Gathering after Mass one day before Columbus Day, officials announced the month-long celebration of Italian-American culture and contributions to society outside the downtown church that has long been at the heart of the community: St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church.
Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown joined with members of the Federation of Italian-American Societies on Sunday to declare October as Italian Heritage Month, while also unveiling a rendering of the planned new immigrants monument to replace the Christopher Columbus statue that was voluntarily removed in July.
