The reading of a telegram from Pope John XXIII, to Rev. A. J. Angelini, rector of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, New Columbus, highlighted the banquet that marked the silver jubilee of the founding of the Sodality. The Pope praised the congregation for its "225th anniversary of the founding of the Parish Sodality of the Children of Mary." The celebration opened with a Sunday morning Mass and the banquet in the afternoon. The speaker was Rev. John J. Foster, a native of Coaldale and professor at Cardinal Dougherty High School, Philadelphia.