The Italian-American Cultural Center of Iowa will hold the 22nd annual St. Joseph Altar celebration on March 18th and 19th. Doors will open at 5:00 pm on March 18, with a Lenten meal served at 5:30 pm. The children will present the traditional “tupa tupa” (knocking) pageant, followed by the blessing of the altar. The feast of St. Joseph, patron of families and laborers, will take place on March 19th. Festivities include an all-day visitation from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm and a luncheon from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm. Both events are open to the public free of charge. A freewill offering will be accepted. Everyone who attends the celebrations will receive a gift bag that contains a St. Joseph prayer card and medal, blessed bread and a “lucky” fava bean. All fruits, vegetables, breads and pastries, as well as financial contributions, will be distributed to the St. Joseph Shelter, the Bidwell Center and the Catholic Worker House. Volunteers who would like to take an active part in the preparation of the altar are always welcome. Dates for baking the traditional breads and pastries begin March 7th at 9:00 am and continue until March 17th. For additional information or to volunteer please call 515-250-8804.
Susan DeFazio |
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This year’s celebration will begin Sunday, December 9th at 3:00PM with the lighting of the Christmas fire, a candlelight procession to the altar of St. Lucy, followed by a prayer service for those who have departed in 2018.
Ragazzi Italian Folk Dancers will perform 2 Christmas dances. Traditional “cuccia” will be served.
Memorial Observance
The 80th anniversary Christopher Columbus Memorial ceremony will take place on Monday, October 8th at 11:00am. Participants will include the Bellizzi-MacRae American Legion Color Guard, the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, Ms. Alexis Romitti, this year’s festival queen, and members of Gruppo Il Trattenimento Italiano, the Italian Folk Dancers. Special guests will be this year’s recipients of the Outstanding Citizen Award. Those who would like to walk with the afore-named groups should meet at 10:45am in the parking lot immediately north of the area.
