by Allison Norlian
The Abruzzese Festival kicked off Sunday at Gates Memorial Park. The authentic Italian celebration is an all day event starting with a morning mass at St. Theodore's Church with Bishop Matano. Doug Mandelaro, the communications director for the CatAbruzzese Festival holic Diocese of Rochester said Matano is Rochester's first Italian Bishop.
"He was approached before he was installed as Bishop by the organizing community," Mandelaro said. "He readily agreed to do this. It's an honor for him to come here and he's delighted to do it." The mass was followed by a traditional procession from the church to the park that included the Knights of Columbus, Sons of Italy, honor guards and various other organizations. Silvano Domenico Oris, the chairman of the Abruzzese Festival said this event used to be annual.
