Activity #2

My grandfather, Joanie and Corinne’s (Joanie’s cousin) great grandfather, was a Presbyterian minister who spoke 4 languages: English, Italian, Polish, and Latin.  He worked in the coal mines at a very young age, 6 years old. He worked to send his siblings to school.  He started preaching the gospel when he was still in the mines and he “retired” after 20 years (age 26) and went on to graduate from college and theological school. He fell in love Joanie’s great-grandmother, Sarah, who was literally from the wrong side of the tracks in Pittston, PA.  He had a church there during World War II and often preached sermons about making money off of wars (profiteering).  He also preached that Jesus was dark skinned and that all nationalities were brothers.  His name was reverend Oscar Frederick Vitale (in Italian: Oscanio Frederico Vitale).

 

This was written by Jeanne Vitale, My Mom.