December 27, 2009

This is my final update for 2009, and when I look back, it's clear that this year has been a time of great change for many of us, both personally, and in the context of the Cleveland Lithuanian community. I hope you've come to the end of 2009 with a sense of accomplishment and growth. While tomorrow is not promised to anyone, we look forward to a new year with hope for new opportunities without quite so much turmoil. My best wishes for a happy and prosperous new year to you and your family.

This morning, you're invited to a special Christmas Coffee at St. Casimir after 10:00 mass in the lower hall. Please bring a plate of Christmas goodies, and your Christmas spirit to share with fellow parishioners.

Today is also the deadline to contact Dalia Armonas, Loretta Gudenas, or Ingrid Civinskas to volunteer to host an after-mass Coffee Hour at St. Casimir during 2010. Parish and community organizations as well as individual families are invited to host these coffee socials.

This coming Thursday evening is New Year's Eve, and it's not too late to make plans to ring in the New Year at Lithuanian Village. Say goodbye to 2009 and hello to 2010 at a New Year's Eve celebration sponsored by the Lithuanian American Community of Cleveland. Doors open at 8:00 pm on December 31st, and the party starts at 9:00 pm.

You'll be treated to appetizers, dinner, desert, champagne at midnight, and dancing to the music of Arturas Blazukas from Chicago. Tickets are available after 10:00 mass at St. Casimir, or by calling Zita Mascinskas at 216-235-5212.

Friday, January 1st is the Feast of Mary the Mother of God. Masses at St. Casimir will be celebrated on Thursday, December 31st at 5:00 pm, and on Friday January 1st at 11:00 am.

Father Bacevice would like to thank all who helped decorate St. Casimir church for Christmas, as well as choir members and musicians who added so much to the Christmas masses at St. Casimir.

During the month of January, St. Casimir parish will form a Steering Committee to begin the formation of a Parish Council and a Parish Mission Statement. If you are interested in serving on the Steering Committee, please contact Father Bacevice by January 20th.

The LaSalle Theater on East 185th Street will be open for tours on Monday, January 11th, 2010 at 7:00 pm. Full details available in the Collinwood Observer.

On January 30th, the Svyturys dancers will warm things up with a Beach Party-themed fundraiser. The party, which will be held at Lithuanian Village will feature burgers, hot dogs, dance contest, prizes and more. Mark your calendar also for the April 24th, which will include not only Svyturys, but also dancers from Toronto and Chicago.

December 20, 2009

Today is one of your last chances to get your Christmas wafers, available at St. Casimir in the church on weekends, and at the rectory during the week.

2010 calendars, courtesy of Jakubs and Son Funeral Home, are available at St. Casimir church entrances.

The St. George Memory Project CD was a very popular item last Sunday at the St. Casimir kavine, but Zivile Vaitkus managed to get more copies of the CD in time for this morning. The CD features audio memories from parishioners (from as far back as 1924) along with excerpts from the parish closing mass with Bishop Richard Lennon, and Fr. Bacevice's homily from the last parish mass. The CD packaging includes beautiful recent and vintage photographs of St. George church.

This is the 4th Sunday of Advent, and today after 12 noon mass, St. Casimir parishioners are invited to gather and decorate the church for Christmas. Algirdas Matulionis is coordinating this afternoon's decorating activities, so see him if you're interested in helping.

Christmas Masses at St. Casimir will be celebrated on Thursday, December 24th at 4:00 pm in English and Lithuanian, and at 10:30 pm in Lithuanian. Christmas Day masses will be celebrated at 8:00 am in English, 10:00 am in Lithuanian, and 12 noon in English.

Svyturys will host a Christmas Day Karaoke dance and social at Lithuanian Village. The Club will open at 7:00 pm and the party runs from 8:00 to midnight. Should be a nice chance to get together with Lithuanian friends after the presents have been opened and you've had dinner with the family.

On Sunday, December 27th, all members of St. Casimir parish are invited to a special Christmas Coffee after 10:00 mass in the lower hall. Please bring a plate of Christmas goodies, and your Christmas spirit to share with fellow parishioners.

The after-mass Coffee Schedule for 2010 at St. Casimir is now being organized. As in the past, all parish and community organizations are invited to host these coffee socials. This coming year, parish families are also invited to host a coffee hour.

To volunteer, please contact Dalia Armonas, Loretta Gudenas, or Ingrid Civinskas before December 27th.

You are invited to say goodbye to 2009 and hello to 2010 at a New Year's Eve celebration at Lithuanian Village, sponsored by the Lithuanian American Community of Cleveland. Doors open at 8:00 pm on December 31st, and the party starts at 9:00 pm. You'll be treated to appetizers, dinner desert, champagne at midnight, and dancing to the music of Arturas Blazukas from Chicago. Tickets are available after 10:00 mass at St. Casimir, or by calling Zita Mascinskas at 216-235-5212.

Friday, January 1st is the Feast of Mary the Mother of God. Masses at St. Casimir will be celebrated on Thursday, December 31st at 5:00 pm, and on Friday January 1st at 11:00 am.

The LaSalle Theater on East 185th Street will be open for tours, followed by a public forum seeking community input on future uses for this historic facility. The event takes place on Monday, January 11th, 2010 at 7:00 pm. Full details available in the Collinwood Observer.

Coming up on January 30th, the Svyturys dancers will attempt to warm things up with a Beach Party-themed fundraiser. The party, which will be held at Lithuanian Village will feature burgers, hot dogs, dance contest, prizes and more. The proceeds will be used to help fund the upcoming dance concert on April 24th, which will include not only Svyturys, but also dancers from Toronto and Chicago.

December 13, 2009

We send our deepest condolences to the family of Dr. Vladas Vaitkus, who died peacefully yesterday morning at his home in Juno Beach, Florida. Vlada Vaitkus is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ona, daughter Onile Šeštokienė, sons Linas and Paulius Vaitkus, and six grandchildren.

Dr. Vlada Vaitkus was instrumental in initiating the field of dental implantology in Lithuania. In acknowledgment of his work, he was awarded the medal of St. Apolonija, an award given to the most distinguished Lithuanian dentist. He is the only dentist not living in Lithuania to have received this prestigious award.

Funeral services for Dr. Vladas Vaitkus will be in Putnam, CT on Dec. 19th.

Traditional Christmas wafers are available at St. Casimir in the church on weekends, and at the rectory during the week.

2010 calendars, courtesy of Jakubs and Son Funeral Home, are available at St. Casimir church entrances.

Korp Giedra invites you to a jewelry show and sale this morning at St. Casimir. The show will feature works by Lina Palubinskas, Dr. Roma Jasinevicius-Degesys and Dr. Birute Balciunaite-Penkiuniene.

Also this morning, Santa is coming to visit St. Casimir parish. The mothers of the Tevynes Zibureliai preschool group have arranged for the Big Guy in the Red Suit to stop in the lower hall around 11:00 am. Children up to 11 years of age are invited to spend the morning with Santa and have their picture taken with him.

Work on the the St. George Memory Project CD we talked about back in October has been completed and CDs are available starting today after 10:00 am mass in the lower hall at St. Casimir, and at Lithuanian Village. The CD features audio memories from parishioners (from as far back as 1924) along with excerpts from the parish closing mass with Bishop Richard Lennon, and Fr. Bacevice's homily from the last parish mass. The CD packaging includes beautiful recent and vintage photographs of St. George church.


St. Casimir will be the host parish for an Advent Penance Service tomorrow evening, December 14th at 7:00 pm. Six priests from St. Jerome, St. Mary, Holy Redeemer and St. Casimir will be on hand to hear confessions in English, Lithuanian, Slovenian and Italian.

Christmas Masses at St. Casimir will be celebrated on Thursday, December 24th at 4:00 pm in English and Lithuanian, and at 10:30 pm in Lithuanian. Christmas Day masses will be celebrated at 8:00 am in English, 10:00 am in Lithuanian, and 12 noon in English.

On Sunday, December 27th, all members of St. Casimir parish are invited to a special Christmas Coffee after 10:00 mass in the lower hall. Please bring a plate of Christmas goodies, and your Christmas spirit to share with fellow parishioners.

The after-mass Coffee Schedule for 2010 at St. Casimir is now being organized. As in the past, all parish and community organizations are invited to host these coffee socials. This coming year, parish families are also invited to host a coffee hour. The parish provides the coffee and supplies; you only need to bring the baked goods, brew the coffee and be the good hosts.

To volunteer, please contact Dalia Armonas, Loretta Gudenas at 216-481-0465, or Ingrid Civinskas at 440-838-0652 before December 27th.

You are invited to a New Year's Eve celebration at Lithuanian Village, sponsored by the Lithuanian American Community of Cleveland. Doors open at 8:00 pm on December 31st, and the party starts at 9:00 pm. The evening will feature appetizers, dinner desert, champagne at midnight, and dancing to the music of Arturas Blazukas from Chicago. Tickets are available after 10:00 mass at St. Casimir, or by calling Zita Mascinskas at 216-235-5212.

The LaSalle Theater on East 185th Street will be open for tours, followed by a public forum seeking community input on future uses for this historic facility. The event takes place on Monday, January 11th, 2010 at 7:00 pm. Full details available in the Collinwood Observer.

Coming up next month, on January 30th, the Svyturys dancers will attempt to warm things up with a Beach Party-themed fundraiser. The party, which will be held at Lithuanian Village will feature burgers, hot dogs, dance contest, prizes and more. The proceeds will be used to help fund the upcoming dance concert on April 24th, which will include not only Svyturys, but also dancers from Toronto and Chicago. More details to follow, but mark your calendars now for the January 30th Svyturys fundraiser.

December 6, 2009

The Lithuanian Scouts are holding their annual Christmas Fair this morning in the lower hall at St. Casimir, beginning after 8:00 am mass, and continuing throughout the morning.

Traditional Christmas wafers are available at St. Casimir in the church on weekends, and at the rectory during the week.

2010 calendars, courtesy of Jakubs and Son Funeral Home, are available at St. Casimir church entrances.

Korp Giedra will sponsor a jewelry show and sale on Sunday December 13th at St. Casimir. The show will feature works by Lina Palubinskas, Dr. Roma Jasinevicius-Degesys and Dr. Birute Balciunaite-Penkiuniene.

Santa is coming to visit St. Casimir parish on Sunday, December 13th at 11:00 am. The mothers of the Tevynes Zibureliai preschool group invite children up to 11 years of age to spend the morning with Santa and have their picture taken with him.

St. Casimir will be the host parish for an Advent Penance Service on Monday, December 14th at 7:00 pm. Six priests from St. Jerome, St. Mary, Holy Redeemer and St. Casimir will be on hand to hear confessions in English, Lithuanian, Slovenian and Italian.

On Sunday, December 27th, all members of St. Casimir parish are invited to a special Christmas Coffee after 10:00 mass in the lower hall. Please bring a plate of Christmas goodies, and your Christmas spirit to share with fellow parishioners.

The after-mass Coffee Schedule for 2010 is now being organized. As in the past, all parish and community organizations are invited to host these coffee socials. This coming year, parish families are also invited to host a coffee hour. The parish provides the coffee and supplies; you only need to bring the baked goods, brew the coffee and be the good hosts.

To volunteer, please contact Dalia Armonas, Loretta Gudenas at 216-481-0465, or Ingrid Civinskas at 440-838-0652 before December 27th.

You are invited to a New Year's Eve celebration at Lithuanian Village, sponsored by the Lithuanian American Community of Cleveland. Doors open at 8:00 pm on December 31st, and the party starts at 9:00 pm. The evening will feature appetizers, dinner desert, champagne at midnight, and dancing to the music of Arturas Blazukas from Chicago. Tickets are available after 10:00 mass at St. Casimir, or by calling Zita Mascinskas at 216-235-5212.

Zaibas will hold their annual Hall of Fame induction dinner on March 6th, 2010. This year Zaibas will induct basketball coach Joe Cannavino. You can make your reservation by contacting any Zaibas board member.

November 29, 2009

Our sincere condolences to the family of Regina Ciuberkis, who died this week here in Cleveland at the age of 81. Regina was a board member of the Cleveland Lithuanian newspaper Dirva, and an officer of the Lithuanian American Community. She is survived by daughters Danute Grigaliunas and Ilone Schmid, her son Arunas and sister Lilija Ramonis. The funeral mass for Regina Ciuberkis was held yesterday at St. Casimir.

The Cleveland Lithuanian Pensininkiu Klubas will hold their monthly lunch meeting and Christmas party this Thursday, December 3rd at 12 noon at Lithuanian Village.

The Lithuanian Scouts will hold their annual Christmas Fair next Sunday, December 6th in the lower hall at St. Casimir, beginning after 8:00 am mass in the lower hall at St. Casimir, and continuing throughout the morning.

Korp Giedra will sponsor a jewelry show and sale on Sunday December 13th at St. Casimir. The show will feature works by Lina Palubinskas, Dr. Roma Jasinevicius-Degesys and Dr. Birute Balciunaite-Penkiuniene.

St. Casimir will be the host parish for an Advent Penance Service on Monday, December 14th at 7:00 pm. Six priests from St. Jerome, St. Mary, Holy Redeemer and St. Casimir will be on hand to hear confessions in English, Lithuanian, Slovenian and Italian.

Here’s a liturgical heads up for you if you’re heading to mass at St. Casimir this morning. Beginning with the Advent season, and continuing on as a regular practice, St. Casimir will be making some changes to reflect the General Instructions of the Roman Missal. The congregation is invited to stand from the end of the Eucharistic Prayer until everyone has received communion.

The world travel photography of Henrikas Stasas is available for purchase at the St. Casimir parish bookstore, in addition to all the books, CDs and Lithuanian foods.

Traditional Christmas wafers are now available at the St. Casimir rectory during business hours, and in Church after masses.

November 22, 2009

Congratulations to the Cleveland Bendromene, on a very successful and entertaining Lithuanian Days concert last night. Virgis Stakenas put on a great show, and although we always wish for a larger audience, the lucky folks who were there enjoyed it very much. Ponas Stakenas is traveling to Detroit for a concert in Southfield this afternoon.

Lithuanian Days continues today with an exhibit at St. Casimir entitled Neregeta Lietuva, or Unseen Lithuania. The opening of Neregeta Lietuva will be immediately after 10:00 am mass at St. Casimir. A second exhibition at is open starting today through Gintaras on the First Wave of Lithuanian immigration to America.

Korp Giedra will sponsor a jewelry show and sale on Sunday December 12th at St. Casimir. The show will feature works by made by Lina Palubinskas, Dr. Roma Jasinevicius and Dr. Birute Balciunaite-Penkiuniene.

The world travel photography of Henrikas Stasas is available for purchase at the St. Casimir parish bookstore, in addition to all the books, CDs and Lithuanian foods.

The new phone numbers at St. Casimir are now working. The telephone number at the St. Casimir rectory is 216-481-3157, and the fax number is 216-481-3724.

St. Casimir parish is looking for volunteers to be lectors, ushers, Eucharistic ministers, and to host the coffee hour during 2010. If you are interested in helping with any of these functions, please contact Fr. Bacevice.

In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, the St. Casimir parish offices will close at 1:00 pm this Wednesday, November 25 th, and re-open on Monday, November 30th at 10:00 am.

WJCU will present Blizzard Bash 09, a benefit for the Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland, tonight at the Brothers Lounge. Doors open at 6:00 and the show starts at 7:00. Entertainment features the Jack Fords and the 609ers. Details available at wjcu.org.

This Thursday is Thanksgiving, and we all have many things to be thankful for. Here’s hoping you and your family have a wonderful holiday, and as you’re enjoying your turkey and the football games, be sure to take some time to pause and consider all the good things in our lives for which we should be grateful.

St. Casimir in the Collinwood Observer

Vilija Nasvytis-Klimas wrote a very nice article for the Collinwood Observer, summarizing the recent opening of St. Casimir parish in the North Collinwood neighborhood.

I know some folks took issue with Vilija's use of the term "community", preferring to think of St. Casimir as a "Lithuanian" parish. Here's a news flash for you: St. Casimir's needs the neighborhood as much, if not more than the neighborhood needs St. Casimir's.

There aren't enough Lithuanians in Cleveland to make this parish viable as a "Lithuanian" parish. It's going to have to be a two-way street, both literally and figuratively, on the north end of Neff Road in the days ahead.

Santa Claus is coming to Lithuanian Village!

Breaking news from Northeast Shores, Inc.

November 15, 2009

Lithuanian Days kicks off with the Virgis Stakenas concert at 8:00 pm this coming Saturday, November 21st at Lithuanian Village, and continues on Sunday, November 22nd with an exhibit at St. Casimir entitled Neregeta Lietuva, or Unseen Lithuania, and a second exhibition at Gintaras on the First Wave of Lithuanian immigration to America.

Tickets for the Stakenas concert can be reserved by calling Zita Macinskiene at 216-235-5212 or at St. Casimir parish after weekend masses. Lithuanian Days is sponsored by the Lithuanian Community of Cleveland, Inc.

Good news from St. Casimir, the new phone numbers are now working. The telephone number at the St. Casimir rectory is 216-481-3157, and the fax number is 216-481-3724. Regular office hours are from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday through Friday, with emergencies handled at any time.

St. Casimir church is now accepting Mass intentions for 2010. Individuals and organizations who want specific dates for their Mass should send their list to the Rectory or place the request in the collection basket.

Last week, a new heating system was installed in the St. Casimir rectory, and new heating units for the Church are on order. These improvements were long overdue. When completed, both buildings should be more comfortable in the winter and, most importantly, more energy efficient. However, they were very expensive. The heating systems together cost just under $40,000. Please be generous in your offerings to help recover the cost for this needed work.

Father Bacevicius would like you to know about four employees serving St. Casimir parish. Janet Verbyla is the office and facilities manager. Rita Kliorys is the director of Liturgical music. Maria Bartkus takes care of the church sacristy, sanctuary and the lower hall. And Michael Jackiewicz is in charge of maintaining the parish buildings and grounds.

If anyone would like to serve on a committee to plan and decorate St. Casimir church for Christmas, please contact Father Bacevicius.

Today’s Plain Dealer features an article about the closing of Chagrin Boulevard grocer Chandler and Rudd, which had been in business in Cleveland for 145 years. Owners Ruta Butkute Marino and her husband Sam Marino have decided to call it quits due to the changing nature of the retail grocery market in Cleveland. The article is also available on Cleveland.com, and I’ll have a link on the blog this morning.

WJCU will present Blizzard Bash 09, a benefit for the Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland, next Sunday at the Brothers Lounge. Entertainment features the Jack Fords and the 609s. Details available at wjcu.org.

Special St. Casimir Update for 11/8/2009

[Editor's Note: Aldona and I had a pair of 'senior moments' this morning, and misplaced the news from St. Casimir, so we were not able to read it on the air. If you didn't get a bulletin in church this morning, please see below for all the news from the new parish. -Greg]

Parish Joining Committee members Terese Kalvaitis, Maria Hoffman, Ingrid Civinskas, and and Anthony Bacevice wish to thank all who helped with the preparations for the St. Casimir Parish Opening Mass Coffee Hour, and so generously contributed baked goods. We truly appreciated the volunteer efforts of so many who helped clean up the halls and kitchen after the event.

St. Casimir Parish continues to welcome visitors and new members. Anyone who is interested in becoming a member is asked to fill out a registration and volunteer form which can be found by the entrances of the Church. These can be returned in the collection basket, dropped off at the Rectory or in the mail. Fr. Bacevice also wants to hear your thoughts and ideas for our new parish. These can be sent to the parish office or e-mailed to Father Bacevice (joebacevice@sbcglobal.net). St. Casimir Parish is striving to be responsive to your spiritual needs so that all members can feel at home.

As of now, the telephones at St. Casimir are not working properly because of a wiring problem. Until everything is straightened out, please use the old Our Lady of Perpetual Help (216-531-4263) or St. George (216-431-5794) telephone numbers. Regular business hours at the parish office are Monday through Friday, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.

St. Casimir is looking for volunteers to serve as altar servers, Mass readers, Communion ministers, and musicians for our English Masses. As St. Casimir expands in these areas with our English speaking community, additional volunteers will be needed. Those who are interested are asked to contact Father Bacevice at the rectory. Training will be provided.

There was a mailing problem with the November-December offering envelopes to members of the former St. George parish. Eeveryone should have their envelopes by this weekend, but you did not, please place your Church offering in a plain envelope with your name and, if you know it, your envelope number.

St. Casimir church is now accepting Mass intentions for 2010. Individuals and organizations who want specific dates for their Mass should send their list to the Rectory or place the request in the collection basket.

This week, a new heating system was installed in the St. Casimir rectory, and new heating units for the Church are on order. These improvements were long overdue. When completed, both buildings should be more comfortable in the winter and, most importantly, more energy efficient. However, they were very expensive. The heating systems together cost just under $40,000. Please be generous in your offerings to help recover the cost for this needed work.

November 8, 2009

Taupa, the Lithuanian Credit Union in Cleveland invites you to help celebrate their 25th anniversary with Wing Night, this Wednesday, November 11th, from 6:00 to 9:00 at Lithuanian Village.

In the better late than never department, Lithuanian Days is coming up on November 21st and 22 nd. Normally Lithuanian Days is held in October, but the activities surrounding the parish merger caused it to be postponed this year.

Lithuanian Days kicks off with the Virgis Stakenas concert at 8:00 pm on Saturday, November 21st at Lithuanian Village, and continues on Sunday, November 22nd with an exhibit at St. Casimir entitled Unseen Lithuania, and a second exhibition at Gintaras on the First Wave of Lithuanian immigration to America.

Tickets for the Stakenas concert can be reserved by calling Zita Macinskiene at 21-235-5212 or at St. Casimir parish after weekend masses. Lithuanian Days is sponsored by the Lithuanian Community of Cleveland, Inc.

November 1, 2009

Tomorrow is All Souls Day, and Masses at St. Casimir Church will be at 7:30 and 11:30 am in English, and 7:00pm in Lithuanian. After the evening Mass, there will be an additional special prayer service to commemorate All Souls Day.

The Cleveland Lietuviu Pensininkiu Klubas will hold their monthly lunch meeting at noon this Thursday, November 5th at Lithuanian Village.

The parish Liturgy committee and Father Bacevice ask that altar servers, lectors, Eucharistic ministers, and ushers please continue following their calendars and continue with their responsibilities accordingly. Those who were responsible for coffee hour after Mass are also asked to continue following their schedule. Everyone‘s continued help and support is greatly appreciated. If you have have any questions about your role in liturgy at St. Casimir, please contact Rita Kliorys.

The leaders of all Lithuanian community organizations using the buildings at St. Casimir are asked to contact Father Bacevice as soon as possible. He would like to meet with all heads of organizations to clarify their relationship with the parish. The Diocese has certain requirements that need to be met, and Father Joe wants to make sure that all organizations understand their relationship with the new parish.

Office hours at St. Casimir are Monday through Friday from 10:00am until 6:00pm for regular parish business. True emergency calls will be taken at any time. As of Wednesday, St. Casimir has not yet received a new telephone number. Until further notice, please call 216-531-4263 or 216-431-5794 to contact the parish.

All families of the parish are asked to out a parish registration form. Even if you belonged to St. George’s or Our Lady of Perpetual Help, you need to register as a member of St. Casimir’s Parish. Forms can be found at the Church entrances and may be returned by mail or by dropping them either into the collection basket or into the specially marked box at the back of the Church.

Taupa, the Lithuanian Credit Union in Cleveland invites you to help celebrate their 25th anniversary with Wing Night, on Wednesday, November 11th, from 6:00 to 9:00 at Lithuanian Village.

Don’t forget that Virgis Stakenas will perform at Lithuanian Village on Saturday, November 21st. Showtime is 8:00 pm, and doors open at 7:00. There is a discount for those who purchase tickets in advance.

Dana Cipkus has informed us that the Department of Housing and Urban Development has given permission for the construction of Mary Rose Estates to proceed. It is hoped that construction of the 40 unit building will start once documents receive final approval. For more information, call the Lietuviu Sodyba at 440-944-6305 or Maryte Stachnik at 440-478-7280.

October 25, 2006

Thanks to Fred Taub of Jewish Community Radio for his assistance with last week's radio show, and with this week's as well. I can be in two places at once…

Congratulations to all who worked so hard to make the closing liturgies at St. George and Our Lady of Perpetual Help the moving and dignified gatherings they were. These two churches had a long and lasting impact on Cleveland Lithuanians. Especially nice to see so many people in the pews at St. George for one last look, and a few pictures of the old place before it was closed for good.

This morning at 10:00, Bishop Lennon, along with the new pastor Father Bacevicius, and the parishioners will celebrate the opening mass at St. Casimir, located at 18022 Neff Road. Don't miss the start of a new, united era of Lithuanian Catholicism in Cleveland.

There will be a special kavine in the upper hall at St. Casimir after the 10:00 opening mass today.

The regular mass schedule at St. Casimir is: 5:30 pm on Saturdays (English); 8:00 am and 12:00 noon on Sundays (English); and 10:00 am on Sundays (Lithuanian). Daily mass is offered at 7:30 am weekdays. The weekend mass schedule starts Saturday, October 31st.

Does this mean we can officially stop talking about the parish merger and get back to "normal"? (As if any of us remember what that is anymore)?

Don't forget to turn your clocks back next Saturday night/Sunday morning, as we say goodbye to Daylight Saving Time for another year. An extra hour of trick or treating, since the "fall back" is on Halloween this year.

I always think of Gerardas Juskenas when the time change comes around, as he would always include a reminder in his report of news from St. George before his passing a few years ago.

Virgis Stakenas will perform at Lithuanian Village on Saturday, November 21st. Tickets available from Ruta D. at the Klubas.

Later tonight, I'll be back on the air hosting Visiting the Folks on WJCU. Uncle Fred and Aunt Jill have the night off, and they asked me to fill in to play country, folk and bluegrass from 9:00 pm to Midnight. Join me, won't you?

True Cultures…

I was roaming around on Facebook, and happened on the page of the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. (The Cultural Gardens are one of my first and favorite impressions of Cleveland.)

This quote from Leo Weidenthal, founder of the Cleveland Cultural Garden seemed to speak directly to the collective conversation that's been going on in the Lithuanian community in Cleveland lately.

"True cultures impose no barriers of race or creed. In fact, their influence is toward mutual understanding and wider sympathy. Cleveland offers the world a tangible manifestation of this truth. Cosmopolitan to a degree that few cities have been since the far dawn of civilization, Cleveland possesses a cultural institution which exemplifies the oneness of purpose linking great cultures of the world." - Leo Weidenthal, founder of the Cleveland Cultural Garden

WKYC (& WOIO) Coverage of Parish Closing Masses

The cameras of local NBC affiliate WKYC/TV3 were on hand at the closing masses of St. George and Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Here's a link to the video in case you blinked and missed it on Sunday.

Given that Catholic Lithuanians in Cleveland fared surprisingly well in the Great Diocesan Downsizing (far better than several higher-profile communities), complaining about not getting your first choice of the parish name seems rather petty to me.

I'm going to be charitable and choose to believe that all the nice things said about the merger ended up on Channel 3's cutting room floor.

Update: Thank you to the anonymous commentor for sharing a link to Channel 19's more rational coverage of Sunday's closing masses.

October 18, 2009

I want to take a moment to thank Donato Cristillo, co-host of Memories from Italy, on WJCU, for his assistance last Sunday morning, which allowed me to be in two places at once.

And we thank Fred Taub of Jewish Community Radio, also heard on WJCU for his invaluable assistance this morning, and next Sunday morning, again allowing me to defy the space-time continuum.

Father Bacevicius would like to thank everyone who attended the St. George parish closing banquet last Saturday. A wonderful spirit of family and friendship was the theme of the evening, and fond memories, good wishes, and good humor all served to confirm that St. George’s people are a very special group. Thanks to Ruta Degutis and the staff of the Lithuanian Village for an outstanding job catering the banquet and also for the wonderful display of St. George archival material. Thanks to all who worked behind the scenes to make the evening a success.

There is still time to call the St. George Memory Line at 440-364-5650 to record your special memory about St. George parish. The voicemails will be transferred to CD and become part of the St. George Parish archives, and you can reserve your copy of the CD by contacting Zivile Vaitkus. Once again, today is the final day to call 440-364-5650 and share your special St. George memory.

Well, we’ve been talking about parish clustering and merging for several months now, and this morning, the reality of all that talk finally comes into sharp focus.

Today the members of St.George and Our Lady of Perpetual Help parishes, along with their pastors, Father Bacevicius and Father Kijauskas, and Bishop Richard Lennon draw to a close the tenure of the two churches service Catholic Lithuanians in Cleveland.

St. George and Our Lady of Perpetual Help have a combined 194 years of proud, dedicated service not only to their members, but to the larger community of Lithuanians living in Cleveland and to the respective neighborhoods in which they are located. All parishioners, priests and religious who have been associated with these two churches over the past 114 years can be proud of the legacy they leave behind here in Cleveland, and equally proud that Cleveland will continue to have a place for Lithuanian Catholics to gather and worship.

This morning at 9:00 am, the final mass will be celebrated at St. George, and at 12 noon, the final mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Bishop Richard Lennon will officiate at both closing masses.

Tomorrow morning, representatives of the diocese and Henninger’s Religious Goods will gather at St. George’s and begin removing the contents of the church and placing them in storage. By late afternoon, the church will be empty, the doors will be locked, the building secured.. This coming week, the church at 18022 Neff Rd will stand mostly empty and quiet, as preparations are made for next Sunday’s opening mass of St. Casimir parish, celebrated by Bishop Richard Lennon and the new pastor, Father Joseph Bacevicius.

Please note that closing services at both churches are expected to be extremely well-attended. If you’re planning to be present for either of these historic events, make sure to get there early. Both parishes will gather for food and fellowship after the respective closing masses. However, the breakfast after mass at St. George today is completely full at this point, but all are welcome to attend the final mass.

Looking ahead to next week and beyond, the opening mass at St. Casimir will be next Sunday, October 25th, at 10:00 am, at the new home of Catholic Lithuanians in Cleveland, 18022 Neff Road.

The regular Sunday mass schedule at St. Casimir begins on Saturday, October 31st, with vigil mass at 5:30pm, and on Sunday, November 1st with masses in English at 8:00 and 12 noon, and mass in Lithuanian at 10:00 am.

I think we'll just leave it right there this morning. There may be other news that would seem important enough to mention on any other Sunday, but today we should just pause and consider the personal and historical significance of the events we are witnessing this morning. Please be safe this week, and be sure to tune in next Sunday morning as you prepare to celebrate the opening of the new, united Lithuanian Catholic parish here in Cleveland.

St. George's in the Wednesday PD

Nice article in the Plain Dealer today on this weekend's closing mass at St. George church, and a shout-out for the Memory Project.

Gotta wonder about the name of the HTML file, though: a_doomed_nationality_church_ho.html.

October 11, 2009

Dana Cipkus and Maryte Stachnik would like to thank all who made the 25th anniversary celebration at the Lietuviu Sodyba such a big success. Special thanks to Senator George Voinovich, Congressman Steve LaTourette, and Honorary Consul Ingrida Bublys.

A parish farewell is planned for Father Kijauskas this morning at the 10:00 Mass. A reception will follow in the lower hall after Mass. There will be no 12:00 o'clock Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help today.

On October 16th at 6:30 pm, a dinner honoring Father Kijauskas will be held at Bratenahl Place in Bratenahl. Reservations are required, and you can contact Rita Matas at 440-476-2530 for reservations and more information.

On Saturday, October 17th, Zaibas will host the North American Lithuanian Swimming Championships at Hawken School on Clubside Road in Lyndhurst. Registration opens at 1:30 pm, and the meet starts at 1:45. For more information, call Phil Taraska at 440-944-6112 or by email at ptaraska@yahoo.com.

On Sunday, October 18th, Bishop Lennon will celebrate the final mass at St. George at 9:00 am, and the final mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help at 12 noon. There will be a reception in the lower halls of both parishes after the closing masses. There will be no 10:00 mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help on the 18th.

And then on Sunday, October 25th, the bishop will celebrate the opening mass of St. Casimir parish at 10:00 am. If you are a Catholic Lithunian in the Cleveland area, please get involved in this new parish and really make it a reflection of its membership.

The St. George Memory Project has been formed to gather parishioners’ remembrances from their time at St. George’s. A dedicated phone line with voicemail has been set up so you can record your special memory, anytime, day or night through October 18th. The phone number is 440-364-5650.

The voicemails will be transferred to CD and become part of the St. George Parish archives, and you can reserve your copy of the CD by contacting Zivile Vaitkus.

On Saturday, November 7th John Yagoda will present his class in making fused glass jewelry. The class fee includes all materials and firing to make up to 15 pieces of jewelry. Contact John at 440-309-0488 for more information.

On Saturday, November 21st, Lithuanian country singer Virgis Stakenas will perform at Lithuanian Village Contact Ruta at the club for tickets

October 4, 2009

The September/October issue of Lithuanian Heritage magazine features an article by Algis Ruksenas on Napoleon’s unsuccessful 1812 invasion of Russia. I won’t give away the crux of the article, but suffice it to say the story involves an encounter between a horse and a hare on the banks of the Nemunas.

The Lithuanian choir Svaja rehearses each and every Wednesday at 7:00 in the basement of Lithuanian Village. Choir director Danute Liauba looks forward to seeing all current and prospective members. For more information please call 330-722-5210.

The Cleveland Ateitininkai will meet today in the conference room at Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

You’re invited to meet fellow parishioners in the upper hall at Our Lady of Perpetual Help for a cup of coffee and conversation today after the 12 noon mass.

On Saturday, October 17th, Zaibas will host the North American Lithuanian Swimming Championships at Hawken School on Clubside Road in Lyndhurst. Registration opens at 1:30 pm, and the meet starts at 1:45. For more information, call Phil Taraska at 440-944-6112 or by email at ptaraska@yahoo.com.

On Saturday, October 10th at 7:00 pm. St. George parish will hold its closing memorial banquet at Lithuanian Village. Advance tickets are required, and can be purchased through the St. George rectory. The deadline to make your reservation is this Tuesday, October 6th. Call 216-431-5794 for more information.

A parish farewell is planned for Father Kijauskas on October 11th at the 10:00 Mass. A reception will follow in the lower hall after Mass. There will be no 12:00 o'clock Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help on Sunday, October 11th.

On October 16th at 6:30 pm, a dinner honoring Father Kijauskas will be held at Bratenahl Place in Bratenahl. Reservations are required, and you can contact Rita Matas at 440-476-2530 for reservations and more information.

On Sunday, October 18th, Bishop Lennon will celebrate the final mass at St. George at 9:00 am, and the final mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help at 12 noon. There will be a reception in the lower halls of both parishes after the closing masses. There will be no 10:00 mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help on the 18th.

And then on Sunday, October 25th, the bishop will celebrate the opening mass of St. Casimir parish at 10:00 am.

The St. George Memory Project has been formed to gather parishioners’ remembrances from their time at St. George’s. A dedicated phone line with voicemail has been set up so you can record your special memory, anytime, day or night through October 18th. The phone number is 440-364-5650.

The voicemails will be transferred to CD and become part of the St. George Parish archives, and you can reserve your copy of the CD at the St. George closing banquet on October 10th.

On Saturday, November 7th John Yagoda will present his class in making fused glass jewelry. The class fee includes all materials and firing to make 15 pieces of jewelry. Contact John at 440-309-0488 for more information.

On Saturday, November 21st, Lithuanian country singer Virgis Stakenas will perform at Lithuanian Village Cleveland is the first stop on Stakenas’ US tour.

September 27, 2009

There is a new newspaper serving the Collinwood neighborhood. The Collinwood Oberserver published its first print edition this week, and free copies are available at Lithuanian Village. Featured in this issue is an article by Father Bacevicius announcing the opening of St. Casimir parish on Neff Road. Father Bacevicius describes the mission of the new parish as preserving and uniting the Lithuanian people of the Diocese, reaching out to new arrivals from Lithuania, and to be involved in the Collinwood community. The Collinwood Observer is online at collinwoodobserver.com.

The Lithuanian choir Svaja rehearses each and every Wednesday at 7:00 in the basement of Lithuanian Village. Choir director Danute Liauba looks forward to seeing all current and prospective members. For more information please call 330-722-5210.

The Cleveland Lithuanian Pensininkiu Klubas will meet this coming Thursday, October 1st at 12 noon at Lithuanian Village.

The Cleveland Ateitininkai will meet next Sunday, October 4th in the conference room at Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

On October 18th, St. George church will close its doors forever, after serving its parishioners and the Cleveland diocese for the past 114 years. The St. George Memory Project has been formed to gather parishioners’ remembrances from their time at St. George’s.

A dedicated phone line with voicemail has been set up so you can record your special memory, anytime, day or night through October 1st. The phone number is 440-364-5650 The voicemails will be transferred to CD and become part of the St. George Parish archives, and copies of the CD will available at the St. George closing banquet on October 10th.

Remember, just one short week left to call 440-364-5650 to record your special St. George memory.

You’re invited to meet fellow parishioners in the upper hall at Our Lady of Perpetual Help for a cup of coffee and conversation on Saturday, October 3rd after 4:00 mass, and on Sunday, October 4th after the 12 noon mass.

On Saturday, October 10th at 7:00 pm. St. George parish will hold its closing memorial banquet at Lithuanian Village. Advance tickets are required, and can be purchased through the St. George rectory. Call 216-431-5794 for more information.

A farewell is planned for Father Kijauskas on October 11th at the 10:00 Mass. A reception will follow in the lower hall after Mass. There will be no 12:00 o'clock Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help on Sunday, October 11th.

On Sunday, October 18th, Bishop Lennon will celebrate the final mass at St. George at 9:00 am, and the final mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help at 12 noon. There will be a reception in the lower hall at Our Lady after the noon mass on October 18th. There will be no 10:00 mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help on the 18th.

And then on Sunday, October 25th, the bishop will celebrate the opening mass of St. Casimir parish at 10:00 am.

Mark your calendar now for a concert coming up on Saturday, November 21st at Lithuanian Village, featuring Lithuanian country singer Virgis Stakenas. Cleveland is the first stop on Stakenas’ US tour.

The Knights of Lithuania recently concluded their 96th annual convention in Chicago. Among many activities, delegates agreed to fund new windows at the St. Casimir Lithuanian seminary in Rome, and they elected their council for the coming year. The 97th annual Vyciai convention will be held August 5 th in Binghamton, New York.

Our Lady update

From the OLPH website:

Farewell to Father Kijauskas On October 11th at the 10:00 Mass; reception in the lower hall after Mass. This will be a chance for organizations and individuals to say farewell. There will be no 12:00 o'clock Mass that Sunday.

Closing of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish On October 18 at the 12:00 o'clock Mass. Mass will be offered by the bishop. Reception after Mass in the lower hall. There will be no 10:00 o'clock Mass that Sunday.

September 20, 2009

The Parish Joining Committee would like to thank all who attended last Sunday’s picnic for the members of St. George and Our Lady of Perpetual Help parishes as they begin to come together to form St. Casimir parish.

Special thanks to Fr. Kijauskas, Fr. Bacevicius, the Lithuanian Club, and Ginius Macys of Breadsmith for their efforts in bringing this picnic together.

And of course a big “thank you” to committee members Terese Kalvaitis, Maria Hoffman, Ingrida Civinskas, and Anthony Bacevice.

I was pleased to be able to provide a little music to last Sunday’s get together, and I finally had the opportunity to meet William Jakubs, Sr. in person. Always nice to converse with such a loyal listener and supporter of this radio program.

Congratulations to the Lietuviu Sodyba, on its upcoming 25th anniversary celebration, to be held at 12 noon on Tuesday, September 22nd at the Center on Ridge Road in Willoughby.

The Lithuanian choir Svaja begins rehearsals this Wednesday, September 24th at 7:00 in the basement of Lithuanian Village. Choir director Danute Liauba looks forward to seeing all current and prospective members at the first practice on the 24th. For more information please call 330-722-5210.

On October 18th, St. George church will close its doors forever, after serving its parishioners and the Cleveland diocese for the past 114 years.

The St. George Memory Project has been formed to gather parishioners’ remembrances from their time at St. George’s. A dedicated phone line with voicemail has been set up so you can record your special memory, anytime, day or night through October 1st. The phone number is 440-364-5650.

The voicemails will be transferred to CD and become part of the St. George Parish archives, and copies of the CD will available at the St. George closing banquet on October 10th.

You’re invited to meet fellow parishioners in the upper hall at Our Lady of Perpetual Help for a cup of coffee and conversation on Saturday, October 3rd after 4:00 mass, and on Sunday, October 4th after the 12 noon mass.

On Saturday, October 10th at 7:00 pm. St. George parish will hold it’s closing memorial banquet at Lithuanian Village. Advance tickets are required, and can be purchased through the St. George rectory. Call 216-431-5794 for more information.

On Sunday, October 18th, Bishop Lennon will celebrate the final mass at St. George at 9:00 am, and the final mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help at 12 noon. And then on Sunday, October 25th, the bishop will celebrate the opening mass of St. Casimir parish.

Check out the parish bookstore at Our Lady of Perpetual Help for a new stock of books and other items just arrived from Lithuania. The bookstore is open after 10:00 mass every Sunday morning in the lower hall, and is staffed by Dzuigas Staniskas, Grazina Pleckaitis, and Danute Dunduras.

Mark your calendar now for a concert coming up on Saturday, November 21st at Lithuanian Village, featuring Lithuanian country singer Virgis Stakenas. Cleveland is the first stop on Stakenas’ US tour.

September 13, 2009

We extend our deepest sympathy to the family of Elena Ruksenas, who passed away this past week here in Cleveland. Elena Ruksenas was the mother of Algis Ruksenas. The funeral mass was celebrated yesterday at Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Hospice of the Western Reserve.

Our condolences to the family of Edmund Juodenas, of Gates Mills, who died this past Friday after a short bout with cancer. Memorials for Edmund Juodenas will be private, but contributions in his name are suggested to the Hospice of the Western Reserve, 300 E. 185th Street.

Our condolences to the family of Jonas Vasys, who died in Akron this week at the age of 90. Jonas Vasys was active in the Lithuanian community in Cleveland before moving to Akron, and worked for 34 years at Babcock and Wilcox. Funeral arrangements are still pending.

Congratulations to local attorney and JCU alumnus Algis Sirvaitis, who is celebrating his 70th birthday this weekend.

The formation of St. Casimir parish from the merger of Our Lady of Perpetual and St. George parishes took a significant step forward this week as Bishop Richard Lennon appointed Fr. Joseph Bacevicius to be the pastor of the new parish. All the best to Fr. Joe as he officially begins his new assignment at the end of October.

The Parish Joining Committee invites you to a get-together this afternoon for the members of St. George and Our Lady of Perpetual Help parishes, as they come together to form St. Casimir parish. The meet and greet picnic will be held today from 1:00 until 4:00 pm at Wildwood Park, located just off Lakeshore Boulevard, one-half mile west of Neff Road. Hope to see you there this afternoon.

The Lits Anglers will hold their monthly meeting today at 12 noon at Lithuanian Village. The Lits Anglers will also be holding their annual fish fry at Degutis Pavilion in Richmond Heights next Sunday, September 19th at 6:00 pm.

Summer is winding down, and the school year is getting started. St. Casimir Lithuanian Saturday School begins classes next Saturday, September 19th at 9:00 am. Parents are encouraged to accompany their children on the first day, and students are asked to wear clothes in the colors of the Lithuanian flag. Contact Principal Aida Bublyte O’Meara at 440-209-8160 for more information or send email to omearaiv@yahoo.com.

School is not just for kids, either. Classes in Lithuanian language, history and culture for adults who speak little or no Lithuanian are held each Sunday from 11:15 am to 12:30 pm in the backstage classroom at Our Lady of Perpetual Help. New students are welcome; contact Vida Bucmys at 216-481-0653 for more information.

Congratulations to the Lietuviu Sodyba, on its upcoming 25th anniversary celebration, to be held at 12 noon on Tuesday, September 22nd at the Center on Ridge Road in Willoughby. There was a nice article in the News-Herald this week about Dana Cipkus, and her family, and the founding of the Sodyba.

The Lithuanian choir Svaja begins rehearsals on Wednesday, September 24th at 7:00 in the basement of Lithuanian Village. Choir director Danute Liauba looks forward to seeing all current and prospective members at the first practice on the 24th. For more information please call 330-722-5210.

On October 18th, St. George church will close its doors forever, after serving its parishioners and the Cleveland diocese for the past 114 years. The St. George Memory Project has been formed to gather parishioners’ remembrances from their time at St. George’s.

A dedicated phone line with voicemail has been set up so you can record your special memory, anytime, day or night through October 1st. The phone number is 440-364-5650. The voicemails will be transferred to CD and become part of the St. George Parish archives, and copies of the CD will available at the St. George closing mass on October 18th.

You’re invited to meet fellow parishioners in the upper hall at Our Lady of Perpetual Help for a cup of coffee and conversation on Saturday, October 3rd after 4:00 mass, and on Sunday, October 4th after the 12 noon mass.

On Saturday, October 10th at 7:00 pm. St. George parish will hold it’s closing memorial banquet at Lithuanian Village. Advance tickets are required, and can be purchased through the St. George rectory. Call 216-431-5794 for more information.

On Sunday, October 18th, Bishop Lennon will celebrate the final mass at St. George at 9:00 am, and the final mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help at 12 noon. And then on Sunday, October 25th, the bishop will celebrate the opening mass of St. Casimir parish.

Mark your calendar now for a concert coming up on Saturday, November 21 st at Lithuanian Village, featuring Lithuanian country singer Virgis Stakenas. Cleveland is the first stop on Stakenas’ US tour.

A New Pastor

Last Sunday, we had official confirmation of Bishop Richard Lennon's decision to choose St. Casimir as the name for the new parish formed by the merger of Our Lady of Perpetual Help and St. George parishes.

Today we have official confirmation that the bishop has appointed Fr. Joseph Bacevicius to be the pastor of St. Casimir parish, which will be located on the site of the current Our Lady of Perpetual Help church.

Under Fr. Bacevicius' leadership, St. George has managed to serve both its Lithuanian commuter membership, and the needs of the local neighborhood in the East 67th and Superior area. Fr. Bacevicius has also been responsible for the largely Hispanic St. Francis parish, which is also closing as part of the Cleveland diocese's current reorganization.

"Fr. Joe" will undoubtedly be a great asset to both the newly united community of Catholic Lithuanians in Cleveland, and to the fabric of the North Collinwood neighborhood. We wish him well in his new assignment, and look forward to the opening of St. Casimir on October 25th.

September 6, 2009

I hope you’re enjoying the Labor Day holiday, which marks the end of the summer season, and honors all who labor to make our society work, especially members of the Labor Movement, to whom we owe a debt of gratitude for the many protections and benefits we as workers take for granted today.

In a letter to both pastors, dated September 1st, Bishop Richard Lennon has announced his final decision on the name of the new parish formed by the merger of St. George and Our Lady of Perpetual Help parishes. The new parish will be known as St. Casimir, which is of course the patron saint of Lithuania.

The Parish Joining Committee invites you to a get-together for the members of St. George and Our Lady of Perpetual Help parishes, as they come together to form St. Casimir parish. The meet and greet picnic will be held next Sunday, September 13th from 1:00 until 4:00 pm at Wildwood Park, located just off Lakeshore Boulevard, one-half mile west of Neff Road. Hope to see you there next Sunday afternoon.

The Finance and Legal Affairs Committee has been busy reviewing budget scenarios based on past revenues and expenses, and estimated future expenses and revenues. As a result of this process, it becomes clear to the committee that in order for St. Casimir to survive and thrive, the parishioner base needs to grow.

When the current parishes merge, the Diocesan Facilities Department will maintain and market the St. George property, and when it is sold, pay off any debt and expenses, and pass the remaining profit to St. Casimir parish.

In terms of the current Our Lady of Perpetual Help property on Neff road, Vladas Pleckaitis is leading an effort to identify projected capital improvements and facility maintenance projects.

The first annual Miles Coburn Environmental Symposium is coming up this week right here on the JCU campus. Each day at 4:00 pm from Tuesday, September 8th to Friday, September 11th, there will be a different featured speaker in the Dolan Science Center. The week culminates with the Ride for Miles on Saturday, September 12th.

On Wednesday, September 9th the featured speaker will be Saulius Kliorys, Environmental Programs Coordinator for Great Lakes Brewery. Saulius will speak on Sustainable Business. More information is available at rideformiles.org.

This evening at 7:00 the Three Latvian Tenors will perform at the Latvian Church Hall, 1385 Andrews Road in Lakewood. For more information, please contact Ausma Pirktins at 216-521-1435.

Last evening in Palanga, Cleveland artist Nijole Palubinskas successfully opened her first exhibition in Lithuania. Many artists in Lithuania and Latvia were in attendance, and serenaded Ms. Palubinskas with a rousing Ilgausiu Metu. More information about Palubinskiene’s art and the exhibition can be found at www.antanasmoncys.com.

Council 25 of the Knights of Lithuania will meet this coming Friday, September 11th at 1:00 pm in the lower hall at Our Lady of Perpetual Help. A cultural program will follow the business meeting at 2:00 pm.

Summer is winding down, and the school year is getting started. St. Casimir Lithuanian Saturday School begins classes on Saturday, September 19th at 9:00 am. Parents are encouraged to accompany their children on the first day, and students are asked to wear clothes in the colors of the Lithuanian flag. Contact Principal Aida Bublyte O’Meara at 440-209-8160 for more information or send email to omearaiv@yahoo.com.

School is not just for kids, either. Classes in Lithuanian language, history and culture for adults who speak little or no Lithuanian are held each Sunday from 11:15 am to 12:30 pm in the backstage classroom at Our Lady of Perpetual Help. New students are welcome; contact Vida Bucmys at 216-481-0653 for more information.

Congratulations to the Lietuviu Sodyba, on its upcoming 25th anniversary celebration, to be held at 12 noon on Tuesday, September 22nd at the Center on Ridge Road in Willoughby.

August 30, 2009

Congratulations to Cleveland artist Nijole Palubinskas, on the upcoming opening of the first exhibition of her work in Lithuania. The exhibit will open on September 5 th in the Baltic Sea resort of Palanga. More information about Palubinskiene’s art and the exhibition can be found at www.antanasmoncys.com.

The Parish Joining Committee has announced a get-together for the members of St. George and Our Lady of Perpetual Help parishes. The meet and greet will be held on Sunday, September 13th at 1:00 pm at Wildwood Park, located just off Lakeshore Boulevard, one-half mile west of Neff Road.

The first annual Miles Coburn Environmental Symposium is coming up in two weeks right here on the JCU campus. Each day at 4:00 pm from September 8 th to September 11 th, will feature a different seminar in the Dolan Science Center. The week culminates with the Ride for Miles on Saturday, September 12 th. On Wednesday, September 9 th the featured speaker will be Saulius Kliorys, Environmental Programs Coordinator for Great Lakes Brewery. More information is available at rideformiles.org.

Summer is winding down, and the school year is getting started. St. Casimir Lithuanian Saturday School begins classes on Saturday, September 19th at 9:00 am. Parents are encouraged to accompany their children on the first day, and students are asked to wear clothes in the colors of the Lithuanian flag. Contact Principal Aida Bublyte O’Meara at 440-209-8160 for more information or send email to omearaiv@yahoo.com.

John Yagoda will be offering another class in making fused glass jewelry on Saturday, September 19th, from 11:00 to 2:00 at Lithuanian Village. Contact Ruta at the Club for details and reservations.

Congratulations to the Lietuviu Sodyba, on its upcoming 25th anniversary celebration, to be held at 12 noon on Tuesday, September 22 nd at the Center on Ridge Road in Willoughby.

Coming to Cleveland next Sunday, September 6th are the Three Latvian Tenors. National Opera of Latvia soloists Nauris Puntulis, Guntars Rungis and Miervaldis Joncs, will perform on Sunday at 7:00 at the Latvian Church Hall, 1385 Andrews Road in Lakewood. For more information, please contact Ausma Pirktins at 216-521-1435.

If you’re interested in seeing a film from Estonia, the Cleveland Cinematheque will show Sugisball today at 1:30 pm and again tomorrow at 7:00 pm. The Cleveland Cinematheque is located in the Cleveland Institute of Art in University Circle.

August 23, 2009

Bishop Richard Lennon has announced his decision on the name of the soon to be established parish resulting from the merger of St. George and Our Lady of Perpetual Help parishes.

The bishop states in a letter dated August 14 th, that he is very much inclined to name the new parish St. Caismir. The bishop’s letter also indicated a willingness to meet with Fr. Bacevicius and Fr. Kijauskas and a small group of parishioners to hear their input and explain his choice before making the decision final.

So it would appear that one St. Casimir church in Cleveland will close, and a new St. Casimir will open on Neff Road in October of this year.

The Parish Joining Committee is planning a get-together for the members of St. George and Our Lady of Perpetual Help parishes. The exact date, time and location will be announced shortly, but it will be somewhere in the Cleveland area during the month of September. Keep listening to the Lithuanian Voice for details.

The next meeting of the joint parish subcommittees will take place on Tuesday, August 25th at 7:00 pm in the lower hall at Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Subcommittee representatives will give an update of the work they have done thus far.

John Yagoda will be offering another class in making fused glass jewelry on Saturday, September 19th, from 11:00 to 2:00 at Lithuanian Village. Contact Ruta at the Club for details and reservations.

August 16, 2009

Our condolences this morning to the family of Ona Zilionis, who passed away this morning, at the age of 98. Ona is survived by her daughter Violeta Leger, daughter-in-law Roma Zilionis, granddaughters Renata and Elenute, and great granddaughters Lukas and Ema. Funeral arrangements are pending, check the Plain Dealer for details.

Today is the Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish picnic, and the festivities get underway at 12:30, the Vincas Apanius estate on Mulberry Road in Chesterland. It’s going to be a hot day today, but there will be plenty of shade and cold beer, so the weather won’t be a deterrent to a good time.

Don’t forget that Oberlin-based painter Audra Skuodas is exhibiting at Artseen Gallery in Vermilion, through August 23rd. The gallery, located at 5591 LIberty Avenue is open from 4:00 until 8:00 Thursday and Friday, 2:00 until 8:00 Saturday, and 2:00 until 4:00 on Sunday. More information is available by calling Artseen Gallery at 440-963-0611.

The first annual Miles Coburn Environmental Symposium is coming up in mid-September right here on the JCU campus. Each day at 4:00 pm from September 8th to September 11th, will feature a different seminar in the Dolan Science Center. The week culminates with the Ride for Miles on Saturday, September12th.

The Lithuanian connection in all this is that the featured speaker on Wednesday, September9 th will be Saulius Kliorys, Environmental Programs Coordinator for Great Lakes Brewery. The Ride for Miles also features live acoustic music, with sound reinforcement by that guy that does sound for all the Lithuanian events. More information is available at rideformiles.org.

John Yagoda will be offering another class in making fused glass jewelry on Saturday, September 19th, from 11:00 to 2:00 at Lithuanian Village. Contact Ruta at the Club for details and reservations.

Former OSU middle linebacker James Laurinaitis is making good progress learning the ways of the NFL at the St. Louis Rams training camp this summer. Rams coach Steve Spaguolo calls Laurinaitis a smart, tough player who can run really well. Laurinaitis was the 35 th overall pick in this past spring’s NFL draft.

August 9, 2009

Today is the St. George parish picnic, following 10:30 mass in the rectory garden.

Next Sunday is the Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish picnic, at 12:30 at the Vincas Apanius estate in beautiful Chesterland.

Parish Merger News
The joint parish subcommittee meeting took place last Tuesday, August 4th. Some highlights from that meeting:

The Education and Formation/Youth Ministry committee has finalized its list of proposed programs and activities that it plans on submitting to the new pastor for his review and consideration. Some of the programs mentioned were: youth Masses, retreats, PSR lessons and preparation for the sacraments.

The Liturgy Committee reminds all parishioners to pick up a copy of the liturgical questionnaire, fill it out, and return it by next Sunday, August 16th. Questionnaires may be found at the back of the church, and can be dropped into the specially marked boxes at each parish or returned to members of that committee.

The Naming Committee has completed its work and handed in its final report to the Bishop. A copy of the report may be found on each parish’s bulletin board. The next subcommittee meeting will take place August 25th.

With the the closings of St. George and Our Lady of Perpetual Help parishes on October 18th, an announcement from the Bishop about the new pastor and new parish name is expected sometime in the second half of August.

Oberlin-based painter Audra Skuodas is exhibiting 18 large works at Artseen Gallery in Vermilion. The gallery, located at 5591 Lberty Avenue is open from 4:00 until 8:00 Thursday and Friday, 2:00 until 8:00 Saturday, and 2:00 until 4:00 on Sunday. Audra Skuodas' paintings are on view through August 23rd. More information available by calling Artseen Gallery at 440-963-0611.

The International Polka Association inducted former Clevelander Joe Oberaitis into its Hall of Fame at a ceremony held last night in Independence, Ohio. Oberaitis now lives in Orlando, Florida, is still active in polka radio, and as a performer, making a guest appearance Friday night with Brave Combo at the Beachland Ballroom here in Cleveland.

John Yagoda will be offering another class in making fused glass jewelry on Saturday, September 19th, from 11:00 to 2:00 at Lithuanian Village. Contact Ruta at the Club for details and reservations.

August 2, 2009

Very sad news coming out of the Detroit area this week. Father Ricardas Repsys and his 13-year-old nephew Tautvydas Skudas drowned in Lake Saint Clair this past Tuesday. Father Repsys was the pastor of Divine Providence parish in Southfield.

Repsys and his family were aboard a pontoon boat on the lake, when Tautvydas and his father went for a swim. When Tautvydas had difficulty staying on the surface, Father Repsys dove in to save him. None of the three men were wearing life jackets.

We send our condolences to the Repsys and Skudas families, and to the entire community of Lithuanians in the Detroit area. Services for Father Repsys were held yesterday at Divine Providence church. Monsignor Edmondas Putrimas celebrated the funeral mass. There is a link on the blog to an article on the Detroit News website with further details.

Parish Merger News
The Parish Naming Subcommittee submitted its report with recommendations for the new parish name to the Bishop’s office this past Thursday. The Bishop will most likely make his decision about the new name some time this month. As soon as there is word of his decision, it will be announced to everyone.

The Liturgy Committee has developed a questionnaire (in both Lithuanian and English) regarding Mass schedules and other liturgical programs to be considered for the newly formed parish. The questionnaires will be available today and for the next two Sundays, until August 16th, at both parishes. They can be found on tables at the back of the church.

Parishioners are asked to fill out the questionnaire, and then return it to the specially marked boxes which may be found both in the church and lower hall. They may also be returned by mail to Kestutis Civinskas. The Liturgy Committee will compile all of the results and present them in a report to the new pastor for his consideration.

The joint subcommittees of both parishes will meet this coming Tuesday, August 4th, at 7:00pm in the Our Lady of Perpetual Help cafeteria. They will give updates about the work they have accomplished thus far.

St. George parish will hold its annual parish picnic next Sunday August 9th, following 10:30 mass. This of course is the final picnic at St. George’s as a distinct parish, so you won’t want to miss a final opportunity to gather in the rectory garden for a bit of summer fun.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish will hold its annual picnic on Sunday August 16th at 12:30, the Vincas Apanius estate on Mulberry Road in Chesterland. This is also the final picnic for Our Lady as a distinct parish, and the atmosphere out in Chesterland is so beautiful, you’ll want to stop out and celebrate with your friends and parishioners.

Former Euclid City Council president Ed Gudenas is being sued over a real estate deal on Middle Bass Island. Complete details in the News-Herald.

July 26, 2009

Our condolences to the family of former Clevelander Meile Krygeriene, who died in Houston, TX, at the age of 67. Funeral arrangements for Meile Krygeriene will be announced later, as she is to be buried here in Cleveland.

We say a special welcome back to Cleveland to Algirdas and Amanda Muliolis, who returned late last week from another summer of APPLE seminars in Lithuania. The Lithuanian Ministry of Education and Science has invited them back next summer, with a request for 35 lecturers. Planning for next summer’s APPLE activities starts at its annual meeting in August.

Congratulations to Grazina Kudukis, who was recently honored by the American Nationalities Movement on their 50th anniversary, for her work on behalf of Lithuania‘s entry into NATO. Also honored at the July 16th event was Cleveland City Councilman Joe Cimperman.

The Parish Naming Committee met on July 13th to open ballots and tally the St. George Parish voting results for the new parish name. Parishioners were asked to vote for their top 5 names from the provided list of 38 names suggested by parishioners of both St. George and Our Lady of Perpetual Help parishes.

At St. George, St. Casimir received the highest number of first choice votes, followed by Our Lady of Siluva. Overall, Our Lady of Siluva was the most popular choice at St. George, with St. Casimir receiving the next highest number of overall votes.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish decided that the name suggestion phase was sufficient and that a voting phase was not necessary. The top three names suggested at Our Lady were: Our Lady of Siluva, St. Casimir, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

A report of how the naming process was carried out together with all of the names and numbers will be handed in to the Bishop for his consideration. The Bishop will make the final decision of choosing the new parish name.

Wasn't that a Party? Despite the ritual thunderstorms, the Lithuanian Club picnic was a great success yesterday, with a large turnout, and all the elements of a great Lithuanian gathering. Food and drink were plentiful, and the Gottscheer Blaskapelle Band, and Kolorado Vabalai provided a wide entertainment of musical entertainment.

St. George church, will hold its annual parish picnic on Sunday August 9th, following 10:30 mass.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish will hold its annual picnic on Sunday August 16th at 12:30, the Vincas Apanius estate on Mulberry Road in Chesterland.

July 19, 2009

Congratulations to Ingrid and Kestutis Civinskas, who became grandparents this past week, when their daughter Venta gave birth to a son, Tadas Antanas. Venta and her husband Jamie Norris make their home in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area.

The next meeting of the Cleveland Pensininkiu Klubas will be held this Thursday, July 23rd at 12 noon in Gintaras at Lithuanian Village.

This coming Saturday, July 25th, is the annual Lithuanian Club at the Italian-American Center in Wickliffe. There will be traditional Lithuanian food and drink, entertainment by Kolorado Vabalai and the Gottscheer Blaskapelle Band, as well as a Krupnikas contest and a special exhibit honoring the 60th anniversary of Cleveland Lithuanian Displaced Persons in America.

St. George Church will hold its annual parish picnic on Sunday August 9th, following 10:30 mass.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish will hold its annual picnic on Sunday August 16th at 12:30, the Vincas Apanius estate on Mulberry Road in Chesterland.

July 12, 2009

Congratulations to Olgerts Kubulins of Middleburg Heights, who was recently honored with Latvia’s highest civilian award, the Order of Three Stars, Fourth Class, Kubulins was presented with the medal by Latvian President Valdis Zatlers at the Latvian embassy in Washington, DC.

The Willoughby Municipal Planning Commission met Thursday night to consider a conditional use permit for Mary Rose Estates adjacent to the current Lithuanian Sodyba. The commission rejected the permit application by a vote of 4-1. Mariana Stachnik, chairwoman of the Lithuanian Center and trustee for Mary Rose Estates said the group has not given up on the project, but will need to make a determination as to what their next step will be. Check out the article from Friday's News-Herald, which includes many interesting comments not available in the print edition.

Rob Mays will be appearing in tonight’s episode of the CW series Valentine, which airs tonight at 7:00 on WBNX, Channel 55, here in the Cleveland area.

The next meeting of the Cleveland Pensininkiu Klubas will be held on Thursday, July 23rd at 12 noon in Gintaras at Lithuanian Village.

The Lithuanian Club will hold its annual picnic on Saturday, July 25th at the Italian-American Center in Wickliffe. There will be great food and drink, entertainment by Kolorado Vabalai and the Gottsheer Blaskapelle Band, as well as a Krupnikas contest.

St. George Church, will hold its annual parish picnic on Sunday August 9th, following 10:30 mass.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish will hold its annual picnic on Sunday August 16th at 12:30, the Vincas Apanius estate on Mulberry Road in Chesterland.