Italian Catholic Federation Branch 374 is sponsoring seminarian Egren Gomez as he attends St. John Seminary. ICF First Vice President Al Restivo and President Sherene Abay presented the check to the seminarian as part of the branch seminary sponsorship program. Branch 374 is located at St. Bede the Venerable Roman Catholic Church in La Cañada Flintridge.

Seminarian Gomez is a first-year student at St. John Seminary in Camarillo and a member of the parish at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles. Prior to entering the seminary, Gomez, 36, was an executive at Northrop Grumman Corporation in El Segundo. He earned a master’s degree in Business Administration before entering the seminary.

The local ICF branch allocated a yearly sum to the seminarian to help defray expenses for incidentals. In making the presentation, Restivo said, “By sponsoring Egren, [the branch] is keeping with its three primary  missions: support of vocations, scholarships, and research for a cure of Coley’s Anemia.” The branch is supporting Gomez and others as part of its ministry. Gomez became a member of ICF Branch 374 at a meeting held in the Parish Center at St. Bede. ICF Archdiocesan director and St. Bede pastor Rev. Monsignor Antonio Cacciapuoti was also at the meeting to greet Gomez and to talk about the need to pray for vocations and to support those who have been blessed with being called to serve as priests. Gomez, in his first year of studies, will be ordained in 2018.

The Italian Catholic Federation (ICF) is a non-profit fraternal inclusive organization for practicing Catholics of all cultures. Founded in 1924, the federation’s mission is to uphold and develop the religious spirit among its members and to spread that spirit throughout the community. The local branch at St. Bede was formed in 1984. Its current president is Sherene Abay, a native of Siri Lanka and a local a teacher and director at Foothill Montessori School. The local branch raises funds through events such as its annual St. Joseph Table and through fundraising programs such as its recent Sisters Catechism performance. Potluck dinner meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at the Parish Center.

Information about membership is available by calling (818) 952-3252.