Rev Bernard J. Papania Jr. 1000 Goodyear Boulevard Picayune, Mississippi 39466 |
The St. Joseph Altar Committee of St. Charles Borromeo was organized in 1994 by a handful of Church members. Currently, the membership is over 50 members - both male and female.
The St. Joseph Altar started in Italy after a famine hit the area. The local residents prayed to St. Joseph and the fava bean harvest saved the community from starvation.
Each year on the anniversary of St. Joseph's Feast Day, March 19th, an altar is erected in his honor. People from all walks of life are invited to share this day with the members. The altar serves all meatless dishes and various Italian cookies. All food on the altar is supplied through members, parishioners and area businesses. In addition, twice a year the members of the St. Joseph Altar make and sell hot tamales to cover the cost of the supplies purchased to hold this altar. Recently we have started making Italian cookies to sell as Christmas gifts as an additional fundraiser.
The St. Joseph Altar Committee returns all profits derived from the Altar to various organizations, i.e., St. Vincent Depaul of St. Charles, Picayune Industries, or seminarians, and various nursing homes in the area.
If you are interested in becoming a member, watch the Church bulletin for work days or talk to a member.
Ministry Head: Pat Albright
Phone: (601) 798-4779