At the St.Mary's Feast Civita Hall on Saturday, June 24 the room was packed with members of the St. Mary's Feast Society celebrating and honoring the Society and The Blessed Mother.

It was also the annual bestowing of awards to members who showed support, involvement and dedication through their actions to the Society over the course of the year. The St. Mary's Church and Feast Society was established April 12, 1925.

The original name was "Comitato Festa Di Maria SS Della Civita", the very first Feast was actually held in 1905 from the former St. Rocco's Church.

December 11, 1967 was when the Ladies Auxiliary was formed. All of this history and much, much more was compiled into the 152 page program by Auxiliary President, Maria Manzi.

The members all enjoyed Italian music and food throughout the course of the evening. Manzi offered welcoming remarks to the crowd and spoke of the importance of following traditions for 118 years.

Prior to the grace before the meal, Father Sisco helped keeping the mood lighthearted by expressing his shock and love of the fact that people can dance to the tune of the Italian National Anthem.

Mayor Hopkins spoke about the new park in Knightsville, mirroring the park with the Itri fountain in Italy. Following the Feast, construction or Phase II will begin on making the sidewalk and adding new trees along Cranston Street down to the Church identical to the sidewalks in Intri.

Hopkins added that in honor of the ceiling at St. Mary's Church, where The Blessed Mother is surrounded by roses, they planted 12 rose bushes in the new park.

Volpi said how much he appreciates all the help and support he received over the year. And he offered congratulations to al the award winners.

Manzi gave her thanks and gratitude not only to her executive board, but to the men's as well. Manzi took a minute get personal, and asked people to look through and enjoy the program book.

"It is something started by my father years ago. It has all the history you could ever want to know about the Feast, the Society, Knightsville, the Church, the statues. Any and everything you ever wanted to know. It lists all of the award recipients going back to 1966," she said.

Manzi called out a table that had a group of Italian ladies that sing at every meeting after the Rosary is recited. They were kind enough to treat the room to a traditional Italian song. She encouraged the room to remember the ancestors who came before and to welcome new members.

Father Sisco spoke to the crowd for a second time. "We need to stay connected to the past, as Maria was saying. We need the next generations to preserve the values of their parents and grandparents," he said.

Sisco went on to discuss the importance of prayer and fighting "the darkness" of society. After dinner was served, Volpi and Manzi presented the awards to the following people for being Outstanding Benefactors;

Brian Aschettino, Robert Battista, Ron Campagnone, Ralph Coppola, Charlie Matracia, Ryan Nardolillo, Kevin Ratte, Carmine Vita. The Ladies Auxiliary Award s went to; Sandra Frazee, Brandy Morin, MaryAnn Petrella and Kristen Vita.

The Outstanding Members Awards were given to Joshua Barrette and Lynda Nardolillo. Lou Mosca received the Honorary Banquet Chariman title. And, given the title of Honorary President was Nicholas J. Capobianco, Jr.

While he was unable to attend in person, the room gave him a standing ovation and everyone applauded for him. At the end of the evening, Manzi and the Ladies Auxiliary presented Volpi with "the big check" for help with funding the Feast.

"We have craft fairs, bake sales, dinners, we do what can to support the men and the Feast. This year we are proud to give you seven thousand dollars," Manzi said

"I don't think people realize how much it costs to run the Feast, it's close to $78,000. Ten thousand for fireworks, $8,000 for the procession on Sunday morning, for the police and fire another six-seven thousand dollars. It all adds up. And, this fundraising throughout the year really makes a difference," said Volpi.

For more information about the Society go to https://www.facebook.com/stmarysfeast, for a full list of Feast events and history.