The revelry of St. Patrick’s Day often obscures the feast of St. Joseph’s, which occurs two days later. The celebration has Sicilian roots and honors St. Joseph with a bountiful, and meatless, feast. (It’s still Lent, remember.)
Below are several St. Joseph’s Day celebrations to be held throughout the month. The events usually begin with a blessing of the altar and are often preceded by a Mass. Call the sponsoring organization for full details.
Traditionally, admission to partake in these buffets is by donation. Proceeds benefit the sponsoring church or charitable organizations. Prices are listed for those events that have set admission fees.
– St. Joseph Church sponsors “La Cena” (feast) 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday. Como Inn, 546 N. Milwaukee Ave. $75. Proceeds benefit St. Joseph Elementary School. Reservations, 312-787-7174.
– Knights of Columbus, Tonti Council 1567. St. Constance Church gym, 5864 W. Ainslie St. 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday. $12 adults; $5 children under 12. Ray Kalfas, 773-774-6905.
– St. Frances of Rome, 1401 S. Austin Blvd., Cicero. Sweets table only, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday; 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Information, Millie Tancredi, 708-652-1751.
– Santa Maria Addolorata school hall, 1337 W. Ohio St. Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Information, 312-421-3122.
– Villa Scalabrini, 480 N. Wolf Rd., Northlake. Noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Information, Mary Scalera, 708-562-5530.
– Pasta Vino, 4200 N. River Rd., Schiller Park. March 19: Lunch, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., $8.95 ($7.95 for seniors); six dinner seatings from 5 p.m., $14.95. Cost does not include tax and gratuity. Proceeds benefit St. Francis Borgia Church. Reservations required, call Rosanne Irgang, 847-678-2000.
– St. Peter Church, 110 W. Madison St. 12:45 to 3 p.m. March 19. Information, Linda Jamrozy, 312-853-2376.
– Villa de Bruno, 19825 Stony Island Ave., Lynwood. 4:30 to 9 p.m. March 19. Adults, $14.50; children 5 to 11, $7.25. Reservations, Andy Kaptur, 708-474-2144.
– Enzo Ristorante & Banquets, 7151 W. Foster Ave. 6:30 p.m. cocktails; 7:30 p.m. dinner March 20. $45. Reservations, 773-763-9400.
– Mount St. Joseph Home for the Mentally Retarded, 24955 N. U.S. Highway 12 (Rand Road), Lake Zurich. 3 to 7:30 p.m. March 20. Information, Sister Janet, 847-438-5050.
– St. Eugene Church, Shaughnessy Center, 7900 W. Foster Ave. (at Canfield Avenue). 3 to 8:30 p.m. March 20. Information, 773-775-6659.
– St. Joseph Club, 2724 S. Union Ave. Noon to 4 p.m. March 20. Information, 312-326-1826.
– The Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii, 1224 W. Lexington St. Noon to 3 p.m. March 21. Free parking at UIC lot, Harrison Street and Racine Avenue. Information, 312-421-3757.
– Our Lady of Ransom Parish, Paluch Hall, 8300 N. Greenwood Ave., Niles. 1:30 to 5 p.m. March 21. Information, Josephine Bax, 847-823-8984.
– St. Alexander Church, parish center, 126th St. and 71st Ave., Palos Heights. 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. March 21. Information, 708-448-4861.
– St. Callistus Oratory, Children of Peace School, 2187 W. Bowler St. 1 to 4 p.m. March 21. Information, Lisa Albano, 312-243-3938.
– St. Christopher Parish, 14641 S. Keeler Ave., Midlothian. 1 to 4 p.m. March 21. Information, 708-388-8190.
– St. Domitilla Parish, 605 Hillside Ave., Hillside. 10:30 to 1 p.m. March 21. Information, Tony Marzano, 708-449-8430.
– St. Robert Bellarmine Council of Catholic Women, parish hall, 4646 N. Austin Ave. 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 21. Sweet table only. Information, 773-777-2666.
– Santa Lucia Parish, 3017 S. Wells St. Noon to 5 p.m. March 21. Information, 312-842-6115.
– Immaculate Conception Church, 7211 W. Talcott Ave. 1 to 5 p.m. March 28. Information, Rose Mattio, 773-763-2839.
