By Patricia Gallupoli Russo, La Nostra Voce

I haven’t said hello through my column in quite a while, so I thought I’d do so now to let you know how excited I’ll be to see many of you at the upcoming ISDA National Convention in Pittsburgh. The ISDA Order and Fraternal conventions are truly the bond that holds our wonderful organization together. They provide us with not only the opportunity to have a great time together, but more importantly, to create lifelong friendships with our ISDA sisters and brothers from throughout the country. Basil and I have been attending ISDA conventions since 1972. We‘ve been to wonderful conventions in Chicago, Buffalo, Cleveland, Ft. Lauderdale, Las Vegas, Miami and Pittsburgh.

This article first appeared in La Nostra Voce, ISDA’s monthly newspaper that chronicles Italian American news, history, culture and traditions. Subscribe today.

Each one has been memorable in its own special way. Each convention committee works so very hard to show its District’s Italian hospitality, just as Sharon Cerrone and her wonderful Western PA Committee are doing in Pittsburgh this year. We have always begun our conventions with the celebration of Mass. This is a tradition that has been followed by the ISDA since its inception in 1930. It shows the strong tie our heritage has to our Catholic faith. Then, from our convention kick-off luncheon to our convention ending installation dinner, we laugh, dance, sing, and eat our way through three fun-filled days with friends that we may not have seen since the last convention. If this is your first convention, or your 25th, as it is ours, you will leave with a smile on your face and many new friends. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the Convention!

A Special Surprise: Basil just told me that he has arranged for all our convention attendees to be guests at a special private screening of an exceptional new movie about the life of Mother Cabrini. This full-length motion picture, which has not yet been released in theaters, is outstanding. I had the opportunity to see it last month in New York City and I can honestly say it is one of the very best films I have ever seen. It is amazing to see how much this marvelous woman accomplished during her lifetime. If you are Italian, you will love this movie. If you are Catholic, you will love this movie. If you are a woman, you will love this movie. If you are all three, you will be blown away. The film will be shown Tuesday morning, August 22nd. Transportation to and from the theater will be provided for all convention attendees. Please don’t miss this wonderful film.

ISDA Convention Featured Events

Sunday, August 20: We’ll be headed to the National Aviary, the only independent indoor nonprofit aviary in the United States.  It is also the country’s largest aviary, and the only one accorded “National” status by the United States Congress. Attendees will have access to the Tropical Rainforest, Penguin Point, Grasslands, and Wetlands Habitats. In addition, attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy both an owl and a penguin encounter.

Tuesday, August 22: Attendees will be provided complimentary admission to the Senator John Heinz History Center, Pennsylvania’s largest history museum and an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution. The Italian American Collection is one of the largest repositories of Italian American artifacts, photographs, oral histories, and archival materials in the United States.

CLICK HERE for all details on the 2023 ISDA National Convention