LEFT: Members of the Italian Catholic Federation (ICF) branch at The Holy Name of Jesus, Redlands, prepare cannoli to sell as a fundraiser. RIGHT: Members of the Italian Catholic Federation (ICF) branch at St. Anthony, Upland, are pictured at their Feast of St. Joseph's Table event.
This is the first in a three-part series about this year's Amar Es Entregarse recipients. The other two are the Knights of Columbus and Serra International which will be featured in the coming weeks.
This year, at the 21st Annual Bishop’s Dinner, three organizations will be presented with the Amar Es Entregarse Award: the Knights of Columbus, Serra International and the Italian Catholic Federation (ICF).
The ICF, whose history goes back to the early 1900s, is a “family-oriented, non-profit fraternal organization dedicated to promoting activities that build faith and family spirit and bring men, women and children of all ages together.” The ICF has branches at three parishes in our Diocese: St. Joseph in Fontana, The Holy Name of Jesus in Redlands and St. Anthony in Upland.
The ICF’s charitable work includes an annual scholarship to graduating high school seniors, donations to the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles and for programs for the developmentally disabled, and to support the Diocese’s seminary education.
The pandemic posed a challenge to the ICF’s fundraising efforts, although things are steadily returning to normal. Fundraising efforts can range from dinners and galas to cannoli/coffee sales and more. While the group historically began from Italian immigrants’ desire to preserve their Catholic heritage, non-Italians are welcome to join the group as well.
John Guerin, President of The Holy Name of Jesus’ ICF branch, has been involved with the ICF for around 13 years and counts many benefits to being part of the group. “I enjoy the camaraderie, the friendships, the food and the ability to make contributions to important causes,” he said.
“We thank the Bishop on being named [Amar Es Entregarse] recipients, it’s a great honor,” Guerin added.