1985
Happy Easter memory. I hope you all have someone standing at your side with the fire extinguisher when needed! Great memory.
Friday, March 29, 2013
Happy Easter 2013
Happy Easter memory. I hope you all have someone standing at your side with the fire extinguisher when needed! Great memory.
Monday, March 25, 2013
Believe It or Not
I can't help myself. I have to talk about the Pope. Never, ever thought I would say those words, but here we go. I didn't pay that much attention to the media hype about the selection of the new Pope. I was keenly aware that history had been made by Benedict's resignation (and vainly tried to convince my 7th and 8th graders of the same with less-than-enthusiastic response). But I wasn't paying attention to the selection, assuming there would be the same ole same ole old white European wearing the red shoes.
But now I smile every time I see this face. He's such a cutie! I don't imagine those words are used often about the Pope but I'll bet his mother thought so. She was Italian, after all.
To some extent, the selection of the Argentinian cardinal was part happy surprise and part some of the "same ole same ole" -- he is the son of Italian immigrants after all. There is quite a bit of controversy over whether he can be considered the first Latino Pope.
I couldn't resist doing just a little bit of research on this Italian family who emigrated to Argentina, as did several branches of the Dalpiaz family. Sure enough, the Pope's family originates in Northern Italy in the Piedmont region which is on the northwest edge of the Italian border. His father was a railway worker! There are some similarities to your family story. But I digress a bit.
I wanted to share with you a little bit about my favorite man named Francis--my grandfather Francis Flynn. He was called "Weenie" by everyone due to his slight stature. He and my grandmother attended St. Bonaventure University which is run by the Franciscans. My parents each graduated from St. Bonas as well so you can see the Francis/Franciscan influence is a strong one on my side of the family. Anyhow, my grandfather Francis P. "Weenie" Flynn gained some notoriety during his tenure at St. Bonaventure as quarterback of their football team in the late 1920s. He's my Leatherhead.
He's the smallest one with that nice full head of hair all the way to the right of the picture. His accomplishments on the field let to his nomination to the St. Bonaventure Hall of Fame as well as to Ripley's Believe It or Not.
But now I smile every time I see this face. He's such a cutie! I don't imagine those words are used often about the Pope but I'll bet his mother thought so. She was Italian, after all.
I couldn't resist doing just a little bit of research on this Italian family who emigrated to Argentina, as did several branches of the Dalpiaz family. Sure enough, the Pope's family originates in Northern Italy in the Piedmont region which is on the northwest edge of the Italian border. His father was a railway worker! There are some similarities to your family story. But I digress a bit.
I wanted to share with you a little bit about my favorite man named Francis--my grandfather Francis Flynn. He was called "Weenie" by everyone due to his slight stature. He and my grandmother attended St. Bonaventure University which is run by the Franciscans. My parents each graduated from St. Bonas as well so you can see the Francis/Franciscan influence is a strong one on my side of the family. Anyhow, my grandfather Francis P. "Weenie" Flynn gained some notoriety during his tenure at St. Bonaventure as quarterback of their football team in the late 1920s. He's my Leatherhead.
Believe It or Not
Anyway, all this talk of Francis makes me think of my grandfather. The discussion about his heritage makes me think of you all. I believe the Pope had a much greater influence for our parents than for most of us but this Pope Francis has already had an influence on me.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
March 19 2013
March 19 is the last day of winter. I guess the Old Man wants us to be sure to remember him as he left us with a storm (obnoxiously named Ukko by our friends at the "Doom and Gloom" Channel) in his wake. No school today which came as a surprise after I'd already reported for work. I guess I'm a little bit like Ukko--it's the end of the season and I'm showing up anyhow.
I could hear the spring sounds of the birds singing away while the wet snow was piling up. It was a bit disconcerting trying to make sense of those two events in the same observation but I take heart in the fact that tomorrow is the first day of Spring!
Today is also St. Joseph's Day which I understand to be a significant holiday for some Italians. Until I did a little bit of research, I did not realize all the traditions this holiday incorporates. From The Feast of St. Joseph website:
St. Joseph's Day is a big Feast for Italians because in the Middle Ages, God, through St. Joseph's intercessions, saved the Sicilians from a very serious drought. So in his honor, the custom is for all to wear red, in the same way that green is worn on St. Patrick's Day. (are you all wearing red today?)
Today, after Mass (at least in parishes with large Italian populations), a big altar ("la tavola di San Giuse" or "St. Joseph's Table") is laden with food contributed by everyone (note that all these St. Joseph celebrations might take place on the nearest, most convenient weekend). Different Italian regions celebrate this day differently, but all involve special meatless foods: minestrone, pasta with breadcrumbs (the breadcrumbs symbolize the sawdust that would have covered St. Joseph's floor), seafood, Sfinge di San Giuseppe, and, always, fava beans, which are considered "lucky" because during the drought, the fava thrived while other crops failed (recipes below).
The table -- which is always blessed by a priest -- will be in three tiers, symbolizing the Most Holy Trinity. The top tier will hold a statue of St. Joseph surrounded by flowers and greenery. The other tiers might hold, in addition to the food: flowers (especially lilies); candles; figurines and symbolic breads and pastries shaped like a monstrance, chalices, fishes, doves, baskets, St. Joseph's staff, lilies, the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts, carpentry tools, etc.; 12 fishes symbolizing the 12 Apostles; wine symbolizing the miracle at Cana; pineapple symbolizing hospitality; lemons for "luck"; bread and wine (symbolizing the Last Supper); and pictures of the dead. There will also be a basket in which the faithful place prayer petitions.
The cry "Viva la tavola di San Giuse!" begins the feasting and is heard throughout the day. When the eating is done, the St. Joseph's altar is smashed, and then three children dressed as the Holy Family will knock on three doors, asking for shelter. They will be refused at the first two, and welcomed at the third, in memory of the Holy Family's seeking of hospitality just before Christ was born. This re-enactment is called "Tupa Tupa," meaning "Knock Knock."
The day ends with each participant taking home a bag that might be filled with bread, fruit, pastries, cookies, a medal of St. Joseph, a Holy Card and/or a blessed fava bean. Keep your "lucky bean," and let it remind you to pray to St. Joseph. (The Litany of St. Joseph would be most appropriate today! You can download the Litany, in Microsoft Word .doc format, in English and in Latin).
The website contains recipes as well in case this interests you.
James is on his spring training trip spending time with Kathleen and Nick this week. I understand that Jean and Tracie have also visited this week! It's a little bit like the traditional St. Joseph's Day celebration--family knocking on the door seeking shelter! Thanks for taking them in Nick and Kathleen! I believe Angela and Bill are also on the road visiting family this week.
We were able to join Jean for her birthday dinner last week which was great fun for us. Additional family news includes Amy's engagement which was another recent birthday dinner surprise! She and Michael haven't made any plans yet and we welcome Michael into the (crazy) fold. Congratulations sweetie!
I could hear the spring sounds of the birds singing away while the wet snow was piling up. It was a bit disconcerting trying to make sense of those two events in the same observation but I take heart in the fact that tomorrow is the first day of Spring!
Today is also St. Joseph's Day which I understand to be a significant holiday for some Italians. Until I did a little bit of research, I did not realize all the traditions this holiday incorporates. From The Feast of St. Joseph website:
St. Joseph's Day is a big Feast for Italians because in the Middle Ages, God, through St. Joseph's intercessions, saved the Sicilians from a very serious drought. So in his honor, the custom is for all to wear red, in the same way that green is worn on St. Patrick's Day. (are you all wearing red today?)
Today, after Mass (at least in parishes with large Italian populations), a big altar ("la tavola di San Giuse" or "St. Joseph's Table") is laden with food contributed by everyone (note that all these St. Joseph celebrations might take place on the nearest, most convenient weekend). Different Italian regions celebrate this day differently, but all involve special meatless foods: minestrone, pasta with breadcrumbs (the breadcrumbs symbolize the sawdust that would have covered St. Joseph's floor), seafood, Sfinge di San Giuseppe, and, always, fava beans, which are considered "lucky" because during the drought, the fava thrived while other crops failed (recipes below).
The table -- which is always blessed by a priest -- will be in three tiers, symbolizing the Most Holy Trinity. The top tier will hold a statue of St. Joseph surrounded by flowers and greenery. The other tiers might hold, in addition to the food: flowers (especially lilies); candles; figurines and symbolic breads and pastries shaped like a monstrance, chalices, fishes, doves, baskets, St. Joseph's staff, lilies, the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts, carpentry tools, etc.; 12 fishes symbolizing the 12 Apostles; wine symbolizing the miracle at Cana; pineapple symbolizing hospitality; lemons for "luck"; bread and wine (symbolizing the Last Supper); and pictures of the dead. There will also be a basket in which the faithful place prayer petitions.
The cry "Viva la tavola di San Giuse!" begins the feasting and is heard throughout the day. When the eating is done, the St. Joseph's altar is smashed, and then three children dressed as the Holy Family will knock on three doors, asking for shelter. They will be refused at the first two, and welcomed at the third, in memory of the Holy Family's seeking of hospitality just before Christ was born. This re-enactment is called "Tupa Tupa," meaning "Knock Knock."
The day ends with each participant taking home a bag that might be filled with bread, fruit, pastries, cookies, a medal of St. Joseph, a Holy Card and/or a blessed fava bean. Keep your "lucky bean," and let it remind you to pray to St. Joseph. (The Litany of St. Joseph would be most appropriate today! You can download the Litany, in Microsoft Word .doc format, in English and in Latin).
The website contains recipes as well in case this interests you.
James is on his spring training trip spending time with Kathleen and Nick this week. I understand that Jean and Tracie have also visited this week! It's a little bit like the traditional St. Joseph's Day celebration--family knocking on the door seeking shelter! Thanks for taking them in Nick and Kathleen! I believe Angela and Bill are also on the road visiting family this week.
We were able to join Jean for her birthday dinner last week which was great fun for us. Additional family news includes Amy's engagement which was another recent birthday dinner surprise! She and Michael haven't made any plans yet and we welcome Michael into the (crazy) fold. Congratulations sweetie!
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Time Marches On
Angela invited us to visit this past weekend and it was a beautiful day so off I went. James couldn't go but I didn't feel the least bit intimidated by visiting the in-laws by myself. Angela and Bill always makes me feel so comfortable--your family really does have a knack for hospitality! Jim was there with Donna; Patty and Stephanie too so it was a lovely relaxed visit.
Of course, I prepared myself to discuss some Coffarelli family history and was grateful to find a receptive audience! It was great fun for me to share some of what I'd learned across the kitchen table on a beautiful spring afternoon. Too often, such information comes to a discussion point when there's some other event taking up the family energy in the room but that wasn't the case last weekend. It was quite delightful for me. Thank you Angela!
Another item in the the box of James Coffarelli memorabilia that I think you should see is a letter James wrote to his son John (your uncle) from the hospital:
This letter is not dated but seems to have kind of a final tone to it in the advice he's sharing with his son. Angela tells me he did not actually die of leukemia as his death certificate suggests, but that he suffered from pernicious anemia. Apparently your grandfather James was a carrier of thalassemia minor (a genetic blood condition) and your Uncle Johnny was also a carrier. Regardless, at the time of James' illness, I imagine he was treated for the chronic myelogenous leukemia noted on his death certificate. Treatment for such in the 1930s might have included arsenic trioxide which was a newly "rediscovered" treatment at the time. Apparently this treatment has achieved a bit of a resurgence recently in the treatment of other related conditions. It sounds pretty horrible to me, but apparently it's fairly standard as far as cancer treatments go. What goes around, comes around--even in the medical world!
I find this letter to be very comforting and I hope Uncle Johnny and your mother thought the same.
March brings several birthday shoutouts: Pat, Jean, Patty, Amy, Danielle and Robert!
Of course, I prepared myself to discuss some Coffarelli family history and was grateful to find a receptive audience! It was great fun for me to share some of what I'd learned across the kitchen table on a beautiful spring afternoon. Too often, such information comes to a discussion point when there's some other event taking up the family energy in the room but that wasn't the case last weekend. It was quite delightful for me. Thank you Angela!
Another item in the the box of James Coffarelli memorabilia that I think you should see is a letter James wrote to his son John (your uncle) from the hospital:
This letter is not dated but seems to have kind of a final tone to it in the advice he's sharing with his son. Angela tells me he did not actually die of leukemia as his death certificate suggests, but that he suffered from pernicious anemia. Apparently your grandfather James was a carrier of thalassemia minor (a genetic blood condition) and your Uncle Johnny was also a carrier. Regardless, at the time of James' illness, I imagine he was treated for the chronic myelogenous leukemia noted on his death certificate. Treatment for such in the 1930s might have included arsenic trioxide which was a newly "rediscovered" treatment at the time. Apparently this treatment has achieved a bit of a resurgence recently in the treatment of other related conditions. It sounds pretty horrible to me, but apparently it's fairly standard as far as cancer treatments go. What goes around, comes around--even in the medical world!
I find this letter to be very comforting and I hope Uncle Johnny and your mother thought the same.
March brings several birthday shoutouts: Pat, Jean, Patty, Amy, Danielle and Robert!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)