March 29, 2009

Congratulations again this week to Cleveland Cavaliers center Zydrunas Ilgauskas. Last week Z joined Lebron James, Brad Daugherty, and Austin Carr in the Cavs 10,000 point club. And last Sunday against the New Jersey Nets, he became the team’s all-time best shot blocker with 1,202, passing the previous record of 1,200 held by John "Hot Rod" Williams.

The process of merging St. George and Our Lady of Perpetual Help parishes moved forward this week with a meeting on Wednesday for all transition team members across the diocese at Borromeo Seminary in Wickliffe.

Team members from OLPH are Algis Ruksenas and Remigijus Belzinskas, and from St. George, Zivile Vaitkus and Algis Matulionis. The next deadline is April 22nd, when both pastors will be required to submit a proposed date for the merger to be complete. If you have questions or comments about the merger process you can contact Fr. Bacevicius, Fr. Kijauskas, or any member of the merger transition team.

The Lithuanian Scouts will present their annual bazaar Kazuiko Muge, today in the upper and lower halls at Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

The Cleveland Lithuanian Pensininkiu Klubas will hold their monthly lunch meeting this coming Thursday, April 2nd at Gintaras in Lithuanian Village. Members and guests are invited to attend.

The Knights of Lithuania, Council 25 of Cleveland invites you to become a member of the Vyciai. The next council meeting is Friday April, 3rd at 1:00 pm in the lower hall at OLPH.

Council 25 officers for 2009 are:

• President: Frank Joga
• Vice-President: Richard Marks
• Secretary: Kathy Kaczmarek
• Treasurer: Vic Staskus
• Public Relations: Ursula Kunsitis
• Ritual: Jean Marks
• Sargeant at Arms: Ray Vanagas
• Trustees: Jean Marks and Ray Vanagas
• Spiritual Advisor: Fr. Gediminas Kijauskas

Vaiko Vartai i Moksla will present a fundraising dinner on Palm Sunday, April 5th in the lower hall at Our Lady of Perpetual Help. All proceeds go to fund programs supporting disadvantaged and orphaned children in Lithuania.

Also next weekend, Our Lady of Perpetual Help will be collecting non-perishable food items for those in need during the Easter season. Collection boxes will be available in the back of the church next Saturday and Sunday.

Zaibas Senior (Over 35) Basketball Tournament

Saturday, April 4th at Villa Angela at St. Joseph High School
(Lakeshore Blvd at E. 185th Street)

• 11:00 a.m. Cleveland Zaibas vs. Hamilton Kovas
• 12:15 p.m. New York LAK vs. New Jersey Liepsna
• 1:45 p.m. Cleveland Zaibas vs. New York LAK
• 3:00 p.m. Hamilton Kovas vs. New Jersey Liepsna

Final Four Party Saturday night, April 4th at Lithuanian Village
(877 E. 185th Street)

Sunday April 5th at Borromeo Field House
(28700 Euclid Ave, Wickliffe, Ohio)

• 10:00 a.m. Hamilton Kovas vs. New York LAK
• 11:15 a.m. Cleveland Zaibas vs. New Jersey Liepsna
• 12:45 p.m. Championship (top 2 teams)

Lithuanian Village will offer a Lenten Buffet from 5 – 8 pm on Good Friday, April 10, along with a book signing by Dorothy Chapon Kazel, sister-in-law of missionary nun Dorothy Kazel who was killed in El Salvador in 1980. Chapon-Kazel’s new book "The Voice: A Missionary's Call to Give her Life" will be on sale.

The Lithuanian Club & Village will be closed Easter Sunday, April 12th.

If you missed the glass jewelry making class at Lithuanian Village back in February, you have another chance coming up on Saturday, April 25. Contact John Yagoda at 440-309-0488 for more information and reservations.

If you or a member of your family will be a graduate this spring, mark your calendar now for a special event coming up on Saturday, June 6th at Lithuanian Village. Abiturientu Balius, or Graduates Spring Fling will give the community a chance to celebrate the Lithuanian heritage of a very large group of graduates in 2009. There will be snacks, deserts, dancing and socializing.

Please contact Vilija Klimas at vilija@nasvytis.com or Shirley Kizys at 216-554-9729 for more information, and especially if you have a graduate in your family this spring.