The Italian Catholic Federation (ICF) is a family-oriented, non-profit fraternal organization dedicated to promoting activities that build faith and family spirit and bring men, women and children of all ages together. By joining a local branch, ICF members share their culture, heritage and religious beliefs. We believe that together we accomplish more than one can alone. We participate in various cultural events throughout the country, support our local parishes, and provide various charities with financial and other support.

Through families and fellowship, the Italian Catholic Federation promotes and supports the Catholic faith and its values, encourages apostolic and charitable works, and celebrates our Italian American heritage and all the heritages of our communities.


Meetings:

The ICF meets once a month on every third Friday in the church hall. Evites are sent to all members, and, to invite others to join (you don’t have to be Italian to join), announcements are placed in the bulletin. Topics of our meetings include, but not limited to, saints of the month, Italian and different heritages and traditions, family experiences, and future events that are local and national. We have even had speakers, Italian games, and information on different heritages at our meetings. Light appetizers and sometimes an Italian potluck are served at our meetings.  Two annual events that are always popular are our Bocci family BBQ and our Christmas party. These events are always open to non-members.

St. Gianna Molla - our Branch’s Patron Saint. 

Gianna Beretta Molla was an Italian Roman Catholic pediatrician. Although aware of the potential consequences, St. Gianna refused both an abortion and a hysterectomy during her dangerous pregnancy with her fourth child, which caused her death. St. Gianna's medical career followed the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church; she believed in following her conscience while coming to the aid of others who required assistance. St. Gianna also dedicated herself to charitable work amongst the elderly and was involved in Catholic Action; she also aided the Saint Vincent de Paul group in their outreach to the poor and less fortunate.
    
Charities:

Thalassemia (Cooley’s Anemia) is the official ICF National Charity, with donations totaling over $2 million dollars to date. In 1925, Dr. Thomas Cooley first described Thalassemia in Italian children with severe anemia, an enlarged liver and spleen, and changes in bone formation. Several years later, Dr. Whipple named the disease “thalassa anemia” or “anemia by the sea”, because of its link to the Mediterranean region. The name later evolved to Thalassemia. With the large immigration of people of predominantly Mediterranean ancestry to North America, the devastating effects of this disease became known to the affected communities and their providers.

Providenza Fund

Providenza Fund helps support the annual Bishop’s Day program which is sponsored by the ICF in the Catholic dioceses in California, Arizona, Nevada, and Illinois.  Bishops’ Day, also called Bishop/Seminarian Day, purpose is to provide financial support to local seminarians for religious vocations. We meet in the fall for a Bishop’s Mass and lunch with our seminarians where a donation is always made to the Seminary.  We are associated with St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo. 

Special People Gifts of Love Program

This is a financial assistance program that grants funds to developmentally disabled children and adults seeking to achieve greater independence in their lives.

Children’s Hospital LA

Each year the ICF branches in the LA district sponsor a Christmas party for the children who are hospitalized at Children’s Hospital LA.  Each branch, including ours, has a toy or gift card drive. These gifts are presented to the children to give them a special holiday.  Unfortunately, due to Covid, we have not been able to sponsor a party these past two years; however, toys and gift cards are still given to the children.