400 kids treated to party
By Lou Baldwin
Special to The CS&T
“Christmas
Around the World” was the theme, and what could be better than
that for a party that included children of almost every national heritage
and ethnicity?
The Cardinal’s Christmas Party for Children, an enormous and very
moving celebration hosted by Cardinal Justin Rigali on Tuesday, Dec.
18, at the Sheraton Philadelphia City Center Hotel, continues the tradition
started by Cardinal John F. O’Hara on Dec. 18, 1956.
“We are all here together as friends to celebrate Christmas,”
Cardinal Rigali told the children. “What is so wonderful about
Christmas is, this is the celebration of the birthday of Jesus. All
of us are together as friends of Jesus who was born in Bethlehem."
The annual party is "an opportunity to give a religious emphasis
to Christmas to the kids that they might not see in the culture and
society in which we live," commented Msgr. Joseph A. Tracy, archdiocesan
Secretary for Catholic Human Services. "There is so much activity,
so much stimulation here, you can't help but get caught up in it."
“This party is as exciting as always and represents a warm welcome
to all of the children of all nationalities who attend,” said
Deacon John Hunter, chairman of the festivities, which drew on the talents
of 700 students from Catholic High Schools and Immaculata University.
Entertainment, coordinated by Msgr. Louis A. D’Addezio, included
a parade of Disney Characters, a stilt-walker and other entertainers.
There were step dancers, jazz bands from Roman Catholic and Shanahan
high schools, and the All Catholic Jazz Band; a huge choral group o
150 voices from Shanahan, which gave a beautiful rendition of “Mary’s
Boy Child", and of course, a Nativity presentation.
"We've been practicing this all year and I'm glad we had an opportunity
to do it," said Shanahan senior Tara Loeper. "I'm glad to
have an opportunity to do it."
Honored guests at the Christmas party of course, were the 400 children
served by 28 agencies and programs that are operated or overseen by
archdiocesan Catholic Social Services.
They attended through the Brother Rousseau Academy, Bucks Country Family
Service Center, Cardinal Bevilacqua Community Center, Casa del Carmen,
Casa del Carmen Day Care, Delaware Valley Service Center, Divine Providence
Village, Don Guanella School, Mercy Hospice, Mision Santa Maria, Montgomery
County Family Service Center, Office for Pastoral Care, Services for
Children in Their Own Homes, St. Edmond’s Home for Children, St.
Francis-St. Joseph’s Homes for Children, Visitation Homes, and
10 school-based Beacon programs.
Each child received a gift from Santa Claus (a.k.a. Doug Dunn of the
faculty, St. Pius X High School, Pottstown) and a “Happy Birthday,
Jesus” bag of goodies. The gifts were preselected specifically
for each child from his or her personal wish list, and all of the gifts
were paid for by a single donor who prefers to remain anonymous.
"I got power rangers," said Amir. Kumia got a Barbie, Jesus
got a soccer ball. All agreed it was a great party.
In addition to providing a Christmas treat for children with needs,
the annual party serves to publicize and financially support the various
programs of archdiocesan Catholic Social Services.
"This year we expect to raise $200,000. Ten years ago it was $25,000.
Every year this gets more exciting," said Daniel H. Polett, president
of Lexus of Chester Springs and Wilkie Lexus, who is now in his 12th
year as event chairman.
Bill Giles, general manager of the Philadelphia Phillies, was among
the community leaders in attendance. He estimates it's his third time
for the party. "It's exciting and great they do for the kids, I
admire all the people who make this happen," he said.
All services at the Sheraton Philadelphia Center City were donated by
the hotel.