 |
| This is a picture of one of the greeting cards that I drew. |
Living the Year of Faith
This post is to share with you the beauty of my faith and part of my heritage.
In 1924, in San Francisco CA, Reverend Albert R Bandini and
Sir Luigi Providenza, founded the organization "the Italian Catholic Federation."
Their goal was to "awaken a more intense Christian life among the Italian population of
California."
The co-patron saint for the ICF is St. Mary Frances Xavier Cabrini. She was the major
benefactor for Italian immigrants to the US. She was the first naturalized US citizen to become
a saint. To know more about this beautiful saint, go to
ICF website.
Over the 89 years, the charity and good works done by this group, has grown. And so has the
organization. There are now 172 branches. Most of them being in Northern CA, but
also in Nevada, Arizona, and Illinois! It's an awesome organization, with
an awesome purpose!
This Labor Day weekend, the ICF celebrated its' 83rd convention. (This convention is held
every year, on Labor Day weekend.) It is a beautiful weekend, shared with people of astounding
faith, unity and love.
We had a wonderful opportunity to attend it this year. In fact, our district, hosted it. A beautiful
mass was celebrated every day of the convention.
A big part of the charity that the ICF donates to is Cooley's Anemia.
Childrens Hospital & Research Center Oakland, is one of the specialty centers, that help people that are suffering from Thalassemia(Cooley's Anemia).
Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder. Italians are at high risk of this blood disorder. Hence the reason why the ICF adopted this charity.
Another charity is for young high school graduates.
Scholarships are given at every branch, and continued throughout the students 3-4 years they are attending college.
The ICF also gives out a Pope John XXIII award every year. This award is given to a lay person, who best exemplifies the humanitarian qualities of this exemplary pope. This year it was awarded to
Bruno Serato, owner of Anaheim White House Restaurant. He is also the founder of the non-profit organization,
Caterina's Club. Caterina's Club feeds low-income families, pasta and
vegetables, 7 nights a week! Bruno Serato has been doing this for the past 8 years. He has served
more than 500,000 meals to date. His story of coming here to America and his inspiration for doing this act of kindness, is amazing, and
heartwarming! He well deserved this honorable award!!!
So many other good deeds are done by the ICF.
If you are Catholic and Italian (or even just a part Italian), look up the
ICF
to see if there is a branch near you and JOIN!!!
Wonderful, faith filled Italians coming together as a 'Familia'
"Ah, Bellesimo!!!"
The branch my family and I belong to was hosting this year's convention, so
I thought I would donate some of my quilling art to the boutique and donate the proceeds to the ICF.
I had quilled one piece and drew up 18 different styles of Italian greeting cards.
(I enjoyed myself so much as I was creating all of these items.)
The quilled piece that I did was sold by a silent auction. It was exciting to see
that my work touched people, and that they were bidding on it.
The couple that had the final bid on it had to leave early, so unfortunately, I was unable to meet them.
(May God bless them and may my work bring them joy! )
I had seen this saying on a plate and it inspired me to make this!
The design is my own!
Please, I would love to hear any comments or questions you might
have!
IF IT IS EASIER, YOU MAY CONTACT ME
CALL IT WHAT YOU QUILL/Facebook
PEACE BE YOURS
ANNETTE CARLO
:0)
