As we find our nation divided on many issues lately, it’s refreshing to know that community outreach is still very much alive and well in many religions and in many small communities like the Miss-Lou.

An example of such outreach is happening from 9:30 a.m. until noon Saturday at Assumption Catholic Church, No. 10 Morgantown Road.

The ladies altar society are once again hosting their annual St. Joseph’s Day “Altar” Celebration in honor of Saint Joseph (Jesus’ step father) the patron saint for families, workers, the ill and infirmed. We welcome all denominations/faiths to please join us and enjoy a morning of community gathering to support the origins of this feast that began in the Middle Ages which is typically celebrated on the actual feast day, March 19th of every year.

The Feast is a symbolic celebration of thanks and a renewal of the Sicilian people’s devotion to Saint Joseph. It is a shared celebration with the entire community where the riches of food are given as alms to the poor.

During the Middle Ages this feast day was attributed to the end of a devastating drought/famine where all the food and cattle had been depleted, and the Sicilians were starving and dying.

What they needed was a great rain to save the remaining sparse crop of fava beans, which were typically only used to feed the cattle, but became the only nourishment for the starving Sicilians.

According to legend, the severe drought claimed all the cattle and all the crops, and the people were starving to death as well, so they prayed for St. Joseph to help them and their families, to bring them rain. They promised that if God answered their prayers, through St. Joseph’s intercession, they would prepare an annual feast every year thereafter in his honor. The rain did come; and the people of Sicily did as promised and prepared a fantastic banquet during the harvest as thanks to their patron saint.

Since this feast day is a living tradition, two constants still remain, all dishes prepared must be meatless to signify the loss of all the meat during the famine, and sesame-coated breads adorn the altar in symbolic shapes paying homage to St. Joseph, such as a sacred heart, wheat/barley florets, bread crumbs, his walking staff, carpenters saw, nails, hammers to represent his carpentry background, doves, lambs, monstrance, crucifix’s and other items found in the Catholic Church, all adorn the altar.

People write petitions/favor requests  typically prayer requests for jobs, families, health, etc.) and place them on the altar for St. Joseph. The main message/intent of the altar is to remember the gifts God grants to us, to pay homage to Jesus’ step father, and to remember that we are all brought forth from the foundation of giving and helping those in need, something that is often missing in today’s society.

So please come join us for a morning of prayer, devotion, and ministry. We extend our invitation to everyone. Please be sure to bring your children, neighbors and friends to learn more about this centuries old tradition. If you are able, we are also collecting donations of non-perishable items and/or monetary donations for the needy in our community.

We promise a good time, great fellowship and a little keepsake for all who attend. As we say in New Orleans, “Laissez les bons temps rouler,” “Let the good times roll!”

Nona Colombo is a member of the Assumption Catholic Church, St. Joseph Altar Society.