Dear Friends, 

It is my pleasure to welcome you to Casa Italia, the center for the preservation and promotion of Italian American Culture for our community.  Here we have created an oasis, just minutes from O’Hare Airport, in which you can immerse yourself in the vibrancy of Italian culture and the richness of our heritage.  We think of ourselves as a little slice of Italy in Stone Park, Illinois. 

Located on seventeen acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, you are encouraged to indulge your senses in a feast for your eyes, mind and soul. 

We invite you to tour our Cultural Center Museums filled with fabulous artifacts and historic representations of the Italian American immigrant experience.  You can stroll through our art galleries overflowing with original works by Italian American artists or peruse our extensive library, a leading source of Italian American literature in the Midwest. 

And yet, you have just touched upon the riches of the Casa Italia Experience!  Our lush grounds are home to a life-size marble Holy Hill of Calvary.  The Stations of the Cross Garden wraps around a wooded respite just opposite the Hill.  And, our Sacred Heart Chapel is open for contemplation, Sunday Mass or significant religious events in your family. 

Our Community Center comfortably accommodates 250 people is available for group meetings, retreats, movies or lectures.  Our Banquet Center dining room is available for hosting private parties, dinner meetings or for other numerous events offered throughout the year. Our open air Festival Pavilion, complete with elevated stage and attached commercial kitchen, can accommodate 750 people and can be reserved for concerts, dances, festivals, picnics and weddings.  Add the surrounding grounds complete with picnic tables, bocce courts and wide open spaces for soccer and other games and you have a fabulous backdrop to countless memorable events. 

Whether you wish to freshen up your linguistic skills before traveling abroad or want to study Italian for the first time, Italian language classes are available for both adults and children.  During the summer, our three week immersion summer camp is offered for children.  We also offer an Italian immersion weekend for adults which continues to be a popular event. 

In addition to Casa Italia being the perfect place for all of your special occasions, our office complex is the home of:  Radio Maria, Patronato ACLI (Italian Pension Office), Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans, Calabresi In America Organization and Società San Francesco di Paola, Casa Puglia, A.R.P.A (Associazione Regionale Pugliese in America), Federazione Regionale Pugliesi in America, Ci-Ama, San Rocco di Modugno, San Rocco di Valenzano, San Giovanni Bosco, SS Crocifisso di Ciminna and Fra Noi publication.  This allows our visitors ample exposure to some of the most renowned Chicagoland Italian American organizations housed under one roof. 

Unable to visit Italy this month?  Why not visit us at Casa Italia!  For reservations or group tours of our facilities, please contact us at 708.345.5933.  I invite all Italian American organizations to support and participate in the programs offered at Casa Italia.  Our goal is to ensure the continuation of our traditions and customs.  We look forward to hearing from you.

Tony Turano
Chairman Casa Italia