The Willow Glen Resident Photograph by Skye Dunlap Heavenly Piece: Lauretta Falcone and Pastor Francisco Rios unwrap a statue of Joseph and the baby Jesus that Falcone donated to St. Leo's Catholic Church. Last year, Falcone donated a statue of the Virgin Mary to the church. Willow Glen resident reunites Saint Leo's 'Holy Family' Lauretta Falcone donates a second statue to church By Mary Spicuzza Amid the flowering blue rosemary and bright orange blooms of Saint Leo the Great Catholic Church, a statue of the Virgin Mary stands patiently, hands pressed in prayer. Cars constantly speed past on the street in front of her, but there is a certain stillness surrounding the small figure. With flowers sculpted around her bare feet and a rosary encircling her arms, the simple yet beautiful statue seems at peace, yet completely alone. But not for long. Longtime Willow Glen resident Lauretta Falcone, who gave the parish the Virgin Mother figure last year, recently received word that her second donation, a statue of Saint Joseph holding Baby Jesus, has arrived at the church. Falcone, a native of Calabria, Italy, who's lived in Willow Glen since 1930, dedicated her first donation to her husband and son, Charles Falcone Sr. and Charles J. Falcone Jr. Mary now stands in front of St. Leo's, near the corner of Race Street and W. San Fernando. But ambitious Falcone just felt something was missing. Soon after Mary was dedicated on Aug. 24, 1997, Falcone asked the church to order a statue of Saint Joseph holding Jesus. It took nine months for them to arrive, but everyone agrees it was worth the wait. The church hopes to have the statue of Jesus and Joseph standing by late October. "We're still deciding where to put the piece," Pastor Francisco Rios says. "We're very excited, but need to discuss the best place for Joseph." St. Leo the Great parish was built in 1918 and has grown into a thriving parish complete with a school for grades 1-8. Among its many community activities, it provides services for The Retirement Inn of Willow Glen. Lauretta Falcone has attended services at St. Leo's for more than 20 years. She worked in the fruit canneries of San Jose for "15 seasons," and can remember back to when the county was predominantly orchards and farmland. Her husband, Charles, began a plumbing business, an offshoot of which, Dave Falcone & Son Plumbing, is now run by Lauretta's grandson, Jim Falcone. "She's 85 years old, but you can't keep up with her," Jim Falcone says proudly. "She's always out doing something." And Father Rios and church members are grateful to her for it. "Lauretta has been a member here for a long time. We were thrilled when she donated Our Lady of Lourdes," Pastor Francisco Rios says, adding that they are equally excited by the new arrival. "She wanted to have the Holy Family all together." The Saint Leo Parish Festival takes place Sept. 25, 26 and 27 at 88 Race St. Call 293-3503 for more information. [ Back to Contents Page | Willow Glen Resident Home Page | Archives ] This article appeared in the Willow Glen Resident, September 23, 1998. ©1998 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.