Past
Honorary
Presidents
2019 ~ Fr Damian Zuerlein
2018 ~ Tony Cosentino
2017 ~ Joseph Caniglia
2016 ~ Charles Vacanti
2015 ~ Sam Marchese
2014 ~ John Stella
2013 ~ Jim Hall
2012 ~ Jim Rotella
2007 ~ 2011
2006 ~ Fr Theodore Riching
2005 ~ Angelo Buda
2004 ~ James Monaghan
2003 ~ Tom Nastase Jr
2002 ~ Tony Baratta
2001 ~ Pat Venditte
2000 ~ Jim Jansen
1999 ~ Lou Rotella Jr
1998 ~ Joe Caniglia PhD
1997 ~ Fr Russell Monzu
1996 ~ Sr Mary Evangeline
1995 ~ Judge Joe Troia
1994 ~ Fred Bruning
1993 ~ Subby Anzaldo
1992 ~ Frances Mandolfo
1991 ~ Vince Emmanuel Sr
1990 ~ Mike Albert
1989 ~ Bob Orsi
1988 ~ Yano Bonafede
1987 ~ Mike Boyle
1986 ~ Lou Rotella Sr
1985 ~ Anthony Troia
1984 ~ Frances Pane
1983 ~ Claudio Orsi
1982 ~ Bishop Anthony Milone
1981 ~ Nuncio Pomidoro
1980 ~ Thomas Breccetti
1979 ~ Sandy Buda
1978 ~ Anthony Fucinaro
1977 ~ Bernie Venditte
1976 ~ Sam Pattavina
1975 ~ Tony Troia
1974 ~ Sam Howell
1973 ~ Ross Lorello
1972 ~ Al Caniglia
1971 ~ Alfred Pattavina Jr
1970 ~ Dr Joseph Longo Jr
1969 ~ Emil Sodaro
1968 ~ Charles Mancuso
1967 ~ Frank Pane
1966 ~ Frank Distefano Sr
1965 ~ John Mainelli
1964 ~ Dr Joseph Grasso
1963 ~ Dr Anthony Circo
1962 ~
1961 ~ Dr Anthony Pantano
1960 ~
1959 ~ Louie Salerno
1948 ~ 1958
1947 ~ Louis Carnazzo
1946 ~ Louis Finocchiaro
1940 ~ 1945
1939 ~ Charles Ancona
1938 ~ Joseph Piccolo
1937 ~
1936 ~ Dr S. J. Carnazzo
1925 ~ 1935
The Santa Lucia Festival Committee is proud to announce
Fr. Damian Zuerlein 2019 “Honorary President”
Fr. Damian Zuerlein was born to Victor & Betty Zuerlein along with four Sisters and one Brother. Father’s Siblings are Kathy Renken, Theresa Taute, Dale Zuerlein, Doris Augspurger & Bernice Reiser.
Father’s Educational journey began in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1977, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the College of St. Thomas, and earned his Master of Ministry Degree from the St. Paul Seminary in 1981. From there he traveled to Cuernavaca, Mexico and attended the Spanish Language Institute where he studied the Spanish Language.
Father has also studied Counseling & Psychology at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, along with Spirituality Studies at Creighton University. In 2000, Father did Sabbatical Studies at the Catholic University in Louvain, Belgium and also at Notre Dame University, Tantur Campus, Jerusalem, and Israel in 2015.Fr. Damian was Ordained on June 6, 1981 by Archbishop Daniel E. Sheehan for the Archdiocese of Omaha.
Since being Ordained, Father’s assignments have included Associate Pastor at Sacred Heart/St. Mary’s Parish in Norfolk, Nebraska from 1981 to 1985. He was also the Associate Pastor at St. Pius X Parish from 1985 to 1988 and Mary Our Queen Parish from 1988 to 1990. In 1990 Father became Pastor at Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Agnes, and St Frances of Assisi Parishes, prior to becoming Administrator at St. Peter and St. Ann Parishes in 2003 & 2004. Father’s next assignment was in 2004 where he became Pastor of St. Columbkille Parish in Papillion, Nebraska. Father was at St Columbkille until he became Pastor at St. Frances Cabrini Parish. Father has been at St Frances Cabrini since 2015.
As well as his Pastor duties at St. Frances Cabrini, Father also is the Dean of the Urban Southeast Deanery, along with the Treasurer for the Council of Priests. Other duties Father Damian is presently juggling include being part of the Archdiocesan Finance Council and the Priest Personnel Board. He is also on the Board of Consultors for the Archdiocese of Omaha. Father is on the Board of Directors of the Christ Child Society as well as the IXIM, Spirit of Solidarity. Father is also the Spiritual Director for Christians Encounter Christ.
The Santa Lucia Festival Committee would like to thank Father Damian Zuerlein for all his hard work and generosity. The Committee is very grateful to Father and the St. Frances Cabrini Parish.
Congratulations Fr Damian Zuerlein on being named
The 95th Annual Santa Lucia Festival
Honorary President