The 16th annual St. Joseph's Table will be held Sunday at the Italian American Community Center.

Mass will be celebrated at 3 p.m. in the St. Padre Pio Chapel on Frank DiMino Way, followed by a potluck meal at the center, 150 Frank DiMino Way, Gates.

People are asked to drop off meatless dishes or donations at the center after noon Sunday. There is no meat because St. Joseph's feast day, March 19, falls during Lent.

The tradition of St. Joseph's Table reportedly dates to the Middle Ages, when Sicily was experiencing a severe drought. In desperation, people asked their patron, St. Joseph, to intervene. They promised that if rain came they would prepare a big feast in his honor. Since then, St. Joseph's Table has been a way for Italians to honor St. Joseph and to commemorate their own heritage.

For more information, call (585) 594-8882 or go to iaccrochester.org.