|
July 1st
we began the new fiscal (financial) year for our parish.
On June 30th we closed the books on the last
fiscal year - which we will report on to everyone in
September - and look forward to a new year. When a new
calendar year opens, many look back at the successes and
failures of the previous year and make plans for a
better year ahead; we do the same for our Parish with
the arrival of the new fiscal year.
Last year was
very challenging financially for our Parish. The hopes
that I had for fund raising did not materialize. We had
a very cold winter with more snow than anyone liked to
see. For ten months, our school building was vacant as
we were looking for a new tenant. The building still had
to be heated, which led to very high gas bills. The
collection basket brought in almost $12,000 less than
the previous year. But we had our bright spots too. The
“Rooted in Faith, Forward in Hope” Campaign brought us
over $18,000, and we raised $17,335.00 toward our new
carillon system.
This new fiscal
year will bring us new challenges. We brought in a solid
tenant into our school building who will bring in
$114,000 in rent this year; the tenant will pay also all
the utilities for the school and the gym. This will be a
big help in meeting our expenses. However, some things
remain constant: we still need to meet our weekly
payroll, utility bills for the other buildings still
need to be paid, and the many needed repairs are waiting
to get done. Your continued financial support remains
essential in order to keep St. Casimir open and
thriving.
I am estimating an operating budget of around
$404,800 for this fiscal year which is $7,785 per week.
Our rents will reduce that amount to $4,500 per week.
Our average weekly offering last year (including
Christmas) was $4,878. If these number hold up, we will
run a $378 per week surplus, or $19,681 annual surplus.
If we are able to do an additional $20,000 in
fund-raising, we will be able to put almost $40,000 into
repairs and parish programs which will benefit all of
us. The challenge is, are we willing to continue to
support St. Casimir’s?
I believe that
we have a strong and vibrant parish. For the first time
in our five years of existence, we are in a financial
position to
move forward as a community, to build and strengthen our
community,
and to make a difference in the lives of the Lithuanian
community in Cleveland and in the lives of every
parishioner who belongs to our Parish. It is up to each
of us and all of us to work together to make it happen.
God
Bless! Fr. Joe Bacevice
CATHOLIC FAMILY FESTIVAL
 Looking
for a great family day this summer? Join us for the FEST
on Sunday, August 3rd
on the seminary grounds in Wickliffe. The 56 acre campus
becomes the home of our 14th Annual Catholic
Family Festival. It is a day that celebrates faith and
family. It’s fun and it’s free. Join thousands from
across the region for national Christian bands along
with great faith-based activities and displays for the
whole family. The day ends with an outdoor Mass at
8:00pm
followed by fireworks. For information, go to their
website:
www.theFest.us.
|
REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS
 We
ask you to remember in your prayers the following who have
recently died and were buried from our parish: Vivian Petti,
Liucija Kaunas, and Clayton Nozling. Remember also Jonas
Balbatas who died and whose funeral will be held in Lithuania.
May they have eternal rest in the peace of God’s Kingdom.
OPPORTUNITY TO VOLUNTEER
Eastside Birthright (at the corner
of E. 185th & Marcella Rd.) needs a few good
volunteers to answer phones, assist women in finding community
resources, and distribute layettes and diapers to clients. No
experience is necessary and training will be provided. For more
information, call Toni at
216-228-5998.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
Are you a naturally caring,
compassionate and giving person? Were you blessed with parents
or other role models in life from whom you learned that the joy
of living is gained through giving? If you answered "yes" to
either of these questions, look for an Invitation to Serve from
the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in September. For more
information, call
216-696-6525, ext. 3150
or email
info@svdpcle.org.
DAY OF RECOLLECTION
The First Catholic Slovak Ladies
Association, Anna Hurban Cleveland District will hold their
Annual Day of Recollection on Friday, July 25 at
Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine, 21281 Chardon Rd., Euclid. Bishop
Roger Gries will celebrate the 11:00am
Mass, Fr. Gerard Gonda, OSB will preside at the Benediction and
Rosary at 2:00pm.
Luncheon reservations are limited and must be requested in
advance byJuly 19th. Tickets cost $15. For
reservations, call Johanna Oros
(440-845-0282)
or Catherine Ruzinok
(440-406-9310).
PARKING
 Over the next several weeks, there will be some construction
equipment in our parking lots, especially our Neff Road lot.
This will present some challenges to those using our lots.
Remember to park only in marked parking spaces, leave the
handicapped spaces for those who truly need them, do not park on
the sidewalks or block the tunnel to the Marcella Road lot. For
those using the Marcella Road lot, do not park in the spaces by
the convent as they are reserved for the Sisters living and
visiting there, do not park in front of the garage doors or
block them in any way. Finally, keep the aisles open so cars can
get in and out of the lots.
OUR MARCELLA HOUSE NEEDS
A NAME
 Now that we are beginning to move organizations out of the
school building to their new home at 18031 Marcella, we need to
give the house a name. We will have a contest to name the house.
The name should reflect who we are as a parish and the use we
are giving to the house. The name should also be easily adapted
to both English and Lithuanian usage. (Diocesan restrictions do not
allow us to name the house after a person.) The contest is open
to any parishioner. Names may be sub-mitted to Father Bacevice
through mail, e-mail, or placed in the collection basket
on Sunday.
Be sure to include your name and address with your submission.
The prize for the winning name will be a $100 donation to the
parish organization of the winner’s choice, and a $50 prize to
the winner. The Parish Pastoral Council will decide the winning
entry at their September meeting. All entries must be received
by September 1st.
|
Lietuvi