Campodipietra - Annals of the Cultural Association
1971
The Campopitresi residents of Montreal made their baby first step into
the Canadian collectivity back on September 5, 1971. On that date, Lino
Lamenta, Mario Geronimo and Carmine Ritone organized, at the Marie Reine
des Coeurs shrine, the first pilgrimage to Saint Michael the Archangel
protector saint of Campodipietra. This official entry of our community
within the multi-etnic community of the greater Montreal area inspires
in the mind of dynamic Lino Lamenta the idea of giving greater consistency
and a wider range of action to the above mentioned pilgrimage of the establishment
of a town of origin association.
Exited by this tought and without hesitating, on the evening of September
13 of the same year, Lino contacted the following five townfolks: Giuseppe
Cefaratti, Michele Perrotta, Francesco Lamenta, Michele Lamenta and Angelo
Di Maio to submit them his idea and ask for the appropriate support. The
five, overwhelmingly supported the idea and proceded to the unofficial
kick off to what will become the Associazione Culturale di Campodipietra
a Montreal.
1972
On February 26, 1972, under the “direzione abbonario” of the
six founding members, was held the first banquet “serata danzante”
of the resident campopietresi here in Montreal. The epic event took place,
almost under the benevolent gaze of Our Lady of Pompei, in the basement
of the church on corner of Saint Michel and Sauvé. At the end of
the same year, on the 11th of November, the nascent Association prepared,
for the first time, the traditional annual banquet, always in the basement
hall of Our Lady of Pompei church.
1973
Although not yet officially born, our townfolk Association was summond
in 1973, in the basement of the parish rectory to its first general meeting
of the members to elect a board of directors for the association. This
first board of directors was composed as follows: Lino Lamenta predident,
Giuseppe Paventi vice president, Pierino De Luca secretary and Michele
Bruno treauser. In the same year, under the guidance of the new board,
was organized a second “serata danzante” that took place once
again in the basement of the church. For the occasion, a memento booklet
was prented from which pages it was clear and evident than and there,
among other things, that the precence of campopietresi in different sectors
of the sociocultural sphere here in Montreal, was by far well established
and impressive. Another significant note of this 1973 year, was the entry
in the Association of the fairer sex. The first woman to enter is Filomena
Mancini-Barile followed by Angelina Grosso. These the first pink card
holder members of our Association.
1974
Meanwhile, things fall into line whit government regulation and administrations,
so that in 1974 the registration of our Association is submitted to the
appropriate provincial registers. On February 12 of that year, the Ministry
of Financial Institutions, Companies and Cooperatives of Quebec responded
to the applicants whit a letter attesting that the foundation of our town
of origin Association was approved. To make this official, on June 7th,
again in the same year, the above four members of the executive committee
traveled to Quebec city to sign the birth certificate of our association
which was baptized, as already menzioned, under the name of Associazione
Culturale di Campodipietra a Montreal!
1976
Also 1976 is a year to remember: the Association creates a bowling league
which was named “Lega Campodipietra” and came under the leadership
of Antonio Mancini and Luigi Mariano. It was made up of eight teams that
took the names of some district of the town: Marconi, Bonaventura, Piazza
Municipio, Via Roma, Via Orto, Vico Chiesa, Fontana and Montini.
To emphasize contacts with the Motherland with regards to this 1976 first
visit to Montreal by Angelo Maria Paventi, mayor of Campodipietra for
two consecutive terms the Association organized in his honor a banquet
at the Buffet Cristina where he was handed a plaque to emphasize his visit
to Montreal.
But the year 1976 is also a year which registered a sad note. The organizing
Saint-Michael’s sub-committee for pilgrimages decided to break away
from the Cultural Association and create one of its own. The Cultural
Associatio, therefore, concentraded its energies, from then on, in the
organization of the feast of Saint-Michalel the Archangel to be celebrated
on the secon Sunday of August to coincide with that of town of origin.
1977
Meanwhile, November 12, 1977 is a date to reserves a special mention.
That night, at Buffet Le Rizz under the chairmanship of the well-known
industrial Giuseppe Paventi, a memorable event is celebrated; the annual
banquet, “Cena in onore dei profesionisti e oriundi del Nord America”,
takes a very significant and special character in that it becomes the
occasion to celebrate and honor professionals of Campopietresi origin
living in North America. Noumerous renouned campopietresi residing both
in Canada and in the United Sttes were honored and thanked for their contribution
and for having brought prestige to our town of origin. For the record,
555 attendees filled the hall to celebrate the following campopietresi
of North America: Francesco Ricciardi, Cosimo Carlone, Nicola Cefaratti
and Fausto Scricco said Tucci.
1978
The following year as well, in 1978 if ware not mistaken, is the year
in which the Association turned its attention to children of our community,
to children under the age of 12. In fact, it was organized a feast of
the “Befana” who brought very many gifts to the children enlightening
their faces and filling their souls with joy. And the “old Befana”
so good and generous is significantly introduced by an ad hoc poem recited
by Mrs. Beatrice Paventi. Those children are now adults with a family
and children of their own; it would be wonderfull in remembering that
great evening, if they ib turn would motivate their children to respond
to the call and the values of our Cultural Association!
1979 to 1981
The year 1979, however, is the year in which our thoughts returned to
feast of Saint-Michael. In fact, we had the wonderfull idea to hold a
found raiser for the purchase of a statue of the Holy Archangel to solemnize
under his protection the festivities on the secon Sunday of August. This
statue, carved in northern hardwood, was commissioned from the “Arte
Sacra” of Bolzano. The statue of Saint Michael arrived in Montreal
on August 31, 1980, through the shipping company "Avandero"
and made the transatlantic crossing on an Alitalia flight. After a solemn
mass celebrated by Father Anthony Montecalvo, the statue was placed in
worship at Our Lady of Pompei parish. It is removed only on the day of
celebration and that is the second Sunday in August. A banquet at the
Buffet Antique was held to celebrate the arrival of the statue amongst
us. This event was honored by Campopietresi residents from New Britain,
Connecticut (USA).
Also in 1980 the re-elected mayor of Campodipietra, Angelo Maria Paventi,
visited again his fellow citizens of Montreal. This time he was received
and greeted at the Buffet Durante for a spaghetti dinner in his honor.
For three years, the Association of Campodipietra aimed to assemble
young Campopietresi in a commendable and culturally significant effort.
In fact, during these three years were awarded several scholarships in
order to meet the professional future of particularly worthy students.
The candidates, of course children of members, were awarded from year
to year, four scholarships each time: two male and two female students.
1982
This was the year of a brilliant sport initiative since it was then that
the first golf tournament was organized. The competition took place on
June 27th at the Saint Jean Mathan golf course. For the record, John Delle
Donne had the best "score brut", while Antonio Mancini won the
best "net score"; the well known sports reporter Nino Di Stefano
also participated in the tournament and received, as a tribute, an honorary
plaque.
1983
A particularly important year for our Association was 1983 because it
emphasized its cultural aspect of its activities. A year book in which
is highlighted events that gave rise to Montreal Campopietresi who have
shined in the life of Canadian society.
Planned in 1979, the official life membership drive was kicked off for
the Cultural Association of Campodipietra in Montreal. The cost for the
permanent and customized card, is set at $ 100, or $ 50 for those over
65 years of age.
1984
In 1984 a second bowling league was created and called «Lega Associazione
Culturale» under the direction of Giuseppe Antonacci. It was made
up of 10 teams that carried the following names: Fontana Nuova, Le Valli,
Montevergine, Tortorelle, Vallarella, Brecce, Collecapone, Montefoglio,
L.R. Raider, and R.S. Maçonnerie. This league was not necessarily
restricted to the members of the Association, but reserves them, however,
a right of priority.
1985
Campodipietra also gave the Church a number of priests, including the
late father Christofero Paventi, aka Saverio Paventi. belonging to the
religious Order of Franciscan Friars. In 1960 he was later ordained a
priest in the diocese of Troia in the province of Foggia. Later he emigrated
here to Canada as a missionary and carried out his mission first in Toronto
and later in Montreal. As a matter of fact, it was he who often celebrated
the religious ceremony at our St. Michael the Archangel feasts and blessed
our annual banquets before dinner. In 1985, on the occasion of his 25th
anniversary of priestly ordination, the Cultural Association entered him
in the members register and gave him lifetime honorary membership.
1992
After a few years of normal administration and the routine: feasts of
St. Michael, annual banquets and the masses in May and November, in fact,
as a nice note of kindness and gallantry was established at the annual
banquet of November of 1992. Every lady who entered the hall, received
a complimentary scented red rose offered by the committee. The reception
took place at the Chateau Classic and the evening was livened up by the
orchestra Misty.
1993
Significant, meanwhile, later on March 13, 1993, the Association offered
a meal for its members and spouses. As it is said that March is crazy
... we entered the dining hall in fine weather and we returned home in
the middle of a snowstorm! In the same year it began to appear in the
weekly Italian language papers, a series of articles on the life of the
Cultural Association and its players, which continued throughout 1994
to mark the anniversary of the association’s 20th anniversary, as
is was founded in 1974!
Among the contacts Campodipietra-Montreal should not forget the presence
in our midst of the folk group «Gli amici del fiume» (Friends
of the River), directed by Aldo Ricciardi, who came to perform for their
countrymen abroad from Campodipietra. A particularly emotional moment
that they brought here amongst us a breath of Campodipietra air, countryman
fellowship and gave us an opportunity to relive distant memories of our
younger years in the town of origin ... but never forgotten!
1996
The Cultural Association of Campodipietra in Montreal is also proud of
its membership to the Federazione delle Associazioni Molisane del Quebec,
(Federation of Molise Associations of Quebec), who sponsor a yearly evening
of special appointment: «il molisano dell’anno» ("the
Molisan of Year), an honour bestowed on industrialists and professionals
from a prominent social status. In 1996, that honor was reserved for a
Campopietrese: Joseph Paventi, founding president of the renowned furniture
company JPMetal America Inc.!
In this 1996, among other things, the Association assumed a more important
leadership. The Board was tinged with pink: for the first time, a woman,
Laurence Matteo, was assumed on the Board of directors.
1997
The year 1997 was one of the richest years of community activities. A
General Assembly of the members on January 19; the St. Valentine’s
day dinner enlivened by Disco Marino, on Feb. 15; members gathered at
the cabane à sucre in St. Gregoire on April 6; a mass for Saint
Michael the Archangel was celebrated, followed by a brunch at Hotel Universel
on May 18; our second golf tournament at St. Madelaine on June 29, at
this event, Nancy Delle Donne and Jimmy D'Agata were best in the field;
the feast of St. Michael on August 3; a cruise on the St. Lawrence on
September 6; a super brunch for the members October 19; a mass for the
deceased on November 9; the annual banquet on November 22.
1998
This was also a year of rich encounters. The activities opened
on January 18 with a general members’ meeting; it continued with
the St. Valentine’s day celebration on February 15; a cabane à
sucre at the Chalet du Ruisseau on March 29; a mass for San Michele on
May 17; a third golf tournament always at St. Madelaine on June 14; a
trip to Ottawa on August 30, and the annual banquet on November 14.
The guest of honor at the golf tournament of June 14 was the mayor of
Campodipietra, Cosmo Paventi! On a visit to his fellow citizens of Montreal,
accompanied by Lino Lamenta and Joseph Paventi, he was hosted at the Montreal
city hall where he signed the roll of honor of the city, as well as at
the Saint Leonard city hall where he was received by Mayor Raymond Renaud.
2000
The year 2000 crossed over two millennia. To say goodbye to the 20th century
for history’s sake and to welcome the 21st century that opened the
doors to the future, our Association with a commitment to do so in a truly
cultural manner, published a book entitled: "Campodipietra: dal tratturo
a Montreal» (from the cattle path to Montreal). It is the story
of Campopietrese emigration to Montreal from its origins to today; it
is the journey made by our people in this multiethnic Canadian metropolis;
the mark of a social commitment to be placed on the footsteps of the children
so that the work done in the past generates a worthy future.
2002
And the hopes of this passing of the torch seems to take the desired consistency
since the early years of the new millennium, thanks to a remarkable renewal
of the board of directors. In 2002, the Board was embellished by the presence
of four new representatives of the fair sex: Nancy Delle Donne, Antonietta
Paventi, Maria Michela Scricca and Lina D'Attellis.
2003
To be sure, following their involvement in the planning of activities of
the association, we see from time to time an ever-increasing participation
of young people: children and grandchildren. In the context of what has
just been said, it seems pretty indicative to note that in 2003 the annual
banquet is regarded as a family party, as if to emphasize a family atmosphere
and thanks to the young, is increasingly reigning in our activities and
festivals. The banquet "family celebration" took place at the
Buffet Universel on November 9 and was livened by Disco Marino. 2004
The year 2004 was a year of great celebration because, on balance, marked
the 30th anniversary of our Cultural Association. Each activity was put
on the agenda and with regard to this great achievement, not one article
was disregarded by the editors of the weekly Italian-language papers of
Montreal with the significant title of "Campodipietra a Montreal:
30 anni dopo (30 years later)." And a brochure was given to the press
once again as a permanent written memory, a statement of the progress
made so as to give a vision of the intent for the future.
November 6 was the date of the usual annual banquet. Can we not avoid
to account for all those who in these 30 years have made a significant
mark in our association? And so various members were thanked with a plaque
for having excelled in fast-forwarding of the fortunes of the Association.
At the anniversary banquet, 220 persons took part and the evening was
enlivened by the DJ, Marco Ferri.
2005
Another year of great pride for our Campopietrese community of Montreal
is the year 2005. The Molisani Federation of Quebec had once again rewarded
'one of us', in the Molise gala that year and honored Giuseppe D'Agata
from Campodipietra: he was one of the owners of the Auberge Universel,
in whose reception halls took place several of our annual banquets and
various Sunday brunches because "ru pajesane ci tratta buone! (the
fellow town folks treated us well)" ... and it is with regret that
we remember his passing, unfortunately at a young age!
During the annual banquet on November 5 of 2005 we remembered the projection,
and the subsequent sale of a DVD of our own: feast of St. Michael and
it was here as well that Campodipietra remembered some of our special
annual banquets and the appearance in Montreal of the folk group "Amici
del Fiume (Friends of the River)."
2005-2011
From 2005 until 2011, as already pointed out in 2002, the main note and
satisfactory pride is the massive participation of young people in our
community activities : banquets, San Michele, various excursions, cabane
à sucre and others. Just to give an example, in 2008 the annual
banquet recorded the presence of not less than 310 participants and almost
half of them are young people. (Many of then are carded members.)
The activities of 2011 began with the celebration of the Holy Mass in
honor of St. Michael the Archangel on May 8, in the church Our Lady of
Pompeii.
The festival in honor of the patron saint took place, as usual at the
Chapelle de la Reparation on August 7. Since we were in the 150th year
of the Unification of Italy, two Bersaglieri in full uniform attended
the mass and during the procession, accompanying the holy statue, there
was as well the patriotic waving of the Italian flag!
The Association President, Mr. Pilla, along with the accordionist Cosmo
Paone, put on the "Coro San Michele," directed as well by Mr.
Pilla. From now on, therefore, the Mass of the feast in honor of the patron
saint will be sung by a chorus of our own.
The annual banquet took place on Nov. 5 at the Buffet Le Rizz. And the
Guest of honor was the young singer of Campopietrese origin, Nadia Ricci,
winner of the singing contest Superfantastico CFMB edition of 2011; Miss
Ricci was also offered a gift of a commemorative plaque and a bouquet
of flowers.
And it is also in this year that we opened this website whose preparations
are immediately placed in a work in progress section so that our online
presence can be actualised as soon as possible.
2012
Approximately halfway through March 2012, the website is finally completed,
available in English, French and Italian. The website is unveiled on March
30th, with the release of some video clips of Campodipietra.
The association’s website is officially launched and finally available
to the public on April 28th. To communicate this new initiative, a letter
is sent to all members in early August signed by the association’s
president.
Sunday, May 6th, the mass of Saint Michael the Archangel is held at 10:00
am at the Madonna di Pompeii Church.
The traditional Saint Michael celebrations are held on Sunday, August
12th, the very same day as celebrated in Campodipietra, at the Cappella
della Riparazione.
The annual banquet this year takes place at Buffet Le Rizz on November
3rd, 2012. The evening takes off with a special announcement stating that,
every year as of 2013, two scholarships would be awarded to the two most
outstanding students who are of course children of active members. The
first scholarship would be awarded to a student at the CEGEP level, while
the other would be handed to a University level student.
2013
The year 2013 contains the traditional events organized by the association
as in the preceding years. These traditions include the mass in honor
of Saint Michael the Archangel at la Madonna di Pompeii Church on Sunday,
May 5th at 9:00am, along with the Saint Michael celebrations at la Cappella
della Riparazione on Sunday, August 11th. This mass is particularly special
as it coincided with Pope Francis’ World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro.
To honour this special occasion, five children of Campodipietra origin
read their “prayers of the youth to Saint Michael the Archangel”.
La Madonna di Pompei Church also held a mass in memory of the souls of
the Campopietresi who have passed on, which took place on Sunday, November
3rd at 10:00am.
The annual banquet is held once more at Buffet Le Rizz on Saturday, November
9th. As promised the preceding year, scholarships are awarded to two deserving
students. Given the lack of applicants of the CEGEP level, the association
generously decided to award both scholarships to University level applicants.
The first scholarship is awarded in name of the association, while the
second is awarded in the name of Benito Mariano Junior. The students considered
to be the most deserving of the six applicants, were determined by the
panel composed of professors Carlo D’Avirro, Luigi Mariano and Antonio
Mancini. The first winner is Kelly Guy, a psychology student at McGill
University. The other winner is Michele Pompa, a business student majoring
in Management at Concordia University. The winners are children of proud
parents and Campodipietra members: Kelly, daughter of Daniel Guy and Linda
Mancini, and Michele, son of Paolo Pompa and Elena Paventi.
2014
The Associazione Culturale di Campodipietra a Montreal Celebrates
its 40th Anniversary!
This year was an eventful one for the Associazione where many participated
in numerous exciting activities. Firstly, the sacred mass in honour of
St. Michael was held at the Our Lady of Pompei parish on Sunday, May 4th,
at 10:00 a.m. On Friday, June 13th, thirty people attended the members’
general assembly at the Federazione Molisana, and on Sunday, August 10th,
the Feast Day of St. Michael the Archangel took place at the Chapelle
de la Réparation.
The Associazione celebrated its 40th anniversary at Buffet Le Rizz on
Jarry East in St. Leonard on November first. There was a strong youth
presence at this year’s banquet and bursaries were once again awarded
to two deserving students. The Associazione granted the $500.00 collegial
bursary to Caitlyn D’Avirro, currently a first-year Education student
at Concordia University. At the university level, Christina Cefaratti,
an accounting student also studying at Concordia, won a $1000.00 scholarship
offered by Benito Mariano Junior.
Guests at the banquet took a walk down memory lane and enjoyed a touching
video compilation put together by John Perrotta. Numerous photographs
and various clips from fellow paesani in Campodipietra were projected
on a large screen while Aldo Ricciardi’s Amici del Fiume served
as a backdrop, captivating the crowd.
2015
During the festivities in honour of Saint Michael the Archangel,
it was highlighted the 35th anniversary of the arrival directly from Italy
in August of 1980 of the statue of the Saint.
During the year, Lino Lamenta and Joe Pilla resigned from the committee,
for personal reasons, and they were honoured with a plaque during the
annual banquet which took place at the Buffet Le Rizz on October 10.
It is with great pleasure to underscore that a younger group joined the
executive committee : Joe Antonacci, Domenico Mariano, Frank De Luca,
Joe De Luca e Marco Mancini: congratulations for your commitment and welcome
on the road traced by your parents.
The committee introduced a new initiative to grant a free membership card
to all past and present winners of the scholarships.
The festivities of the annual banquet took place at the Buffet Rizz and
were harmonized by Nicolino and Angelo of the mythical DJ Marino.
Dulcis in fundo, on December 6th took place a final activity destined
for the youngest of our association. It was organized, indeed, a party
with the children and Santa (Daniel Trudel) at the "Al Fresco"
restaurant.
Winners of the scholarships: Christopher D'Avirro for the CEGEP level
(500$ offered by benito Mariano) and Caitlyn D'Avirro for the University
level (1000$ offered by Sam Paventi).
2016
In addition to the holy masses in May and November, in addition to the
picnic in honour of Saint Michael held on the 14th of August at the Chapelle
de la Réparation, in addition to the annual banquet on the 29th
of October at the Buffet Rizz, to year 2016, it was added to the program
a Cabane à Sucre celebration at the Chalet des Érables in
Saint Anne des plaines. But there was also an exceptional event on the
30th of April: our association was connected on line via Skype at the
Leonardo da Vinci Centre, along with Campopetresi living in Treviso and
in Germany, for a concert from the San Martino Vescovo church in Campodipietra
honoring the loving memory of Aldo Ricciardi who died on February 26,
2016…leaving a profound sense of nostalgic sympathy in the hearts
of Campopetresi all over the world.
2017
Also, the 2017 activities were all as per normal routine: Cabane à sucre
(Chalet du Rouisseau) on April 23rd, Saint Michael The Archangel mass
in May, the Saint Michael picnic on August 13th, the annual banquet on
October 21st and the mass for the dead on November 5th. also this year,
no bursaries were allocated for the second year in a row due to lack of
student enrolment.
2018
The retrospective look, regarding the activities of our Association for
the year 2018, leads us first and foremost to the 7th of April when the
sugar shack excursion took place at the Chalet des Erables. On the second
Sunday of August, the 12th to be exact, just in conjunction with the festivities,
the annual picnic took place to feast Saint Michael the Archangel at the
Chapelle del la Réparation. Other annual routine appointments were
the masses in honor of the Saint on May 5th as well as the one in suffrage
of the deceased on November 4th. The 50th anniversary of JPMetal by Giuseppe
Paventi, one of the pillars of the Cultural Association of Campodipietra
in Montreal, should be highlighted.
2019
Sunday April 7th "cabane à sucre" at the Costantin Gregoire
in St. Esprit.
August 11th picnic and feast of St. Michael the Archangel in the Chapelle
de la Réparation in P-A-T.
Sunday, May 5th and Sunday, November 3rd, respectively, a Mass for St.
Michael and a Mass for the dead at the Church of Our Lady of Pompei
On November 9th, a very successful party for our FORTY-FIFTH anniversary
was held at the Buffet Le Rizz: with activities and a magic show for the
little ones, recognition for seniors over 80. Folkloric dance, scholarships;
but above all, a commemorative painting for these first FORTY FIVE years
of our Association offered to the last three founding members still alive,
namely: Lino Lamenta, Michele Perrotta and Francesco Lamenta.
2020
A fateful year 2020: the year in which COVID-19 paralyzed time and space
of human activities. Meanwhile, our Association too, had to reluctantly
cancel all the events on the English agenda planned in the previous years.
Fortunately, the Holy Mass in May was transmitted via radio from the church
of the Our Lady of Pompei, and the one for the dead on November the15th
could be attended directly in the church, but always respecting the necessary
health regulations.
COVID-19 has also taken its victims amongst our fellow countrymen residing
in Montreal; but what distressed us most of all in this atmosphere of
covidinity, is that it was not possible for us to give a comforting hug
to the family members of those campopietresi who died during the year
either from the Coronavirus or from other diseases or natural causes.
We're waiting for the "return to normal" and with it also the resumption
of our events, a hug from the Executive Committee to all members and sympathizers!
2021
From Christmas 2019 to 2021, the coronavirus shut our mouths, took our
breath away, decimated human lives on planet Earth. After the delta
variant, it is still here meandering among us through the omicron variant.
Christmas 2019, Christmas 2020, Christmas 2021: things have always
gone from bad to worse and now they seem to plummet from worse to
worse ... and in the meantime omicron is only at the center of the greek
alphabet! So let’s cross our fingers and open-heartedly hope to be able to
resume, with Holy Masses in August and November, as well as every
other habitual social and cultural activity during this New Year 2022,
which we have just welcomed.
Stay tuned for more upcoming annual updates on our website!
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