February 14, 2010

We send our deepest condolences to the family of Rita Dautas Ciofani-Kercher, who was the victim of a tragic incident at her workplace this week. Rita leaves behind her mother, Jadvyga Dautas husband Ron Kercher, along with many children, step-children and grandchildren. Complete obituary details and Rita's online guest book are available at cleveland.com.

This coming Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, and Ash Wednesday masses at St. Casimir will be at 7:30 am and 7:00 pm on Wednesday.

During Lent, St. Casimir will join with St. Jerome's, Holy Redeemer and St. Mary's for a special Lenten spiritual series each Monday evening during Lent. On February 22nd, the mass and social will be at St. Jerome, followed on March 1st at Holy Redeemer, March 8th at St. Mary, and March 15th at St. Casimir. On March 22nd there will be a penance service at Holy Redeemer.

You are invited to attend the Cleveland celebration of Lithuania's Independence on Saturday, February 20 and Sunday, February 21.

On Saturday, February 20 at 7:30 pm, the celebration kicks off with a dance party at Lithuanian Village with a special DJ from the Chicago dance group Suktinis who will spin your favorite tunes.

And then on Sunday, February 21st, the celebration and commemoration begins at 8:00 am right here on Tevynes Garsai, and continues with flag raising at 9:45 am at the Freedom monument on the grounds of St. Casimir Parish.

10:00 a.m. Mass at St. Casimir Parish will feature special music by Exultate, and Lithuanian-American organizations are invited to attend with their flags.

Following mass at 11:00 a.m. in the lower hall at St. Casimir, you're invited to stay for lunch, and then head upstairs at 1:00 pm for the main event, which will feature Vytas Maaciunas, president of the Lithuanian-American Community-USA.

After the official portion of the program, the Suktinis Lithuanian folk dancers from Chicago will entertain, along with poetry by Ona Zalensas and musical entertainment by Eugenijus Dicevicius.

On Sunday, February 21st. the Neff Road parking lot at St. Casimir will be closed after 8:00 mass, and reopen after 10:00 mass. The parking lot will be reserved during this time for those participating in the Independence Day flag-raising ceremony on Sunday, February 21st.

Today is Valentine's Day. Be sure to do something nice for the sweet people in your life.