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Welcome to Las Vegas! Glorify the Lord By Your Life Italian Catholic Federation’s 85th Annual National Convention Las Vegas, Nevada September 3, 2015 -September 7, 2015 Pope Saint John XXIII Award Winner development the late sister Sylvia who at the time of her death a year before Mother Bradley James Teresa was being considered Mother Te- to a movie with a priest friend from New resa’s successor. Bradley James was born in Wisconsin York he met with the Nobel laureate Mother during the Second Vatican Council. At 6 Teresa. She invited him to join a small group “He proved to be a fine director [of the 11am years of age he began his education with the of people to open a house in Los Angeles mass choir], singer, and accompanist, but, School Sisters of Notre Dame. His parents for her sisters, the Missionaries of Charity beyond that, we were all enthralled with the recognized his early musical abilities and Soon after that meeting in 1987 he met the stories he would tell about his experiences at 12, they arranged for him to begin music woman who would become Mother’s suc- with Mother Teresa and the Missionaries instructions with Constance Koehne, Wag- cessor, Sister Nirmala Joshi. of Charity,” said John Guerin, president ner’s granddaughter. At 17 he auditioned of Branch 217. “Although he was only our At the first meeting in the Los Angeles director for a short time, we all felt that and won a scholarship from Robert Joffery airport Sister Nirmala asked Bradley to to study with the Joffrey ballet in New York hearing these stories had brought us closer write music to Mother Teresa’s words and to God.” City, which began his career as a singer prayers. He sent a short note with Nirmala and dancer. to Mother back to Kolkata and within a few From 1990 until 2002 while continuing to In the mid-80s while modeling and dancing weeks received the first of more than 15 let- volunteer with the missionaries of Charity, in Los Angeles he began to anthroposophy ters giving him permission and encourage- Bradley was co-owner of the hugely suc- with such luminaries as Manly P. Hall, ment to write music to her words. cessful restaurant in Palm Desert California, Carroll Wrighter, Willi Sucher and Stephan After Mother Teresa, Bradley considers a continued on page XII Hoeller. In 1987, in Los Angeles on his way major influence in his personal and spiritual Grand President’s Award: Young Adult Leadership Award: Russ & Louis Vento Melissa Rodriguez If you have ever been to an ICF Annual Melissa Rodriguez, from Branch 433, Convention in the past 8 years, you are no Tucson, Arizona is helping to move her stranger to Russ and Louise Vento. Those branch in a positive direction. Melissa beautiful Heritage displays that are set-up has been President of Branch 433 for every year are the product of their hard two years and has worked diligently to work and dedication towards keeping the move the Branch forward in membership ICF’s history alive. Taking up where Ario and socialization. She has organized the Gregori left off upon his passing, Russ and branch’s finances, made projects, and is Louise have become an integral part of not always optimistic. only the Heritage Committee, but of what Melissa joined ICF Branch 433 in the fall of it means to be a member of the ICF. 2012, after spending the summer in Rome. “Their display includes notable artifacts and As a Northern Arizona University senior, pictures that illustrate the rich and colorful the idea of fundraising for scholastic pur- history of the ICF. Every year, Russ and poses drew her into wanting to help. After Louise transport and lug numerous boxes attending her first ICF meeting, she found and cartons through hotel and convention the branch to be in need of a treasurer during center lobbies. The display is made up of officer elections. She eagerly offered to take hundred of pictures, glass display cases, the position. The following month, Melissa books, maps, and, recently, video equip- chaired the annual Christmas Bake Sale. continued on page XII continued on page XII Mother Teresa Award: Family of the Year Award: Father Dave Heney The Zanini Family Fr. Dave Heney grew up in Thousand Oaks, CA, and was ordained a parish priest for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in 1978. In 1991 he received a Masters degree in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling from the University of Southern California. He is the author of “Motivating Your Parish to Change”; a book on spiritual leader- ship from Resource Publications, and the author of “Don’t Tell Me What to Do!” a concise Catholic view of modern moral is- sues which was published by Paulist Press in 2002. He served for twenty years on the govern- ing board of Behavioral Health Center, Psychiatric Hospital, in Alhambra; and for are also active within Branch 354, with their 2 ½ years was the Development Director for rma and David Zanini, from Branch 354 I two daughters Brooke and Hope. Their son St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo. may be “empty nesters,” but they are con- Austin is also a member, but currently away stantly busy with family activities and the Since 2001 Fr. Dave has been the local at college. Chaplain for LEGATUS, a national Catho- Italian Catholic Federation. lic business leaders association. continued on page XII Their daughter Melissa and husband Robert continued on page XII Bradley James Melissa Rodriguez the branch to donate 100% to the branch It is never too early parish and the Adopt A Student Program continued from page XI continued from page XI at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic School. to look within your Having record sales, the branch was able Doug Arangos. In 2002 he left the restaurant In 2014, Melissa accepted the position to donate 50% of the branch’s operations as President with a continuing goal of to devote more time volunteering with the branch, district, or com- fundraiser, back to the parish. Missionaries of Charity. Professionally he increasing membership for the branch. In was able to focus on singing and compos- munity for a worthy “This young lady has been Branch President May of that year, Melissa joined Central ing in the United States and Europe, which of Branch 433 and has been instrumental Council and other members from across the allowed him to devote more time to his recipient for an annual in promoting youth participation in the country at the Strategic Planning Meeting charitable interests. ICF award. Go to www. Branch,” said Debby Ariadne Gomez in San Francisco, representing the Tucson Rasadore, 1st Vice-President of Branch 433. branches. That same year, Melissa was A natural born storyteller, Bradley created icf.org to download an “Her contribution to the Branch fundraising nominated and elected to serve as president The Gift of Love Project, an umbrella for as well as other leadership functions has for a second term. Melissa’s goals for the his constant requests to share his experi- application, or contact been exemplary.” ICF include helping to open new branches ences and music with professional, educa- in Phoenix and increase membership across In 2013, Melissa was officially installed as tional and faith-based groups worldwide. the Awards Committee the board to increase the positive outreach the treasurer of Branch 433 at the Tucson Bradley divides his time in Palm Springs, power of the organization as a whole. San Francisco and Rome which gives him for assistance. Area Bishop’s Day. Along with streamlin- access to the sisters and their work with ing the branch’s financial records, Melissa Melissa has shown great spirit and leader- the poor. helped Branch 433 host the annual St. Jo- ship abilities for her age. seph’s Table. The event’s success allowed Russ & Louise Vento Paschal Baylon, a large, vibrant, multi- continued from page XI Fr. Dave Heney cultural parish in the city of Thousand Oaks, continued from page XI California. His mission, upon arriving at ment,“ said Central Council Sergeant-at- for apostolic outreach including branch “In his 10 years of leadership, Father Dave St. Paschal Baylon, was to redevelop con- Arms Vince Piro. “They do this without quarterly communions and breakfasts, dis- has guided his parish into being recognized fidence within the parish, upgrade physical complaint or expectations of glory. They do trict days of recollection, and special masses as an instrument of good in the Thousand facilities, and develop community outreach. it because they believe in educating others such as the Our Lady of Peace Mass. Oaks community,” said John Rak, from He touched people in that special way about the heritage of the Federation.” Louise and Russ have always been the first Catholic Charities of Ventura County. which endeared them to support his ideals “The hours they have given are many and to volunteer for any branch or district fund- and goals. He certainly exemplifies the In 2002, he founded “The University Se- spirit of Mother Teresa.” always with a smile on their face,” said Past raiser. Louise usually chairs the opportunity ries” a multi-parish adult education program Grand President Nettie Descalso-Del Nero. drawing and has also provided table decora- during the Season of Lent that each year He has been granted a one year sabbatical “We appreciate the energy, the enthusiasm tion, and Russ has been involved with the attracts over 10,000 attendees. by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles for the and resourcefulness which they have shared refreshments. They have hosted a booth at purpose of writing two practical “How-To” with us.