NEWS Bollettino Highlights In Touch New on the Website Calendar Winners

Grand President's Message by Michael Rossi "To all who come to this happy place: welcome. Here age relives fond memories of the past... and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future," - Walt Disney - Welcome to the 78th annual Italian Catholic Federation Convention in Garden Grove, California. We may not be exactly at Disneyland, but considering Garden Grove is in the shadows of the historic theme park, it only seems fitting to greet everyone in the words of Disneyland's famous founder, Walt Disney. Walt Disney's words have a poignancy that we too can use as we come to this Convention. This is our opportunity as members, delegates, and leaders of the Italian Catholic Federation to share with each other memories and ideals of the past, and hopes and ideas for the future. The attendance of so many ICF members in one place is truly an inspiring experience. Together we work, pray, and play. Your presence tells us that the Federation is vibrant and our continued work for charity, church and our heritage is indeed important. In addition to sharing fun times and doing business to ensure the future of our wonderful organization, we also share a deep religious and spiritual connection that is expressed in this year's theme. "Christ Be Our Light" reminds us to always seek His guidance in everything we do. The ICF is already a truly wonderful organization, but by seeking the light of Christ we can be guided to do further good works for our churches, for charity and for our own inner well being. Every year we grand presidents seem to tout the Convention as being a wonderful place for old friends to meet up again and new friends to be made. This isn't just something that we say, but it is one of our own personal experiences. For years many of us look forward to the Convention as being the once per year opportunity to physically see friends from different cities and states. At no other time throughout the year can we as Federation members get together in such an organized and fun fashion. This type of camaraderie cannot be replaced. The Orange District and Convention Directors have been working diligently to insure that the delegates have a memorable time at Convention. There are several dinner events, bocce, Bingo, Pedro, novelties to buy, a city tour, hospitality suites, masses, awards to give, business to conduct, workshops, banquet, heritage and membership tables. I thank all of you for your hard work in making this a wonderful Convention. For those attending the Convention as a delegate, be sure to attend as many events as possible to get the most out of the weekend. I encourage the delegates to share their Convention experience with the rest of their branch members when they return home. I hope you have good stories to tell. Perhaps next year new members will want to attend the Convention. God bless those who are traveling to Convention and may you have a safe journey. Michael Rossi Grand President Italian Catholic Federation, 8393 Capwell Drive, Suite 110, Oakland CA 94621 tel: 888/ICF-1924; 510/633-9058; fax: 510/633-9758; Email: info@icf.org Website designed by HYPERSPHERE