September 2023
Dear Friends,
For over 116 years, the National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia has served the needs of people from throughout Philadelphia, the Delaware Valley, and the country by sharing the heroic story and timeless virtues of our namesake, Saint Rita of Cascia.
As a woman of deep faith, Saint Rita experienced Christ’s healing presence in the face of violence and death that touched her family over 600 years ago. After her husband was murdered, Saint Rita bore the Gospel message of reconciliation and peace to the wounded world around her, and in doing so, she became a friend to humanity, lifting people to new life in the love of God. Inspired by her life and the message of healing, reconciliation, and peacemaking that defined so much of it, the Shrine attempts to be a place of meaningful dialogue for every person we encounter.
With this in mind, I am writing to invite you to join us on Thursday, September 21, 2023, between 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., as we host Councilmembers David Oh (1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.) and Cherelle Parker (2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.) for a Town Hall to discuss the gun violence that plagues our city. Gun violence is an issue that has impacted every Philadelphian in one way or another. For example, just this past November, on Election Day, a 20-year-old woman was shot and killed across the street from the Shrine. Something has to be done!
Our obligation to promote healing, reconciliation, and peacemaking is real. It has been at the core of our mission since our foundation in 1907. And so, on behalf of the staff, Friars, and patrons of the Shrine, I invite you to join us as we look to build a more peaceful, just, and loving world.
Thank you for your consideration.
Jonathan Jerome
Executive Director