The Italian Catholic Federation (ICF), a national organization, is planning to surpass previous years with a spectacular St. Joseph Table and silent auction to raise money for its many charities that extend beyond La Cañada Flintridge. Members of the public are invited to attend and purchase from among the wide variety of foods and bakery items on the table and to take advantage of an abundance of the silent auction items available for bidding and purchase. The entire event will take place on Sunday, March 19 in the Parish Hall after the 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Masses at St. Bede. A large procession made up of members of the branch, the Boy and Girl Scouts, and the Sea Cadets will precede each Mass.

The St. Joseph Table tradition is maintained by parish churches throughout the nation. The tradition was born in Sicily in the 1800s to gather food for the poor. Over the years it evolved into a major fundraiser to support Italian Catholic Federation charities such as research for a cure for Thalassemia, a rare blood disease that affects children of Mediterranean and Asian heritage. Many other good causes that are part of the fundraising initiative are college, high school and music scholarships.

Residents of the area are invited to participate in this local effort.