The World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia – Office of Catholic Education (OCE) today turned a late summer ritual for two Archdiocesan high school marching bands, band camp, into the announcement of a once in a lifetime performance opportunity.

The World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 today announced that Pope Francis will use the Gettysburg Lectern, which was used by President Abraham Lincoln to deliver the Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863, for his historic address at Independence Hall on Saturday, September 26. 

Following today’s announcement about traffic, security, and planning updates from the City of Philadelphia, the World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 urges all commercial and privately-owned buses and motor coaches to be registered now via GO GROUND, the official transportation management partner of the World Meeting of Families, at wmof.goground.com.

Both the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) programs are funded by companies that contribute to our scholarship organizations in exchange for a tax credit. – See more at: http://www.pacatholic.org/show-your-support-for-the-successful-eitc-and-ostc-programs/#sthash.fcOmLxWj.dpuf

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 today announced that the Papal Choir, comprised of 500 parishioners from across the five-county Philadelphia region, has begun rehearsals for the Papal Mass that will be celebrated Sunday, September 27, 2015 on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to close the World Meeting of Families-Philadelphia 2015 and Pope Francis’ Apostolic Journey to the United States.

The World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia today announced James Lenahan, a recent graduate from the University of Notre Dame School of Architecture, as the winner of a Papal Sanctuary Design Contest.

The banner unveiling will be one of a series of events hosted by the Cathedral in celebration of the upcoming World Meeting of Families and the Papal Visit. Additional initiatives are outlined below.

The Office of Catholic Education (OCE) and Faith in the Future are pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. John Cooke as President of Monsignor Bonner & Archbishop Prendergast High School, effective August 10, 2015.

Ms. Denise Kassekert, President of John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls’ High School, was recently selected as a Philadelphia Brava Award winner by SmartCEO Magazine. 

The World Meeting of Families – Philadelphia 2015 and Greater Philadelphia Film Office (GPFO) today formally announced the World Meeting of Families Film Festival, which will open Tuesday, September 22 and close on the evening of Friday, September 25, 2015, just before Pope Francis’ arrival in Philadelphia.