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Dicembre 2021 THE ONLY ITALIAN NEWSPAPER PUBLISHED IN THE STATE OF MISSOURI
NUMERO 12
Remembering Those Who Served and Are Serving
Remembering those who served and are serving to defend our freedom was the theme of the Veterans Day Mass held at Saint Ambrose Catholic Church on Nov. 11. Pio House, made up of 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students planned and participated in this remembrance Mass. The students wanted to invite the Veterans to Mass to remind them of how their courage, sacrifice and commitment has given us the freedoms we enjoy every day. Having a Mass for Veterans helps keep them in prayer and lets them know how important they are to our community. During the Mass, stars with a special message were blessed and distributed to the Veterans in attendance by Saint Ambrose Pastor, Fr. Jack Siefert. These stars were taken from old flags for Veterans and active service members to remind them that their service will not be forgotten. They can carry the stars as a remembrance of their service and sacrifice for us all. After Mass, the Veterans were invited to the school cafeteria where the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students sang patriotic songs, read a poem and served refreshments. Many of the students got to sit with their grandparents who are Veterans and enjoy a snack and some old stories. This was a great way for the kids to bond with and
An Italian American Publication
remember how very important Veterans are to our country.
Fratellanza Memorial Mass submitted by Angelo Sita
Fr. Jack Siefert celebrated the Fratellanza Society Annual Mass on Sunday, Nov. 14 at St. Ambrose. Every year the Fratellanza has a Mass in honor of their deceased members. While all deceased members are remembered, any member who has died in the past year is remembered with a candle. In this current year, only one member has passed away, Armando Pasetti. Armando had been a member of the Fratellanza for over 50 years. In his honor, his daughters, Angela Holland and Lorenza Pasetti each carried a candle and placed them on the altar rail, and they kept the candles as a remembrance of their father. After Mass, Fr. Seifert invited the Fratellanza members to come to the altar and he led them in the traditional Fratellanza Memorial Prayers for deceased members. For 2021, the Holy Father, Pope Francis asked parishes around the world to remember St. Joseph. In honor of the Pope’s request, the Fratellanza donated a large floral bouquet that was placed on the St. Joseph Altar at St. Ambrose. After the service in the church, the Fratellanza members went to Guido’s Pizzeria and Tapas for lunch.
St. Louis, Missouri 63123
CONTINUOUS SERVICE AND ACTIVITY SINCE 1904
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Fratellanza Society 155th Annual Banquet submitted by Angelo Sita
The Fratellanza Society celebrated its 155th Annual Banquet on Saturday, Nov. 13 at Orlando’s Banquet Center in South County. Rev. Leo J. Spezia was the emcee for the evening. Fr. Jack Siefert delivered the Invocation. Fr. Siefert thanked the Fratellanza for asking him to say the opening prayer and he looks forward to working with the Fratellanza in the future. Bob Hawkins, the Banquet Chair, thanked all that attended and President John DeBellis welcomed everyone to the 155th Anniversary Banquet. The Fratellanza awards a Rev. Leo J. Spezia every year to a deserving individual, who is not a member of the Fratellanza, and has provided service to the Italian American community of St. Louis. This year, Fr. Leo presented to Joe Puleo. Mr. Puleo is the director and made the DVD – “America’s Last Little Italy – The Hill.” This film has won many awards across the country and has brought a lot of attention to St. Louis’ Italian neighborhood. Maria Mancia, the Italian Consul General in Detroit, said, “I commend… Mr. Joseph Puleo… in preserving this precious history of the Italian and Italian-American community in St. Louis…Works such as Continued on page 5
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Dicembre
2021
Dec. 1
Christmas Extravaganza
The Hill Antique Market; 3-9 p.m.
Wine Down Wednesdays
publishers
Oliva on The Hill; 5-10 p.m.
Dec. 4
Antonino Lombardo & Carina Marino
Holiday Extravaganza
editorial art
2-7:30 p.m.; tickets at winteroperastl.org
Dec. 5
MANAGING EDITOR
Anthony Gandolfo
Christmas Golf Cart Parade The Hill; 6 p.m.
ENGLISH EDITOR Marianne Peri-Sack
Dec. 8
Wine Down Wednesdays
COPY EDITOR
Oliva on The Hill; 5-10 p.m.
Amanda Coyne
Dec. 9
Italian Christmas Cookies Workshop
10 a.m; Living Well United Senior Center, 209 W. Washington Street, Le Roy, IL; info at allevents.in
Dec. 10
Premium Holiday Wine Tasting
6-8 p.m.; Vom Fass St. Louis; tickets at Eventbrite
Dec. 11
All Paws Safe Haven’s Gala
4-10 p.m.; The Lemp’s Grand Hall; tickets required in advance
Dec. 15
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
Courtney Kamm
italia DIRETTORE PER ITALIA
Salvatore Gandolfo
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Gus Torregrossa
office
BUSINESS MANAGER Linda Marino
DISTRIBUTION James Marino Alexandra Marino
MAIN OFFICE 314-722-6728
online
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Via Delle Palme 7 91021 Campobello di Mazara (TP) Italia
Collaborators/Collaboratori
Dine with Donors
Lorenzo’s (mention Sacred Heart Villa)
Italian Club of St. Louis Meeting
Cav. Valerio Bianco
Favazza’s, 6:30 p.m., make a reservation at ciao@italianclubstl.org
Mauro Salamone
Dec. 21
Cav. Michael Lombardo
Dec. 25
Oreste Magni
Winter Solstice Christmas Day
Comm. Domenico Mancini
Kwanzaa
Cav. Eugene Mariani, Ph.D.
Dec. 26 Dec. 31
Prof. A. Perrone
New Year’s Eve
Jan. 1
Dott. Nicolo’ Sangiorgio
Jan. 8
Dr. Orazio Tanelli
New Year’s Day Italian Club Party
Antonino Tito
Big Club Hall (corner of Marconi & Shaw); 7 p.m.
Jan. 13
Gus Torregrossa
Virtual Wine Tasting
Grapevine Wines, visit sacredheartvilla.org for more information
Cristina Giancola Youngberg
Jan. 14
Sebastian Maniscalco
Fabulous Fox Theatre; fabulousfox.com
7
p.m.;
tickets
at
Jan. 17
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Martin Luthern King, Jr. Day
Jan. 19
Dine with Donors
Panera on Chippewa (mention Sacred Heart Villa)
Italian Club Dinner
Annual Business Meeting; Favazza’s Banquet Room; 6:30 p.m.
Jan. 28
Incredibly Italian - Illinois Symphony Orchestra
7:30-9:30 p.m.; Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts, 600 N. East Street Bloomington, Illinois 61701; tickets at Ticketmaster
Jan. 29
Illinois Symphony Orchestra - Incredibly Italian 7:30 p.m.; more info at uispac.com
Feb. 1
Lunar New Year
Feb. 2
Groundhog Day
March 12
Heart of Hearts Live Auction
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2021
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Dicembre
Italian Heritage Parade and Festa Oct. 10, 2021 The Hill, St. Louis
2021
Dicembre
2021
Continued from page 1 this are important in preserving the history of the Italians in the U.S…” Every year at their banquet, the Fratellanza presents the Antonio Curotto Member of the Year Award to a member who has provided extraordinary service to the Fratellanza. This year, two members received this award, Bishop Mark Rivituso and Reverend Leo Spezia. They both were responsible for making our Annual St. Joseph Altar a tremendous success. Bishop Rivituso celebrated Mass and personally went to every member in attendance. Fr. Leo, who has celebrated this Mass every year, was very gracious in stepping aside and to enable the Bishop to do this. This was the first time a bishop had attended a Fratellanza meeting in over 30 years. Bishop Rivituso was very happy to receive this award and spoke of his continued support for the Fratellanza. The Fratellanza was grateful that Bishop Rivituso, Fr. Spezia and Fr. Siefert could attend this banquet. Their attendance really made this evening a special night that all will remember for a long time.
Wix & Wax Candles
submitted by Anne Luckey
We’re all familiar with the struggle of crossing every name off of our Christmas shopping lists. Finding the right gift is a challenge, but it’s a little bit easier when you can give a thoughtful gift made by someone in your neighborhood—and it doesn’t hurt to support a local business! While attending Cor Jesu Academy (Class of 2014), Anne Luckey started creating candles to sell for the school’s annual Penny Queen fundraiser. Seven
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years later, she’s returned to the craft— transforming what was once a hobby into a dedicated passion. At only $10 per candle, Wix & Wax Candles make the perfect gift for your friends, family, colleagues, and clients. Every luxurious, scented candle is made with 100% natural Midwest soy, crafted by hand, and poured into an 8 oz. quilted crystal mason jar. Shop online and learn more at wixwaxstl.com. Questions? Contact Anne Luckey at wixwaxstl@gmail.com.
Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation – St. Louis Commission (VOC-STL) Commemorates “Victims of Communism Memorial Day”
The Victims of Communism-St. Louis commission (VOC-STL) commemorated Victims of Communism Memorial Day on Saturday, Nov. 6, with a film screening of short documentary films and powerful interviews with local residents who have lived under Communism. More than 100 people joined the commission’s annual event, held this year at the historic Chase Park Plaza Cinema in the Central West End, and learned facts about the history of communism along with Continued on page 6
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Notary Services Carina Adriana Marino Saint Louis County State of Missouri
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Francesca Ferrara Josephine Gandolfo-Sabaski Rosanna Leone Josephine Lombardo Linda Marino Jim Marino Gianna Marino Submit content to info@ilpensiero. net or via our website before Friday, Dec. 17, 2021 to be featured in the January issue . We look forward to receiving your announcements! Thank you
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A Special Note: Buon Natale! Carina Marino and the Il Pensiero staff
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Continued from page 5 personal testimonies from Cuba, China, Poland and Venezuela. Speakers included the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Poland in St. Louis, Dr. Wojciech L. Golik, and VOC-STL specialists Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo, Karen Tian, Dr. Juan Torres and Sam Geng. Local residents, including those from across the state and around the world, found the interactive presentation to be educational as they listened to stories of struggle and survival. Alisha Truemper, a St. Louis native who has recently gotten involved with the commission, found the event to be very impactful. “The section on China was particularly moving because I hadn’t heard of all the different groups like the Falun Dafa practitioners who were being persecuted by the CCP. It’s a clear warning of how bad life could become for my family as Christians,” said Truemper. She believes that more people need to be aware of how good people are convinced to commit atrocities like those in Germany and Poland. “At my job, people say these things that I know are fueled by the newMarxist cultural revolution, but they don’t know the history of those ideas.” Nuria Coll Bonfill enjoyed the presentation as well. “As someone from Barcelona who has been living in St. Louis for a few years, this presentation was refreshing, engaging and revealing,” said Bonfill. “The section on Poland provided detailed and historical background that helped to illustrate what the Polish people have suffered.”
Dicembre
2021
Last year, St. Louis joined the ranks of others recognizing VOC Memorial Day across the nation. Mayor Lyda Krewson issued a Proclamation in support of Victims of Communism Memorial Day, and the city’s Board of Aldermen passed a courtesy resolution to recognize the day and the organizations working to support victims and to educate future generations about the deadly legacy of Communism. In 2018, the state of Virginia became the first to officially recognize Victims of Communism Memorial Day; and 11 other states have been moving to do the same. On Nov. 5, 2019, Former Representative Dan Lipinski (D-IL), Founding Co-Chair of the Victims of Communism Caucus, introduced a House Resolution expressing support for the designation of November 7 as the annual “Victims of Communism Memorial Day.” Located along the Illinois/Missouri border and home to numerous universities, including top research institutions Washington University and Saint Louis University, St. Louis Missouri is an educational hub and ideal setting for this first and centrally located commission. VOC-STL is composed of volunteers from across the St. Louis region, including community leaders and others who have fled communist oppression for a better life in the United States. For additional information, and to support or volunteer with the organization, please visit the website https://victimsofcommunism.org/stl.
Dicembre
2021
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Italian Heritage Parade and Festa The Hill Oct. 10, 2021 photos by Bailey Wolf
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2021
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Winter Solstice by Courtney Kamm
The Winter Solstice, taking place this year on Dec. 21, is when the sun travels the shortest path through the sky resulting in the day of the year with the least sunlight — the shortest day and the longest night. This solstice is commonly referred to as “the symbolic death and rebirth of the Sun” because from that point on the nights will gradually get shorter and the amount of daylight will gradually get longer. If you are struggling with the shorter amount of daylight, here are a few ways to conquer the winter blues: Wake up earlier to get as much sunlight as possible. Get out into nature and soak up some fresh air. Buy a sunlight lamp.
Christmas Around the World by Courtney Kamm
Christmas might look a little different in varying cities and countries around the world, but they still tend to share key traits involving themes of lights, evergreens, and hope. Have you wondered what people halfway around the world do on Dec. 25? Let’s take a look! In Finland, families visit the sauna on Christmas Eve, gather to listen to the national “Peace of Christmas” radio broadcast, and commonly visit the gravesites of departed family members. The tradition of decorating a Christmas tree actually comes from Germany where decorating evergreen trees has always been a part of the German winter solstice tradition. The first “Christmas trees” explicitly decorated and named after the Christian holiday appeared in Strasbourg (part of Alsace) at the beginning of the 17th century. In Southern France, some people burn a log in their homes from Christmas Eve until New Year’s Day which stems from the ancient tradition in which farmers would use part of the log to ensure good luck for the next year’s harvest. Unlike the weather outside most of our doors on Christmas Day, the Australian Christmas season is in the middle of summer and can hit up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Beach days, outdoor barbecues, and family gatherings are common in the land down under! In Ukraine, they prepare a twelvecourse meal! Which of these traditions would you be most likely to start implementing into your holiday traditions?
New Year Celebrations and Resolutions by Courtney Kamm
Civilizations around the world have been celebrating the start of each year for at least four millennia. Today, most New Year’s festivities begin on Dec. 31 and continue into the early hours of Jan.1. Common traditions include attending parties, eating special New Year’s foods, and making resolutions for the new year. The beginning of a new year can be very exciting and an opportunity for a clean slate, but this can also be very overwhelming for many people. While resolutions have typically been about improving things about
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yourself (losing weight, saving money, etc.), these types of resolutions can be hard to stick to. Here are a few New Year’s resolutions to take into 2022 that you are more likely to stick to: Give one compliment a day. Try a new food you have never had. Cook more meals at home. Take the stairs. Start a gratitude journal. Start recycling more. What are your New Year’s Resolutions and how are you going to stick to them? Let us know at courtney@ilpensiero.net.
$1 Homes in Italy
by Courtney Kamm
In Maenza, Italy, 100 homes are selling for about $1 to buyers who can commit to renovating them. Buyers can turn the 550 to 750 square-foot stone dwellings into businesses or modern homes, but there’s a catch — buyers have to commit to renovating them within three years, CNN reported recently. Maenza is a quaint medieval town full of narrow alleys, cobblestone pathways, and history. The homes for sale were built in the 1700s, and it has been reported that many of them have been abandoned for years. Potential buyers must file how they’d like to renovate the homes and provide a $5,840 (about 5,000 euros) deposit upon purchasing. The deposit will be returned once renovations are complete. Interested in these eye-catching prices? Potential buyers can visit the town’s website to see which houses are for sale and fill out an application. While applications started in September, there are more houses coming to the market soon.
ItalyUntold and Niaf Seal a Protocol To Promote the Image of Italy in the US
ItalyUntold, the Brussels-based Think Tank comprised of international scientists and professors, and the prestigious National Italian American Foundation (NIAF), that since 1975 has been promoting the Italian legacy, language, and culture, have signed a Cooperation Protocol to support and promote Italy overseas. The agreement aims at defending the true image of Italy and at sharing its many excellences which are often unknown, doing so countering common false prejudices. “This agreement seals a strategic collaboration with the Italo-American community in the US”, explains Francesco Briganti, President of ItalyUntold. “We are happy to support what NIAF is doing to promote the Italian culture in the United States. Thanks to this cooperation, we will give further visibility to the Italian excellences and primacies, which are often ignored and deserve to be told.” “By implementing this agreement, we are convinced that the Italian-System (Sistema-Italia) can be strengthened, improving the perception of Italy abroad. I also want to thank Matteo Pederzoli, our senior strategic advisor, for his contribution in finalizing this important achievement.” Robert E. Carlucci Chairman of NIAF said, “ItalyUntold is a perfect partner to fulfil a vital part of our foundation’s
Dicembre
2021
mission which is to make Americans aware of contemporary Italy and its plethora of accomplishments in all facets of human endeavors.” Italy is the fifth power in the world for trade surplus and the second European manufacturing country. Italian industries enjoy leading positions in many high technology sectors, from robotics to shipyards, and they build major infrastructure in more than 90 countries. The Italian language is the fourth most studied language in the world, a clear signal of the international attention to our country. The collaboration between ItalyUntold and NIAF aims at amplifying these positive messages and disseminating them globally, helping Italy’s repositioning within the international scenario. The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a non-profit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to preserving, promoting, and protecting the heritage and culture of the nation’s 20,000,000 Italian Americans. To learn more about the Foundation, visit niaf.org. ItalyUntold is a Brussels-based think tank with the aim at promoting and defending the true image of Italy, revealing the ‘untold’ stories, and countering the prejudices of which Italy is still victim. To learn more visit italyuntold. org. For questions or information contact press@italyuntold.org.
Zamir Gotta From the Hot Television Series “No Reservations” Came to The Hill
Zamir Gotta, a friend of the late Anthony Bourdan, made an appearance at Anthonino’s Taverna on The Hill in St. Louis on Thursday, Oct. 28. Anthonino’s Taverna held a meet and greet with light appetizers.
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2021
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CONSOLATO GENERALE D’ITALIA
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THOMAS BOTZIOS–CONSOLE GENERALE
Onorario D’Italia/ Honorary Vice Consul Joseph Colagiovanni
Office: 314-275-0351 Mobile: 314-705-2413 saintlouis.onorario@esteri.it italianconsulstl@gmail.com
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