After a hiatus of two years due to the suspension of the annual St. Joseph Table event at St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church in La Cañada Flintridge due to the COVID-19 pandemic, excitement is rapidly building in anticipation of the annual event this year. According to table event chairperson Maria de Salguera, people have missed the table and the goodies they could purchase during the suspension.

“While we were ready to conduct the event as usual last year, the health hazard posed by the contagious virus did not allow us have the celebration,” she said.

This year, the two concurrent events will be held on Sunday, March 20 in the Parish Hall after each of the Sunday Masses. A special blessing of the food items for sale will be conducted by Monsignor Antonio Cacciaputi immediately after the 7:30 a.m. Mass and the contents of the donated and home prepared foods and bakery items on the table will be open for sales thereafter. Several tables will also be open for the silent auction. They will contain items for sale at greatly reduced prices as they were donated to the organization by vendors.

The two events will be conducted by local branch 374 of the Italian Catholic Federation at St. Bede Parish. Proceeds from this important fundraiser are allocated mainly for scholarships and other important charities supported by the ICF group.

ICF is nationwide Catholic association that provides fraternal, social and charitable opportunities for its parish members and members of the various parishes that maintain branches. One need not be Italian to be a member and many are from other ethnic identifications.

The events are open to the general public. Silent Auction Chairperson Phyllis Harb noted that residents of the city and surrounding area are cordially encouraged to attend to help support the group’s charitable efforts.