Posted September 4, 2018

The agency of archdiocesan Catholic Social Services in North Philadelphia got its 73 3- and 5-year-old learners ready for the new school year with a blessing led by the pastor of St. William Parish, some of whose children attend the preschool program. Read all about it here. (Photos by Sarah Webb)

  • Casa del Carmen staff greet a little girl eager to begin preschool.

  • Father Al Concha, pastor of St. William Parish in Philadelphia, leads the prayer for the blessing of the students’ backpacks.

  • Father Al Concha chats with staff and students.

  • Father Al Concha blesses the backpacks for the pre-k students at Casa del Carmen.

  • Father Al Concha blesses the teachers of Casa del Carmen Preschool Academy.

  • Isis Zelaya, Bryan Padilla, Isabel Brown-Aquino and Sarai Colon-Aquino are excited to attend the backpack blessing.

  • Ronnie Robbins picks out his new backpack.

  • Isabel Brown-Aquino picks out her newly blessed backpack.

  • Isabel Brown-Aquino is excited to find out her new backpack is filled with supplies.

  • Isabel Brown-Aquino, a student at Casa del Carmen Preschool Academy, examines her new backpack with Father Al Concha Aug. 30. Father Concha, pastor of St. William Parish in Philadelphia, blessed the school supplies of students at the school, part of archdiocesan Catholic Social Services. (Photo by Sarah Webb)