This year’s theme is Fortnight for Freedom 2017: Freedom for Mission

For the 11th consecutive year, Nutritional Development Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (NDS) will hold its annual Blessing of the Summer to kick off the Summer Meals Program. Reverend Monsignor Daniel J. Sullivan, President of the NDS Board, will preside over the blessing at Holy Redeemer Chinese Catholic School.

June 21 marks the start of the U.S. bishops’ annual “Fortnight for Freedom” running through Independence Day on July 4. The fortnight seeks to highlight America’s “first freedom” — religious liberty. It also seeks to encourage Catholics to work for religious freedom both here and abroad.

Ms. Lizanne F. Hagedorn will succeed Ms. Lorraine Knight, who is retiring June 30, 2017 after 33 years of service to the Secretariat of Catholic Human Services.

Saint Francis Villa, a ministry of Catholic Health Care Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, received a “garden grant” from Nutritional Development Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Community Foods Program.

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is sponsoring an eleven day pilgrimage to the Holy Land. It will be led by Reverend G. Dennis Gill, Director of the Office for Divine Worship and Rector of the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, and feature stops at several towns and shrines throughout Israel.