Church to celebrate St. Joseph with a feast

Much to the delight of the Roselle community, St. Walter Parish is resuming its St. Joseph's Day Table from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday in St. Walter's McDonald Center, 201 W. Maple, Roselle.

Everyone in the community is welcome to join the celebration.

"The St. Joseph's Day tradition began in Sicily," said Joan DiPiero, who is co-chairing the event with her husband, Vincent. "There was a drought and not enough food. The villagers prayed to their patron saint, St. Joseph. When the drought ended the villagers shared their bounty with those less fortunate.

"That's what makes St. Joseph's Day so special, the sharing of what you have with others. It's giving back to the community. When my mom used to have St. Joseph's Day, the first to come in were the less fortunate. That's why we ask for donations at the door."

St. Joseph's Day falls during the Lenten season, so in keeping with Catholic tradition, the meal served is meatless. Dishes include Italian omelets filled with vegetables, hot and cold seafood dishes, eggplant parmesan, rigatoni with vodka sauce along with other pastas, minestrone soup, salads, focaccia and pizza.

"There are special dishes you make just during Lent, like lentil soup," DiPiero said. "Tradition is that parishioners bring their absolute Lenten favorites. Then you celebrate with the sweets. One woman called and said she is bringing her old-fashioned chocolate cake. I gave up the meats, but I have to have the sweets."

St. Walter's St. Joseph Day Table will include an overflowing sweets table featuring zepoli, a rich Italian cream puff, homemade cookies and cakes.

"Much of the food is coming from the parishioners," DiPiero said. "They want to share."

St. Walter Church would also like to thank the following businesses who have donated to the event: Turano Bakery, Elena's Cucina, Villagio's Restaurant, Capone's Deli, The Walnut Street Deli, Mario's Deli and Paul Enzo's Restaurant.

Red and white colors will be the theme of the day as St. Joseph is remembered.

"This has been fun to work on," DiPiero said. "Any time you are working with food, it's fun."

Anyone can bring along a meatless dish or dessert to share at the St. Joseph's Day Table. Be sure to pack it in a disposable container.

Keeping with tradition, there is no fee to attend, though donations will gladly be accepted at the door. Any money raised will go to the St. Vincent DePaul Society. The money will remain in the Chicago area to help people experiencing emergency situations.

For details, call Joan DiPiero at (630) 295-9445.

St. Joseph's Day Tables

• Corpus Christi Parish, 1315 Lies Road, Carol Stream, from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday. For details or donations, call Stella at (630) 690-0458.

• St. Walter Parish from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the center, 201 W. Maple, Roselle. Those attending may bring a meatless dish or dessert to share in a disposable container. The event is free, but donations will be accepted for the St. Vincent DePaul Society. For details, call (630) 894-2461.

• St. Peter the Apostle Parish after the 11:15 a.m. Mass Sunday in the school hall, 500 N. Cherry St., Itasca. Proceeds will benefit needy families. For details, call Terry at (630) 285-1927.