December 30, 1998

10th ANNUAL MUMMERS' MASS TO BE
CELEBRATED AT OUR LADY OF MT. CARMEL CHURCH

The Vigil of the Feast of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

January 1 is a holyday of obligation honoring the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. Every year on the vigil of the New Year, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, located in the heart of "Mummerland," celebrates what is commonly called the "Mummers' Mass." It is a traditional mass that exemplifies the unique spirit of the parish, both church and community, by celebrating and worshiping together and asking for God's continued blessings for the New Year.

This Traditional Mummers' Mass will be celebrated on:

Thursday, December 31, 1998
5:00 p.m.
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church
3rd and Wolf Streets
South Philadelphia


The celebrant will be Reverend Robert T. Feeney, Parochial Vicar. Returning to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel to concelebrate the Mass will be many priests who formerly served at the parish, including Reverend Edward J. Hallinan, who initiated this tradition ten years ago. Mummers from the four parade divisions will participate in the liturgy as lectors and gift bearers. Music will be provided by the Mummers Choir and representatives from the various string bands.


In planning the Liturgy, the four divisions of the Parade are symbolized: an umbrella (Comics), a banjo (String Bands), golden slippers (Fancy) and a Mummer Doll (Brigades).



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Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

December 22, 1998

SANTA AND HIS ELVES ARE ON THEIR WAY
TO NEEDY CHILDREN
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia's Operation Santa Claus Program

More than 170 teams of teenage volunteers from Archdiocesan youth programs will dress as Santa and his elves to deliver toys to over 600 needy families on

Christmas Eve
Thursday, December 24, 1998
2:00 p.m.
St. Joseph's Prep School Multi-Purpose Room
1733 West Girard Avenue
Philadelphia


The Operation Santa Claus Project has estimated that 4,000 teenagers from Archdiocesan- sponsored programs are involved in collecting, wrapping and delivering toys to children in the five-county Philadelphia area. Approximately 35,000 toys will be delivered to 11,000 needy children.

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* SPECIAL EDITOR'S NOTE: Because of confidentiality, the media is asked NOT to accompany the teens to the homes of the families receiving toys.

Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

December 22, 1998

ANTHONY CARDINAL BEVILACQUA TO CELEBRATE FAMILY
CHRISTMAS VIGIL MASS AT
ST. LUKE THE EVANGELIST CHURCH IN GLENSIDE

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua will be the celebrant and homilist at the family Christmas Vigil on

Thursday, December 24, 1998
7:00 p.m.
St. Luke the Evangelist Church
Corner of Easton Road and Fairhill Avenue
Glenside, PA



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Editor's Note: Our press releases can be found on our website at www.archdiocese-phl.org

Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

December 22, 1998

OPERATION SANTA CLAUS
ENDS WITH A SPECIAL LITURGY

After distributing toys to more than 600 needy families that benefit from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's Operation Santa Claus Toy Drive, hundreds of teenage volunteers, their family members, and staff workers will gather for a joyous liturgy, followed by a holiday social on

Christmas Eve
Thursday, December 24, 1998
5:00 p.m.
Adams Mark Hotel
City Line Avenue and Monument Road
Philadelphia, PA


Reverend Thomas Higgins, director of the Office for Youth and Young Adults, will celebrate the Mass which ends the Operation Santa Claus Toy Drive. Throughout the drive, more than 4,000 teen volunteers and their families have offered themselves to share the true meaning of Christmas.

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Editor's Note: Our press releases can be found on our website at www.archdiocese.phl.org

Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

December 21, 1998

CHRISTMAS LITURGIES
Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul
18th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, Pa.

Thursday, December 24, 1998

5:00 p.m. Christmas Vigil Mass with music provided by the Cathedral Contemporary Ensemble

7:30 p.m. Christmas Vigil Mass with music provided by the Archdiocesan Boys Choir

11:00 p.m. Office of Readings - A liturgy of Psalms and Christmas Carols, with singing by the Cathedral Collegiate Choir

Friday, December 25, 1998

12:00 a.m. Christmas Midnight Mass celebrated by Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia. Music provided by the Cathedral Collegiate Choir under the direction of Michael Sheerin

Other Masses on Christmas Day at Cathedral

8:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m. (Congregational singing)
12:15 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

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Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

December 21, 1998

ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA TO ACCEPT
FOOD DONATIONFOR YOUNG VICTIMS OF HURRICANE MITCH


APPROXIMATELY 168,000 MEALS TO BE DELIVERED

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia will accept a gracious donation of approximately 168,000 meals of baby food from Maramont Corporation and Preferred Meal Systems for the victims of Hurricane Mitch in Honduras. Maramont Corporation and Preferred Meal Systems Chief Executive Officer Joseph Bistritzky will make the donation of non-refrigerated, shelf- stable baby food on December 22, 1998.

Tuesday, December 22, 1998
2:00 p.m.
200 Pattison Avenue
Philadelphia


Maramont Corporation and Preferred Meal Systems are institutional catering services that provide meals to children and senior citizens. They have been providing meals to various agencies in Philadelphia, including the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's Nutritional Development Services, for more than a decade.

Philadelphia City Councilwoman Joan Krajewski played a pivotal role in arranging the donation. The Chiquita Banana Company has agreed to transport the meals to Honduras. The delivery will be coordinated by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia through Casa del Carmen, a program of Catholic Social Services.

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

Cardinal Bevilacqua Accepts Cluster Pastoral Plan For Upper Bucks County

December 21, 1998

CARDINAL BEVILACQUA ACCEPTS
CLUSTER PASTORAL PLAN FOR UPPER BUCKS COUNTY


In a letter dated December 2, 1998, sent to Rev. Msgr. John Bartos, Regional Vicar for Bucks County, Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, accepted the Cluster Pastoral Plan for Cluster 29, and commended the pastors and all who served on the Cluster Pastoral Planning Committee.

The six parishes of Cluster 29 are:

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Hilltown
St. Agnes, Sellersville
St. Isidore, Quakertown
St. John the Baptist, Ottsville
St. Jude, Chalfont
St. Lawrence, Riegelsville

Cluster 29's plan centers on these objectives:

1) Provide a ministries training program--This goal calls for the formation of a Ministry Training Committee, consisting of one person per parish, by the fall of 1999. This committee will define specific ministries, and assure a professional, spiritual program.

2) Develop young adult/adult religious education program--This goal calls for the establishment of an Education Committee by the fall of 1999, to build upon existing parish programs aimed at young adults and adults.

3) Expand youth programs--This goal calls for the hiring of a youth minister by September 1, 1999, to initiate comprehensive, effective youth programs.

4) Strengthen inter-parish communications--This goal calls for the sharing of information of interest to all parishes in the cluster on a continuing basis.

5) Support evangelization programs for active and inactive Catholics--This goal calls for encouraging active Catholics to participate in the Church, and to reach out to inactive Catholics to bring them back to the Church.

6) Nourish the spiritual life of families--This goal calls for the exploration of a wide range of spiritual programs for families and individuals.

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

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

Cardinal Bevilacqua Calls For Healing In Wake Of Impeachment Vote

December 21, 1998

CARDINAL BEVILACQUA CALLS FOR HEALING
IN WAKE OF IMPEACHMENT VOTE

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, calls on Americans to take a moment during the holidays to pray for the future of the country in which they live. "Have we stopped to think that while the United States government was bombing Iraq and political leaders were impeaching a President, people were out Christmas shopping?" asked Cardinal Bevilacqua. "It is important that we pause to reflect upon the moral and spiritual climate of our country. "

"It is unfortunate that we have come to this sad day of impeachment of a President. It is as if there is a cloud hanging over our nation. Our country needs healing, but I am convinced that with prayer and trust in our Heavenly Father, God will let good come from this present crisis," says Cardinal Bevilacqua. "One of the great lessons may be a deeper appreciation and respect for unequivocal and unchanging truth."

While Cardinal Bevilacqua takes no political position on impeachment or censure, his Eminence calls upon all people of good will to pray "that our United States Senators, for the good of the country, will resolve this matter fairly and expeditiously."

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Editor's Note: Cardinal Bevilacqua will address the subject briefly at the top of his weekly radio show tonight at 5:00 p.m. on WZZD 990AM. If you are interested in coming to the radio station, please call John Miller in the Communications Office at 587-3747.

Contact
Cathy Rossi
Communications Director
215-587-3747

December 17, 1998

CARDINAL BEVILACQUA'S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE
TO THE PEOPLE OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA

Attached is Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua's Christmas Letter to be communicated to the people of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia the weekend of December 19th and 20th. Please feel free to quote from the letter or to print it in its entirety.

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Christmas 1998

Dear Brothers an Sisters in Christ:

In the Preface of the Christmas Liturgy, the church praises God the Father in these words: "In the wonder of the Incarnation your eternal Word has brought to the eyes of faith a new and radiant vision of your glory. In Him we see our God made visible and so are caught up in love of the God we cannot see." These words rekindle within us the profound meaning of the Christmas season. We celebrate the depth of the Father's mercy as He reveals His love for us in and through His Incarnate Son, Jesus Christ. At Christmas, we meditate of the Holy Child of Bethlehem who entered our world to redeem humanity and to share God's mercy with us.

The Birth of Christ brought to the world the fulfillment of ancient prophecies and brings hope to humble and faithful people. Like the lowly shepherds of old, we hear the glad tidings that God continues to bestow His peace on all as He invites us to be reconciled with Him. In this final year of preparation for the Jubilee Year 2000, our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II invites the entire Church to look to God the Father and to meditate on His infinite mercy. Our Archdiocesan theme this year, "Live the Father's Love," summons us who are sinners to a new life of holiness in Jesus Christ.

As Catholics, we encounter the mercy of God in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. In this coming year, our archdiocesan family will have a unique opportunity to celebrate God's forgiveness during Reconciliation Weekend in March 1999. Aware of our sins, we seek God's forgiveness in Confession and, through the priest's words of absolution, we have joyful assurance that the Father has completely forgiven us through His Son. The new life we receive enables us to live the Father's love through our charity, our compassion, our willing service to our neighbor, and our own readiness to forgive as we have been forgiven.

This Christmas, it is my prayer that we may learn to live the Father's love in thought, word and deed so that, like the poor shepherds, we may announce to others the Good News of God's love and mercy revealed in Christ Jesus, Our Lord. Like Mary and Joseph, may your hearts be filled with love and peace during this holy season and always.

Sincerely yours in Christ,
Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua
Archbishop of Philadelphia


Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

December 17, 1998

CARDINAL BEVILACQUA ASKS PEOPLE TO UNITE IN PRAYER
OVER BOMBING IN IRAQ

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, expressed his sadness over the bombing of Iraq by the United States. "While I understand and share the frustration over the situation in Iraq, I am greatly saddened by this action," said Cardinal Bevilacqua. "These attacks almost always result in the deaths of innocent people. The taking of an innocent human life is always tragic and can never be accepted as unavoidable."

Last night, the United States fired sea-launched cruise missiles on Iraq, in what is being termed as the largest attack on the country since 1991.

"It must be especially difficult for the Iraqi people to face this violence as the Muslim holy period of Ramadan approaches. I ask all people of good will to pray for the men, women and children in Iraq as well as for all members of the United States and British armed forces, who may be placed in harm's way," said Cardinal Bevilacqua. "I pray for the safe return of our military personnel and for those in leadership positions who carry the power to resolve this untenable situation."

The Vatican released this statement concerning the bombing: "Today is a sad day for the United Nations and for the world. The Holy See hopes for an end to this attack as soon as possible and for a reestablishment of international order." Our Holy Father, Pope John Paul the Second says "history clearly shows the failure of recourse to violence as a means for resolving political and social problems." Cardinal Bevilacqua joins the Holy Father by saying "I call on the leaders of nations, including the United States, to help bring these confllicts to an end and find a peaceable resolution to our differences. In times such as these, we turn to Our Lord who shows us the way to peace."

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Contact
Cathy Rossi
Communications Director
215-587-3747

Archdiocese Of Philadelphia To Accept Food Donationfor Young Victims Of Hurricane Mitch

December 15, 1998

CARDINAL BEVILACQUA TO PRESIDE AT
MEMORIAL MASS FOR HURRICANE VICTIMS

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will preside at a Memorial Mass for victims of Hurricanes Georges and Mitch. Rev. John Halloran, pastor at Incarnation of Our Lord parish, will be the homilist.

Hundreds of residents of North Philadelphia whose family members were affected by the hurricanes will be in attendance.

Sunday, December 20, 1998
2:00 p.m.
Incarnation of Our Lord Parish
5th Street and Lindley Avenue
Philadelphia


More than 11,000 people in Honduras, Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Guatemala, and Cuba were killed by Hurricanes Georges and Mitch. Experts say it will take Honduras and Nicaragua a generation to recover from the devastation.

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Contact
Cathy Rossi
Director
215-587-3747

December 14, 1998

LOCAL TEENS WILL "SKATE WITH SANTA"


Fund Raiser to Buy Toys For Needy Children


More than 400 area teens will put on their roller skates and join Santa Claus for the annual "Skate with Santa" party sponsored by the Office for Youth and Young Adults of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on

Tuesday, December 15, 1998
6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Palace Skate Center
11600 Roosevelt Blvd.
Philadelphia, PA


The money raised will buy toys for needy children through "Operation Santa Claus," the nondenominational annual toy drive sponsored by the Archdiocese. The teenagers are members of youth programs in the Archdiocese, the Catholic Youth Organization and the Community Service Corps. Last year, Operation Santa Claus delivered toys to more than 11,000 needy children in the Philadelphia area.

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Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

<h3>Cardinal Bevilacqua To Celebrate Vigil Mass At St. Agnes/st. John Nepomucene Church</h3>

December 14, 1998

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS. . .

Teenage volunteers from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's Operation Santa Claus Program will be sorting, wrapping and tagging toys to be delivered on Christmas eve to needy children throughout the Philadelphia area.

Every weekday, from today until December 23rd, you can catch the "elves" busily at work between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. at


The Operation Santa Claus Wrapping Center
Philadelphia Business Journal Building
11th Floor
400 Market Street
Philadelphia



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Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

December 11, 1998

CARDINAL BEVILACQUA TO HOST 43RD ANNUAL
CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PARTY

Party Offers Holiday Joy to Children Served by Catholic Social Services

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will host more than 380 disadvantaged children at the 43rd annual Cardinal's Christmas Party for Children.

Tuesday, December 15, 1998
2:00 p.m.
Wyndham Franklin Plaza Hotel
17th Street and Vine Street
Philadelphia


The children attending the party represent a diverse group of races, ages, and creeds. All are served throughout the year by the following programs of Catholic Social Services:

Bambino Gesu
Bucks County Family Service Centers
Casa Del Carmen
Chester County Family Service Centers
Child Care Department
Delaware County Family Service Centers
Divine Providence Village
Don Guanella School
Good Shepherd Program
Holy Family Center
St. Joseph Catholic Home
St. Joseph's House for Boys
St. Mary's Villa
Mercy Hospice
McAuley House
Montgomery County Family Service Center
Northeast Family Service Center
St. Vincent's Home, Tacony

The party also raises funds to support services to more than 16,000 children of all faiths served by Catholic Social Services throughout the year. Catholic Social Services is the largest nonprofit private social service agency in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, serving more than 135,000 children, families, and adults of all faiths in the five county area. Last year, more than $150,000 in contributions to the Cardinal's Christmas Party for Children helped fund the many programs of Catholic Social Services.

As in past years, the Wyndham Franklin Plaza Hotel will generously provide its services for this annual event. Daniel Polett, owner and president of Wilkie Chevrolet Buick Subaru, is the event chairperson for the sixth year.
### Editor's Note: Cardinal Bevilacqua will lead a parade into the party at 2:30. At approximately 2:50, the play "The Music of Christmas" will be performed. Gifts will be distributed to the children at the conclusion of the play. Entertainment will be provided by students from Archbishop Carroll High School, Archbishop Ryan High School, Little Flower High School, Cardinal O'Hara High School, Roman Catholic High School, and Hallahan High School.
All news releases issued by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Office for Communications are now available on the World Wide Web at http://www.archdiocese-phl.org.

Contact
Cathy Rossi
Director
215-587-3747

December 10, 1998

CARDINAL BEVILACQUA TO BLESS NEW ARCHDIOCESAN HOME FOR ADOLESCENT MOTHERS AND THEIR BABIES

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will bless Saint Vincent's Mother/Baby Residence, an Archdiocesan facility for adolescent mothers in need of assistance.

Thursday, December 17, 1998
3:00 p.m.
Saint Vincent's Mother/Baby Residence
5220-22 North Broad Street
Philadelphia


Saint Vincent's Mother/Baby Residence accommodates eight adolescent mothers and their children, who range in age from two days old to two years old. Saint Vincent's provides residential care, including counseling and mental health services, and parenting and life skills for adolescent mothers as they complete their educational program.

St. Vincent's Mother/Baby Residence is housed in the former Our Lady of Hope Convent, used for many years by the Sisters of St. Joseph and the Grey Nuns.

Saint Vincent's Mother/Baby Residence is administered by the St. Joseph Catholic Home for Children, under the umbrella of Catholic Social Services.

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Editor's Note: Several Adolescent mothers have agreed to be interviewed by members of the media, upon request.

Contact
Cathy Rossi
Director
215-587-3747

December 10, 1998

CARDINAL BEVILACQUA TO CELEBRATE
"LIFE TEEN MASS"
AT SAINT ALBERT THE GREAT PARISH IN HUNTINGDON VALLEY



MORE THAN 300 TEENS WILL ATTEND

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will be the main celebrant and homilist at a "Life Teen Mass," a special liturgy for teens on

Sunday, December 13, 1998
6:30 p.m.
St. Albert the Great Church
212 Welsh Road
Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006


The Mass is sponsored by Life Teen, a program that focuses on liturgies planned for teenagers, with special emphasis on music and homilies designed to reach out to teenagers. More than 300 teens from sixty parishes in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will attend.

Immediately following the Mass, there is an hour-long program called "Life Night." During this gathering, the Cardinal and the teenagers will socialize, and the teenagers will give testimony about how the Life Teen Program has helped them to enhance the experience of God in their lives.

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Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

<h2>operation Santa Claus</h2> 35,000 Toys Needed

December 9, 1998

CARDINAL BEVILACQUA TO CELEBRATE VIGIL MASS AT ST. AGNES/ST. JOHN NEPOMUCENE CHURCH

As part of his pastoral visit to St. Agnes/St. John Nepomucene Parish, Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will be the celebrant and homilist at a Vigil Mass on

Saturday, December 12, 1998
6:00 p.m.
St. Anges/St. John Nepomucene Church
Fourth and Brown Streets
Philadelphia


This is the 8th year of the nine-year Archdiocesan Spiritual Renewal in preparation for the Third Millennium. The theme for this year is "Live the Father's Love."

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Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

<h3>cardinal Bevilacqua To Celebrate "life Teen Mass" At Saint Albert The Great Parish In Huntingdon Valley</h3> More Than 300 Teens Will Attend

December 2, 1998


OPERATION SANTA CLAUS


35,000 TOYS NEEDED

In hopes that Saint Nicholas soon would be there . . . the hope of more than 11,000 needy children in the Philadelphia area. You can be a part of this holiday program!

The Office for Youth and Young Adults of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia displays the spirit of Christmas through a wonderful, nondenominational program called Operation Santa Claus. New, unused and unwrapped toys are collected, wrapped and distributed to children from struggling families throughout the Philadelphia area. During the drive, December 8 - December 18, toy collection boxes are located in all branches of Beneficial Bank.

People may also choose to give monetary contributions which will be used for Santa costumes, wrapping paper, trucks, vans, transporting volunteers, toys, printing and postage. All monetary donations are used solely for the program. Individuals, businesses, clubs or groups who wish to play a larger role in the success of Operation Santa Claus, should contact the Archdiocesan Office for Youth and Young Adults at 610-649-9476.

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Contact
Marie Kelly
Associate Director
215-587-3747

Statement By Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua Concerning "living The Gospel Of Life"

November 24, 1998

CARDINAL BEVILACQUA LAUNCHES PROGRAM
TO BRING PEOPLE BACK TO THE CHURCH


HUNDREDS OF CALLERS FLOOD "1-877-BLESS ME" HOTLINE

In preparation for the coming of the Third Millennium of Christianity, Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, launched a revolutionary toll-free, confidential hotline for people to call to help them reconnect with the Catholic Church. "We want to let everyone know that no matter what their problem is, no matter how far away from God they feel that they are, no matter what sin they have committed, they are welcome to return to the Church," said Cardinal Bevilacqua at a news conference to formally announce the program November 24, 1998.

More than 100 phone calls a day have been received since the hotline was started Monday, November 16, 1998. The phones are staffed by priests from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The issues discussed by callers have included topics such as marriage, divorce and abortion.

"We are opening the door to people who feel a spiritual need to talk about why they have turned away from God. We want to let them know that, like the prodigal son, they are welcome home," said Cardinal Bevilacqua. "People are searching for answers. They are not getting the answers in other places. We think the Church can help them find those answers."

The hotline has been advertised with radio and television commercials, and flyers sent to the 434,000 homes of registered Catholics in the Archdiocese. Starting next month, billboards and posters on buses will be placed throughout the Archdiocese to advertise the hotline.
.
"We are not advertising in order to get more business, or to fill the pews," said Cardinal Bevilacqua. "We are doing it for the people's sake. In other words, for their goodness, for their happiness, for their peace, and also for their salvation. People are not obligated to do anything. We are simply offering them a chance to come home."

The hotline is part of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's massive millennium effort. This millennium program consists of five phases. Phase One is the ongoing Journey of the Millennium Cross of Reconciliation through the Archdiocese. The Cross is made of olive wood from the Holy Land, and was blessed by Pope John Paul II. Phase Two is the hotline. Phase Three is the commissioning ceremony for volunteers, who will go door-to-door to invite people to come, and in some cases, return, to the sacraments. Phase Four is the actual home visits by these volunteers. Phase Five is Reconciliation Weekend, which is set for March 19-20, 1999. There will be numerous events in the Archdiocese during the Great Jubilee Year 2000, culminating in an Archdiocesan Eucharistic Celebration in October, 2000.

"We are just trying to carry out what Jesus did in his lifetime," said Cardinal Bevilacqua. "He came at a very bad time in history, but he went out, as we are trying to do, to all the towns and the villages. We are carrying out the wishes of the Holy Father for a new evangelization, reaching out to people as never before."
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Contact
Cathy Rossi
Director
215-587-3747

Cardinal Bevilacqua To Bless New Archdiocesan Home For Adolescent Mothers And Their Babies

November 22, 1998

ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA APPALLED BY
CBS BROADCAST OF HOMICIDE ON VIDEO

Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua, Archbishop of Philadelphia, is deeply disturbed by the decision of the CBS News Network and its local affiliate, KYW-TV, to air tonight's broadcast of a "60 Minutes" presentation featuring a videotape of Jack Kevorkian deliberately taking the life of a man disabled with Lou Gehrig's disease.

Cardinal Bevilacqua did not watch the program, but at a news conference prior to the broadcast, he issued a personal appeal to the news media for the featured segment to be withdrawn. Cardinal Bevilacqua called the broadcast a "new low in journalism." He went on to say, "the Church has made it very clear that euthanasia is always evil. Life is valuable, no matter its condition, no matter its qualities. We can not judge a person solely by their illness or their disability. As long as a person is alive, that person is a valuable person."

"We should spend our time and energy to help people live quality lives, to live in comfort and without pain," Cardinal Bevilacqua said. "Relieving pain is really an expression of human mercy. People do have a right to live without pain. But, medicines of today are so advanced that the means are available for people to live without pain."


Archdiocesan Communications Director, Cathy Rossi and Respect Life Office Director, Helen Kelleher were asked by some members of the media to review the program. On behalf of the Archdiocese, they had this reaction to the presentation: "It was appalling to see someone killed on television. The victim was never offered any spiritual comfort prior to dying. He basically signed his life away on someone else's words of hopelessness. Neither he nor his family detailed any pain or suffering, just simply a will to die. Mr. Kevorkian put himself in the place of God in taking a human life. That right does not belong to him or anyone else. Only God can choose when to take a life."

As Cardinal Bevilacqua said prior to the broadcast, "We should be helping people live without pain, not solve the problem by removing the person."

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Contact
Cathy Rossi
Communications Director
215-308-1645

Cardinal Bevilacqua Launches Program To Bring People Back To The Church Hundreds Of Callers Flood "1-877-bless Me" Hotline

November 20, 1998

STATEMENT BY ANTHONY CARDINAL BEVILACQUA
CONCERNING "LIVING THE GOSPEL OF LIFE"

The statement issued by the United States Catholic Bishops at their semi-annual meeting in Washington, D.C. this week, entitled, "Living the Gospel of Life: A Challenge to American Catholics" presents a "challenge to the Catholic laity, especially those in public life," said Anthony Cardinal Bevilacqua.

"In the face of so many direct attacks against human life, the challenge issued by the Bishops is to defend human life, in all of its dimensions, from conception to natural death. The Bishops' statement reminds all Catholics that they are called to use the power entrusted to them for the greater good, especially to protect the most vulnerable," said Cardinal Bevilacqua.


The 14-page document says some Catholic elected officials have adopted the flawed argument that, "while they personally oppose evils like abortion, they cannot force their religious views onto the wider society." "I join my fellow Bishops in reminding those in public life that what they do in the political arena on issues of basic human rights can not be different from the Truth as revealed by the laws of God. We must never support or condone an attack on innocent human life," said Cardinal Bevilacqua.

"The Bishops' statement, practically-speaking, alters no policies that we, in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, have followed for many years," said Cardinal Bevilacqua.
In 1992, for example, the Archdiocese adopted a policy prohibiting public officials from being honored in any way if their voting record is contrary to the teachings of the Church.

"The Bishops' statement is not about imposing church penalties on public officials, but rather it is about calling all Catholics to carry their convictions of faith into their public as well as personal lives. Catholics are called not to accept erroneous popular opinion rather they are called to shape public opinion in accordance with the Gospel of Life," said Cardinal Bevilacqua.
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Editor's Note: Attached is a copy of the Archdiocesan Guidelines Governing the Use of Church Facilities By Individuals, Groups, Or Organizations. (Issued May 1992)

Contact
Cathy Rossi
Communications Director
215-587-3747