Can’t make it to the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia Sept. 22- 27? Or if you’re going, want to get a head start on your celebration of being a Catholic family? The Family Ministries Office will host the Catholic Family Celebration Sept. 5 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on the grounds of Maryville Academy in Des Plaines. The event will include speakers and activities for kids ages 5-13, teenagers and adults in English, Spanish and Polish, as well as music and lunch, said Amanda Thompson, who is coordinating the event for the office. Keynotes will be given in all three languages simultaneously, and sign language interpreters will be provided if people indicate a need for them when they register. Younger children are more than welcome as well, and there will be volunteers to help them with activities in the back of the areas where the adult talks are held if the little ones don’t want to sit still. Thompson said. “We’ll have fun catechetical activities for them,” Thompson said. Lunch is included at a cost of $25 per family, which covers two adults and up to six children. Additional people can be included at a cost of $5 each. Families are encouraged to picnic together, and to take advantage of activities such as face painting and balloon twisting. Steve Angrisano of Spirit and Song will provide music throughout the day, and perform a special concert for teens and their families at 4:30 p.m. That concert will be followed by pizza. Other presenters include Mark Nimo, who is a leader in the Catholic charismatic movement, is director of religious education at St. Columbanus and is a teacher at St. Dorothy; Father Pawel Komperda, who is on the formation faculty at St. Joseph College Seminary; and Ferney Ramirez, founder of la Familia Primero. For most participants, the day will conclude with a 3 p.m. Mass celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop John Manz, at which archdiocesan pilgrims traveling to Philadelphia will be blessed. The day will go on rain or shine, Thompson said, noting that the children’s activities are scheduled to be in the parish center. For information, email [email protected]. To register, visit www.familyministries.org.