Two
hundred and counting ...
Archdiocese celebrates
bicentennial
By Christie L. Chicoine
CS&T Staff Writer
PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia as a diocese turned 200 years old
on Tuesday, April 8.
At 2 p.m., bells at Catholic churches and Catholic schools across the
Archdiocese chimed 200 times, or for two minutes.
On the count of “three, two, one,” Cardinal Justin Rigali
and a large contingent of Catholics convened in front of the Cathedral
Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul to ring in the bicentennial.
In his reflections at a brief prayer service outside the Cathedral,
Cardinal Rigali acknowledged the “200 years” and “many,
many blessings” bestowed on the Catholic Church of Philadelphia.
“So many things have been done in the name of Jesus — and
we’re grateful for all of these 200 years.
“At the same time, we are committed to the future,” he said.
“Thank you all for your commitment to our holy, Catholic faith
in the service of God’s people,” the Cardinal said.
After the prayer service outside the Cathedral, the assembly sang, “Happy
Birthday, Archdiocese” to music played by band members from Roman
Catholic High School for Boys.
Steve Patton, a Roman Catholic senior and trumpet player, said it was
“spectacular” that his school was asked to participate.
Cardinal Rigali cut a ceremonial cake, which he joked would be “multiplied
like the loaves and the fishes” so that there would be plenty
for all.
The cake was later donated to St. John’s Hospice, a shelter in
Center City for homeless men.
Pound cake was distributed outside the Cathedral to a crowd that included
numerous clergy and men and women religious, Catholic families of all
ages from across the Archdiocese, youngsters from area Catholic schools
and employees from the Archdiocesan Office Center, located behind the
Cathedral.
Among those who came to the party from St. Joseph Parish in Downingtown,
Chester County, were Cindy and Jack O’Brien and three of their
10 children. “[We attended] to embrace our Catholic faith,”
Cindy O’Brien said.
“It’s been 21 years that I’ve been a Catholic,”
she added. “I’m just so happy to be a Catholic and so glad
that Jesus led me to this Church.”
Jim Frankowski, 65, a member of the Cathedral Parish, attended the party
with his wife, Nancy. He applauded the hard work of Catholics throughout
the diocese’s past and acknowledged that such work must continue.
The fact that they will graduate from their Catholic elementary school
the same year Philadelphia celebrates its bicentennial delighted two
eighth-graders from Visitation B.V.M. School in the Kensington section
of the city.
“I’m very happy to be in a Catholic school,” said
Leilani Nenadich. “I’m fortunate.”
Added Marimar Delorbe, her classmate: “Wow. We’re, like,
making a mark.”
View clips of the Bicentennial celebration held outside the Cathedral
by visiting the archdiocesan Web site, www.archphila.org.
CS&T Staff Writer Christie L. Chicoine may be reached at (215) 587-2468
or cchicoin@adphila.org.