First published in the Oct. 27 print issue of the Outlook Valley Sun.
The members of Branch 374 of the Italian Catholic Federation, a diverse evangelical and social organization at St.Bede the Venerable Catholic Church, unanimously elected Phyllis Serra Harb to a two-year term as president.
Harb had previously served for two years as first vice president of the branch led by previous president Mark G. Mannarelli. He was reelected to serve as treasurer, and Robert DePietro was reelected branch auditor and financial secretary.
They also selected two new officers of non-Italian heritage as key officers.
Elected first vice president for the upcoming 2023-2025 term was Raul Acevedo, a native of Cienfuegos Cuba, he migrated to the United States on Oct. 28, 1961, shortly after the Castro takeover of the island nation. He attended Cal State L.A. and graduated with an MBA from UCLA. He was employed as an Information Technology Architect at IBM and traveled to 12 countries in his work for the company. He and his wife Liela live in Sun Valley. They have two children, Raul, Jr., and Lizette. His son Raul Jr. is a St. Francis H.S. and Annapolis graduate, and a U.S. Navy Captain.
Lila Woo Nastro of Chinese ancestry was elected second vice president. Woo Nastro has been employed by Warner Brothers in worldwide logistics for 35 years. She graduated from USC with a Bachelor in Science degree in social work and a minor in psychology.
Phyllis Harb was born in Germany to Joyce Schuesser and the late Samuel L. Serra, a retired Captain in the LA Fire Department who served in the U.S. Army in Germany. Raised in Glendale, she worked in positions of increasing responsibility in banking and finance and earned an Associate of Arts degree from Pierce College.
In 1989, she formed Harb and Company, a local realty company which is part of Coldwell Banker Hallmark Company. She has two daughters, Kristi, who owns a Yoga Studio in Montrose, and Jannie. She and her husband George live in La Cañada Flintridge.
Al Restivo was elected Orator and Fiorina Murphy will become the organization’s Sentinel. Josephine Barbera will again serve as recording secretary and Diane Restivo will be responsible for the various functions of corresponding secretary. Serving as trustees are Joel Wynton, Gloria McGaughey, Robert Barbera and Maria DeSalguero.
Harb and a newly elected slate of officers will assume their leadership roles of the branch on Jan. 1, 2023.
The Italian Catholic Federation is a family-oriented, nonprofit fraternal organization dedicated to promoting activities that build faith and family spirit and bring men, women and children of all ages together. By joining the local branch at St. Bede, ICF members share their culture, heritage, and religious beliefs. Members believe that together they can accomplish more than one can alone.
Branch 374 in La Cañada Flintridge, and the surrounding communities is active in various cultural events locally and throughout the country, supports the parishes, and provide various charities with financial and other support.
Membership is open to all Catholics. One can join by calling (818) 952-3252.
