OUR MISSION
We exist to promote national education, charitable fundraising, secure adequate laws for the benefit of its members, enrich Italian culture and heritage, and to combat discrimination while protecting and upholding the positive image of the people of Italian birth or descent.
We exist to promote national education, charitable fundraising, secure adequate laws for the benefit of its members, enrich Italian culture and heritage, and to combat discrimination while protecting and upholding the positive image of the people of Italian birth or descent.
Officers 2026 - 2027
President: Jo Ann Gentile Warren
Email:168presidentwarren@gmail.com
Vice-President: Gerard Piscitelli
Immediate Past President: Kevin Mercadante
Orator: Shanon Dagnello
Recording Secretary: Carolyn Haglund
Financial Secretary: Michele Giangrande
Treasurer: Cheryl DeProspo
Trustees:
Vittoria Visci Rosalyn Consiglio Vittoria Mastrocola
Vera Novick Michael Sacco, Jr.
Mistresses of Ceremonies:
Cookie Donaghy Nancy Gurgone
Guard: John D’Alessandro
State Delegate: Russell Poirier
Officers 2026 - 2027
President: Jo Ann Gentile Warren
Email:168presidentwarren@gmail.com
Vice-President: Gerard Piscitelli
Immediate Past President: Kevin Mercadante
Orator: Shanon Dagnello
Recording Secretary: Carolyn Haglund
Financial Secretary: Michele Giangrande
Treasurer: Cheryl DeProspo
Trustees:
Vittoria Visci Rosalyn Consiglio Vittoria Mastrocola
Vera Novick Michael Sacco, Jr.
Mistresses of Ceremonies:
Cookie Donaghy Nancy Gurgone
Guard: John D’Alessandro
State Delegate: Russell Poirier
Monthly Meeting
Date: October 01, 2026
Time: Dinner 6pm ($12), speaker 6:45pm, Meeting 7pm
RSVP: Sharon at sdagnello.osdia168@gmail.com or 508-243-7939
DEADLINE: Sunday, September 27, 2026 by 5pm
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A COPY OF NEWSLETTER OR CLICK ON THE NEWSLETTER IMAGE ABOVE.
GUEST SPEAKER SERIES
Most months, we’ll be welcoming a special guest speaker from 6:45–7:00 p.m. This short
presentation will give us an opportunity to learn, connect, and enjoy something new—without
interfering with our regular meetings or adding extra time to our evenings.
Our new Vice President, Gerard Piscitelli, has coordinated this exciting speaker series, and we
look forward to sharing these special guests with you!
This month we welcome J P Riccardi 6:30 p.m.
Cari Soci,
Let’s raise a glass to our Italian heritage—our families, our descendants, our food, our traditions, and the fellowship that brings us together. I am so proud of Lodge #168 and all that we have accomplished, and continue to accomplish, throughout our community. Our Italian roots connect us and make our Lodge a true famiglia. October brings a full calendar of Lodge events and plenty of excitement! Personally, I can’t wait to meet Steve Schirripa, star of The Sopranos, and then share his children’s book with the little guys in my family. I hope you’ll continue to welcome and encourage new members, lend a hand with our projects, and most importantly, come together to enjoy the wonderful events we have planned. Here’s to our heritage, our Lodge, and each other.
Buon Ottobre!
WORCESTER LODGE #168
Scholarship
Every year, our lodge gives out four (4) scholarships. Students must be related to members who have been members for two (2) years and are in good standing with the lodge.
DeFeudis COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS: We present scholarships to highly qualified students who will use our gifts to help further their education.
The deadline for our scholarship has past. Scholarship applications for 2027 will be made available at the December meeting as well as online. Come back in December to download a copy as well as find out the deadline date.
Please visit our Scholarship page for more information for the 2027 scholarship applications for the OSDIA Grand Lodge for Massachusetts and the OSDIA National Lodge
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to our five deserving scholarship recipients, each of whom was awarded a $2,500 scholarship! We are proud to support these outstanding students as they continue their educational journeys.
A heartfelt thank-you to all of our members who support this important educational program. Special appreciation goes to Mary Ann Bello and Donna Giuliani whose dedication and hard work make this program possible year after year.
And the winners are…
▮▮▮ Zoe Abysalh - Memorial
Attending Boston University
Great niece of Janice Romano
▮▮▮ Stella Colonero - Achievement
Attending University of Vermont
Niece of Craig & Natasha Colonero
▮▮▮ Natalia Fernandez-Achievement
University of Tampa
Granddaughter of Joan D’Argenis
▮▮▮ Josephine Pedone - Achievement
Attending Florida Gulf Coast University
Granddaughter of Elaine Beaurdy
▮▮▮ Jayden Wasgatt - Achievement
Attending Bridgewater State University
Niece of Cassie Mc Garth
Scholarship
Every year, our lodge gives out four (4) scholarships. Students must be related to members who have been members for two (2) years and are in good standing with the lodge.
DeFeudis COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS: We present scholarships to highly qualified students who will use our gifts to help further their education.
The deadline for our scholarship has past. Scholarship applications for 2027 will be made available at the December meeting as well as online. Come back in December to download a copy as well as find out the deadline date.
Please visit our Scholarship page for more information for the 2027 scholarship applications for the OSDIA Grand Lodge for Massachusetts and the OSDIA National Lodge
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to our five deserving scholarship recipients, each of whom was awarded a $2,500 scholarship! We are proud to support these outstanding students as they continue their educational journeys.
A heartfelt thank-you to all of our members who support this important educational program. Special appreciation goes to Mary Ann Bello and Donna Giuliani whose dedication and hard work make this program possible year after year.
And the winners are…
▮▮▮ Zoe Abysalh - Memorial
Attending Boston University
Great niece of Janice Romano
▮▮▮ Stella Colonero - Achievement
Attending University of Vermont
Niece of Craig & Natasha Colonero
▮▮▮ Natalia Fernandez-Achievement
University of Tampa
Granddaughter of Joan D’Argenis
▮▮▮ Josephine Pedone - Achievement
Attending Florida Gulf Coast University
Granddaughter of Elaine Beaurdy
▮▮▮ Jayden Wasgatt - Achievement
Attending Bridgewater State University
Niece of Cassie Mc Garth
OCTOBER HERITAGE MONTH is every October. Visit back to learn about any activities scheduled as they come up for October.
Below is a picture from the 2025 Italian Heritage Month Parade. It is a picture of some of our Lodge members on our float.