By Kimberly Hopson
L’Observateur

LAPLACE – Local Catholic churches are beginning to fill with fig cookies and anise-flavored treats as the feast of St. Joseph, March 19, nears.
The tradition of setting up altars in honor of St. Joseph was brought to the area by Italian immigrants.
St. John the Baptist Parish will host several of the celebrations.
Ascension of Our Lord Church’s St. Joseph Altar will be on display March 15-18 at Don Bosco Hall on Greenwood Drive in LaPlace. A school Mass opened the celebration Friday. On March 16, Mass will begin at 4 p.m. Viewing will be held from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Mass will be celebrated at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m on March 17, with viewing frm 8:30 a.m. until noon. Cookies, candies, holy cards, candles and wine will be available with a donation. Proceeds will benefit the Saltillo, Mexico, missions. Call the church office at 985-652-2615 for more information.
The St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Ladies Altar Socity will host its own altar from March 16-19 at the community center in Edgard. On March 16, viewing will take place from 4 to 6 p.m., from noon to 3 p.m. on March 17, from noon to 4 p.m. on March 18, and from noon to 5 p.m. on March 19.
St. Joan of Arch Church will celebrate from March 18-19 at the Family Life Center on West Fifth Street in LaPlace.
The blessing will take place on March 18 at 6 p.m. Viewing will follow from 6 to 8 p.m., and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on March 19.
In St. Charles Parish, St. Gertrude Catholic Church will hold its St. Joseph Altar blessing on March 17 at 10:30 a.m.
The viewing will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.. Food will be served from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The Luling Living Center on Paul Maillard Road will celebrate on March 19, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
St. Anthony Church, also in Luling, will celebrate from March 18-19 at the community center on Angus Drive. The blessing will be held on March 18 at 5:30 p.m. and viewing will follow until 6:30 p.m. The March 19 viewing will begin at 8 a.m. Lunch will be served at noon.