Sacred Heart Society plans Mass, feast to mark anniversary

The Sacred Heart Society of Little York will celebrate its 90th anniversary with a special Mass and luncheon event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, at Whitney Oaks Hall, 816 E. Whitney Drive.

Retired Bishop Vincent Rizzoto will say a 10:30 a.m. Mass, followed by an Italian luncheon featuring the group’s famous pasta and meatballs.

Participants can also enjoy homemade Italian sausage, as well as Italian cream cake and chocolate cake for dessert.

Tickets cost $5 per person for those who are not members of the society. Advance registration is requested.

Founded in 1923 by a small group of Italian immigrants, the nonprofit Sacred Heart Society of Little York has approximately 200 members.

Practicing Catholic Italian men are welcome to join, as are men married to Italian women.

“We are the oldest Italian-American Society in Houston,” said Tom Flaherty, the society’s president.

“Being the oldest Italian organization in Houston is something to be very proud of. Many of our members are the sons and grandsons of the original founders.”

The society participates in a number of charitable causes each year, including the annual St. Joseph Table event, which raises money for Christmas baskets for St. Vincent de Paul Society churches and is attended by approximately 400 each year.

However, Flaherty said one of the things the society is most proud of is its weekly pasta-andmeatballs luncheons.

“For over 60 years, we have served homemade Italian pasta and meat- balls every Thursday 11 a.m.-1:15 p.m. to the general public — all at a very reasonable price,” he said.

“This has grown over the years. The past several months, we have served over 400 people on a Thursday. Many high school groups will use the occasion to have a class reunion. We will have groups from the Class of 1952 on up gather for fellowship. Also, many families join us with mini- family reunions.”

Prices start at $5.50 for pasta.

For more information on the luncheon or to register, call Flaherty at 713-692-0198 or send an email message to tomf@ allpage.com or visit www. whitneyoakshall.com/ about_us/sacred_heart. html. Megan Mattingly-Arthur is a freelance writer who can be reached at neighborhoods@chron.com.