By Matthew Gambino • Posted June 10, 2016

Average attendance is up at Citizens Bank Park over last year as baseball fans enjoy the rise of a good, young Philadelphia Phillies team.

The Catholic Charities Appeal invites Catholics to join the fun with a night out at the park – and for a good cause.

The Phillies will host the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday, June 16 at 7:05 p.m. and proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the annual appeal and the 180 Catholic ministries it supports in the Philadelphia Archdiocese.

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If 500 tickets are sold, Archbishop Ryan Academy for the Deaf student Sophie Roberto will throw out the first pitch of the game.

The National Anthem will be sung by Kamal Bostic-Smith, assistant director of the Out of School Time Program run by Catholic Social Services at St. Martin de Porres School, accompanied by students from the program at the North Philadelphia Catholic school.

To purchase tickets, use this link for Catholic Charities Night.

Seating will be located in the outfield (sections 101-107) at $38 per ticket, pavilion (201-205) at $30 per ticket and pavilion deck (301-305) at $20 per ticket.

This year a new vision is guiding the Catholic Charities Appeal. In addition to its traditional and vital work among the poor and most disadvantaged, this year Catholic Charities is targeting virtually every aspect of Catholic life for enrichment and improvement.

Donations this year will benefit nearly 180 ministries and programs helping everything from child care to retirement living, from homelessness to growing the church on college campuses.

The Catholic Charities Appeal is the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s single most important fundraiser.

Learn more about the appeal here.