AUBURN — For Paolo Saltarello and other Italian-Americans in the Cayuga County area, there is always something to honor and cherish.
That remains true for him and his sister Mary Assunta even after 60 years in America. They arrived, by boat, from Naples, Italy, in 1964. Similar to countless immigrants, they sought a better life.
On Sunday, their lives came full circle as they welcomed priest Don Leonardo Catalano from their hometown of Biccari. Catalano held Mass at St. Francis of Assisi Church that afternoon.
“It’s going well,” Catalano told The Citizen about his second trip to the United States. Saltarello’s wife, Anna, translated for him. “I love seeing the sincerity of the people.”
Catalano’s extended visit began in Philadelphia, where he visited harpist Lucia Galdi Marone. Her father, a friend of Saltarello, came from the same part of Italy. Marone has performed in Biccari, and she will be in Auburn on Oct. 14 for the Cultural Italian American Organization’s annual Columbus Day celebration. She will perform with Fort Drum’s 10th Mountain Division Concert Band.
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That day’s Mass was spoken primarily in Italian, with English translation. Catalano spoke Latin as he welcomed and blessed the gifts. The 90-minute service concluded with a procession celebrating the Assumption of Mary, which is typically observed Aug. 15. It was held in front of St. Francis’ grotto prior to a pasta dinner organized by CIAO.
Don Leonardo Catalano of Biccari, Italy, leads a procession following Mass on Sunday at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Auburn.
Christopher Malone, The Citizen
A new home
“My father told us, ‘Listen, when you come to America, you’ll find dollars on the street,'” Saltarello told The Citizen.
His siblings recalled a similar feeling that the United States was a land of possibility.
“I thought everyone lived comfortably,” Assunta said. “If you don’t work, you don’t have a chance.”
Their father, Giuseppe Saltarello, held various jobs but was a shoemaker by trade. He had a shop on North Street, where the Holiday Inn is now located. He would travel back and forth to Italy, but saving money to make sure his whole family would eventually immigrate. They traveled second-class during the nine-day trip, bunking with strangers and passing the time with games.
From left, Paolo Saltarello of the Cultural Italian American Organization in Auburn is seated with his mother, Lucia Saltarello, and sister Mary Assunta on a boat from Italy to the United States in 1964.
Provided
Saltarello and Assunta turned 16 and 20 during the trip, respectively, and celebrated the birthdays at sea. Setting foot on U.S. soil was a gift worth the wait.
“We got up early to see the lights of the New York harbor,” Saltarello said, recalling the picture slowly coming together. Faint lights led to bridges, buildings and then skyscrapers.
“Seeing the Statue of Liberty, it got really emotional,” he continued.
Assunta, who would eventually work at Dunn & McCarthy, touted her brother’s accomplishments. By 19, he was a barber. He owned a few businesses on Owasco Street, and still cuts hair at the Cayuga County Jail. In 2014, he and nine others started CIAO to celebrate their heritage and Auburn’s Italian population.
From left, the Rev. Don Leonardo Catalano, Paolo Saltarello of the Cultural Italian American Organization, Mary Assunta and Mariela Beccia, Catalano’s mother, at St. Francis of Assisi Church on Aug. 25.
Christopher Malone
Continuing traditions
After a decade, CIAO continues to build community in Auburn. The group’s efforts go beyond Italian-Americans, embracing Auburn as a whole.
Whether it’s attending Founder’s Day, selling pizza fritte to raise funds, hosting dinners or honoring community members, Saltarello wants to be part of it.
In July, the group donated $1,100 to SS. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, which was raised by selling pizza fritte at the church’s annual Ukrainian Heritage Festival.
As for the group itself, Saltarello and Assunta hope younger generations get involved. They understand there are a lot of youth activities, like sports and clubs, that dominate time.
Faith is the same way, they feel. Religion isn’t what it used to be. But Catalano, from his perspective as a priest, remains optimistic.
“Traditions have changed. The faith has been a lot stronger,” he said. “Even though times have changed, the states of the love and traditions keep going.”
Gallery: Italian priest pays special visit to Auburn
St. Francis of Assisi Church in Auburn welcomes Don Leonardo Catalano of Biccari, Italy, second from left, during a pasta dinner following Mass.
Christopher Malone
Paolo Saltarello greets parishioners ahead of Mass on Sunday at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Auburn.
Christopher Malone
A procession follows Mass on Sunday at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Auburn.
Christopher Malone
From left, the Rev. Don Leonardo Catalano, Paolo Saltarello of the Cultural Italian American Organization, Mary Assunta and Mariela Beccia, Catalano’s mother, at St. Francis of Assisi Church on Aug. 25.
Christopher Malone
Don Leonardo Catalano of Biccari, Italy, leads Mass at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Auburn.
Christopher Malone
Don Leonardo Catalano of Biccari, Italy, leads Mass at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Auburn.
Christopher Malone
Don Leonardo Catalano of Biccari, Italy, leads Mass at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Auburn.
Christopher Malone
Parishioners at St. Francis of Assisi’s grotto.
Christopher Malone
Parishioners gather at St. Francis of Assisi’s grotto as Don Leonardo Catalano leads a procession.
Christopher Malone
Parishioners gather at St. Francis of Assisi’s grotto as Don Leonardo Catalano leads a procession.
Christopher Malone
Staff writer Christopher Malone can be reached at (315) 282-2232 or [email protected].
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Publish date : 2024-08-29 23:30:00
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