May 24, 2009

Today we mourn the loss of a member of our WJCU radio family. Jon Carroll Salerno, host of Memories from Italy for the past 29 years, died peacefully this past week in Summit County. Jon leaves behind his wonderful wife Karen, two stepchildren, Anthony and Gina, granddaugher Olivia, and many, many friends and devoted radio listeners.

I had the good fortune to work with Jon on Memories from Italy several times over the years, and he was truly a pleasure to be around. He was easygoing, quick-witted, and well-informed on many subjects. As his technical producer, I sometimes had to interrupt our wide-ranging off-air conversations to remind him that it was time for the next set of community announcements for which he was so well-known.

Through all the challenges life presented him, Jon always had a smile and a positive outlook to share with those around him. We'll miss you Jon, and we send our deepest sympathies to the Salerno family.

Calling hours in the Cleveland area for Jon Carroll Salerno were Friday and Saturday, and calling hours in the Akron area will be today and Monday from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Anthony and Biscan Funeral Home, 4178 Massilon Road, Uniontown. Complete obituary details are available at Cleveland.com.

Parish Merger News On Tuesday, May 19th, parish representatives from St. George and Our Lady of Perpetual Help parishes met to finalize the subcommittees necessary to implement the parish merger. After an opening prayer, diocesan representative Deacon Jim Armstrong, Special Assistant for Reconfiguration, addressed the audience; both parish pastors gave their remarks, and the eight subcommittees went into session to plan their work.

Open parish meetings will be held next weekend at both St. George and Our Lady of Perpetual Help parishes after all weekend Masses May 30th and 31st. (Saturday evening Mass as well as both Sunday morning Masses) Members of the Parish Naming committee will be on hand to explain the bishop’s directives concerning the process for choosing the name for the newly formed parish. All parishioners are urged to attend one of these important meetings to be held at both parishes next weekend, May 30th and 31st, after all weekend Masses.

Parish Merger Information Bulletin Board Bulletin boards containing information about the parish merger are being prepared at both parishes. All information regarding the parish merger will be posted there as it becomes available. They should be in place by next weekend.

Amanda and Algirdas Muliolis wish to apologize to the parishioners of St. George. Because of some traffic issues last Sunday, they were unable to reach St. George church to collect for APPLE. They will be at St. George to ask for your support of APPLE on Sunday, June 7th.

The Lietuviu Bendromene will hold its annual meeting on today at 12 noon in the conference room at Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

The Lithuanian youth ensembles Svyturys and Naujoji Intriga will perform a concert entitled "Tree of Life: A Celebration of 1,000 years of Lithuania". There will be singing by Naujoji Intriga and dancing from Svyturys, including the little Svyturukai. The event gets underway next Saturday, May 30th, at 6:00 pm in the auditorium at Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

Memorial Day marks the start of the summer season, and the Lithuanian Cultural Garden Society reminds you that it's time to renew your membership, or to become a member for 2009. The Society will host a get-together at noon next Sunday May 31st in the Beachland Pavilion located at the north end of Neff Road, on Lake Erie. The event is free for Cultural Garden Society members, and you can join at the door. The Cultural Gardens are one of Cleveland's many wonderfull and unique features, and your support of the Garden Society helps keep the Lithuanian Garden in top condition.

We regret to tell you that Abiturientu Balius or Graduates Spring Fling is being rescheduled. Vilija Nasvytis and Shirley Kizys are still collecting information on this year's graduates to share with the community. You can email Vilija at vilija@nasvytis.com or Shirley at smkiz-476@yahoo.com. Phone numbers for Vilija and Shirley are 216-381-9318 or 216-554-9729.

The Baltic communities of Greater Cleveland will gather on Sunday June 14th at Our Lady of Perpetual Help to commemorate the 1941 deportations of Baltic peoples to Siberia. The prayer service begins at 3:00 pm.