambler Catholic
Ancillae Assumpta Academy
Corpus Christi
Epiphany of Our Lord
Holy Saviour
Immaculate Conception
Mother of Divine Providence
Our Lady Help of Christians
Presentation BVM
St. Albert the Great
St. Aloysius
St. Alphonsus
St. Catherine of Siena
Ss. Colman-John Neumann
St. David
St. Eleanor
St. Genevieve
St. Helena
St. James
St. Luke
St. Margaret
St. Mary
St. Philip Neri
St. Stanislaus
St. Teresa of Avila
Waldron Mercy Academy

SPECIAL EDUCATION SCHOOLS PARTICIPATING:
PHILADELPHIA

Our Lady of Confidence

BUCKS COUNTY

Queen of the Universe Day Center

DELAWARE COUNTY

Archbishop Ryan School for Children with Hearing Impairment
St. Lucy School for Children with Visual Impairment

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

St. Katharine Day School

HIGH SCHOOLS PARTICIPATING:

PHILADELPHIA SOUTH

John W. Hallahan
Roman Catholic
St. John Neumann
St. Joseph's Preparatory
St. Maria Goretti
West Catholic

PHILADELPHIA NORTH

Archbishop Ryan
Cardinal Dougherty
Father Judge
LaSalle College
Little Flower
Nazareth Academy
Northeast Catholic
St. Hubert

BUCKS COUNTY

Archbishop Wood
Conwell/Egan
Holy Ghost Preparatory
Villa Joseph Marie Academy

CHESTER COUNTY

Bishop Shanahan
Villa Maria Academy

DELAWARE COUNTY

Academy of Notre Dame de Namur
Archbishop Prendergast
Archbishop Carroll
Cardinal O'Hara
Devon Preparatory
Malvern Preparatory
Monsignor Bonner

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Bishop McDevitt
Gwynedd Mercy Academy
Kennedy/Kenrick
Lansdale Catholic
Mount St. Joseph Academy
Merion Mercy Academy
St. Basil Academy
St. Pius X

Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

Reverend Monsignor Timothy Senior, Secretary for Catholic Human Services for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, will testify at a public hearing on the implementation of Pennsylvania's welfare reform law.

Contact
John Miller
Broadcast and Media Specialist
215-587-3747

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, is challenging private sector employers in the Philadelphia region to look to welfare recipients as potential employees, especially after March 3rd. "The changes in Pennsylvania's welfare laws are creating new opportunities for employers to look at job candidates that they might never have otherwise considered for employment," said Cardinal Bevilacqua. "The government wants to transition people from welfare to work and the private sector has a social responsibility to assist this transition."

" It will take great courage on the part of many welfare recipients to turn their lives around. They are being asked to become self-sufficient. God calls on us to share in the responsibility of helping our brothers and sisters by recognizing that everyone has a valuable contribution to make to society," said Cardinal Bevilacqua. "I am asking business leaders of this community to open their doors to these former welfare recipients, many of whom are well-trained and job ready."

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia, which serves as the largest single provider of social services in the Commonwealth, has been preparing for the March 3rd welfare reform deadline when many welfare recipients will begin to lose their cash assistance because of non-compliance with new welfare-to-work rules. The Archdiocese has already provided job training and employment opportunities for more than 100 former welfare recipients.

Approximately 850 families served by Catholic Social Services will be effected by welfare reforms. This includes clients served by Catholic Social Services' Family Service Centers throughout the five-county region. However, Catholic Social Services also anticipates that hundreds of other welfare recipients (who are not necessarily current CSS clients) may emerge needing assistance (through parishes, schools, food cupboards and emergency shelters).

To prepare for the possible influx of new needs, the Archdiocese is working in these areas:

> Direct service--
a) educating Catholic Social Service staff, pastors, and clients.
b) preparing "Welfare to Work Resource Packets", which will be distributed to parishes through
ten Family Service Centers throughout the region. The Family Service Centers will serve as key
points for assistance. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has mailed Welfare-to-Work Resource
Packets to 750 summer feeding sites, child care centers and schools. Approximately 3000
more packets are being compiled for distribution.
c) providing information, referral and assistance (through Family Service Centers) to individuals and families of all faiths throughout the region

> Training--
a) training, assisting and placing welfare recipients into jobs through the J.O.B.S. (Job Opportunities for Becoming Self-Sufficient) program, contracted with the Private Industry Council (approximately 80 former welfare recipients have been placed in jobs so far, many as Certified Nursing Assistants at nursing homes).

Employment/Community Service Opportunities
a) creating employment slots.
b) creating community service/volunteer opportunities.

Advocacy
a) monitoring reforms to ensure that the law is implemented fairly in accordance with Department of Public Welfare guidelines.
b) working to modify the system to ensure that children of former welfare recipients are protected.

"We are working at every level to make certain that Catholic Social Service clients who are welfare recipients have been given as much information as possible about their obligations, their benefits, and opportunities for job training and community service," said Cardinal Bevilacqua. "Welfare reform is a challenge not only for the client, but for the Commonwealth and for the Church. However, working together as a community, we can create new possibilities for many people."

Contact
Cathy Rossi
Director
215-587-3747

The 6th Annual CYO Hall of Fame Banquet will take place on

Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will celebrate the National Migration Week Mass, as the Catholic Church in the United States honors the immigrant nature of our country and our Church. The theme of this year's celebration is "Reflecting God's Love for All."

Contact
John Miller
Broadcast and Media Specialist
215-587-3747

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will confirm 19 developmentally disabled people at Divine Providence Village.

Contact
John Miller
Broadcats and Media Specialist
215-587-3747

On his weekly call-in radio show Live with Cardinal Bevilacqua, Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, announced that the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's toll-free "Bless Me" hotline will continue to operate indefinitely. "We have been amazed by the overwhelming response to the Bless Me hotline," said Cardinal Bevilacqua. "We have opened the door for people return to the Church, to reconcile with their families, their Church and their God. Evidently, people have been waiting for us to reach out to them."

On November 16, 1998, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia initiated the toll-free hotline, accompanied by an intensive radio and television advertising campaign. The hotline allows people calling 1-877-BLESS ME to speak directly and anonymously with a priest. Since mid-November, more than 11,000 calls have been received on the hotline. Originally, the hotline was to end after Reconciliation Weekend, March 19 and 20, 1999, when Catholics throughout the Archdiocese are being encouraged to return to the sacrament of Confession at 80 specially chosen Millennium Churches.

On March 1, 1999, a Bless Me website was established. In its first week of operation, the website had well over 1,000 "hits." In addition to being able to call the toll-free hotline, people can now e-mail their questions and concerns to priests at the World Wide Web address http://www.blessme.org. After one week, there have been close to 100 questions e-mailed to the website, and priests throughout the Archdiocese have been called in to action to help respond to those e-mails. Those accessing the website will also be able to e- mail questions about their faith by clicking "Disciples on the Internet." They can also obtain a list of Millennium Churches participating in Reconciliation Weekend, and view a recorded message from Cardinal Bevilacqua.

"The Holy Father has called for a new evangelization,'" said Cardinal Bevilacqua. "We are heeding this call to help people on their own faith journey. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is using all the tools available in today's world to reach out to people."

#####

Editor's Note: Cardinal Bevilacqua will be available to discuss the continuation of the Bless Me campaign at his weekly radio show tonight at WZZD 990 AM, 117 Ridge Pike, Lafayette Hill, PA. Live with Cardinal Bevilacqua airs from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. For directions to the radio station, please call the Office for Communications at 215-587-3747.

Contact
Cathy Rossi
Director
215-587-3747

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will be the celebrant and homilist at the Saint Patrick's Day Observance Mass on

Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

State Senator Anthony Williams (D) is hosting a visit to Harrisburg for 65 students and 5 chaperones from Transfiguration of Our Lord School in Southwest Philadelphia. The buses will depart on

Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

In a letter dated February 26, 1999, sent to Rev. Msgr. Francis W. Beach, Regional Vicar for Philadelphia-North, Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, accepted the Cluster Pastoral Plan for Cluster 18, and commended the pastors and all who served on the Cluster Pastoral Planning Committee.

The nine parishes of Cluster 18 are:

St. Athanasius Parish
St. Benedict Parish
St. Francis of Assisi Parish
Holy Cross Parish
Immaculate Conception Parish
St. Madeleine Sophie Parish
St. Raymond of Penafort
St. Therese of the Child Jesus Parish
St. Vincent De Paul Parish

Cluster 18's plan centers on these objectives:

1) Maintain the presence of the Church in nine current parishes. Projections call for the number of diocesan priests in Cluster 18 to be reduced from seven to five in the year 2000.The goal of maintaining the presence of the Church in Cluster 18 will be accomplished by "twinning" St. Madeleine Sophie and Holy Cross in the year 2000. This means one pastor will oversee both parishes. This will also be accomplished by staffing St. Francis of Assisi parish with The Congregation of the Mission (Vincentian Community).

2) Develop cluster-wide processes and practices to insure the viability of quality Catholic schools. This will be accomplished by establishing a Development Office and creating a marketing and public relations strategy.

3) Continue to witness the Cluster's commitment to the poor. This will be accomplished by studying the needs of the community, supporting existing programs and developing new programs where needed. Cluster 18 will also develop alliances with other organizations and become more involved in housing issues.

4) To examine and expand efforts that enhance the cluster's role in the broader community. This will be accomplished by developing a public relations strategy and by marketing the mission of the Catholic Church in Cluster 18.

5) Oversee the implementation of the Cluster Pastoral Plan upon acceptance by Cardinal Bevilacqua. This will be accomplished by establishing an Implementation Committee. The Implementation Committee will plan a Eucharistic Celebration for all members of the Parish Pastoral Councils and others.

Contact
John Miller
Broadcast and Media Specialist
215-587-3747

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will lead a prayer service and hear confessions as part of Reconciliation Weekend in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Reconciliation Weekend is the final phase of an almost year-long campaign to bring people back to the Catholic Church and the Sacraments.

Contact
Cathy Rossi
Director
215-587-3747

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will participate in a Town Meeting for young women interested in religious vocations on

Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

PALM SUNDAY - MARCH 28, 1999 - 10:45 A.M.
Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, 18th and Benjamin Franklin Parkway

In celebration of the Lord's entrance into Jerusalem, Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua will bless the palms to be distributed to the faithful. Following the blessing of the palms, the Cardinal will be the celebrant and homilist at the Mass of Passion (Palm) Sunday.

HOLY THURSDAY CHRISM MASS - APRIL 1, 1999 - 10 A.M.
Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, 18th and Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua will be the main celebrant and homilist at the Holy Thursday Chrism Mass, which commemorates the day on which the priesthood was established. Approximately 500 priests of the Archdiocese will be in attendance at this mass. During the Mass, Cardinal Bevilacqua will bless the three oils used in the Sacraments: the Oil of Catechumens, used in Baptism; the Oil of the Sick, used in anointing of the sick; and Chrism Oil, used in the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Orders.

HOLY THURSDAY MASS OF THE LORD'S SUPPER - APRIL 1, 1999 - 5:00 P.M.
Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, 18th and Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua will be the main celebrant and homilist. This mass commemorates the Last Supper, during which Christ instituted the sacrament of Holy Eucharist, and is one of the most solemn celebrations of the Church year. After the homily, following the example of Christ who washed the feet of the apostles at the Last Supper, the Cardinal will wash the feet of twelve seminarians from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. This ceremony, known as the "mandatum," symbolizes the humility of Jesus.

GOOD FRIDAY OBSERVANCES - APRIL 2, 1999
Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, 18th and Benjamin Franklin Parkway

12:00 Noon - Choral Meditations by the Collegiate Choir
3:00 p.m. - Solemn Liturgy of the Passion and Death of Christ- Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua is the celebrant and homilist. Music provided by the Cathedral Choir.
7:00 p.m. - Stations of the Cross in Cathedral Chapel (adjacent to Cathedral)

HOLY SATURDAY - APRIL 3, 1999 - 8:00 P.M.
Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, 18th and Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua is the celebrant and homilist at the Easter Vigil Mass. The special ceremonies that take place during this Mass are all related to the Resurrection. The ceremonies include: the Blessing of the Fire, the lighting of the Paschal Candle, and the Blessing of the Easter Water. During the Mass, after the homily, Cardinal Bevilacqua will baptize and receive new members of the faith into the church.

EASTER SUNDAY - APRIL 4, 1999 - 10:00 A.M.
Saint Hilary of Poitiers Church, Susquehanna Road, Rydal, Pa. (Montgomery Co.)
Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua will be the celebrant and homilist at the Mass of the Resurrection.


HISPANIC COMMUNITY

The Hispanic community have planned the following liturgies at:

Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

In celebration of the Lord's entrance into Jerusalem, Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua will bless the palms to be distributed to the faithful and will celebrate the Palm Sunday Liturgy. This liturgy, which will be attended by more than 500 teens from parishes throughout the Archdiocese, will be held on

Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, calls for peace in Kosovo, as NATO launches air strikes in the region. "For more than a year, the people of Kosovo have been suffering greatly. They have witnessed friends and family members senselessly gunned down in the streets. It appears that international intervention is necessary to achieve peace in Kosovo. However, military air strikes are not an acceptable solution. A recourse to arms will only bring more loss of life and deep suffering to civilians," said Cardinal Bevilacqua.

"Earlier this year (January 20, 1999), Pope John Paul II asked the parties concerned to commit themselves to sincere dialogue," Cardinal Bevilacqua said. "Our Holy Father stated that the Vatican has been close to the people of Kosovo and appreciated the commitment on the part of the international community to help all to walk the path of sincere dialogue and find a peaceful solution to the contention. The defense of human rights is essential to building peace. Employing violent means with the hope of achieving a peaceful end does not fully respect the human rights of the people who live in Kosovo," said Cardinal Bevilacqua.

"I pray for the families of Kosovo being forced from their homes and for those who may find themselves in harm's way during this crisis, including members of our armed services," said Cardinal Bevilacqua. "I pray also for world leaders who are working to bring peace to the region, that they will find the most appropriate way to achieve just cooperation without adding to the needless violence already perpetrated upon the people of Kosovo."
###

Contact
Cathy Rossi
Director
215-587-3747

The Archdiocesan Office for Youth and Young Adults T.O.D.A.Y. program is sponsoring a "Bunny Brunch" on

Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

Business Leadership Organized for Catholic Schools (BLOCS) will hold its 1st Annual Gala on

Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

In light of the guilty verdict announced in the Dr. Jack Kevorkian murder trial, Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, stated "the verdict issued today by the Michigan jury reaffirms the sanctity of life. All life is precious, regardless of whatever affliction or imperfection may exist. Dr. Kevorkian has relentlessly promoted the notion that imperfect people should be discarded. Today, that notion was proved wrong."

Dr. Kevorkian was found guilty of killing 52-year-old Thomas Youk last September. Mr. Youk suffered from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease. In September, 1998, Dr. Kevorkian injected a fatal solution into Mr. Youk's bloodstream. The killing was broadcast on the CBS news program 60 Minutes in November. At the time of the broadcast, Cardinal Bevilacqua called airing of the deliberate taking of Mr. Youk's life "a new low in journalism," saying the Church "has made it very clear that euthanasia is always evil."

"While I remain saddened at the death of Mr. Youk, I am heartened that justice has prevailed in this case," said Cardinal Bevilacqua. "It is important to stress that killing someone in order to relieve pain should never be an option. Medical advances have taken palliative care to a new level, so that no one should ever suffer inordinate amounts of pain. Therefore, we are not asking that people suffer. We are asking people to honor the sanctity of life. Life is God's greatest gift. Today, the jury in Michigan showed it understands that life is to be protected at all its stages."

###

Contact
Cathy Rossi
Communications Director
215-587-3747

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia announced today it will publish its first ever Municipal Voters Guide. The Voters Guide will include responses to specific questions asked of 73 candidates, including seven Philadelphia mayoral candidates, 38 At-Large City Council candidates, and 28 District City Council candidates.

The primary election will be held May 18, 1999. The Voters Guide will be published in the Archdiocesan newspaper, The Catholic Standard and Times, in May, 1999, before the primary election. In addition, the Voters Guide will be made available to the pastors of each of the 121 parishes in the city of Philadelphia.

Questions posed to the candidates will cover a wide range of moral issues. "We will ask the candidates questions about issues such as education, "same-sex" marriage, needle-exchange programs, and abortion," said Guy Ciarrocchi, Director of the Office for Public Affairs. "Our objective is to educate voters in Philadelphia so that they can make an informed and prayerful decision."

The Voters Guide will list responses from all candidates in contested primary election races. A Voters Guide to be issued before the general election in the fall will include responses from all candidates. "We will not endorse any candidate or party, nor do we tell people how to vote," said Ciarrocchi. "The purpose of the Voters Guide is to help people make informed choices."

###

Editor's Note: For a copy of the questionnaire submitted to the candidates, please contact the Office for Communications at 215-587-3747.

Contact
John Milelr
Broadcast and Media Specialist
215-587-3747

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, applauds Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge for introducing school choice legislation today in Harrisburg. "I am heartened by Governor Ridge's continued commitment to school vouchers," said Cardinal Bevilacqua. "His legislative proposal today is a vital step towards making school choice a reality for everyone in the Commonwealth, and providing all parents with their inherent right to choose a school for their children."

Governor Ridge unveiled legislation that would create a pilot school voucher program, which would assist students in each county within the Archdiocese, as well as assist students in each region of the state. "The Commonwealth must work to ensure that all children have access to a quality education, acceptable to their parents, at a public, private or parochial school," said Cardinal Bevilacqua. "This initiative would do that."

Currently, 40 cities across the country have school voucher programs, including publicly funded programs in Milwaukee and Cleveland, serving more than 30,000 students. Tens of thousands more students are on waiting lists to participate in school voucher programs. In the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, there are 214 elementary schools and 22 high schools with approximately 25,000 seats available for new students. Together with private Catholic elementary and secondary schools, Catholic schools in the Archdiocese educate over 121,000 students of all faiths.

"Tuition is still beyond the reach of too many parents who cannot afford the twin costs of taxes and tuition," said Cardinal Bevilacqua. "School vouchers would ensure that parents, especially the poor, have a choice. School choice is a matter of justice, and is imperative for parents facing financial hardship. Governor Ridge's initiative will help restore parents as the rightful decision makers regarding their children's education. I strongly urge the legislature to approve this initiative promptly."

###

Contact
Cathy Rossi
Director
215-587-3747

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, announced today that the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will continue its efforts to draw people back to the Church with Disciples in Mission, a parish-based program designed to foster spiritual renewal. "Disciples in Mission is an ingenious method for achieving what the Holy Father has called "the new evangelization," said Cardinal Bevilacqua. "Our evangelization efforts over the past year have shown to us that there is a great hunger for God in the Archdiocese. Disciples in Mission will help us feed that hunger."

The Archdiocese recently completed a year long campaign to bring people back to the Church and the Sacraments, culminating in the highly successful "Reconciliation Weekend," March 19 and 20, 1999. It is estimated that more than 100,000 people went to confession Reconciliation Weekend, including many who had not participated in the Sacrament of Reconciliation in years. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia continues to operate its toll-free 1-877-BLESS ME hotline, which allows people to speak anonymously with a priest. An internet website also remains in operation, at www.blessme.org.

The Paulist National Catholic Evangelization Association designed the Disciples in Mission program. Disciples in Mission is a four year program that enables dioceses and parishes to energize the faithful to live as part of evangelizing communities. It is anticipated that a large number of the 287 parishes in the Archdiocese will participate, depending upon where they are in their pastoral planning process. "God calls each of us to shine the light of the Gospel on the world," said Cardinal Bevilacqua. "Disciples in Mission can be the switch that turns on that light."

###

Contact
Cathy Rossi
Communications Director
215-587-3747

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, joins other United States Cardinals in calling on President Clinton and Yugoslavian President Slobodan Milosevic to end the conflict in Kosovo. The Cardinals also propose to both the Presidents steps to peace. Cardinal Bevilacqua and other U.S. Cardinals have co-signed letters dated March 31, 1999 to both President Clinton and President Milosevic.

Attached are copies of both letters.

Contact
Cathy Rossi
Communications Director
215-587-3747

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, and Catholic bishops across the country call on the Catholic community this Good Friday to work on behalf of ending the death penalty. "If every member of the Catholic faith took one small measure toward ending the death penalty, one loud voice of opposition would be heard. Unfortunately, many Catholics still support the death penalty," said Cardinal Bevilacqua. "On the day when we recall the execution of Jesus Christ, the faithful should give careful consideration to their own position on this issue."

"Our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, has called on the faithful to recognize that 'the dignity of human life must never be taken away, even in the case of someone who has done great evil,' (Pope John Paul II, January 27, 1999, St. Louis, Missouri) said Cardinal Bevilacqua. "I join with Our Holy Father and my brother bishops on the Administrative Board of the United States Catholic Conference in reaffirming absolute respect and protection for life, from its conception to its natural end.

The Administrative Board of the U.S. Catholic Conference statement on the death penalty says, in part, " for more than 25 years, the Catholic bishops of the United States have called for an end to the death penalty in our land. Sadly, however, death sentences and executions in this country continue at an increasing rate." The bishops' statement goes on to state that, as the new millennium approaches, we are "encouraged by new and growing efforts to stop executions around the world."

"While this important message may hold a special meaning for Catholics and fellow Christians on this most solemn day," said Cardinal Bevilacqua, "we understand that this message is timeless and that love and respect for human life is not the province of any one faith. I call on all people of good will to join me and my fellow bishops in working towards an end to capital punishment and a renewed respect for all human life."
###
Editor's Note: A copy of the Cardinal's Good Friday statement on the death penalty is attached.

Contact
Cathy Rossi
Communications Director
215-587-3747

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will celebrate the Divine Mercy Mass on the first Sunday after Easter. With this annual devotion, the theme of reconciliation continues as the Archdiocese prepares for the millennium. The mass will be held on

Contact
CATHY ROSSI
DIRECTOR
587-3747

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, has asked pastors of the 287 Catholic parishes in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to consider taking up an emergency collection between now and May 10, 1999 and to schedule an evening of prayer for peace for Kosovo refugees.

In a letter to pastors dated April 9, 1999, Cardinal Bevilacqua wrote, "The situation in Kosovo moves all people of good will to compassion for their brothers and sisters who are suffering this terrible crisis. This is a moment which requires fervent prayer and financial sacrifice. For this reason, I ask you to consider conducting a special second collection for the relief of the refugees. Due to the great need for food and medical supplies, I request that this emergency collection be held in your parish as soon as possible, on any weekend prior to May 10, 1999."

"For the past year, the world has watched with sadness and horror as the media has presented stories and images of the sufferings of the people of Kosovo," wrote Cardinal Bevilacqua. "These people have witnessed friends and family members senselessly gunned down in the streets. They have been forced from their homes and now are subject to disease, hunger and death. Their only hope is to seek safety, far from their homes in NATO refugee camps."

On March 29th, Cardinal Bevilacqua and the seven other United States Cardinals urged an immediate end to the fighting and called for the convocation of a peace conference. In two letters, one to President Clinton and another to Yugoslavian President Slobodan Miloslevic, the U.S. Cardinals echoed the words of Pope John Paul II, " It is never too late to meet again and negotiate." The Vatican has been concentrating on diplomacy and humanitarian work with regard to Yugoslavia. Pope John Paul II has made a personal contribution of $50,000 to the relief effort.

Contact
Cathy Rossi
Communications Director
215-587-3747

In a letter dated March 22, 1999, sent to Rev. Msgr. John C. Marine, Regional Vicar for Montgomery County, Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, accepted the Cluster Pastoral Plan for Cluster 70, and commended the pastors and all who served on the Cluster Pastoral Planning Committee.

The seven parishes of Cluster 70 are:

Our Mother of Good Counsel Parish
Saint Margaret Parish
Saint Matthias Parish
Saint Justin Martyr Parish
Presentation B.V.M. Parish
Saint Colman Parish
Saint John Vianney Parish


Cluster 70's plan centers on these objectives:

1) Allocate the clergy and laity in regard to pastoral care of parishes and pastoral care of the sick. The goal of maintaining the presence of the Church in Cluster 70 will be accomplished by "twinning" Saint John Vianney and Saint Justin Martyr in June of 2000. This means one pastor will oversee both parishes. Saint Margaret and Saint Matthias will no longer have an assistant pastor assigned as of June of 2000.

2) Foster a cohesive Christian community within the parish. This will be accomplished by establishing an ad-hoc committee to identify unmet religious needs. There will also be a working group to identify resources for lay ministry training.

3) Provide programs for Catholic education and ministry. This will be accomplished by bringing together the ministry leaders of Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD), Youth Ministry and the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults to evaluate the possibility of cluster cooperation.

4) Initiate steps to establish viable schools within the Cluster. This will be accomplished by the establishment of a program for the promotion of Catholic education. St. Matthias School will be closed in June 1999, as previously approved and announced.

5) Coordinate and consolidate parish social outreach programs. This will be accomplished by an examination of the possibilities for cluster coordination or consolidation of parish social outreach programs.


Media inquiries should be directed to Rev. Msgr. John C. Marine at 610-896-0567.

Contact
Cathy Rossi
Director
215-587-3747

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will lead approximately 3,000 people from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on a pilgrimage to The Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. Buses will leave from throughout the Archdiocese Saturday, April 17, 1999. Several hundred high school students will board buses at the Archdiocesan Office Center Saturday morning.

Contact
John Miller
Broadcast and Media Specialist
215-587-3747

The four parishes of St. Augustine, Old St. Joseph's, Old St. Mary's and Holy Trinity in the Philadelphia South Vicariate will conduct tours beginning Sunday, April 18. The walking tours will highlight the role these churches played in the growth of the Catholic Church and the spiritual development of Philadelphia.

These tours are a result of the Pastoral Plan for Cluster 20. Cluster planning is a prayerful, reflective process which addresses the changing needs of the Church.

The series will begin with a lecture by Joseph J. Casino, Director of the Philadelphia Archdiocesan Historical Research Center.


"Catholics and Religious Liberty in America"
1:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 18, 1999
Old St. Mary's
252 South Fourth Street
Philadelphia


The tours will take place following the lecture. Cost is $5.00 per person. These tours will continue on the first Sunday of every month, May 1999 through October 1999.


Editor's Note: If interested in taking part or all of the tour, please contact the Office For Communications at 215-587-3747.

Contact
Donna Crilley
Communications Assistant
215-587-3747

Science, technology and education will come together when the fourth Science and Technology Town Meeting (SciTech IV) is held at St. John Neumann High School.

Contact
John Miller
Broadcast and Media Specialist
215-587-3747

The presentation of the 1998 Josephine C. Connelly Achievement Awards honoring 151 eight-grade students will take place April 22, 1999. There will be two ceremonies:

Awards for Districts II, III and IV
4:00 p.m.
West Catholic High School
4501 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia

Awards for Districts V, VI and VII
7:00 p.m.
Archbishop Ryan High School
11201 Academy Road
Philadelphia


Receptions will be held in the school halls immediately following the presentation ceremonies.

The awards are presented to eighth-grade students who have a strong desire to attend an Archdiocesan high school or Mercy Vocational High School, and who strive to achieve their fullest academic potential. Every parochial elementary school in Philadelphia County is invited to participate. The number of participants is determined by enrollment and preference is given to students who demonstrate financial need. Each recipient receives a yearly $1,000 tuition credit for each of the four years the student attends an Archdiocesan or Mercy Vocational High School.

A complete list of the 1999 Josephine C. Connelly Award Winners follows:
District II
Kelly Ann Gallagher, St. Barnabas
Anthony Raco, St. Barnabas
Jessica Washington, St. Carthage
Kristen DiStefano, Ss. Clement-Irenaeus
Maggie Thornton, Ss. Clement-Irenaeus
Laquita DuBose, St. Donato
Emma Osuagwu, St. Francis de Sales
Jasmine Simmons, St. Francis de Sales
Quynh Vu, Good Shepherd
Curtis Bryant, Jr., St. Ignatius of Loyola
Alfred Louis Lanze, Our Lady of Loreto
Rebecca Roberson, Our Lady of Lourdes
Natricia Salmond, Our Lady of the Rosary
Jason Bell, Our Mother of Sorrows
Alana Alexander, Our Mother of Sorrows
Corey R. Hawthorme, St. Rose of Lima
Priscilla L. Brissault, Transfiguration of Our Lord
Jessica V. Hall, Transfiguration of Our Lord
Lisa Gizzi, St. Anne
Megan Wood, St. Anne
Yajaira Perez, St. Boniface
Evelisa Navarro, St. Francis Xavier
Jillian M. Bryan, Holy Name of Jesus
Debra Leigh Moy, Holy Redeemer

District III
Nicole Borman, St. Laurentius
Gayla Pinkney, St. Malachy
Earl Hylton, St. Martin de Porres (Lehigh)
Cheryia Roseboro, St, Martin de Porres (Lehigh)
Edward Penna, St. Mary Interparochial
Danielle Cancel, St. Michael
Michelle Rodriguez, St. Peter the Apostle
Nguyet Le, Visitation BVM

District IV
Jenni Beavers, St. Aloysius
Katherine Paoletti, Annunciation BVM
Zografia Tsounias, St. Casimir
Rasheda Madison, St. Charles Borromeo
Megan Smakulski, St. Edmond
Joseph Bronico, Epiphany of Our Lord
Michael Tait, St. Gabriel
Christina LaRussa, Holy Spirit
Kristen Namako, King of Peace
Robert Boileau, St. Monica
Alana Funaro, St. Monica
Joseph Marincola, St. Monica
Krystal Addeo, St. Nicholas of Tolentine
Steven Robinson, St. Nicholas of Tolentine
Caitlin Bilbow, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
Mark Myers, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
James Porreca, St. Paul
James Giammarco, St. Richard
Christina Roberts, Sacred Heart of Jesus
Jennifer Shreckengost, Stella Maris
Dominique Cook, St. Athanasius-Immaculate Conception
Christopher Bantum, St. Benedict
Christina Spino, St. Bridget
Amy Magarity, Holy Cross
Tara Shepherdson-Maisey, Holy Family
Christine Marie LePera, Immaculate Heart of Mary
Jennifer Ann Murray, Immaculate Heart of Mary
Kelly Murphy, St. John the Baptist (Manayunk)
Amy Woltman, St. John the Baptist (Manayunk)
David Lenox, St. Josaphat (Manayunk)
Jeanine Sears, St. Lucy
Tiffany Swedenburg, St. Martin de Porres (Logan)
Jeannette Rauscher, St. Mary of the Assumption
Paul Lomax, Our Lady of Hope
Lauryn Marie Bozzacco, Our Mother of Consolation

District V
Nakia Robinson, St. Raymond
Jerrell C. Atkins, St. Therese of the Child Jesus
Karol Kalinowski, St. Adalbert
Christina Lewandowski, St. Adalbert
Mark Shimp, All Saints
Doan Pham, St. Ambrose
Kevin M Waclawski, Ascension of Our Lord
John Selser, St. George
Esther Mensah, St. Helena
Joseph McCall, Holy Innocents

District VI
James Walsh, Holy Innocents
Stacy Diaz, St. Hugh
Phi Hoang, Incarnation of Our Lord
Saten Lam, Incarnation of Our Lord
Tiffany A. Haskins, St. Joachim
Brian Izzi, St. Joan of Arc
Christopher Perrault, St. John Cantius
Michael V. Filipone, Mater Dolorosa
Maria Welte, Mother of Divine Grace
David Bradley, Nativity BVM
Nicole DiGiorgio, Nativity BVM
Danielle Smith, Our Lady Help of Christians
Sergio Lee Colon, St. Veronica

District VII
Gregory Anderson, St. Anselm
Lynn Marie Hoang, St. Anselm
Christina Jagielski, St. Anselm
Edward P. Webster, St. Anselm
Tarah Gillespie, St. Bartholomew
Peter Michael McPhillips, St. Bartholomew
James Munizza, St. Bernard
Maryann Niblick, St. Bernard
Jaclyn Segrest, St. Bernard
Lisa-Marie Bradley, St. Cecilia
Alison Brill, St. Cecilia
Stephen DiCicco, St. Cecilia
Chad Borisuk, Christ the King
Thomas Gerlach, Christ the King
Lauren Fischer, St. Christopher
Jacklyn Henry, St. Christopher
Lauren Rooney, St. Christopher
Brian M. McCann, St. Dominic
Robert F. Wade, St. Dominic
Timothy Hollawell, St. Jerome
Jennifer Kennedy, St. Jerome
Patrick McCloskey, St. Jerome
Mary Jo Fiedler, St. Katherine of Siena
John J. Poruthur, St. Katherine of Siena
Eric M. Thompson, St. Katherine of Siena
Louis Ditri, St. Leo
John Horvay, St. Leo
Christine Ragsdale, St. Martha
Ashley Snock, St. Martha
Bridget C. Boyle, St. Martin of Tours
Katy L. McClay, St. Martin of Tours
Edward J. Quinn, St. Martin of Tours
Kathleen M. Stancavage, St. Martin of Tours
Joseph Casee, Maternity BVM
William Mahoney, Maternity BVM
Amanda Tracey, Maternity BVM
Joseph Ariosto, St. Matthew
Katherine Cooper, St. Matthew
Elizabeth Crowe, St. Matthew
Alyssa Johnson, St. Matthew
Lindsay Barbara Amoroso, Our Lady of Calvary
Francis Joseph Hosack, Our Lady of Calvary
Kierstin Noel Keller, Our Lady of Calvary
Eric Michelle McKenzie, Our Lady of Calvary
Michele Gabriele, Our Lady of Consolation
Lauren N. Beuttenmuller, Our Lady of Ransom
Jenna Greagori, Our Lady of Ransom
Joseph Babiasz, Resurrection of Our Lord
Anne Marie Mikolajewski, Resurrection of Our Lord
Daniel Petrosky, Resurrection of Our Lord
Joseph Ashenbrenner, St. Timothy
Kristen Mahon, St. Timothy
Collette Thinnes, St. Timothy
Danielle Wolford, St. Timothy
Curtis Munoz, St. William
Abigail Richardson, St. William
Megan Suermann, St. William

Contact
John Miller
Broadcast and Media Specialist
215-587-3747

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia Family Living Program is looking for the whereabouts of a 33-year-old developmentally disabled client. Philadelphia Police are assisting in the search.

The Family Living program is similar to foster care, where a client lives at home with a family. This client has lived with the same family for 13 years and has been employed for 10 years as a seamstress for B.F. Freeman and Son on Island Avenue in Southwest Philadelphia.

She is identified as 33-year-old Kathy Hayes of 5812 Baltimore Avenue in Southwest Philadelphia. Ms. Hayes was last seen Thursday afternoon leaving her job about 3:45 p.m. getting on and then off the #37 bus at 63rd and Lindbergh Boulevard. She is characterized as highly independent and highly functional, but habitual. Her family and administrators of the Family Living Program consider her disappearance highly unusual.

Physical Description: black female, 5' 7", 190-lbs, medium-to-heavy build, short black hair, brown eyes, glasses. Last seen wearing black pants, black shoes, black and white top, a spring jacket sky blue in color (with pink and white on shoulder). Ms. Hayes also wore a necklace with a cross and two pairs of hoop earrings. She was carrying a black purse.

Anyone with information is asked to call Philadelphia Police, Southwest Detectives at
215-686-3183.

###

Contact
Cathy Rossi
Communications Director
587-3747

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will celebrate Mass for the 100th anniversary of St. Gabriel's Hall in Audubon, PA.

Contact
John Miller
Broadcast and Media Specialist
215-587-3747

In a letter dated April 6, 1999, sent to Rev. Msgr. John C. Marine, Regional Vicar for Montgomery County, Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, accepted the Cluster Pastoral Plan for Cluster 73, and commended the pastors and all who served on the Cluster Pastoral Planning Committee.

The eight parishes of Cluster 73 are:

Immaculate Conception Parish
Our Lady Help of Christians Parish
Queen of Peace Parish
Saint Albert the Great Parish
Saint David Parish
Saint Hilary of Poitiers Parish
Saint John of the Cross Parish
Saint Luke the Evangelist Parish

Cluster 73's plan centers on these objectives:

1) Promote evangelization throughout the Cluster. This will be accomplished by the establishment of an evangelization team in every parish. Training will be provided by the Archdiocese on a cluster level.

2) Promote Stewardship throughout the Cluster.
A committee will review school costs, population, etc., to see if future restructuring would be necessary for any of the cluster parish schools.

3) Increase knowledge and appreciation of our Faith through Education and Christian formation. This will be accomplished by the establishment of an education committee to share information in areas such as adult education, youth ministry, religious vocations and Respect Life, etc.

4) Improve the celebration of Sunday Worship. This will be accomplished by a Liturgical Committee in the Cluster. This Committee will coordinate training programs and workshops for liturgical ministers in conjunction with the Office of Worship in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

5) Effectively use the 13 priests in the Cluster. Currently there are 15 priests in Cluster 73. The number of priests will need to be reduced in the parishes of Immaculate Conception and Our Lady Help of Christians. Each of these parishes will have one less priest but this will not happen before June 2000. The Regional Vicar will convene the priests of the cluster to properly distribute pastoral care of Abington Memorial Hospital.


####

Editor's Note: . Media inquiries should be directed to Rev. Msgr. John C. Marine at
610-896-0567.

Contact
Cathy Rossi
Director, Office For Communications
215-587-3747

In a letter dated March 15, 1999, sent to Rev. Msgr. John T. Conway, Regional Vicar for Philadelphia South, Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, accepted the Cluster Pastoral Plan for Cluster 23, and commended the pastors and all who served on the Cluster Pastoral Planning Committee.

The seven parishes of Cluster 23 are:

St. Aloysius
St. Anthony of Padua
St. Charles Borromeo
St. Edmond
St. Gabriel
King of Peace
St. Thomas Aquinas

Cluster 23's plan centers on these objectives:

1) Maintain a viable Catholic School presence in the Cluster. This will be accomplished with the consolidation of the three parish schools of St. Aloysius, St. Gabriel and King of Peace in June 1999. The site of the new school will be at the present school building of St. Gabriel Parish. The name of the newly created school is Our Lady of Angels. St. Edmond School will close in June 1999. (announced January 1999)

2) Serve the people of Cluster 23 with projection of two less priests. This will be accomplished with the "twinning" of St. Aloysius and King of Peace Parishes as of July 1, 2000. Twinning means one pastor will oversee both parishes. St. Aloysius and King of Peace Parishes will subsequently close in 2002 unless a review would indicate otherwise. Also, St. Anthony of Padua Parish will close and its boundaries will be divided between St. Charles Borromeo and St. Patrick Parishes, effective July 1, 1999.

3) Foster greater stewardship of time, talent and treasure among the Cluster parishes. This will be accomplished with a commitment to a cluster-wide stewardship program.

4) Make better use of laity; form and develop good lay leadership within all ministries. This will be accomplished with cluster-wide workshops to inspire greater involvement of the laity in the life of the church.

5) Foster unity and evangelize cultures present. This will be accomplished by welcoming and serving inactive Catholics and the unchurched via a formal evangelization program.


####

Editor's Note: Media inquiries should be directed to Rev. Msgr. John T. Conway at 215-476-7484.

Contact
Cathy Rossi
Director
215-587-3747

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will be the celebrant and homilist at a special liturgy honoring high school seniors for their outstanding academic excellence on

Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

In his private chapel this morning, Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, quietly prayed for victims and their families in the Colorado school shooting which occurred yesterday.

Cardinal Bevilacqua said "I am deeply shocked and dismayed by the terrible tragedy yesterday at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. On behalf of all the faithful of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, I extend heartfelt sympathy to the entire community and in particular to the parents and families of the students and teachers that fell victim to this brutal attack."

"I am deeply concerned for the young people who witnessed these awful events. They need to be offered comfort, hope, and spiritual reassurance. I am confident that the young men and women will experience such solace in the outreach of the community and through the support of the citizens of our nation," said Cardinal Bevilacqua.

"I invite all the faithful in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and all people of good will to join me in prayer, seeking God's strength and blessings to ease the pain inflicted by this senseless violence," said Cardinal Bevilacqua.

###

Contact
Cathy Rossi
Communications Director
215-587-3747

To help bring an awareness to the children of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School on the war in Kosovo, a prayer service will be held on

Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

Catholic Charities USA, in cooperation with Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, will hold a One-Day Institute on Open Adoption with Special Needs Children. The Institute will focus on building bonds between the adoptive and birth families.

Contact
John Miller
Broadcast and Media Specialist
215-587-3747

In a letter dated April 6, 1999, sent to Reverend Thomas J. Smith, Regional Vicar for Delaware County, Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, accepted the Cluster Pastoral Plan for Cluster 62, and commended the pastors and all who served on the Cluster Pastoral Planning Committee.

The seven parishes of Cluster 62 are:

Saint Andrew Parish
Saint Bernadette Parish
Saint Charles Borromeo Parish
Saint Dorothy Parish
Holy Cross Parish
Saint Kevin Parish
Saint Francis of Assisi Parish

Cluster 62's plan centers on these objectives:

1) Evangelize inactive, marginal and disenchanted Catholics. This will be accomplished through parish "Landings" committees. "Landings" committees are meant to assist people with their return to the Church. This will also be accomplished with bible study groups and seminars on Catholic faith and morals.

2) Develop a ministry to youth, young adults and young married. This will be accomplished by establishing an ad hoc committee that will assist parishes with liturgy and social outreach committees as well as marriage, family life and spiritual growth programs.

3) Develop adult education and training programs that include lay ministry and family ministry. This will be accomplished by identifying existing programs for lay ministers and providing workshops where training does not currently exist. Adult education opportunities will be identified, developed and publicized.

4) Strengthen commitment to Catholic education. This will be accomplished by the creation of a Cluster marketing committee to promote parish schools. Opportunities will be identified for improvement of Parish Religious Education Programs (PREP) and a plan will be devised to provide religious education for children with special needs.

5) Promote vocations to the priesthood and the religious life; develop a deeper understanding of vocations within the Christian community. This will be accomplished with each parish utilizing the resources of Diocesan and religious vocations offices to promote a positive attitude of acceptance and commitment regarding religious vocations. Each parish will also include a prayer for vocations at Sunday liturgies.

6) Develop a social outreach in the Cluster to welcome and assimilate new populations into the community and to assist special needs groups. This will be accomplished with the establishment of a Social Justice and Human Relations Committee. This committee will identify various populations in the Cluster and will identify special needs of these populations.

7) Design a method of Cluster coordination that would: a) assist parishes in sharing resources, space and facilities; and b) develop a means for ongoing Cluster communication. This will be accomplished by the establishment of a Cluster Coordinating Committee. This committee will gather information about various programs and coordinate activities among parishes.


####

Editor's Note: Media inquiries should be directed to Rev. Thomas J. Smith at 610-543-6759.

Contact
Donna Crilley
Communications Assistant
215-587-3747

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will celebrate the Mass for Persons with Disabilities Sunday, May 2, 1999.

Contact
John Miller
Broadcast and Media Specialist
215-587-3747

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will be on hand to kick-off the 1999 Catholic Charities Appeal on

Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and other area refugee resettlement agencies are helping Kosovar Albanian refugees resettle in the United States. Philadelphia area residents with relatives who have fled to Macedonia are eligible to take part in this emergency program. People interested in bringing family members to the United States from Macedonia are asked to call InterAction at 1-800-727-4420. InterAction is a coalition of more than 160 United States-based private relief, development and refugee assistance agencies. InterAction was contracted by the State Department.

For this emergency resettlement program, the definition of "family member" has been expanded to include immediate family members as well as grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and first cousins.

There are several hundred Albanian American families estimated to be living in the Philadelphia area. The Clinton Administration recently announced plans to allow 20,000 Kosovar refugees to enter this country.

Assisting these families locally is a joint effort of all the southeastern Pennsylvania refugee resettlement agencies. These include Catholic Social Services, PRIME-ECR, Nationalities Service Center, Lutheran Children and Family Services, and Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society.


###

Editor's Note: Reporters interested in interviewing a family that has already begun the process of bringing family members to the United States should contact the Office for Communications at 215-587-3747.

Contact
John Miller
Broadcast and Media Specialist
215-587-3747

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will preside at a prayer service for peace in Kosovo on Friday, April 30, 1999.

Contact
Cathy Rossi
Director
215-587-3747

On April 23, 1999, Natasha Goffredo, a senior at St. Maria Goretti High School in South Philadelphia, was named "Pennsylvania Youth of the Year" by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Natasha is an "A" student, ranking twelfth in her class of one hundred eighty-eight girls, and holds a 4.0 GPA at Community College of Philadelphia after one semester of joint enrollment. Goffredo plans to attend Temple University and pursue a career in theatre.

The Youth of the Year program, in its 52nd year, recognizes young people who overcome obstacles or personal challenges and make outstanding contributions to a member's family, school, community or Boys & Girls Clubs. As state winner, Goffredo will receive a $25,000 scholarship from "Oprah's Angel Network," a nationwide fund drive initiated by televison personality Oprah Winfrey.

Goffredo is a member of the Crime Prevention Association of Philadelphia Winnet South Philadelphia Community Center, the National Honor Society, the Archdiocesan Community Service Corps, the school orchestra and chorus, varsity softball and soccer teams, and serves as editor of the school newspaper, and anchor for WSMG, the school television station.

An active member of her Boys & Girls Club, Goffredo is President of the Keystone Club, a teen leadership group. She also devised a program called Attitude, a self-esteem program for community children. Goffredo performs in non-profit musicals working closely children seeking guidance and knowledge of theatre. She is a two-time recipient of the Union League Good Citizenship Award and a past winner of the Hugh O'Brian Youth Foundation Leadership Award.

Goffredo also finds time to help at home. The oldest of six children, she serves as the voice and ears for a hearing-impaired sister and plays sports with another. She also helps one brother with homework and often cares for her three-year-old twin brothers.

Goffredo will go on to compete for the title of Northeast Youth of the Year, which involves the winners from 11 states. If named regional winner, she would advance to the national competition, where the winner will be installed by President Clinton at the White House in September.

# # # #

Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will ordain ten men to the priesthood on

Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

The Rev. Mr. William G. Ayres, son of William G. Sr. and Margaret Ayres, will be ordained to the priesthood by Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua on

Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

The Rev. Mr. Philip G. Bochanski, son of George V. and Kathleen Bochanski, will be ordained to the priesthood by Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua on

Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

The Rev. Mr. John R. DiOrio, son of Theresa Borzillo and Thomas DiOrio (deceased), will be ordained to the priesthood by Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua on

Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

The Rev. Mr. Matthew W. Guckin, son of Eileen Ward and Vincent Guckin (deceased), will be ordained to the priesthood by Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua on

Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

The Rev. Mr. Brian P. Hennessy, son of Lawrence and Patricia Hennessy, will be ordained to the priesthood by Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua on

Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

The Rev. Mr. Joseph C. McCaffrey, son of Margaret McCaffrey and Thomas C. McCaffrey (deceased), will be ordained to the priesthood by Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua on

Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

The Rev. Mr. Patrick S. McManus, son of Lawrence and Mary McManus, will be ordained to the priesthood by Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua on

Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

The Rev. Mr. John C. Nguyen, son of Thuoc Viet and Bich Thi Le Nguyen, will be ordained to the priesthood by Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua on

Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

The Rev. Mr. Jeffrey M. Stecz, son of Joseph J. and Eleanor Stecz, will be ordained to the priesthood by Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua on

Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

The Rev. Mr. Christopher M. Walsh, son of John J. and Joan Walsh, will be ordained to the priesthood by Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua on

Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

It's Spring and that means it's time for the T.O.D.A.Y. Spring Semi-Formal. Young adults with disabilities as well as diocesan high school teens will gather together for fun and dancing on

Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, has announced the appointment of a new Regional Vicar for Bucks County. Reverend James D. Beisel, currently President of Archbishop Wood High School in Warminster, has been named Regional Vicar for Bucks County. Father Beisel, 45 years of age, succeeds Reverend Monsignor John V. Bartos, 72 years of age, who has served as Regional Vicar since 1989.

A Regional Vicar serves as a personal representative of Cardinal Bevilacqua for a particular vicariate, or area, and helps Cardinal Bevilacqua in his pastoral care of the parishes in that area. There are six Regional Vicars in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia: for Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties as well as Philadelphia-North and Philadelphia-South.

Cardinal Bevilacqua expressed his deep appreciation to Monsignor Bartos for his dedicated service in the capacity of Regional Vicar. Cardinal Bevilacqua said, "I am grateful to Monsignor Bartos for his assistance in implementing the Renewal endeavors of the Archdiocese. Monsignor Bartos has demonstrated true concern for his brother priests and genuine pastoral care for all the faithful during his tenure as Regional Vicar and throughout his entire priesthood." Monsignor Bartos will become a Senior Priest who will carry pastoral but not administrative responsibilities. Monsignor Bartos will receive his new assignment in June.

Father Beisel, who was ordained a priest in 1980, has served as a parochial vicar, a secondary school teacher, Assistant Director of the Office for Clergy, Administrator of Regina Coeli Residence for Priests in Warminster and President of Archbishop Wood High School. Cardinal Bevilacqua said "Father Beisel's priestly qualities and pastoral experiences have prepared him to assume the responsibilities of a Regional Vicar. Father Beisel will further the mission being carried out by Monsignor Bartos in coordinating in Bucks County the Renewal programs of the Archdiocese, in particular, the implementation of the cluster and parish self study plans. As my personal representative in Bucks County, I am confident that the priests and all the faithful will recognize Father Beisel as a dedicated priest who will serve with enthusiasm, compassion and fidelity."

Monsignor Bartos said, "I am grateful to the Cardinal for his confidence and trust in allowing me to be his representative in Bucks County. When I look back to the beginning of the vicar and the vicariate system, it is refreshing to see how much progress we have made under the theme of renewal in preparation for the new millennium. I have enjoyed working with the priests and the laity of the 34 parishes in this beautiful county of Bucks. I wish Father Beisel the best of everything. My prayers are with him."

Father Beisel said, "It is with a sense of sadness that I leave the Archbishop Wood community which I have been a part of for the last eight years. But I am enthusiastic about the new opportunity with which I have been blessed. I am humbled and honored that Cardinal Bevilacqua has asked me to take on the role of Regional Vicar of Bucks County. I look forward with the grace of God to continue the ministry of Monsignor Bartos in helping to strengthen the Catholic Church in Bucks County and reach out to all people of God in this community."

An effective date for the transition has not been yet been established, but will probably occur in early summer.

# # #

Contact
Cathy Rossi
Communications Director
215-587-3747

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia will publish its first ever Municipal Voters Guide tomorrow, May 6, 1999, in the Archdiocesan newspaper, The Catholic Standard and Times. The Voters Guide will include responses to specific questions asked of Philadelphia mayoral candidates, At-Large City Council candidates, and District City Council candidates.

Responses were solicited from 70 candidates. Thirty-four candidates responded, including five of the seven mayoral candidates. Questions posed to the candidates cover a wide range of moral issues, including education, "same-sex" marriage, needle-exchange programs, and abortion. The process of soliciting responses, compiling and distributing the Voters Guide is consistent with what the Archdiocese has done with previous Voters Guides.

The primary election will be held May 18, 1999. The Voters Guide will be sent to the 80,000 subscribers of the Archdiocesan newspaper, The Catholic Standard and Times, as well as made available to the pastors of each of the 121 parishes in the city of Philadelphia.

Prior to the November election, the Archdiocese will publish an updated Voters Guide. At that time, the Archdiocese contact candidates who did not respond to the questionnaire and provide them with the opportunity to respond. Candidates who did respond will be given the opportunity to update their answers.

Contact
Cathy Rossi
Communications Director
215-587-3747

Business Leadership Organized for Catholic Schools (BLOCS) will hold its Annual Gala on

Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia applauds the Pennsylvania State Legislature and Governor Tom Ridge for adopting the Pennsylvania State Budget for 1999-2000, which includes $64 million for school vouchers. This is a significant step towards making school choice a reality for families throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Governor Ridge has unveiled legislation that would create a pilot school voucher program, which would assist students in each county within the Archdiocese, as well as assist students in each region of the state. The archdiocese supports vouchers because they will ensure that all children, especially the poor, have access to a quality education, acceptable to their parents, at public, private or parochial schools.

In the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, there are 214 elementary schools and 22 high schools with approximately 25,000 seats available for new students. These seats would be available to students of all faiths if their parents chose one of these schools.

# # # #

Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

In reaction to a recent statement made by Florida death row inmate Paul J. Hill, Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, said, "Under no circumstances and no matter what the reason, the Church can never condone murder. The Church regards human life inviolable from the moment of conception until natural death. All life is sacred. All violence is abhorrent and evil."

The Cardinal reacted to comments made by Mr. Hill during an interview from prison in which he said he considers himself a martyr for murdering both a doctor who performed abortions and the doctor's clinic escort. Hill told a reporter he has no remorse for his killings in 1994; he is joyful for what he did and he would not rule out the use of chemical or biological weapons by anti-abortion activists.

Mr. Hill is not representative of the tens of millions of people who uphold the sanctity of life in all its stages. "I am greatly disturbed by Mr. Hill's heinous acts and inflammatory language," said Cardinal Bevilacqua, "His actions and statements condone violence and serve to perpetuate what our Holy Father has so often referred to as a 'culture of death'. It is inherently hypocritical to take a life only to prove the point that lives should not be taken. Anyone who truly wants to protect the sanctity of life must protect life in all its stages."

"Hatred, ignorance and violence too often go hand in hand in our culture. We must all re-commit ourselves to truth, respect and integrity in overcoming evil," said Cardinal Bevilacqua.

Contact
Cathy Rossi
Communications Director
215-587-3747

An evening to recognize and salute the many volunteers to the Catholic Youth Organization's Parish Youth Ministry Program will be held on

Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

In a letter dated April 23, 1999, sent to Reverend Monsignor James T. McDonough, Regional Vicar for Chester County, Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, accepted the Cluster Pastoral Plan for Cluster 52, and commended the pastors and all who served on the Cluster Pastoral Planning Committee.

The seven parishes of Cluster 52 are:

Saint Agnes Parish
St. Cornelius Parish
St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish
St. Patrick Parish
SS. Peter & Paul Parish
SS. Philip & James Parish
SS. Simon & Jude Parish

Cluster 52's plan centers on these objectives:

1) Evangelize practicing and non-practicing Catholics. This will be accomplished by identifying evangelization programs and implementing a cluster-wide planning process.

2) Develop and improve effective youth ministry programs. This will be accomplished by exploring ways to enrich and strengthen families. This will also be accomplished by establishing youth minister positions in Cluster parishes.

3) Increase vocations and meet fundamental elementary and religious education needs of our children. This will be accomplished by suggesting ways that religious vocations can be encouraged in the home, in our school and CCD programs and in the parish.

4) Bridge the gap between economic classes through strengthening of community outreach.
This will be accomplished by making people aware of others' needs and motivating parishioners to take personal and social action. It will also be accomplished by responding to the needs of Hispanics in Chester County, including issues that relate to immigration. Specific issues will be examined, such as housing, employment and health care.

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Editor's Note:Media inquiries should be directed to Rev. Msgr. James T. McDonough at 610-995-9450.

Contact
Donna Crilley
Communications Assistant
215-587-3747

In a letter dated April 23, 1999, sent to Reverend Monsignor James T. McDonough, Regional Vicar for Chester County, Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, accepted the Cluster Pastoral Plan for Cluster 43, and commended the pastors and all who served on the Cluster Pastoral Planning Committee.

The four parishes of Cluster 43 are:

Saint Basil the Great Parish
Saint Joseph Parish
Saint Peter Parish
Saint Thomas More Parish

Cluster 43's plan centers on these objectives:

1) The Committee recommends the establishment of a new parish. A feasibility study will be conducted before any action is taken.

2) Increase involvement and training for Laity. This will be accomplished by identifying the needs of the parish and matching those needs with existing training programs for lay people so that the laity may take a more active role in their parishes.

3) Explore the development of evangelization activities. With weekend mass attendance currently between 30% and 40%, the Committee agreed a need exists to more fully involve current parishioners and to draw estranged Catholics back to the Church. This will be accomplished by promoting an inventory of programs and activities already available and by developing new programs or expanding existing programs.

4) Explore Catholic elementary education opportunities. This will be accomplished by conducting an inventory and assessing the current Catholic Elementary Education situation within the Cluster. Needs will be identified and a plan will be developed to address needs and opportunities. (Two parishes have elementary schools, St. Basil and St. Joseph. They both have waiting lists for grades K through three).

5) Promote vocations to the priesthood, permanent diaconate and religious life. This will be accomplished by creating a shared list of activities in our parishes and in the Archdiocese that promote vocations. Those activities will be communicated to the various organizations in the parishes so they can promote participation in these programs.

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Editor's Note: Media inquiries should be directed to Rev. Msgr. James T. McDonough at 610-995-9450.

Contact
Donna Crilley
Communications Assistant
215-587-3747

A Mass and Installation Ceremony for the new officers of the Community Service Corps for 1999-2000 will be held on

Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

In a letter dated April 26,1999, sent to Rev. Msgr. John T. Conway, Regional Vicar for Philadelphia South, Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, accepted the Cluster Pastoral Plan for Cluster 24, and commended the pastors and all who served on the Cluster Pastoral Planning Committee.

The nine parishes of Cluster 24 are:

Annunciation B.V.M. Parish
St. Casimir Parish
St. Mary Magdalen De Pazzi Parish
St. Nicholas of Tolentine *
St. Paul Parish
St. Philip Neri Parish
St. Rita of Cascia Parish*
Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish
St. Stanislaus Parish

*Staffed by Augustinian Friars

Cluster 24's plan centers on these objectives:

1) To offer the best worship opportunities and spiritual services in light of Archdiocesan projections for four diocesan priests in seven diocesan-staffed parishes. There are currently seven diocesan priests. St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi Parish will be consolidated with St. Paul Parish effective July 1, 2000. St. Paul will be the parish and St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi Church will become a worship site. St. Stanislaus Parish will be "twinned" with St. Adalbert Parish in 2002. "Twinning" is defined as one priest serving two parishes, each retaining their parochial and canonical identities. Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish will have one rather than two priests assigned (the timetable is not yet determined). The status of Annunciation B.V.M. Parish, St. Casmir Parish and St. Philip Neri Parish will remain unchanged.

2) To strengthen Catholic elementary schools within the Cluster. St. Paul School will close in June 1999, with arrangements for Catholic education of students made at the parish level (announced January 1999). St. Casimir School will begin a feasibility study with a decision effective in 2000.

3) To encourage and educate laity to assume leadership roles in the parish/cluster. This will be accomplished by establishing workshops to educate parishioners regarding their roles.

4) To foster greater interdependence among parishes. This will be accomplished by the creation of a "wish list" in each parish. The list will be circulated among the Cluster to see where reciprocity is possible. Youth programs will be coordinated and a Cluster calendar will be developed.

5) To develop plans to incorporate the vast diversity and ethnicity in the Cluster and parishes. This will be accomplished by promoting multi-cultural education within the Cluster.
This will also be accomplished by promoting actions such as inviting Cluster members to share ethnic services and traditions.

6) To renew and coordinate youth programs within the Cluster. This will be accomplished by studying the feasibility of hiring a coordinator of Youth Ministry within the Cluster.

7) To reach out to the 25-50 year old Catholic population. This will be accomplished by beginning a Cluster Young Adult Club, celebrating young adult Mass cluster wide, evangelizing through the Home & School Association and by developing welcoming committees.

8) To identify and evangelize the unchurched within our boundaries. This will be accomplished by holding open house and by using media. This will also be accomplished through personal invitations by Cluster volunteers.

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Editor's Note: Media inquiries should be directed to Rev. Msgr. John T. Conway at 215-476-7484.

Contact
Donna Crilley
Communications Assistant
215-587-3747

In a letter dated April 29, 1999, sent to Reverend Thomas J. Smith, Regional Vicar for Delaware County, Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, accepted the Cluster Pastoral Plan for Cluster 66, and commended the pastors and all who served on the Cluster Pastoral Planning Committee.

The six parishes of Cluster 66 are:

Holy Saviour Parish
Immaculate Conception Parish
Saint Francis De Sales Parish
Saint John Fisher Parish
Saint Joseph Parish
Saint Thomas The Apostle Parish

Cluster 66's plan centers on these objectives:

1) To reinvigorate Catholic faith in Cluster 66 and its parishes through programs aimed at children, teens and young adults. This will be accomplished by forming a Cluster Youth Council to identify the concerns and issues of this age group. This will also be accomplished by developing a program for young adults to encourage them to become more active in church affairs.

3) To develop and implement an evangelization program to reinvigorate Catholics (active and inactive) in the parishes in the Cluster. This will be accomplished by establishing a Cluster Evangelization Committee. This committee will develop a program to bring back inactive Catholics to the Church as active parishioners.

4) To encourage and educate parishioners to use their gifts for the betterment of their church in both liturgical and pastoral ministries. This will be accomplished by developing a network of volunteers who are willing to share their particular expertise in assisting our pastors in their liturgical and pastoral ministries. This will also be accomplished by compiling a database of current and prospective leaders within each parish.

4) To encourage and seek to increase the number of children in the Cluster attending parish schools. To find ways to reach and convince those Catholic children not presently parochial school students and their parents of the value of Catholic schools. This will be accomplished by establishing a marketing group and by establishing a scholarship annuity fund for tuition aid.

5) To provide continuing education opportunities for the adults of Cluster 66. This will be accomplished by forming an Adult Education Team to compile and publish a list of programs offered by each parish in the Cluster. There will also be a "Cluster Corner" column published in the parish bulletins. This column will include Mass schedules of each of the cluster parishes.

6) To provide a Christian service program for Cluster 66. This will be accomplished by the formation of a Cluster Service Team. The Team will implement service projects addressing areas of economic justice, homelessness and poverty.

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Editor's Note: Media inquiries should be directed to Rev. Thomas J. Smith at 610-543-6759.

Contact
Donna Crilley
Communications Assistant
215-587-3747

In an effort to remind students, families and the community that St. Hubert High School for Girls is a champion and advocate of peace, the school will be dedicated to "Our Lady Queen of Peace" at a Prayer Service on

Contact
John Miller
Broadcast and Media Specialist
215-587-3747

"The Class of 1999" is preparing for commencement. This year, the twenty-two Archdiocesan high schools are proud to be graduating 5,300 young men and women.

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will preside at the graduating ceremonies of:

Kennedy-Kenrick High School
Wednesday, June 9, 1999
10:00 a.m.
Gwynedd Mercy College
Sumneytown Pike
Gwynedd, PA

Northeast Catholic High School for Boys
Thursday, June 10, 1999
4:00 p.m.
Holy Family College
Grank and Frankford Avenues
Philadelphia, PA

Below is a list of the Baccalaureate Masses and Graduation Ceremonies for all of our twenty-two high schools, both city andsuburban.

Friday, June 4, 1999

Archbishop Wood High School Baccalaureate Mass - 7:30 p.m.
Location: Archbishop Wood High School Auditorium, 675 York Road, Warminster, Pa.

Monday, June 7, 1999

Archbishop Ryan High School Graduation and Baccalaureate Mass - 10:30 a.m.
Location: Villanova Pavilion, Villanova, Pa.
Presiding: Mr. Richard V. McCarron, Superintendent of Schools

John W. Hallahan High School for Girls Baccalaureate Mass - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, 18th and Parkway, Philadelphia

Archbishop Wood High School Graduation - 4:30 p.m.
Location: Villanova Pavilion, Villanova, Pa.
Presiding: Reverend Monsignor John Bartos, Vicar for Bucks County

Tuesday, June 8, 1999

St. Maria Goretti High School for Girls Baccalaureate Mass - 1:30 p.m.
Location: Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, 18th and Parkway, Philadelphia

John W. Hallahan High School for Girls Graduation - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Villanova Pavilion, Villanova, Pa.
Presiding: Sr. R. Patricia Fadden, IHM, Director of Secondary Curriculum

Cardinal O'Hara High School Baccalaureate Mass - 7:00 p.m.
Location: Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, 18th and Parkway, Philadelphia

Conwell-Egan Catholic High School Baccalaureate Mass - 7:00 p.m.
Location: St. Michael Church, 66 Levittown Parkway, Levittown, Pa.

Kennedy-Kenrick Catholic High School Baccalaureate Mass - 7:00 p.m.
Location: Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 819 Cathedral Road, Philadelphia

Wednesday, June 9, 1999

Kennedy-Kenrick High School Graduation - 10:00 a.m.
Location: Gwynedd Mercy College, Sumneytown Pike, Gwynedd, Pa.
Presiding: Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia

St. Maria Goretti High School for Girls Graduation - 11:00 a.m.
Location: Villanova Pavilion, Villanova, Pa.
Presiding: Reverend Monsignor John Conway, Vicar for Philadelphia-South

Conwell-Egan Catholic High School Graduation - 11:30 a.m.
Location: Princeton University, Jadwin Gymnasium, Princeton, NJ
Presiding: Reverend Monsignor John Bartos, Vicar for Bucks County

Cardinal O'Hara High School Graduation - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Villanova Pavilion, Villanova, Pa.
Presiding: Reverend Thomas J. Smith, Vicar for Delaware County

Archbishop Prendergast High School for Girls Baccalaureate Mass - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Prendergast Auditorium, 401 N. Lansdowne Ave., Drexel Hill, Pa.

Father Judge High School for Boys Baccalaureate Mass - 6:00 p.m.
Location: Resurrection of Our Lord Church, Castor Ave. and Vista St., Philadelphia

Bishop McDevitt High School Baccalaureate Mass - 7:00 p.m.
Location: Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, 18th and Parkway, Philadelphia

Northeast Catholic High School for Boys Baccalaureate Mass - 7:00 p.m.
Location: Our Lady of Ransom Church, Roosevelt Blvd. And Unruh St., Philadelphia

Bishop Shanahan High School Baccalaureate Mass - 7:00 p.m.
Location: Villa Maria House of Studies, Immaculata College, Immaculata, Pa.


Thursday, June 10, 1999

St. Hubert High School for Girls Baccalaureate Mass - 9:00 a.m.
Location: Our Lady of Ransom Church, Roosevelt Blvd. And Unruh St., Philadelphia

Archbishop Prendergast High School for Girls Graduation - 10:00 a.m.
Location: Villanova Pavilion, Villanova, Pa.
Presiding: Dr. Thomas O'Brien, Director of Secondary School Services

Archbishop John Carroll High School Graduation and Baccalaureate Mass - 11:00 a.m.
Location: Cabrini College, 610 King of Prussia Rd., Radnor, Pa.
Presiding: Reverend Thomas J. Smith, Vicar for Delaware County

St. Hubert High School for Girls Graduation - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Villanova Pavilion, Villanova, Pa.
Presiding: Bishop Joseph F. Martino, Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia

Northeast Catholic High School for Boys - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Holy Family College, Grant and Frankford Avenues, Philadelphia
Presiding: Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia

Little Flower High School for Girls Baccalaureate Mass - 7:00 p.m.
Location: Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, 18th and Parkway, Philadelphia

St. Pius X High School Baccalaureate Mass - 7:00 p.m.
Location: St. Eleanor Church, 647 Locust Street, Collegeville, Pa.

Cardinal Dougherty High School Baccalaureate Mass - 7:30 p.m.
Location: Cardinal Dougherty High School, Second St. and Godfrey Avenue, Philadelphia


Friday, June 11, 1999

Cardinal Dougherty High School Graduation - 9:30 a.m.
Location: Cardinal Dougherty High School Auditorium, Second St. and Godfrey Avenue, Philadelphia
Presiding: Reverend Monsignor Philip J. Cribben, Secretary for Catholic Education

Monsignor Bonner High School for Boys Graduation and Baccalaureate Mass - 10:00 a.m.
Location: Villanova Pavilion, Villanova, Pa.
Presiding: Mr. Richard V. McCarron Jr., Superintendent of Schools

Bishop Shanahan High School Graduation - 11:00 a.m.
Location: Shanahan High School Auditorium, 220 Woodbine Road, Downingtown, Pa.
Presiding: Reverend Monsignor James McDonough, Vicar for Chester County

Saint John Neumann High School for Boys Baccalaureate Mass - 11:00 a.m.
Location: St. Gabriel Church, 29th and Dickinson Streets, Philadelphia

Father Judge High School for Boys Graduation - 12:00 p.m. Noon
Location: Temple-Apollo, 1776 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia
Presiding: Reverend Monsignor Francis Beach, Vicar for Philadelphia-North

Bishop McDevitt High School Graduation - 1:00 p.m.
Location: Keswick Theatre, Glenside, Pa.
Presiding: Reverend Monsignor John C. Marine,Vicar for Montgomery County

Roman Catholic High School for Boys Graduation and Baccalaureate Mass - 6:30 p.m.
Location: Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, 18th and Parkway, Philadelphia
Presiding: Bishop Joseph F. Martin, Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia

Lansdale Catholic High School Baccalaureate Mass - 7:00 p.m.
Location: St. Stanislaus Church, Main Street and Lansdale Avenue, Lansdale, Pa.

Little Flower High School for Girls Graduation - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Holy Family College, Grant and Frankford Avenues, Phildelphia
Presiding: Reverend Monsignor Francis Beach, Vicar for Phildelphia-North


Saturday, June 12, 1999

St. John Neumann High School for Boys Graduation - 9:00 a.m.
Location: Villanova Pavilion, Villanova, Pa.
Presiding: Reverend Monsignor Phillip Cribben, Secretary for Catholic Education

Lansdale Catholic High School Graduation - 10:00 a.m.
Location: Our Lady of Czestochowa Shrine, Ferry Road, Doylestown, Pa.
Presiding: Reverend Monsignor John C. Marine, Vicar for Montgomery County

St.Pius X High School Graduation - 10:00 a.m.
Location: Alvernia College, 400 St. Bernardine Street, Reading, Pa.
Presiding: Dr. Thomas O'Brien, Directory of Secondary School Services

West Catholic High School Graduation and Baccalaureate Mass - 10:30 a.m.
Location: Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, 18th and Parkway, Philadelphia
Presiding: Reverend Monsignor John Conway, Vicar for Philadelphia-South

Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

St. Anthony of Padua Parish will celebrate its history and the faith of those who worshiped at the South Philadelphia parish during the past 112 years with a special Mass. Hundreds of present and former parishioners are expected to attend.

Contact
Donna Crilley
Communications Assistant
215-587-3747

Join a group of single men and women, ages 18 through 40, for a weekend of group discussions, lectures, consultations and prayer to find out what it's like to be a priest, sister or brother. "Life Awareness Weekend" will be held on

Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

Sister Mary Theresa Nguyen, A.C.J., a member of the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, is a winner of the 1999 Paul VI Award for Leadership in Catholic Evangelization. Sister Mary Theresa will receive the award June 17, 1999 at the National Council for Catholic Evangelization's 16th Annual National Conference in New Orleans.

The Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a religious order of sisters dedicated to "sharing Christ's concerns for our world." Their worldwide ministry includes many pastoral, social and spiritual ministries.

Sister Mary Theresa has devoted her life to bringing Catholicism to the Cambodian community of Philadelphia. Of the thousands of Cambodians in Philadelphia, fewer than 20 are Catholic; those who are Catholic have been baptized through the efforts of Sister Mary Theresa.
She offers tutoring, recreation and religious instruction for the youth of the community, and everything from rides to the doctor to instruction on social parenting skills for the adults.

Sister Mary Theresa was nominated for the Paul VI Award for Leadership in Catholic Evangelization by Father Thomas Betz, Director of the Office for Pastoral Care for Migrants and Refugees in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

###

Contact
John Miller
Broadcast and Media Specialist
215-587-3747

With a vote on school choice legislation expected to take place sometime during either June 7-9 or 14-16, more than 1,000 students from Archdiocesan elementary and high schools will participate in a School Choice Rally sponsored by the Reach Alliance on

Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will preside at a Jubilee Mass celebrating the 50th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood Sunday, June 13, 1999. The celebration begins with a

Contact
Cathy Rossi
Director
215-587-3747

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, hopes that an international accord will restore peace to the Balkans. "I am heartened by the hope for an end to the conflict, and pray that this peace plan will bring to an end to the untold suffering, death and destruction in the Balkans," said Cardinal Bevilacqua.

"While I offer prayers of thanks that the prospects for peace have strengthened, we must acknowledge that there is still much work to be done. Violent hostilities must end not only on land, but in hearts and minds. Lasting peace is achieved over the course of time by individuals who are committed to finding common ground and agreeing to live in harmony with their differences," said Cardinal Bevilacqua.

On March 29th, 1999 Cardinal Bevilacqua and the seven other United States Cardinals sent letters to President Clinton and Yugoslavian President Slobodan Milosevic urging an immediate end to the fighting and calling for the convocation of a peace conference. On April 9th, Cardinal Bevilacqua sent a letter to all Pastors in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia asking each to hold a special evening prayer service for peace in Kosovo and consider taking up a special collection for the cause. On April 30th, the Cardinal presided at a prayer service for peace with students at St. Ephrem Church in Bensalem, PA. Since the conflict began, parishioners of the Archdiocese have donated hundreds of thousands of dollars for Kosovo victims, although a final figure is not yet available. Catholic Social Services and Catholic Relief Services are now working to assist the refugees brought to the United States.

"I want to thank the faithful of the Archdiocese and all those who have contributed in some way to the relief efforts for the people of Kosovo," said Cardinal Bevilacqua. "By helping our brothers and sisters of the Balkans, we are truly living out the Gospel of God. We must not forget the lives claimed nor the lives tragically affected by this conflict. I offer my continued prayers for the resolution of remaining issues in the Balkans and for the refugees who must try to put their lives back together. May they find their peace in God whose mercy and compassion embrace all people."

Contact
Cathy Rossi
Communications Director
215-587-3747

Rev. Msgr. Timothy Senior, Secretary for Catholic Human Services for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, will dedicate the new Southern Chester County Catholic Social Services Family Service Center Wednesday, June 16, 1999.

Contact
John Miller
Broadcast and Media Specialist
215-587-3747

Four students from Archdiocesan High Schools will be among 42 area high school students receiving awards for their poetry, prose, art, sculpture, music and dance at a ceremony for the 1998-99 Mordechai Anielewicz Creative Arts Contest on the Holocaust on

Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, expressed his disappointment over the Pennsylvania state legislature's failure to act on pending school choice legislation. The legislative session ended Wednesday without a vote. "Parents deserve the fundamental right to choose freely their children's education, and it is very troubling that our lawmakers have failed to provide them with that right," said Cardinal Bevilacqua.

Under the proposals that were being considered in Harrisburg, students from academically distressed public school districts would have been eligible for an enhanced voucher that would equal the funding for the student's local public school district up to the full cost of their education at the school of their choice. Another proposal would have provided a voucher worth up to $1,400 to parents of elementary school students. Parents then would have been allowed to apply the voucher to the public, private, religious or charter school of their choice.

"This inaction by our state lawmakers will adversely affect the lives of hundreds of thousands of children," said Cardinal Bevilacqua. "Many people firmly believe school choice is a matter of justice. By not voting on the proposals before it, the legislature has failed to deliver justice to the people of the Commonwealth."

"Everyone benefits from school choice," said Cardinal Bevilacqua. "Under school choice, public, private, and religious schools would improve and all Pennsylvanians, be they students, parents, or taxpayers, would benefit. Despite this setback, we will continue to advocate school choice legislation, and we remain confident justice ultimately will prevail."

####

Contact
Cathy Rossi
Director
215-587-3747

The Archdiocesan Boy Choir will be in Italy for a nine day pilgrimage in preparation for the New Millennium. The Pilgrimage will include a special performance at the Vatican for His Holiness, Pope John Paul II on June 23, 1999. There will be a media availability prior to the Choir's departure.

Contact
Donna Crilley
Communications Assistant
215-587-3747

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, is saddened to learn of the shootings of two people at Norristown State Hospital. "I am shocked and saddened by this tragic event," Bevilacqua said. "I extend my personal condolences to the family of Carol Kepner and offer prayers for the full recovery of Maria Jordan."

Carol Kepner was shot to death by Denis Czajkowski who also seriously wounded a second hostage, Maria Jordan, age 37. Maria Jordan was flown to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania where she is listed in critical condition with multiple gun shot wounds. The alleged gunman, Czajkowski, sustained injuries while being taken into custody.

Cardinal Bevilacqua expresses his sympathy and prayers to the families of Carol Kepner and Maria Jordan as well as to all those affected by this tragedy. "It is with heavy heart that I have learned of this terrible act of violence. My thoughts and prayers go to all the families touched by these horrific events. I am with them in their grief and sorrow and I ask all women and men of good will to join me in prayer for healing and peace."

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Contact
Cathy Rossi
Director
215-587-3747

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, announced that the Archdiocese has raised $700,000 for relief assistance for Kosovar Albanians who have suffered as a result of the conflict in the Balkans. "It is a testimony of the compassion and love of the faithful of this Archdiocese for those who suffer and are most in need," said Cardinal Bevilacqua. "This appeal surpasses any special or extraordinary collection conducted within the Archdiocese in my 11 years as Archbishop. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the faithful for following the example of Jesus Christ by assisting the people of Kosovo."

In April, Cardinal Bevilacqua asked parishes in the Archdiocese to conduct a special collection to support the work of Catholic Relief Services in the Balkans. Collections were made throughout the months of April and May.

Cardinal Bevilacqua also announced that two previous Archdiocesan special collections have received $110,000 in additional contributions to the victims of El Nino and Hurricane Georges.

This brings the total contribution to people in need around the world from the faithful of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to $1,450,000 in approximately 12 months. The other collections are:

* $127,500 for the victims of El Nino in Central America
* $222,500 for the victims of Hurricane Georges in Puerto Rico
* $400,000 for victims of Hurricane Mitch in Central America

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Contact
John Miller
Broadcast and Media Specialist
215-587-3747

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, applauded the United States House of Representatives for passing the Child Custody Protection Act. "I am grateful to the Representatives for making this stand in support of the unity of the family," said Cardinal Bevilacqua.

The Child Custody Protection Act will prevent adults who do not have parental authority from transporting minors across state lines for abortions, thereby circumventing parental notification laws in states that have them. Pennsylvania is one of several states with laws prohibiting minors from obtaining abortions without the consent of their parents. The legislation passed the House by 270 to 159 votes. It now goes to the Senate for consideration.

"The Child Custody Protection Act will protect the dignity of the family and the integrity of parents' rights," said Cardinal Bevilacqua. "The Act also will prevent state laws requiring parental notification from being undermined, as well as protect the rights of both minors and parents. All parents have the right to know where their children are, and what physicians are caring for them. Parents deserve to be the decision-makers for their children."

"I urge our United States Senators to follow the example of the House of Representatives and pass this common-sense pro-family legislation," said Cardinal Bevilacqua.

###

Contact
John Miller
Broadcast and Media Specialist
215-587-3747

The Office for Young Adult Ministry of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will present a three week summer discussion series for all Catholic young adults in their 20's and 30's, single and married. Theology on Tap will be held:

Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will make three pastoral visits throughout the Archdiocese during the month of July. At each of these visits, Cardinal Bevilacqua will minister to the spiritual needs of the residents.

Contact
Cathy Rossi
Director for Communications
215-587-3747

Contact
Cathy Rossi
Director
215-587-3747

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, welcomed the Notification issued by the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith regarding the work of Reverend Robert Nugent, SDS and Sister Jeannine Gramick, SSND in the area of homosexuality.

"I am grateful to the Congregation for its clarification regarding the doctrinal positions held by Sister Gramick and Father Nugent," said Cardinal Bevilacqua. "The Holy See has discussed this matter extensively with Father Nugent and Sister Gramick for over ten years. I am certain that the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith was most sensitive to the many good works in which Father Nugent and Sister Gramick have been engaged. Nonetheless, the wide dissemination of their doctrinal errors through publications and pastoral activities has become a growing concern for many Bishops throughout the United States."

Father Nugent and Sister Gramick have been involved in pastoral activities directed toward homosexual persons for more than twenty years. In 1977, they founded the organization New Ways Ministry in the Archdiocese of Washington (D.C.). Father Nugent and Sister Gramick also authored or edited two books on the subject of homosexuality and the Catholic Church. Several statements issued by Father Nugent and Sister Gramick were clearly incompatible with the teachings of the Catholic Church. In 1984, James Cardinal Hickey, Archbishop of Washington, informed Father Nugent and Sister Gramick that they could no longer undertake their activities in that Archdiocese. At the same time, the Vatican Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and for Societies of Apostolic Life ordered Father Nugent and Sister Gramick to separate themselves totally and completely from New Ways Ministry.

The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith continued to receive numerous complaints and urgent requests for clarification from Bishops in the United States and elsewhere. The activities of Sister Gramick and Father Nugent were causing difficulties in many Dioceses. The Congregation reported that Sister Gramick and Father Nugent continued to maintain and promote ambiguous positions on homosexuality and explicitly criticized Magisterial documents on this subject. Thus, it became necessary for the Congregation to issue its Notification in order to "repair the harmful confusion caused by the errors and ambiguities in their publications and activities."

"It is extremely unfortunate that the Holy See was compelled to take these measures," said Cardinal Bevilacqua. "The Congregation acted not because this was a ministry to homosexuals, but because of statements contrary to Church teaching. The Catholic Church recognizes the value and importance of ministering to persons with homosexual orientations. Since 1987, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia has sponsored Courage, a program run by the Family Life Office which provides support to homosexual persons striving to live according to the teachings of the Catholic Church."

" All of the bishops are sensitive to the need for the Catholic Church to continually welcome all of God's children, including those with homosexual orientations. In fact, the Church remains true to its mission of sanctifying and healing when it brings to gay and lesbian children of God the same pastoral concern and compassionate response as it does in assisting all of it members," said Cardinal Bevilacqua. " Indeed, the Holy See acknowledged some positive aspects of the work of Father Nugent and Sister Gramick. But, it is essential that those who minister within the Church adhere to and present faithfully the Church's official teachings."

Cardinal Bevilacqua clarified, "The Catholic Church clearly and unequivocally teaches that homosexual orientation in and of itself is not immoral. However, while such orientation is not sinful, homosexual behavior is always a grave evil. Persons of the same gender who become sexual partners are acting in a way that is inconsistent with our Creator's design."

New Ways Ministry has not been active in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

The Notification directs that Father Nugent and Sister Gramick are permanently prohibited from any pastoral work involving homosexual persons and are ineligible, for an undetermined period, for any office in their respective religious institutes.

Contact
Donna Crilley
Communications Assistant
215-587-3747

More than 250 teenagers from all over the Philadelphia area are coming together to share fun, faith and friendship at the 6th Annual Catholic Youth Rally sponsored by the Catholic Youth Organization of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The fun-filled 26-hour rally will begin with the

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Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, extends his prayerful support to the families of John F. Kennedy, Junior, his wife, Carolyn and her sister, Lauren Bessette. The three remain missing and are presumed dead after a plane crash this weekend near Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts.

"When I learned of the search this weekend, I immediately began praying for both families," said Cardinal Bevilacqua. "It must be a desperately painful time for the Kennedy and the Bessette families. I express my deep concern for the enormous anguish these families must endure. I hope that they will find strength in knowing that many people are keeping them in prayer. I sympathize with the suffering of these families duing this most difficult time of not not knowing what has happened to their loved ones."

Cardinal Bevilacqua said, "Time and time again, through many tragedies, the Kennedy family has had to find refuge in its faith. I hope they and the Bessette families will turn to God during their hour of need. I will pray for the souls of Carolyn and John F. Kennedy, Junior and Lauren Bessette and continue to pray for their loved ones who must cope with this tragic loss."

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Editor's Note:
Cardinal Bevilacqua will be saying Mass in Scranton today. He will be available to members of the media there. The Cardinal will return to Philadelphia this evening for his weekly Monday night radio show. If you are interested in arranging an interview, please call the Communications Office at 215-587-3747.

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Cathy Rossi
Communications Director
215-587-3747

Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will sponsor a clean-up of Finnegan Park in Southwest Philadelphia. Teaming up with Catholic Social Services are the insurance companies AIG and Willis\Corroon. Finnegan Playground is the second largest recreation facility in Philadelphia. Approximately 40 volunteers in matching tee shirts will clean up trash, mend fences and garden.

Contact
Donna Crilley
Communications Assistant
215-587-3747

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, sent letters to United States Congressmen who represent areas covered by the Archdiocese, dated July 23, 1999, urging support of House Joint Resolution 57. This resolution, sponsored by Representative Dana Rohrabacher (R. California), would deny renewal of Normal Trade Relations (formerly known as Most Favored Nation) status for the People's Republic of China.

The Cardinal states, "Passage of this legislation would make it clear that protection of basic human rights, throughout the world, is an ongoing priority for the United States. To elicit positive change, there must be consequences for the continued human rights violations by Chinese authorities. Despite increased engagement between the United States and Chinese administrations during recent years, as well as efforts to raise this issue, the persecution of religious groups and democracy advocates in China persists."

The Cardinal remarked that Congress has the privileged ability to reinforce the United States' commitment to protecting human rights and to establish a clear impetus for Chinese reform. Cardinal Bevilacqua said he joins his brother bishops from throughout the United States in urging support of this resolution. The United States Catholic Conference has been an active advocate of a human rights component in the bilateral relations between our government and the People's Republic of China.

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Contact
Cathy Rossi
Director
215-587-3747

A Memorial Mass will be held Saturday, August 14, 1999 for the victims of the 1998 Omagh, Northern Ireland bombing. Father Gerry Burns, the newly appointed Coordinator of the Irish Apostolate of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, will preside at the Mass. Father Burns just arrived from County Mayo, Ireland, on loan to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Contact
John Miller
Broadcast and Media Specialist
215-587-3747