St. Lucy’s Church

November 22, 2025

Back on the Blog

I will fully admit, I’ve been off the wagon writing posts as of late. There’s been a lot going on and I would like to share the latest news. October: Italian Heritage Month October was Italian Heritage Month; a wonderful time of year that celebrates all that is wonderful about Italian Heritage! It gives us… Continue reading

Essex County, Festivals, Food, New Jersey

family, Feast of St. Gerard, gratitude, holiday, holidays, Italian American Heritage Month, Newark, St. Lucy’s Church, Thanksgiving
May 18, 2025

Remembering Sharpe James

This week New Jersey lost a true character. Some considered famous, while others considered him infamous, and your opinion will depend on your age and your neighborhood. The 37th mayor of Newark, Sharpe James passed away on May 11th at the age of 89. Born in Florida, Mr. James’ family moved to Newark in 1940… Continue reading

Essex County, New Jersey

Columbus Homes, New Jersey, Newark, Sharpe James, St. Lucy’s Church
October 13, 2023

Italian Heritage: St. Gerard

If your family was from the Old First Ward of Newark, chances are they attended St. Lucy’s Church on 7th Avenue. And the height of the year for that community was the Feast of St. Gerard. Thousands would come out to pay homage to the Saint, especially those that were trying to get pregnant or… Continue reading

Essex County, Festivals, History, Jersey Icon, New Jersey

Feast of St. Gerard, First Ward, Italian American Heritage Month, New Jersey, Newark, St. Lucy’s Church
May 24, 2022

Can You Go Home Again?

Recently I’ve been going back to the area where I grew up. While it is for a sad and stressful reason, I really don’t mind. While on the way down Franklin Avenue in Belleville during a recent trip, I found was thinking to myself how much I missed the area. When I mentioned this to… Continue reading

Essex County, New Jersey, Uncategorized

Carvel, Di Paolo, First Ward, Franklin Plaza, Jersey Collective, New Jersey, St. Lucy’s Church, The Belleville Times
December 15, 2021

St. Lucy’s Loses a Giant

In the past I have written about a long-time giant at St. Lucy’s Church in Newark, NJ, Monsignor Joseph Granato. He served the parishioners of St. Lucy’s for 54 years; his entire time of service. I am sad to report the Monsignor went home to the Lord a few days ago. Born in New York,… Continue reading

Essex County, History, Jersey Icon, New Jersey, Non-Profits

First Ward, Monsignor Granato, New Jersey, Newark, St. Lucy’s Church
October 18, 2021

Italian Heritage in New Jersey: St. Lucy’s Church

If someone asked me what is the most important location associated with Italian heritage in New Jersey, I would say without hesitation St. Lucy’s Church. Since its cornerstone was placed in 1891, St. Lucy’s Church in Newark has been a source of pride and devotion for the millions of Italian immigrants and the generations that… Continue reading

Essex County, Exploring, Festivals, History, New Jersey

Feast of St. Gerard, First Ward, Italian American Heritage Month, New Jersey, Newark, St. Lucy’s Church
October 1, 2021

October is Italian Heritage Month

If you are a regular reader of my blog, you know I am a proud New Jerseyan. I am also very proud of my Italian heritage. October in Italian Heritage Month and as I do each year, I plan on writing about New Jerseyans of Italian heritage that have made a significant impact on our… Continue reading

Essex County, History, Just Plain Cool, New Jersey

First Ward, Italian American Heritage Month, New Jersey, New Jersey history, Newark, St. Lucy’s Church
October 22, 2020

Italian Heritage in New Jersey: Rose Fieramosca

You’ve probably never heard of today’s New Jerseyan of Italian heritage. She wasn’t famous, or rich, or any of the other things most would people consider noteworthy. She was a mother, a grandmother, a great-grandmother, an aunt, a great cook, and a devout Catholic. She was my Grandmother – Rosina Fucetola Fieramosca. Like many of… Continue reading

Essex County, History, New Jersey

Catholic Faith, Communion, Italian American Heritage Month, Newark, Rose Fieramosca, Rosina Fucetola, St. Lucy’s Church
October 6, 2020

Italian Heritage in New Jersey: Msgr. Joseph Granato

If there is anyone who should be the first individual I highlight for Italian Heritage Month, it must be Msgr. Joseph Granato. Msgr. Granato borders on rock star status at St. Lucy’s Church in Newark, home to the National Shrine of St. Gerard. He served St. Lucy’s for 54 years. It was the only parish… Continue reading

Essex County, History, Jersey Icon, New Jersey

Feast of St. Gerard, Italian American Heritage Month, Italian Culture Medal, Monsignor Granato, Newark, Seton Hall University, St. Lucy’s Church
July 3, 2020

Heritage

heritage noun her·i·tage | \ ˈher-ə-tij , ˈhe-rə- \ Definition of heritage 1: property that descends to an heir 2a: something transmitted by or acquired from a predecessor : LEGACY, INHERITANCE proud of her Italian heritage a rich heritage of folklore The battlefields are part of our heritage and should be preserved. b: TRADITION the… Continue reading

Conservation, Essex County, Festivals, History, New Jersey, Preservation

Amerigo Vespucci, Christopher Columbus, Giovanni da Verrazzano, heritage, Monsignor Joseph Perotti, Mother Cabrini, Newark, St. Lucy’s Church