September 1-4, 2023

Some of the board members, committee volunteers and civic officials associated with La Festa Italiana raise the Italian flag on Courthouse Square in downtown Scranton, site of the festival to be held Labor Day Weekend Sept. 1-4. Richard Suraci, Francene Dudziec, Diane Alberigi, Tony Nicosia, Debra Meila, Karen Clifford, Lackawanna County Commissioner Chris Chermak, Joe Castrogiovanni, Matt McGloin, La Festa President Chris DiMattio, Frank T. Blasi, Louis DiMattio, Mark Dougher, Frank Castellano, Frank Ruggiero and Bill Genello.

The annual Mass in Italian will be celebrated on Sunday, September 3, at 10 a.m. in the Cathedral of Saint Peter in Scranton. All are welcome to attend. The liturgy is celebrated in conjunction with La Festa Italiana, which occurs over the Labor Day weekend, Friday through Monday, September 1-4, on Courthouse Square, one block away. Reverend David P. Cappelloni, V.F., La Festa Chaplain and pastor of Saints Anthony and Rocco Parish and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Dunmore, will be the principal celebrant and homilist. Concelebrants will include Monsignor Constantine V. Siconolfi, La Festa Chaplain Emeritus, and priests from the Diocese of Scranton. Deacons from the Diocese will also participate.

The Mass will be broadcast live by CTV: Catholic Television of the Diocese of Scranton and will be rebroadcast on Tuesday, September 5, at 8 p.m., and Wednesday, September 6, at 10:30 a.m. In addition to airing live on CTV, the Mass will air live on the diocesan website and on social media platforms. It will also be available on demand after the live broadcast concludes. This year’s Italian Mass is being offered in memory of all those members and friends of La Festa Italiana who passed away since the last Mass was celebrated, including Most Reverend James C. Timlin, Teresa G. Andrichak, Billy Arnold, Ron Casper, Joseph A. Guido, Scotty Lemoncelli, Alfred Pantuso Sr. and Anthony J. Rinaldi Sr.Music ministry for the Italian Mass will be provided by the choirs of Saints Anthony and Rocco Parish, Dunmore, and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Dunmore, accompanied by a brass quartet, all directed by Joseph Moffitt.Dominick DeNaples, mandolin; Patrick Loungo, Nicholas Luongo, Eugene Mentz,organist, and Monica Spishock, timpani, will also accompany.Ashley Yando-DeFlice is the cantor and the leader of prayer. The featuredsoloist will be T. J. Capobianco from the New York City Metropolitan Opera.The lectors are the Honorable Judge Robert Mazzoni and Sister CatherineIacouzze, MPF. The Prayer of the Faithful will be led by Diane Alberigi, AttorneyFrank Castellano and Karen Clifford.The offertory gifts will be presented by La Festa Founding Member Robert W.Pettinato, UNICO National President Dr. Peter and Maggie Pettinato, and familymembers of the late Paul Casparro: Paul Casparro, Lindsey Casparro Evans, andLauren Casparro Conaboy.James Baress, Patrick Caramanno, Joshua Cillo, Jonathan Eboli, StephenEboli, Richard Garofalo and Joseph Wentline are the ushers. Guy Valvano ishonorary usher.

La Festa Italiana will be held Friday through Monday, September 1-4, 2023 on Courthouse Square in the heart of downtown Scranton, PA. Hours are Friday, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Monday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. A variety of vendors will offer great Italian food and other items, and continuous live entertainment will be featured on two stages.

Free admission. See www.lafestaitaliana.org