Catholic Charities USA to Host Historic Centennial Gathering

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Sep 20, 2010, 09:51 ET

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following advisory is being issued by Catholic Charities USA:

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WHO: Rev. Larry Snyder, President and CEO of Catholic Charities USA; Norah O'Donnell, MSNBC; Mark Shields, Washington Post; Victoria Reggie Kennedy; Patti LaBelle and Denyce Graves; Paul Josef Cardinal Cordes, representing the Vatican; Archbishop Timothy Dolan; and over 1,000 staff and volunteers from local Catholic Charities agencies nationwide.

WHAT: Catholic Charities USA, one of the nation's largest social service networks, celebrates 100 years of service, advocacy and convening with its historic Centennial Gathering. As it moves into its second century of service, Catholic Charities USA presents and advocates innovative strategies that promote real, sustainable change to effectively reduce poverty in America. The 4-day event includes:

National Centennial Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine broadcast live on EWTN (Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010, at 2 p.m.)
National summit on poverty reduction (Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.) featuring a keynote address by Rev. Larry Snyder followed by a panel discussion led by Norah O'Donnell.
Library of Congress Reception (Monday, Sept. 27, 2010, at 6 p.m.) releasing Catholic Charities USA's collection of Centennial books and honoring Catholic Schools of Social Work.
Capitol Hill Day (Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2010, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.) beginning with speech by Rev. Larry Snyder at the U.S. Capitol building followed by Catholic Charities meetings with members of Congress.
Gala Concert with Patti LaBelle and Denyce Graves at the Hilton Washington (Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2010, at 8 p.m.)

WHEN: Saturday, September 25, 2010 - Tuesday, September 28, 2010

WHERE: Basilica of the National Shrine, Hilton Washington Hotel; U.S. Capitol

WHY: With more and more individuals and families falling into the depths of poverty, and huge increases in the need for life-sustaining emergency services, Catholic Charities USA and its member agencies galvanize the nation to give greater priority to the poor and join in its work to reduce poverty. More information available at http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/centennial.

Catholic Charities USA's members provide help and create hope for more than 9 million people a year regardless of religious, social, or economic backgrounds. For almost 300 years, Catholic Charities agencies have worked to reduce poverty by providing a myriad of vital services in their communities, ranging from health care and job training to food and housing. In 2010, Catholic Charities USA celebrates its centennial anniversary.

SOURCE Catholic Charities USA