October is Italian Heritage Month

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - October is Italian Heritage Month.

The Italian Flag was raised on the steps of City Hall in Springfield Friday afternoon. Serviam Awards were presented to Delfo Barabani, Bill Caruana, Dr. Carol Leary and Judy Matt. David Costa received the Amici Award. Since the tornado devastated the South End of Springfield, which has strong Italian roots, this month will have a special meaning for some Italian-Americans.

"With tornadoes, hurricanes, we're building again. The South End has to rebuild, the city has to, that part of it redevelop and that's going to take time", says Serviam Award recipient Bill Caruana.

Other Italian Heritage Month activities include a Mass on Sunday, October 9th at 8:30am at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church.  That will be followed by a breakfast buffet at 9:45am at the Storrowton Carriage House in West Springfield.

A "Taste of Italy" will be held October 15th in the Mt. Carmel auditorium beginning at 5pm.  A dinner celebration at Storrowton Carriage House will culminate the month on October 28th.  That has a social hour starting at 6pm, followed by dinner at 7.