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.