St. Joseph Altar
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2021: The Year of St. Joseph
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The St. Joseph Altar celebration at Christ the Redeemer is typically held the third weekend in March coinciding with the Feast of St. Joseph. Every year, members of the CtR St. Joseph Altar Society create a beautiful altar display in our Parish Hall, prepare traditional baked goods and serve a delicious spaghetti lunch for all. The proceeds benefit Cypress Assistance Ministries. This year, we invite you to bring this beautiful tradition into your homes. The Feast of St. Joseph is celebrated on March 19, 2021, but since Pope Francis has declared 2021 as the Year of St. Joseph, you can create an altar in your home at any time.
Read on for resources and a video explaining the origins and significance of this tradition as well as what is typically included when creating St. Joseph's Altar. Stay tuned for details on an in-person Altar later in 2021.
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Creating An Altar at Home
The St. Joseph Altar Ministry upholds the tradition of creating an Altar to honor St. Joseph and to raise funds to feed the poor and to meet the needs of the less fortunate. We invite you to attend our next St. Joseph Altar and luncheon to gain the full experience of our dedication to our patron saint and to deepen your devotion to St. Joseph. Our ministry is open to all.
To celebrate the Year of St. Joseph, we would like to explain the Altar and encourage you to construct a small altar in your home using items you already have. At home, you can:- Prepare your family's favorite meal
- Invite your family and friends
- Request they bring a non-perishable food donation in return
See the links and video on this page for more about the altar and how you can recreate this beautiful tradition at home.
Thanks to parishioners Carolyn Rizzotto Bilsky and Jennifer Rizzotto Guzzetta for their support in this project!May St. Joseph continue to bless you and enjoy your Tavola di San Giuseppe!
Grazie!
Carolyn Smith
Chair St. Joseph Altar Ministry
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About the St. Joseph Altar Society
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The St. Joseph Altar Society honors beloved St. Joseph by hosting a spaghetti dinner, altar and bake sale in the third week of March. Members prepare and serve the dinner, set up and clean up. You are welcome to help out!
Several planning meetings are usually held bi-weekly in January, February and March. Members will take part in the preparation for the event, including the setting up, serving the dinner and the clean-up. Volunteers are also needed to bake the delicious cakes and cookies offered at the event. Proceeds are donated to the Cypress Assistance Ministry.
Contact:
For more information, contact Carolyn Smith at carolynlsmith2@gmail.com.
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St. Joseph Altar Cook Book
In the Italian language, “il tavolo” is how you refer to a piece of furniture known as the table.
After il tavolo is prepared for a meal, it is referred to as “la tavola.”“Welcome to our place. La tavola is set. The food is prepared. Come in and honor us with your presence.”
We have prepared a collection of recipes for you, our guest to “La Tavola.” Most of the recipes have been passed down to us with an Italian or Sicilian accent. Many are our favorites that we have gathered through time. We hope you enjoy the food you prepare using our recipes for your guests at your La Tavola.
Books are $15 each. To obtain a copy, email Carolyn Smith at carolynlsmith2@gmail.com.
Buon Appetito!
The St. Joseph Altar Society
Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church
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History of St. Joseph Altar
The Sicilians started the tradition of the St. Joseph Altar. During the middle ages, a terrible famine plagued Sicily because of a horrible drought. The Sicilians pleaded to St. Joseph, their patron saint, for his intersession for rain and to end the drought. At last the skies opened and rain fell upon the land. The people rejoiced. Sometime later, to show gratidude, they prepared an Altar table with a special assortment of foods that they had harvested. After paying honor to St. Joseph, they distributed the food to the hungry. This tradition continues around the world.
Today, the tradition continues with the feast “La Festa di Tavola di San Giuseppe” and we invite our parish family and our community to join us! -
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