We would like to thank everyone who has continued to contribute to the ongoing expenses of San Antonio Church by mailing in their weekly envelopes or by contributing electronically utilizing WeShare . The buttons at the bottom of this post allow you to make online donations directly to the listed account for San Antonio Church.
Weekly Bulletin October 10, 2021
by Terrie Evans
On November 7th, San Antonio Church will honor the Romelli, Bonaventura, Acito, and Di Stasi families at a Mass and Reception in our Hall. The 1st family to introduce is the Joseph Romelli (1900-1990) and Caroline Bonaventura (1911-1982) Family. Joseph was born in 1900 in Italy and arrived in America as a young boy with his father Rocco. Joseph’s siblings, Teresa, Grazia, Rocco, Mary, Carmela, Rose Mary from mother Fortunata and father Rocco’s blended family. In the 1920 Census, Joseph resided in Butler County working for the Railroad as a Section Man. In 1930, Joseph married Caroline Bonaventura with daughter Fernadina born in 1931, Roy in 1934, and Patrick in 1940. On May 23, 1936 Fern was a Flower Girl in the Wedding of her uncle Carmine Bonaventura to Joseph’s sibling, Carmella Smeraldo at San Antonio Church. In 1936, Joseph’s mother Fortunata (1874-1936) passed away at age 62 and in the 1940 census the Joseph Romelli Family was living at 2164 Queen City Avenue (The St. Peter’s Lick Run Historic District) when Joseph was 39, Caroline was 29, Fern was 8, Roy was 5 and Patrick was 4 with Joseph’s Father, Rocco also living with them. At that time Joseph was employed as a Coremaker with the William Powell Company. The Romelli family has connections to generations of San Antonio Parishioners and worked to promote our church and their Italian Heritage. At one time, Joseph and daughter, Fern Roberto took part in the United Nations Harvest Home Festival along with Vito Ventre and Rose Cerullo performing folk dances of Italy. Other Romelli family members are the, Cucinotta, Lingardo, Ricci, Rullo, Scrimizzi and Smeraldo Families.
On April 4, 1951 Fernadina Caroline Romelli (1931-2010) married a young man from the neighborhood, Louis Roberto (1928-2000) at San Antonio Church. Louis’s parents were Louise (Di Stasi) (1891-1942) and Pasquale Roberto, (1892-1953) founder of Pasquale’s Pizza. Louis’ siblings were Angela, Joseph, Rose, Anthony, Patrick, Alexander and Vito. While living on Beigler Street, Fern and Lou Roberto’s Family consisted of LuAnn, Tony, Tina, Vincent and Gina. Fern’s younger brother Roy Romelli wed Barbara Lee Spicer (1936-2002) in 1956 and were married 47 years. Barbara was the Treasurer of the St. Ann’s Married Lady’s Sodality and their family consisted of Angela, Lisa, Maria, Joseph, Louis and Nicole. Fern and Roy’s artistic brother, Patrick Romelli, became a commercial artist and illustrator and married Mary Ann Thomas with their family consisting of Jennifer, Caroline, Patrick and Thomas.
Fern, Roy, Pat and their spouses and families have served San Antonio Church for many years. Fern was front and center at all the Spaghetti Dinners, Palm Sunday Bake Sales and all the fundraisers at San Antonio Church. Fern was President of the St. Ann’s Ladies Sodality when the 1st “Mangia” Cook Book was Published under the direction of then Pastor, Rev. Melvin Holtel with the 72 pages of fantastic recipes becoming a big success. Fern remained as President of the new Men’s and Ladies Club and revised the cook book for a new publication of 84 pages from recipes of San Antonio parishioners. Fern’s brother Roy Romelli has been a volunteer at San Antonio throughout his life at every fundraiser and a hands on volunteer who has tackled many tedious jobs and has probably made one million meatballs for all our annual Spaghetti Dinners. He is a regular at all the Lunch on the House Tuesdays as a part of our dedicated kitchen crew and his expertise as a sheet metal worker has come in handy many times. Their youngest brother Pat has used his talents over the years at San Antonio for the design of the Memorial Brick Garden for our 85th Anniversary on October 7, 2007. Pat also helped design our new lighted Marquee for master bricklayer from G&G Masonry, the late Pete (Guy) Langenbrunner (1931-2018) and our master iron designer from Sterling Industries, Dick Linnemann. At present Pat has designed a beautiful rendering of San Antonio Church with all proceeds going for the 100th Anniversary Celebration.