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  Grand President's Addressby Jim Jones 
I am certainly blessed to belong to the Italian Catholic Federation. When I go to Bishops' Days, visit your branches and your Districts, I realize how important this organization is to others as well as to me.
You are the branches, you are the Federation, and you make the Italian Catholic Federation what it is: a giving, sharing and loving family of friends. For those who went to Convention this year, it was a special time to visit with you. Janice and I had a great time and we are looking forward to seeing you at Bishops' Days and Installations. The weather is beginning to change and the harvest season is here. Janice and I enjoy this time of the year - the holiday season - especially Thanksgiving. Janice loves to decorate the house with glass pumpkins, cornstalks, Dept 56 Villages and all the things she has collected over the years. If I say let's forget decorating this year, you would think I committed a sin! Being a curious kind of guy, I began to wonder if they celebrate Thanksgiving, a distinctly American holiday, in Italy. It seems like our Thanksgiving holiday doesn't translate well in a land where our Plymouth Rock would be just another stone in a two thousand year old roman archaeological ruin. In fact anyone from North America who visits Italy during the Thanksgiving holiday will find it difficult to find the necessary ingredients for a traditional New England style Thanksgiving dinner. It might include ravioli con la zucca (pumpkin ravioli), sweet Italian turkey sausage, and mozzarella stuffing. You may be seeing where I'm going with this. It really doesn't matter where you are during this holiday season, just so long you are with family and friends. Whether it is spending time together preparing a wonderful meal; laughing; singing; or just enjoying the company of relatives and friends, these are the important things that make life good. Janice and I wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. Enjoy this life God has given us, be thankful for what you have and what you can share. 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 |