By Ruth SOWBY

Attendance to the Italian Catholic Federation (ICF) fundraiser at St. Bede in La Cañada was “the best yet” according to IC President Phyllis Harb. On Sunday, March 19, about 200 parishioners and local residents scanned the packed aisles in the church Parish Hall. Shopping was intense after the 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Masses.    

Available were dozens of silent auction items, food and baked goods. By noon shelves were empty and tables stripped. But silent auction experts knew to arrive late enough to put in a last-minute bid before the auction closed. Popular were baskets of coffee products, baskets with beauty items and baskets heavy with household products, including the book “The Complete Guide for the Home.”

Especially prized were four $20 tickets to see a comedy show at the Laugh Factory in Hollywood. The lucky bidder was so intent on winning that their bid of $85 surpassed the $80 ticket value. Harb, who collected the wide variety of auction items, developed her expertise through many years of putting on auctions for Ronald McDonald House.   

The silent auction raised more than $6,000. The bakery table alone raised $3,784. According to ICF treasurer Mark Mannarelli, all funds collected will go toward ICF charities as well as college, high school and music scholarships. 

St. Joseph’s Table is a tradition that goes back to the Middle Ages when farmers and their families gave thanks to St. Joseph for their bounty. The St. Bede’s version has been going on since 1984.

St. Bede is located at 215 Foothill Blvd. in La Cañada Flintridge.