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.