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Former Voice For Philadelphia Archdiocese To Serve As Executive Director For World Meeting Of Families

By Mark Abrams

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A former high-profile voice for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia has been tapped to serve in a key role for the upcoming World Meeting of Families in 2015.

Donna Farrell, who left the archdiocese communications office last year after 13 years there, is coming back to take the post of executive director for the World Meeting of Families scheduled for September 2015.

Farrell was hired by an independent board which is planning for the worldwide event for the archdiocese.

Pope Francis is expected to be here to take part - his first visit to the city. The last pope to come to Philadelphia was Pope John Paul II in 1979.

Farrell says there's a lot to do and she plans to hit the ground running in early January.

"We'll need to focus on logistics, liturgy and creating a really meaningful, exciting experience for everyone in Philadelphia. And, of course, all the visitors from around the world who will be here."

She's expecting the event to draw hundreds of thousands of people to the region.

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