Rocc12

ROCCAMORICE

(Pg. 12)

La Rocca Pg. 13 (San Donato Church)
La Rocca Pg. 14 (people / places)
La Rocca Pg. 15 (people / places)
La Rocca Pg. 16 (people / places)
La Rocca Pg. 17 (places to stay / eat)
La Rocca Pg. 18 (Asphalt Mines)
La Rocca Pg. 19 (Asphalt Mines)
La Rocca Pg. 20 (Churches)
La Rocca Pg. 21 (Churches)
La Rocca Pg. 22 (people / places)
La Rocca pg. 23 (people / places)
La Rocca Pg. 24 (people / places)

La Rocca Pg. 1 (history/photos)
La Rocca Pg. 2 (Santo Spirito)
La Rocca Pg. 3 (San Bartolomeo)
La Rocca Pg. 4 (photos)
La Rocca Pg. 5 (photos)
La Rocca Pg. 6 (photos)
La Rocca Pg. 7 (festa)
La Rocca Pg. 8 (the old ways)
La Rocca Pg. 9 (the old ways)
La Rocca Pg. 10 ("Lu Sand'Andune")
La Rocca Pg. 11 (La Rocca's Sand'Andune)
La Rocca Pg. 12 (Don Donato Bianco)

DON DONATO BIANCO

DON DONATO BIANCO
Pastor of S. Donato Parish
Roccamorice, Pescara
Died: September 8, 2000

Don Donato was born in S. Vito Chietino (Chieti) in July 1933. He was the third of seven children. He joined the Diocese Seminary in 1945 and in 1950 the Regional Seminary where he was ordained as a priest in June 1960.

In the last 15 years he was also the pastor of Abbateggio, a small town 3 miles away between San Valentino and Roccamorice. This appointment by the Bishop of Chieti was necessitated by the shortage of available priests, after the passing of Don Giuseppe ( Don Peppe di Abbateggio).

Roccamorice is a small mountain town with a geographical reach extending several miles with rugged terrain where a good number of parishioners live. Don Donato stayed in touch with everyone and many times the only way to reach the people was to walk the mule trails (mulattiere). This was particularly difficult every year at Easter during the annual blessing of the homes. The blessing of the homes is a very popular religious ritual in Italy and it is done very faithfully, even if it takes a couple of months to complete.

Don Donato administering First Communion.

Don Donato with Nunzio D'Alimonte, rehearsing Christmas songs with the children in Roccamorice.

Visiting family in New York in July, 1968.

Don Donato visited the U.S. and Canada five times to spend time with relatives and roccolani, especially in Toronto where a large number of paesani reside. In his visits here, he always counted on everyone to help, as it happened in 1996 when he undertook an important project to redo the church roof and repair the outside walls. All the paesani feel a special attachment to their church back home and they feel especially proud when they go back for a visit. It is important to note that everyone's donation from that trip was instrumental in helping the project complete successfully and on time.

In the U.S. for the 25th anniversary of his ordination, with brother Justin on the left and Antonio DiMatteo of Lettomanoppello on the right.

Don Donato, with sister and brother-Justin in U.S. on ocassion of marriage of Justin's daughter.

Don Donato with niece Felicia Fiocchi and nephews John and Dennis Barse. Picture at right taken at S.Bartolomeo sanctuary.

Don Donato with brother Justin. Taken in February, 2000 while Don Donato was going through chemotherapy.

Don Donato with family members, including sister Suor Maria Laura and aunt Suor Augusta in Roccamorice.

In his 38 years at Roccamorice, Don Donato was offered several opportunities to relocate to another town and pursue advancements in the church, but he always refused the opportunity so that he could stay close to the people of Roccamorice and Abbateggio.

As exemplified by his life, he now rests in Roccamorice close to the people he always loved. As reaffirmed by the Bishop at his funeral, he made his parishioners his mission in life and he made humility and humbleness the tools to reach them."

The above words and pictures were graciously provided by Justin Bianco, brother of Don Donato, in order that tribute could be made to Don Donato for his good works for the people of Roccamorice. We thank him very much.

La Rocca Pg. 11

La Rocca Pg. 13