DIOCESE—As the March 18-19 weekend approaches, volunteers at parishes around the Rockford Diocese will be baking, making pasta and setting up elaborate altar and table displays of food, statues and decorations — all to honor St. Joseph on his feast day, falling this year on March 20. 

 

The St. Joseph altar tradition goes many centuries back to a period of drought and famine in Sicily. When the Sicilians turned to St. Joseph in prayer, rains came and crops grew. In gratitude, they celebrated him, giving and sharing their finest crops, seafood and wine with all, especially the poor.

 

Today parish volunteers are getting ready to once more “do it big.” It’s also a big weekend for two diocesan leaders in St. Joseph celebrations. 

 

Rosie Scalise Sheridan and her family will celebrate St. Joseph’s feast with an open house (and altar display) on March 18, 5-7 p.m., at 7020 Clikeman Rd., Rockford. The next day, the family will start serving pasta at noon and continue until 6 p.m., with carry-out available. In past years, they have served hundreds of visitors for free. 

 

And Laura Padron, who wrote a guide on St. Joseph altars called “How to Build St. Joseph Altars: A Feast for the Soul,” will speak on EWTN’s “At Home with Jim and Joy” program. The show will air March 15 and 16 at 12:30 p.m.

 

But for all the busyness of baking and setting up, the most important preparation begins today, March 10: praying a novena to St. Joseph. 

 

And in a little over a week, you can head over to the parishes on the right or to the Sheridans’ house (or both) to enjoy food and fellowship.