Branch #246 of the Italian Catholic Federation was founded at St. Our primary goals are to develop and uphold the religious spirit of our membership and to spread that spirit among all people outside of our organization. Our Patron Saints are St. Frances Xavier Cabrini and St. We enjoy a diversity of members from all nationalities and even different religions. Our meetings are always a celebration
of faith, family, friends, food and fun. We have several fund raisers during the year, including St, Joseph's Table, benefiting a number of organizations; The Huddle Restaurant’s “Special Delivery” program; Fr. Barry Martinson, S.J.’s mission in Taiwan, Noah’s home, Uptown woman’s shelter, Monarch Schools, and St. Vincent de Paul School; Phil's b-b-q chicken dinner benefiting the Msgr Peter F. Mimnagh Scholarship; a Christmas monetary collection for SDCC's Casa Maria project and an annual Lenten Fish Fry, Sausage Sandwich Sales and Cannoli Sale all benefiting Branch #246 charities. Since our inception we have raised over $210,000 for our charitable contributions. In the past we were able to refurbish the Church hall’s kitchen, installed a lift to allow wheel chair access, remolded new flooring and commercial fans in the parish hall, also provided new tables and chairs for the hall, we have also made generous donations to the Church building fund. We also make a yearly contribution to the Bishop of the San Diego Diocese for a Seminary Burse that is presented to him at an annual Bishop's Day Celebration. Our branch has received numerous awards from the ICF Central Council for Apostolate and Charity work. For 2010-2021 Branch 246 has distributed Scholarships to grammar school and high school students with proceeds from our Phil’s b-b-q Chicken Dinner. and donated a Scholarship through the ICF Central Council for a High School Senior. Proceeds from our Phil’s Fish Fry were used to refurbish the restrooms in the Church Hall and proceeds from St. Joseph’s Table allowed us to donate to Fr. Barry Martinson, Society for the Propagation of the Faith, The Huddle’s Special Delivery Program and Sister Kathleen for St. Vincent School children, Noah’s home, The Monarch schools, Our Oct. Fish Fry benefited the St. Vincent’s School Technology Program. The Italian Catholic Federation has approximately 18,000 members in the United States. Our Central Council, governing body, is located in Oakland, CA. All Districts and Branches are called together once a year for an annual convention, which takes place on Labor Day weekend. The ICF is a major supporter in the research of Cooley's anemia which is currently being conducted at Children's Hospital in Oakland, California. The Federation also supports a Gift of Love program which provides grants to individuals with disabilities to purchase equipment, such as wheelchairs and computers, etc... for those who need ancillary equipment to assist them in their daily lives but lack the necessary funds. Our banner, in the gold and white papal colors, carries the initials FPIA which stand for Faith (Fede), Homeland (Patria), Italy/America. Our motto is “Ignem Veni Mittere” (I came to light a fire)
We are proud to belong to the Italian Catholic Federation because we know that together we do make a difference. The stronger we are, the greater our achievements will be.
