🌱 Winter Storm Havoc + A Mass for Baby Zarelli + Virtual School Today

Hey, hello! It's me, Patty-Pat Kozlowski, your host of the Philadelphia Daily. Let's get this day started off right with a quick dive into the most important things going on around town, including updates on:

• Delays, cancelations begin to mount in Philly as major winter storm wreaks havoc.
• Saint Cecilia Parish will offer Mass on the Feast of the Holy Innocents for the happy repose of the Soul of Joseph Augustus Zarelli, the Boy in the Box.
• The School District of Philadelphia is virtual today due to inclement weather.

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But first, today's weather:

Winds gusting past 40 mph. High: 51 Low: 12.

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Here are the top three stories in Philadelphia today:

1. And just like that-holiday travel plans get canceled and delayed due to this winter storm. Holiday travel is brisk at Philadelphia International Airport with building delays and cancelations due to winter weather in the middle of the country and the upper Midwest.
   By late Thursday afternoon, the airport was reporting about 30 cancelations and 112 delays with the worst of the storm yet to hit the Philadelphia area. Grab a book, listen to that podcast you've been wanting to catch or just sit and people watch until your flight is finally rescheduled. (fox29.com)
2. He was known for over 60 years as the Boy in the Box, but he finally has a name: Joseph Augustus Zarelli. Saint Cecilia Parish located in Northeast Philadelphia, will offer Mass on the Feast of the Holy Innocents for the happy repose of the Soul of Joseph Augustus Zarelli. Saint Cecilia Parish, is in close proximity to where the remains were discovered in February 1957. Reverend Christopher Walsh, Pastor, will be the celebrant and homilist at the Memorial Mass on Wednesday, Dec. 28 at 12:00 p.m. All people of good will are invited to this liturgy to pray for the happy repose of Joseph's soul and to give thanks for the efforts of those who supported the Philadelphia Police Department in its search for dignity and justice for this victim. (CatholicPhilly.com)
3. Students in the School District of Philadelphia will be learning virtually on Friday due to forecasted weather conditions. (Let's see just how much schoolwork gets done the day BEFORE Christmas vacation begins!) All district schools and administrative buildings will be closed, but the district said students should log in for a full day of instruction. All after-school and extracurricular activities will be canceled. The district says the move is to "ensure the safety of our students and staff." (6abc Philadelphia)

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Today in Philadelphia:

• Friday Lounge - Philadelphia Museum of Art (5:00 PM)
• Jewelry for Your Walls! (7:03 PM)

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From my notebook:

• MMM, MMM, Mummers! Add another drink for New Years' Day along Broad Street! Mummers Release Official Drink: Mummers Row Philly Tea (CBS Philly)
• Clark W. Griswold has some competition! Woman Transforms Her Entire Home Into a Life-Size Gingerbread House for Christmas (NBC 10 Philadelphia)
• Check out this great replay of what 2022 meant in Philly sports-how the hell did the Phillies make it to the Big Game? Philadelphia & the year of destiny: How 2022 changed everything for the City of Brotherly Love – Philly Sports (Philly Sports Network)

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Events:

• 4pm Christmas Eve Service, Family & Kid friendly. Now Indoors due to cold! (December 24)
• 7:30pm Traditional Candlelight Christmas Eve Service. All Welcomed! (December 24)
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You're all caught up for today! I'll see you soon.

— Patty-Pat Kozlowski

About me: Patty-Pat Kozlowski has been writing community news and Philly-cenric Op/Eds for over 20 years. A Jill of all trades she's been a stand-up comedian, chef, DJ, newspaper editor, food trucker and Parks Director for Philadelphia Parks & Rec as well as a community relations/legislative aide for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Philadelphia City Council.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Philadelphia Daily? Contact me at philadelphia@patch.com