Donna Crilley Farrell is the executive director of the World Meeting of Families, which will bring Pope Francis to Philadelphia next week. Farrell, the former communications director for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, is overseeing both the 15,000-attendee conference at the Pennsylvania Convention Center as well as the papal visit, which is expected to draw 1.5 million people.
To Get Inspired
Two of my favorite places to find inspiration are Sister Cities Park and my patio. I try to be outdoors as much as I possibly can. I enjoy the welcoming atmosphere at Sister Cities Park, which is composed of a beautiful garden, a pond, and even children playing.
To Entertain Guests
I love showing off Philadelphia! Working on the World Meeting of Families—Philadelphia 2015, we’ve had many visitors from the Vatican and they’ve been fascinated by the magnitude and beauty of the Pennsylvania Convention Center, which is the location of September’s World Meeting of Families Congress.
To Throw a Dinner Party
Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse is a favorite for company Christmas dinners. They have a beautiful rooftop patio and an intimate private dining room, which is lovely.
To Relax
For family-friendly relaxation, we head to my in-laws’ house in Bethany Beach, Delaware. Only a few hours from our home, we can escape to enjoy the beach. It’s really family-friendly, with a nice boardwalk and some cute restaurants. A stop at Bonkey’s Ice Cream and Sno Balls is a must.
For My Favorite Meal
Marra’s Italian Restaurant in South Philadelphia. My husband, Mike, and I used to dine there constantly when we were newlyweds and living in the area. Now when we travel into the city, we bring our twins there for an excellent Italian meal. Mike always jokes that I’m wasting time when I look at the menu since I always get the same thing—fresh mussels red.
To Entertain a V.I.P.
Pope Francis is the next V.I.P. we plan to entertain, and he is famous for preferring to keep things simple. St. Charles Borromeo Seminary will provide a warm welcome to Pope Francis that is hospitable but not ostentatious.
To Dine With Visitors
Fork is my favorite place to bring our international guests for American cuisine. Several of our most-traveled visitors have said it is the best meal they’ve ever enjoyed.
For Outdoor Entertaining
My absolute favorite way to dine is outdoors! I enjoy attending “Dining Under the Stars” in Media, Penn., which is a dining experience designed to replicate the open-air cafes in Paris, Rome, and Venice. Although several wonderful restaurants participate, I personally favor Fellini’s Café because they entertain large groups, and, as an added bonus, they are a B.Y.O.B.!
