NCEA convention will feature high-powered ‘teachers’

By Christie L. Chicoine
CS&T Staff Writer

A classroom boasting more than 16,000 students and taught by three cardinals, an archbishop, a bishop and two CEOs is about to open in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
The only drawback is that the classes — which may also include instruction from First Lady Laura Bush, who is a former teacher and librarian — will be in session only four days.
For the second time since 1996, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will host the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) Convention and Exposition March 29 through April 1 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Center City.
“Hosting the NCEA Convention is a tremendous compliment to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia,” said Louis P. De Angelo, a local co-chair of the convention, who is also director of curriculum and instruction, and staff development, for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Office of Catholic Education.
Msgr. Louis A. D’Addezio, director of the Archdiocese Office for Special Projects/Closures, is also co-chair of the convention.
According to De Angelo, the Archdiocese was selected as the site for the 2005 convention because of its large Catholic-school population. There are more than 100,000 students in Catholic elementary and secondary schools in the Archdiocese.
“[It] attests to the position the Archdiocese of Philadelphia holds in the nation in Catholic education,” he said.
The NCEA convention will draw 12,000 educators from across the country to Philadelphia, where more than 4,000 teachers from the Archdiocese will also attend four days of professional development panels, workshops and lectures.
The theme for the 2005 convention is, “We the People: Proclaiming Faith and Freedom” — emphasizing the significance of this city as the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution, which guarantees religious freedom. It will also draw attention to the gift that Catholic education has been to the United States.
At the convention, more than 350 sessions will address topics that include religious education, administration, boards, curriculum and instruction, development, early adolescence, early childhood, institutional advancement, middle childhood, public policy, special learning needs, technology, and both urban and rural education.
“The NCEA Convention is an annual high point of the academic year,” De Angelo said.
In addition to classes, special events sponsored by the Archdiocese will include a welcome parade and concert at the Kimmel Center March 28, when more than 6,000 students from Catholic schools in the Archdiocese will parade from the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul to the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
The Kimmel Center concert will feature 600 elementary and secondary students who were selected through a series of more than 1,000 auditions, De Angelo said.
Also at the convention, the NCEA will present one of its 12 Distinguished Principal awards to Sister, Servant of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Kathleen Touey, principal of St. Matthew School in Philadelphia.
In conjunction with the NCEA convention, the Catholic Library Association and the National Parish Catechetical Directors Association will also meet in the city. Approximately 500 vendors will also participate in the exposition.
Based in Washington, D.C., the NCEA includes Catholic school administrators and teachers from the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada.
The organization traditionally holds its annual convention during Easter Week. The convention is open to educators and all others interested in Catholic education.

For more information, check out the NCEA Web site, www.ncea.org, or contact the Office of Catholic Education, Archdiocese of Philadelphia, at 215-587-3700. 
CS&T Staff Writer Christie L. Chicoine can be reached at (215) 587-2468 or cchicoin@adphila.org.

Schedule of NCEA events: 

Tuesday, March 29:
• The 2005 NCEA Convention officially opens with a keynote address by Archbishop John P. Foley, president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications at the Vatican, and a former editor of The Catholic Standard & Times.
• Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia, will serve as principal celebrant of the opening liturgy; all bishops of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware have been invited to concelebrate.

Wednesday, March 30:
• First Lady Laura Bush has been invited to speak; at press time, a response had not been received.
• “Pastor’s Day” will provide pastors with an opportunity to celebrate their ministry at special sessions addressing their concerns. A luncheon for pastors is also scheduled, and they are invited to concelebrate the day’s liturgy.
• Cardinal Edward Egan, Archbishop of New York, will serve as principal celebrant of the day’s liturgy. 

Thursday, March 31:
• Timothy P. Shriver, chairman and chief executive officer of Special Olympics, will address the convention.
• Cardinal William Keeler, Archbishop of Baltimore, will serve as principal celebrant of the day’s liturgy. 

Friday, April 1:
• The convention concludes with an address by Daughter of Charity Sister Mary Rose McGeady, past president of Covenant House in New York. 
• Auxiliary Bishop Joseph P. McFadden, the auxiliary bishop responsible for assisting Cardinal Rigali in overseeing the Archdiocese’s Secretariat for Catholic Education, will be the principal celebrant of the closing liturgy.