FALL 2020 Italian American Digest PAGE 10
CLUB NEWS
Ciao Paisani. I hope this finds you well and happy.
Typically, this time of year is when all plans of action are
being developed for our St. Joseph’s Day celebration in
March. As one would expect, the winds of change are
whipping.
The Italian
American
St. Joseph
Society is
planning
and hoping
and praying
that we can
put our
plans into
action in
2021.
Our 2020
celebration
was cut
short after
a festive
pasta party
on Friday
afternoon.
Our first
day of the weekend was also the last day of the weekend.
Covid-19 prompted the mayor to disallow all large
gatherings, rendering our celebration finito. Our annual
parade and gala would not happen. It was a disappointing
end to our 50 th anniversary.
Now is when all of the descriptions of our culture and
heritage come to mind. How will we persevere during this
Italian American
St. Joseph's Society
By Darryl Cortello
unprecedented time and the way it has shaken our day to
day lives? The fava bean is the symbol that brings me hope
and assurance.
Our Sicilian ancestors persevered and chose the crop
that saved
them as
the symbol
of that
perseverance.
What truly
saved them
was their
courage,
resilience,
belief,
strength,
hope and
trust in their
God that
they would
survive.
These
traits simply
allowed
them to take
hold of the
one thing that would begin the healing in their time of
need…the fava bean. It’s why we all have one in our night
stand drawer, our pocket, our car, our kitchen drawer,
our briefcase and anywhere we need a symbol of hope. We
could certainly use one now.
Keep those lucky beans close by and pray for a great
2021. Ciao.