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Then-Archbishop John F. O\u2019Hara poses with children and a Sister of Charity at the Archbishop\u2019s Christmas Party at the Benjamin Franklin Hotel on Dec. 18, 1956. (Photo: Catholic Historical Research Center of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia)<\/p>\n
By Sue Denny \u2022 Posted December 5, 2025 <\/p>\n
The year was 1955.<\/p>\n
Jonas Salk\u2019s polio vaccine was introduced to the public.<\/p>\n
The Western television series \u201cGunsmoke\u201d debuted on CBS.<\/p>\n
Ray Kroc opened the first McDonald\u2019s franchise.<\/p>\n
Coca-Cola was sold for the first time in cans.<\/p>\n
In Philadelphia, Archbishop John Francis O\u2019Hara (who was named a cardinal in 1958) hosted a Christmas party for children served by then-Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. A new tradition was born.<\/p>\n
The initial party was small, simple, and stately. Archbishop O\u2019Hara greeted his young guests, dressed in their Sunday best, as they waited patiently in a receiving line. \u201cGood afternoon, your Eminence,\u201d each child recited, just as they had rehearsed.<\/p>\n
Fast forward to 2025. The annual Christmas party has evolved over seven decades into a year-round fundraising initiative known as the Archbishop\u2019s Benefit for Children. Its purpose is to raise money to support more than a dozen Catholic Charities of Philadelphia<\/a> (CCoP) programs for children, youth, and families throughout the Philadelphia region<\/p>\n Children enjoy a burst of faux snow during pre-party activities at the 2024 Archbishop\u2019s Benefit for Children Christmas party. (Photo: Sarah Webb)<\/p>\n Amy Stoner, outgoing party organizer and retiring director of Catholic Charities\u2019 Community Based and Housing and Homeless Services Division, says today\u2019s celebrations are larger, less formal, and far more elaborate than early productions.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have changed with the times,\u201d said Stoner.\u201c We try to do things that capture the kids\u2019 attention.\u201d<\/p>\n The focus remains on the fun and the religious message. The party is a beloved tradition, much anticipated by kids and adults alike. Even employees from the Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown in Center City Philadelphia, the longtime party venue, look forward to it.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s one of our favorite events of the year,\u201d said hotel general manager Chuck Goldberg.<\/p>\n The Dec. 9 bash is expected to draw 500 children, primarily in PreK through grade 4, who benefit from the charitable agency\u2019s community-based and residential programs.<\/p>\n Father Christopher M. Walsh, pastor of St. Cecilia Parish in Northeast Philadelphia, says the party reflects the heart of the Church\u2019s mission. He has served as the emcee for at least eight years.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a first-class event for kids who are often from difficult circumstances,\u201d said Father Walsh. \u201cThey are served. They are cared for.\u201d<\/p>\n Children from Casa del Carmen Preschool in North Philadelphia walk through a festive balloon arch at the 2022 Archbishop\u2019s Benefit for Children Christmas Party. (Photo: Sarah Webb)<\/p>\n Pre-party activities kick off at 12:30 p.m. with a live Nativity scene \u2013 complete with a camel, donkey, and sheep \u2013 at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center across from the Sheraton.<\/p>\n Children will then move to the hotel and ride the escalator to a ballroom festively decorated around this year\u2019s theme, The Nutcracker.<\/p>\n Stoner says they try to focus on a Christmas theme and \u201cweave in the birth of Christ and the real meaning of Christmas.\u201d<\/p>\n At 2 p.m., Father Walsh will take the stage to welcome guests including Archbishop Nelson J. P\u00e9rez, and friends from St. Cecilia school and parish. The latter will perform an original skit that incorporates elements of The Nutcracker and the Christmas story, the biblical account of Jesus\u2019 birth.<\/p>\n Guests will enjoy refreshments, costumed characters, singers and dancers, and performances by the St. Rose of Lima children\u2019s choir. Actor and singer Kamal Bostic-Smith, a former CCoP employee, will also perform.<\/p>\n No Christmas party would be complete without a visit from Santa Claus. During event preparations, organizers asked invited guests to provide their Christmas \u201cwish list.\u201d Santa and his elves (student volunteers from archdiocesan and private Catholic high schools) will distribute wrapped presents donated by local schools and Archdiocesan Pastoral Center employees.<\/p>\n Festivities will conclude with a special surprise to celebrate the milestone anniversary.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s going to be over the top,\u201d Stoner promised.<\/p>\n \u201cEvents like these are the Catholic Church at its best,\u201d Father Walsh said. \u201cPeople coming together, sharing their gifts, and giving glory to God. It\u2019s a great way to celebrate the birth of Jesus.\u201d<\/p>\n Stoner has organized the annual celebration for 20 years with a small team of co-workers. For the past decade, \u00a0CCoP employee Cindy Volkert has assisted with planning and preparations. She credits Stoner and her tireless efforts for the party\u2019s huge success.<\/p>\n \u201cAmy is the guiding force behind the Archbishop\u2019s Christmas Party,\u201d Volkert said. \u201cShe is involved in every detail, always with a focus on how to make the party special for the kids.\u201d<\/p>\n As a Delaware County social worker, Stoner brought a group of \u00a0children to her first party in 1987. She hasn\u2019t missed one in 38 years. When asked to recall her most vivid memories, Stoner immediately mentioned Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M., Cap. One year, the party theme was \u201cRudolph,\u201d and Stoner said she somehow persuaded Archbishop Chaput to wear reindeer antlers.<\/p>\n Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M., Cap., wears a festive hat alongside longtime organizer Amy Stoner at the 2019 Archbishop\u2019s Christmas Party in Philadelphia. That year\u2019s theme was \u201cHappy Birthday, Baby Jesus!\u201d (Photo: Sarah Webb)<\/p>\n \u201cFrom that moment on, no matter what the theme was, we would make the most over-the-top hat for him,\u201d she recalled. He wore a shepherd\u2019s cap on his head and a drum around his waist for the Little Drummer Boy party and donned a railroad conductor\u2019s cap when the party theme was the Polar Express.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery year people were surprised that I could talk him (Archbishop Chaput) into it,\u201d Stoner said. \u201cA lot of people thought this was out of character.\u201d<\/p>\n He embraced it for the kids.<\/p>\n Past themes have included the Grinch Who Stole Christmas, Las Posadas, \u201cHappy Birthday, Baby Jesus!\u201d, the Christmas Sneaker Ball, and most recently the Archbishop\u2019s Christmas Jam.<\/p>\n After a nearly four-decade career, Stoner is retiring at the end of December<\/a>, so this is her last year as chief party planner.<\/p>\n \u201cI just want to leave this joyfully, not sad,\u201d she said. \u201cIt was great to be a part of it. It was as memorable for me as it was for the children.\u201d<\/p>\n To learn more about the Archbishop\u2019s Benefit for Children or to make a donation, visit https:\/\/archbishopsbenefitforchildren.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/CPACBIMG_2663-415x271.jpg\")
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