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.