Tag Archives: Nina Groppo

Viva San Giuseppe <3

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These are joyful, blessed days, preparing for the feast and celebrating Saint Joseph! Thank you dear friends. <3 <3 <3

The first clip is of some of the helpers from pasta-making day. People stop in throughout the day to lend a hand  and some are at their own homes preparing food to bring to the feast. As much as I would like to, it is impossible to get all in one photo! The second batch of clips shows Franco and friends cooking the vast pots of bubbling pasta that is served with both the Feast of Saint Joseph special fava bean sauce and Nina’s marinara, and the last clips are from pasta-making day. 

With love and gratitude to Nina and Frank Groppo. Viva San Giuseppe!

Joyous Saint Joseph Pasta-making Day!

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Each year Nina and Franco Groppo open their hearts and home to the community to honor Saint Joseph, the patron Saint of workers, fathers, and families. The house is full of family and friends coming together to attend the nine day Novena and prepare for the feast to celebrate Saint Joseph, which is always on March 19th, a Thursday this year.

Felicia Sciortino and Nina dedicated the altar to honor the crew of the Fishing Vessel Lily Jean that sank on January 30th. Captain Gus Sanfilippo and six crew members were lost at sea. There is a beautiful model of the ship, made by Felicia’s brother Domenic Di Maio, and the altar is decorated with lovely symbols and handmade artifacts (made by Felicia) representing the hardworking men and women who fish the sea.

It is such a joyous day making pasta with these wonderful friends and I so love photographing and filming the event. A video is coming and in the meantime, here are a few snapshots. It’s baby Julian’s first Saint Joseph and Nina and Franco’s first great-grandchild so there are tons of photos of this adorable little nugget. Julian is the son of Steve and Mikaela LeBlanc, the grandson of Maria Groppo, and Steve and Melanie LeBlanc, and the great-grandson of Nina and Franco.

All Are Welcome to the Beautiful Saint Peter’s Fiesta Novena

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Come one, come all! 

With love and gratitude to the Novena Ladies who each year tirelessly organize the Novena, decorate the Legion Hall and altar in a unique and beautiful way, lead the attendees in prayer and song, and nightly serve refreshments. Viva San Pietro.Left to right: Grace Cusumano, Nina Groppo, Anne Sanfillippo, Joanne Auello, Jean Linquata, Caryn Ryder, Faye Quinlan

The 2025 St. Peter’s Fiesta Novena continues every night through Tuesday. Saturday, Sunday, and Monday the Novena begins at 7:00pm. Tuesday is the very special conclusion. The Novena begins at 6:30, followed by the Mass, followed by the Saint Peter procession to Beach Court.


Crazy Hat Lady sisters Robyn and Amy, sans hats. I wonder what wonderfully imaginative designs they will add to the hats this year!

 

St. Joseph God Bless America

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After taking the group photo, Joseph Briguglio led the ensemble in a spontaneous singing of “God Bless America.” 

Celebrating the Feast of Saint Joseph with Family, Friends, Faith, and Devotion

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Welcoming Spring with the most joyful celebration – Happy St. Joseph’s Day, Happy Spring!

Viva San Giuseppe!

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF SAINT JOSEPH

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The year 2025 marks the Groppo Family’s 30 year tradition of hosting the nine day novena and Saint Joseph Feast Day.

People from all walks of life are invited to the Feast of Saint Joseph at the Groppo’s welcoming home. There was a steady stream of hungry celebrants throughout the day and evening. Tables were laden with wonderfully delicious dishes, featuring both Sicilian cuisine and Gloucester seafood. Thank you to Nina, Franco, Maria, Enza, and this wonderful community of family and friends for sharing the very special tradition of the Feast of St. Joseph. 

Viva San Giuseppe!

More photos and footage to come –

Feast of Saint Joseph Pasta-making with the Groppo Family and Friends

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The Groppo home was bursting with pasta-makers preparing for the Feast of Saint Joseph, which is celebrated every year on March 19th. I am so sorry I missed the first part of the morning when the house was twice as full, but happy to post these photos from the tail-end of the exuberant fun. So much love and joy shared in this beautiful community of family and friends <3 <3 <3 Viva SanGiuseppe! 

Celebration of the Heart

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Feast of Saint Joseph preparations are well-underway with the Groppo community of Family and Friends. So much love <3

YUMMMMM Caffe Sicilia Cake!

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Caffe Sicilia’s wonderfully delicious cake is much beloved 🙂

Favorite Scenes from St. Peter’s Novena and Procession to Beach Court

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The best part of Fiesta is many generations sharing traditions and having a joyful time together <3

Buona Festa!

 

Last Night of Novena to St. Peter

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Tonight’s Novena begins at 6Pm <3

TREMENDOUS THANK YOU TO THE FIESTA NOVENA LADIES COMMITTEE!

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The beautiful and talented Novena ladies have worked so hard hosting the nine days of prayers to St. Peter. Their grace and welcoming ways toward all who come make the event a joy to attend. Thank you!

The Novena to St. Peter continues through Tuesday evening and begins at 7pm. On Tuesday evening, the Novena begins at 6pm. All are welcome.

Left to right: Grace Cusumano, Caryn Ryder, Anne Sanfillippo, Jean Linquata, Nina Groppo, Faye Quinlan

Imagine – each piece of confetti on the altar stage backdrop was hand glued!

 

VIVA SAN GIUSEPPE!

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The Groppo family and friends St. Joseph Feast preparations underway-

Getting ready to feed an army, including the mail lady and the construction workers fixing the road out front! The Groppo home overflows with love, friendships, and faith. Viva San Giuseppe!

JOYFUL HEARTFELT NOVENA TO SAINT PETER, WITH A GIFT FROM EAST GLOUCESTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

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ALL ARE WELCOME!

Tonight marks the last night of the beautiful Novena to Saint Peter, held annually at the Captain Lester S. Wass American Legion Post. Doors open at 6pm, the Novena begins at 6:30, followed by Mass at 7:00pm.

With thanks and gratitude to the Novena Committee: Jeanne Linquata, Grace Cusamano, Caryn Ryder, Ann Sanfilippo, Joanne Aiello, Faye Quinlan, and Nina Groppo.

The wonderfully iridescent fishes are cut from paper kindergarten teacher Ann had in her art closet at East Gloucester Elementary School. All the ladies cut out the fishes and I think it’s one of the sweetest mementos to remember our beloved school by.

The Captain Lester S. Wass American Legion Post is located at 8 Washington Street, Gloucester

SAINT JOSEPH KIDS MAKING PASTA!

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Best pasta making day ever!

Kids Pasta Making Day will be available to view today only as it is part of the larger Feast of Saint Joseph Community Film Project.

ST. JOSEPH PASTA MAKING WITH THE GROPPO FAMILY AND FRIENDS!

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If you weren’t able to make pasta Tuesday morning at Nina and Frank Groppos, a second special St. Joseph pasta-making day is taking place this Saturday at 10:00am. This additional day is especially for kids and everyone is invited to join the fun!

Charlotte was so super shy at first, but Kathy Pratl took her under her wing and showed her how. As soon as she understood everyone was making her favorite, noo-noos, Charlotte joined right in. Thank you Nina, Franco, Kathy, Roseanne and Friends for a great morning! <3

Pasta Making with Nina Groppo Friends and Family!

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Filming for Gloucester’s Feast of Saint Joseph Community Film Project is continuing throughout the novena and on Saint Joseph’s Day. Visit the film’s blog for latest scenes!