Inside Rockhurst’s St. Joseph’s Table And The Tradition That Fuels Service

A feast becomes a lifeline when a community decides tradition should serve people, not just nostalgia. We sit down with student leaders Nick Pizzachino and Charlie Bondi to explore how Rockhurst High School’s St. Joseph’s Table blends Sicilian heritage, faith, and hands-on service to support the Wyandotte County Pregnancy Center. From ornate breads and cookies to the sawdust that honors a carpenter saint, every detail points beyond celebration toward solidarity—proceeds, donated goods, and leftover food are all directed to mothers and families who need it most.

We open the doors wide: dates, drop-off times, and blessing details make it easy for families, alumni, and neighbors to participate. Along the way, we widen the lens on student life at Rockhurst. Choir stands tall as the school’s largest co-curricular, sending students to sing in Venice, Florence, and Rome while parents follow a shadow tour. Football Friday memories, all-school Masses that transform the gym into sacred space, and the steady rhythm of service hours reveal a campus where brotherhood in action is not a slogan but a daily practice.

Nick shares his next step toward business at Mizzou, while Charlie looks ahead to senior year, grades, and the college search with guidance from counseling resources and peer mentors. Their shared answer to why families choose Rockhurst—community and faith—threads through every story. Whether you’re drawn by Catholic tradition, student leadership, or service learning, you’ll hear how a simple table can anchor a season of generosity and formation.

Subscribe to Rock Talk, share this episode with a friend who loves meaningful traditions, and leave a review to tell us your favorite community service memory.

Transcript

Brotherhood In Action Theme

Meet The Student Leaders

SPEAKER_03 0:28

Welcome to Rock Talk, the official podcast of Rockers High School in Kansas City, Missouri, where we explore the voices, values, and vibrant life of our Jesuit college prep community. Hosted by the admissions and marketing team, each episode features conversations with students, faculty, alumni, and special guests as we share stories of academic excellence, faith formation, brotherhood, and service. Whether you're a prospective family, a proud alumnus, or something curious about what makes Rock Rush unique, this is your inside look at Life at the Rock. Good morning. Today we have some special guests to talk about an upcoming event that really shows our brotherhood in action, which is our theme for this segment's rock talk. So we have two young men from our St. Joseph Men for Mothers Club. I'm gonna go ahead and let you guys introduce yourself.

SPEAKER_01 1:19

Yeah, thank you for having us. We appreciate it. My name is Nick Pizzacino, and I'm the uh president of the St. Joseph Men for Mothers Club. And uh we do a lot of things that kind of help the formation of boys here. And a lot of that has to do with our St. Joseph table. That's our club's biggest event of the year. And that's how we get a lot of donations for the Wine Dot Pregnancy Center. So we help them out a lot through that.

SPEAKER_00 1:42

I'm Charlie Bondi. And the St. Joseph's Table at Rockers truly means a lot to fellow Italian students like I'm myself and teachers like Miss Ish. It's really a way to join together Italian communities like the ones here at Rockers.

What A St. Joseph’s Table Means

SPEAKER_03 2:02

Okay, yeah. So growing up, I'm I grew up Irish Catholic, but my good family friends were Italian, and so we kind of had this fun family war growing up between St. Patrick's Day and St. Joseph's Day, because they're right next to each other. But that's kind of how I first learned about what St. Joseph's Tables were. And then I before coming to Rockhurst, I worked at Holy Cross up in historic northeast, and they still have a pretty big St. Joseph's table that they have at the parish there. So for those listeners who are not Italian and maybe don't celebrate St. Joseph's Day, can you guys tell a little bit about kind of what's the tradition behind the St. Joseph's table or kind of the meaning behind that?

SPEAKER_01 2:41

Yeah, uh the St. Joseph Table dates back I don't know how far, to be honest. But uh I know that my grandma and her friends have, I mean, done it for as long as I can remember. That's how we spend every March 19th was up at Holy Rosary, where my great grandma actually started the tradition of the St. Joseph Table up in the north end. But it's it's kind of a cool thing that we all get to do. My little sister was born on St. Joseph Day, so that's kind of what it means to my family. And then there's just a ton of traditions that go with that. I mean, the pasta melonies, the cookies, the sawdust on the table to represent Saint Joseph as a carpenter. I mean, there's just so much that you could go into extreme detail about that I don't have the knowledge to.

SPEAKER_03 3:26

What about you, Charlie? Do you guys have do you have like a personal history with St. Joseph tables?

History And Traditions From Sicily

SPEAKER_00 3:32

Every year my grandparents would bring me and my family and some family friends to different parishes throughout the city to look at the Joseph's table. And every time we'd go to a parish, they'd know somebody there. So it's just like a big community. And the history behind it is sometime in Sicily, a long time ago, I think during medieval times, there was a famine and there was nothing to eat, and it was terrible, and the Sicilians prayed for the intercession of St. Joseph. And once that happened, it started to rain, and the crops grew again again.

SPEAKER_03 4:08

And so now they kind of celebrate that by having kind of this uh feast table, if you will.

SPEAKER_01 4:13

Exactly.

Service Focus And Beneficiary

SPEAKER_03 4:14

One thing I really like about our tradition here at Rockhurst is that when we talk about the Brotherhood in Action specifically, our St. Joseph's table is more than just that, you know, celebration, that feast that we kind of enjoy. Trust me, I enjoy the cookies and some other things from that table when it comes through. But the end goal is to raise money and support for, like you said, the Windows County Pregnancy Center. Pregnancy center, thank you. And so, what what you guys are really looking to is to support women who have made the decision to carry a child to term and to raise that child. And so I think that's a really great message and a really great example for the young men here at Rockers. So, what kind of benefits do you guys provide for them? Do you provide just like cash donations from the sales? I know you sell like the cookies and things like that off the table. Can people bring in like donations like for the young women or what what all?

SPEAKER_01 5:09

So we accept donations of all types. So the food will sell some of it at lunches, but a lot of it doesn't get sold. So we'll take the proceeds from the stuff that we sell and then the donations that people give us, and then the food that's left over, and we donate it all.

SPEAKER_03 5:22

Great. And can do people, is there a certain time that people can drop off those donations or come in to the table?

SPEAKER_01 5:28

Yes, we would like to have them delivered before 1 p.m. on March 25th, and then on the collection will take place from the 23rd to the 25th, and then it'll be the table will be blessed on Thursday, the 26th, and we'll be up through Friday.

How Donations And Sales Work

Dates, Drop-Offs, And Public Access

SPEAKER_03 5:42

Friday. And can um members of the public, do you know, can they come in? They can come in. That's great. Yes. Because I know that that's kind of the fun thing, like you said, Charlie. I think a lot of people in town like those traditions, and not all parishes have maintained that. So they like to find a new St. Joseph's table, maybe at a different location that they can celebrate at. So that's great. In fact, my favorite story about the family that we were friends with, the Schweitzers, they one day put a seven-foot Saint Joseph outside our house and said Saint Joseph's table here. And then we didn't see it because it was in front of our like tree in the front, and then all these people kept coming by the house looking for the Saint Joseph's table, and we finally figured it out. So clearly people want to attend the Saint Joseph's table, which is great, awesome. Okay, so besides this club, what are some of the things you guys are involved in at Rockhurst?

SPEAKER_01 6:34

I'm involved in football, and then I do a little bit with the outdoors club. Choir.

SPEAKER_03 6:39

Choir. Okay, so are you going on the the upcoming trip? I am, I'm very excited. So they le you guys leave for Rome on what day?

SPEAKER_00 6:46

We leave for Venice on Friday.

SPEAKER_03 6:49

Friday. Okay, great. Awesome. And but you guys are traveling traveling all over?

SPEAKER_00 6:53

We're going to Venice, Florence, and then Rome.

SPEAKER_03 6:55

Awesome. That's a great experience. One of the cool things about that trip, which which I think is kind of unique, is that you as students go on it, right? And you get to sing at all these different basilicas, but then the parents get to go on on the trip too, and they kind of have their own, what they call it a shadow tour, where they get to kind of do touristy things, but then also come see you sing, which I think is really kind of a cool thing. And do you know about how many boys are going on that?

SPEAKER_00 7:17

Oh gosh. Most juniors in concert choir and a large amount of sophomores and they're advanced. I don't know how many that is, but it is a lot. A lot, yeah.

Student Life: Choir Trip To Italy

SPEAKER_03 7:31

Because choir, as I'm sure you know, is our biggest co-curricular on campus. So we have about 250 boys participate in choir school-wide, and about 130, I think, uh, is what Dr. Coker told me, our freshmen. So when you think about our freshman class, that's about two-thirds of our freshmen that take freshman choir. So is that how you kind of got into choir? Was taking freshman choir?

SPEAKER_00 7:53

Yeah, my brother went through here and he told me, take it, it's an easy A. And when I took it, I fell in love with it, so I stuck with it.

SPEAKER_03 8:02

I think that's what a lot of boys kind of think, and then they end up really liking it and getting involved in it and whatnot. Okay, so what I'm gonna do a follow-up question on that. So you're a senior Nick and you're a junior Charlie. So what are one of your like favorite rockers memories? Like whether it's a pep rally, a game, choir performance, what what is one of your favorite moments so far that you've had?

SPEAKER_00 8:27

Some of my favorite times are just the downtime we have here where I can just talk to my friends about what's happening in our day and week. And I also enjoy the masses, honestly. If you get the right priest and you get the right homily, it's truly a good a good memory.

unknown 8:45

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 8:46

I think what do you guys think? I think Father Kramer's a pretty good storyteller in his yeah. Yeah, great. All right, how about you?

SPEAKER_01 8:53

Uh I would say for me, just I mean, being a football player, football games mean the most to me. And they're what I remember the most, like beating me age and the homecoming game, that kind of stuff. I mean, even the little games that don't mean a whole lot to the coaches and stuff, they mean a lot to us. I mean, it's just something different. I mean, I really appreciate the tradition and community that's built around rockers, but football as a whole, too.

Choir At Rockhurst By The Numbers

SPEAKER_03 9:17

Yeah. And that's kind of interesting because you're involved in choir, which is a huge way freshmen get involved and start to meet people. And you're involved in football, which is another big way that freshmen get involved and meet people. So pretty, pretty common experiences there, but also really special and and unique ones. And I would agree with you. I think our our all school masses are are pretty awesome and to get together all as a community in the gym. The gym doesn't even really feel like the gym. It really feels like a prayerful space. And especially when we have, I think some of our guest priests that we've had, other Jesuits and and even diocesan priests that have come in have been really great, especially when they're alums. That's kind of cool too. Okay, Nick. So you're, you know, heading in the tail end of your senior year. I know you're probably really working hard to end strong. But what are your plans for next year?

SPEAKER_01 10:06

So my plans are to attend the University of Missouri and I will study in study business.

SPEAKER_03 10:11

Business. Well, you know, Mr. Redman's gonna be really disappointed because he's been waiting for MU Tiger to be on this show. He asks people and they're like, we're going to KU, and he does not like that. But congratulations on that. And I'm sure you're pretty excited. I am a little bit farther away from home, but not too far that you can't come back. Yeah, that's great. Right. Charlie, you're heading into your senior year. So what are some of the things like you're hoping for for your senior year?

SPEAKER_00 10:37

Definitely to raise the grades. Mm-hmm. Make it look good for the college or SMA. And I don't know where I want to go to college yet. I'm still looking. So definitely try to find out what I want to do.

Favorite Memories And Campus Life

SPEAKER_03 10:49

Yeah. And I'm sure have you visited the college counseling office yet, done any of their programming?

SPEAKER_00 10:54

I've only had one meeting with my college counselor.

SPEAKER_03 10:56

College counselor so far. Yeah. Well, I highly suggest that, especially the college corner. I don't know if you're familiar with that, but this is okay to G. It runs that, and there's just a lot of good resources, especially for our students that aren't really sure what their next steps are going to be, whether that's I don't know what I want to major in, or I don't know where I'm going to go to school. Not only does it give you some exposure to different colleges, but it'll also guys that have gone through so and and already done applications, already done essays to kind of help you in that. So that's a great, great thing to focus on going in and finishing strong. Okay, guys. What are there any other things you want to share about what you guys do with the Saint Joseph Men for Mothers Club or anything else about the St. Joseph's table that you want to hit on before we close out?

SPEAKER_01 11:45

Yeah, it's definitely a great club to be a part of. Just because I mean, I joined my freshman year and there's so many service hour opportunities. I mean, once a month at least, Miss Ish is sending out emails, hey, we have this opportunity, hey, this dinner you can come to and get service hours. And I just think it's a great way to get out there. Even if you're not Italian, you can still, I mean, we over half our members aren't Italian. So I think it's just a great club to be in, get the service hours, help out with St. Joseph Table, and learn a little bit more about the Italian community that's built around that.

SPEAKER_03 12:15

Yeah. Anything else for you, Charlie?

SPEAKER_00 12:18

I think you hit the ultimate point. Yeah.

Senior Plans And College Pathways

SPEAKER_03 12:20

So you guys miss mentioned Miss Ash, that's Miss Antoinette Ishmael, who teaches English here at Rockers, but is also the the club moderator and a passionate Italian. So I know she's done a lot in her time here to celebrate Italian Heritage Month, to bring the Joseph St. Joseph's Table to Rockers, which is is really cool. And so we thank her for all her contributions to that as well. Okay, guys, why don't you give one last pitch here for the St. Joseph's table? Remind them of the date, when the donations are due, when they can come visit, all that great stuff.

SPEAKER_02 12:53

Yeah.

unknown 12:53

Excuse me.

SPEAKER_01 12:55

So the collection will take place from March 23rd to March 25th. The table will be set up and blessed on Thursday, the 26th, and will remain open through the end of the day on Friday, March 27th. And we will accept deliveries before 1 p.m. on March 25th, preferably. Please.

SPEAKER_03 13:12

Awesome. Yeah, because when I say it's an extensive St. Joseph's table, it's an impressive setup. So they they take a lot of time to do that. And normally our blessings around eight o'clock, right? Right after the morning mass. So if you're planning on coming in for the blessing, feel free to join us at Daily Mass in the chapel as well, starting at 7:30. Great way to kind of kick off the Saint Joseph celebration, right?

Looking Ahead To Senior Year

SPEAKER_01 13:34

Yes. We appreciate all donations and yeah.

SPEAKER_03 13:38

Well, guys, thank you so much for joining us on Rock Talk today. And we really appreciate your time and dedication to really show the Brotherhood in Action and your work with the St. Joseph Men for Mothers Club. Those of you who are listening that are current students, join. You don't have to be Italian. You heard it here first. And for our prospective families, this is another great opportunity for your son to get involved in. So before we completely check out, I'm gonna ask you one more question. So if you were to tell a prospective family what is the number one reason they should send their kid to rockers, what would it be?

SPEAKER_00 14:08

Community. I was gonna say the exact same thing.

SPEAKER_03 14:11

Community. And so when you guys mean that, do you mean just the brotherhood, the uh the different ways you can get involved? What what exactly do you mean by community?

SPEAKER_01 14:19

Well, I kind of have a two-fold to that. So you got your brotherhood on one hand, just the guys you go to school with every day through your activities and whatnot, and then you got the people that you know after dance. Like you hear from alumni all the time, oh, I stole my best friend still is my rocker's graduate of my year or whatever. But I mean, just you'll come out knowing a lot more people. Thank you.

SPEAKER_02 14:39

Yep, great.

SPEAKER_00 14:41

The community, it's not about the education, I think it's about the faith life and just growing in faith with guys starting out as freshmen, ending as seniors, going your different ways, still having that faith formation. I think it's truly important.

Why Join Men For Mothers

SPEAKER_03 14:56

That's great. Thank you guys so much for joining us today. In our next episode, we're actually going to talk with the Ketting brothers. So we're gonna have Jeb, who's an alum of the class of 2025, uh currently in college, playing college football. And then we will have his younger brother Tom, who's a current sophomore here at Rockhurst, and his younger brother Witt, who will be an incoming freshman. So we'll kind of get to see that Rockhurst Brotherhood from the perspective of one entering, one current, and one exiting brother. So it'll be really exciting to hear from them. It'll be our first time ever having a call in. So, guys, wish me luck on that technology, but I think it'll go great. So, once again, thank you for joining us today, Nick and Charlie. And this is Rock Talk. Thank you for having us.

SPEAKER_00 15:39

Thank you.