Art, history, culture, music, fashion . . . Italians have – and continue to – shape each of these worlds.
And Italian-American men and women proud of their heritage have come together for more than 100 years by joining the Order Sons of Italy in America (OSIA) – the oldest and largest such organization in North America.
Now, thanks to the efforts of some local residents and OSIA members, an Order Sons of Italy in America Lodge will be established in Howard Beach.
After months of searching for meeting space, Father Anthony M. Rucando of Our Lady of Grace (OLG) has opened his heart – and the parish — to the new arm of the national organization.
“Father Rucando was very receptive,” said Eleanor Panzarella-Jobbagy, state trustee for District 3 OSIA. “He was wonderful, very gracious.”
“Any organization by its nature that defines itself as supportive and positive for the community should be given every opportunity to develop,” said Rucando. “If they can be the yeast and make things happen for the good, I’m very happy to have them here.”
And, since October is Italian Heritage Month, the date of the first Howard beach OSIA meeting – Thursday, October 21 at 7:30 p.m. – is very apropos.
“It’s the perfect time,” said Rosemary Ciulla-Frisone, member, District Council 37 Italian Heritage Committee, representative SSEU Local 371.
“As a national and state past president of OSIA, and now as president and chair of the Italian Heritage and Culture Committee, NY,” said Joe Sciame, also grand marshal of the Howard Beach Columbus Day Parade, “I am excited OSIA is finally getting established in Howard Beach. I am encouraged by the enthusiasm and sense of energy [in the community].”
But more than just a social organization, OSIA, explained Nicholas M. Mauro, membership co-chair, is a community-minded group whose “number one goal is to promote our Italian culture and heritage” through outreach, including contributing to charities such as Cooley’s Anemia, Alzheimer’s, Autism, and various other programs. They even have a gift of sight program and a bone marrow registry.
In fact, statewide, OSIA, whose motto is “liberty, equality and fraternity,” just raised $235,000 for an earthquake-ravaged autism school in Italy.
Additionally, since 1982, the New York Grand Lodge Foundation, Inc., Order Sons of Italy in America, has awarded over $2.5 million in scholarships to students. They also donate various educational supplies to schools.
And, in keeping with its goals of promoting a “positive image of Italians and Italian-Americans,” explained Panzarella-Jobbagy, another of OSIA’s “jewels” is the Commission for Social Justice, of which she is treasurer.
It is the anti-defamation arm that “aggressively promotes the study of the Italian language, history and culture.”
And these, said Mauro, are definitely “making a comeback.”
“The number of Italian-Americans who have distinguished themselves in Howard Beach – including the late Joseph Addabbo – have helped to open a lot of doors,” he said.
Membership is easy, explained Mauro, and is open to men and women over 18. Italians or their spouses can become full members; non-Italians are eligible for social membership.
The first meeting of the Howard Beach OSIA will be on Thursday, October 21 at 7:30 p.m. at OLG convent. For more information, visit www.nysosia.org or contact Panzarella-Jobbagy at 516-358-9151 or Ciulla-Frisone at 917-734-2411.
