MEDIA RELEASE - For Immediate Distribution
Attn: News/Photo Editors

1,600 Gather for the 29th Annual Cardinal’s Dinner
Frank McKenna Chairs 2008 event featuring religious, political & business leaders

TORONTO (October 30, 2008) – His Grace, Thomas Collins, Archbishop of Toronto, will welcome 1,600 guests this evening to the 29 th annual Cardinal’s Dinner at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (North Building).

Religious, political and business leaders from across the Greater Toronto Area will continue a tradition that has raised more than $4.5 million for local charities since 1979. Frank McKenna, Deputy Chair of TD Financial Group, will chair this year’s dinner. Archbishop Collins will deliver the keynote address. The evening begins with a reception at 6:00 p.m. followed by dinner at 7:00 p.m.

The Cardinal’s Dinner was founded in 1979 by the late Gerald Emmett Cardinal Carter and, throughout its 29-year history, has been organized by Mr. Joseph Barnicke. The event continues to serve as one of the largest local dinner events in the country. In 2007, proceeds of $145,000 were allocated to support 28 local charities.

Confirmed head table guests for this year’s dinner include:

• His Excellency, Archbishop Luigi Ventura, Papal Nuncio to Canada (representing the Vatican)
• The Honourable, Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, representing the Government of Canada
• The Honourable, Michael Bryant, Minister of Economic Development, representing the Province of Ontario
• Her Worship, Hazel McCallion, Mayor of Mississauga
• Her Worship, Susan Fennell, Mayor of Brampton

As one of the most diverse dioceses in North America, the Archdiocese of Toronto is the spiritual home to 1.7 million Catholics, celebrating Mass in more than 30 languages each week at 223 parishes, from Toronto to Midland and Oshawa to Mississauga.

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Media Contact
Neil MacCarthy, Director, Public Relations & Communications –
Archdiocese of Toronto (416) 934-3400 x 552 (416) 879-2846 (cell)
neilm@archtoronto.org
www.archtoronto.org