Our Bicentennial Celebration as a Diocese has begun and will continue with many more events and initiatives leading up to our Closing Mass on April 13, 2008.

The entire Archdiocesan Family is invited to a special Eucharistic Celebration to close our Bicentennial Year where we will highlight the importance of the family.  It will be an opportunity for our lay faithful to gather in thanksgiving to God for all that has been accomplished and to recommit ourselves to the service of God and to His Church.

The Closing Mass will take place on Sunday, April 13, 2008 at 2:30PM at the Pavilion at Villanova University.  Please save the date now!

We are hoping that as many of our Archdiocesan faithful as possible will be able to participate and that each parish, school and institution will be represented at this historic event in the life of our local Church.

The students of our Catholic Schools will contribute to the Archdiocesan Bicentennial Celebration by presenting a very special event.

In September 2006, a Bicentennial Orchestra and Chorus were formed.  The result of their dedication, hard work and talent will culminate in a Bicentennial Concert at the Kimmel Center's Verizon Hall on October 10, 2007 at 7:30PM.  This special event will make us all very proud.  To purchase tickets for this event call Ticket Philadelphia at (215) 893-1999 or visit www.kimmelcenter.org .  Tickets will be available in August 2007.

Let us pray that Our Lord continues to bless these students as they share their many talents in the celebration of Our Bicentennial.

The youth and young adults of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will be celebrating our Bicentennial with the Amazing Race for Grace on September 29, 2007.

The day will consist of an Opening Ceremony at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul that begins at 12 Noon; a Scavenger Hunt throughout the city of Philadelphia that begins at 1:00PM; a Festival on the grounds of St. Charles Seminary, which includes music, food and activities that begins at 2:30PM, and a concluding Mass on the grounds of St. Charles Seminary with His Eminence Cardinal Justin Rigali at 6:00PM.  This celebration is open to all families, Girl & Boy Scout troops, both grade and high school students, youth groups, religious education classes, CYO teams, and young adults.

In an effort to maximize participation in this event, we are asking that no school sponsored events, including athletic practices or competitions, take place on September 29th after 1:00PM.  This applies to both CYO teams and high school teams.  Additionally, each high school is expected to have 100 students in attendance for the Closing Liturgy with Cardinal Rigali.  Fall CYO Teams are expected to have a least one coach and 4 players attend the Closing Liturgy.  Students should wear school colors or spirit wear, not their school uniforms.

There are many ways for parishes and schools to participate such as participating in the Scavenger Hunt, having a table at the Festival, providing music at the Opening Liturgy, and so much more.  Please refer to www.oyya.org for more information.

We encourage our young people to participate in this celebration of faith, history and the Eucharist.  We look forward to celebrating our Bicentennial with you on September 29th!