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Each
week, when I write the
bulletin, I list the
Offertory collection amounts
along with other monies that
come in the collection
basket: Repair Fund, Heat
Fund, and Second
Collections. The total
amount collected, minus the
second collections, is then
subtracted from $4,500.00
(which is what we can expect
to bring in the collection
basket to operate the
Church), and the remaining
figure is our weekly deficit
or surplus. That number is
added to the cumulative
total to come up with the
deficit for the fiscal year
which began July 1, 2014.
This week is the first
time this fiscal year that
we are showing a surplus in
both the weekly collection
and what we have collected
since July 1st. I
believe that this is the
first time since we opened
as St. Casimir Parish that
this has happened. Not only
is this a reflection of our
good stewardship of the
money you give us, but it is
also a testament of your
financial commitment to our
parish.
A lot has happened over
the past year here at St.
Casimir’s. We were able to
lease out our school
building to a responsible
tenant and we have a school
on our campus again. The
money realized from lease
payments goes to pay back
our loan of $226,500 from
the diocese ($3,775/month
for five years), save for
future repairs, and
subsidize our parish
operations.
Our next challenge is
going to prioritize the next
phase of repairs needed here
at St. Casimir’s so we can
make the repairs in a
responsible manner. I thank
the Finance Council members
for their commitment to the
parish in offering me sound
advice and watching over our
funds. I thank the Pastoral
Council for their sharing
ideas and concerns for our
parish. Most of all, I thank
all of you who regularly
support the parish with your
financial contributions and
your volunteer service.
Without you, there would be
no St. Casimir’s Parish
today.
God Bless! Fr. Joe
Bacevice
PLEASE PRAY
 We
ask you to remember in your prayers the souls of Martha
Macijauskas and Lee Mersek who died last week and were
buried from our Parish. Please pray also for
Fr. Tony Cassese, Pastor of
St. Jerome, who died Tuesday evening.
May they have eternal rest in
the peace of God’s kingdom.
PASTORAL COUNCIL MEETING
 The
next meeting of our Pastoral Council will take place on
Tuesday, January 6, 2015, at
7:30pm in the Rectory Conference
Room. At this meeting, we will select officers for the
coming year and set the dates for meetings. We ask that
all members of the Pastoral Council be present for this
important meeting.
BUILDING REPAIRS
 The
Upper Hall (gym) along with the stage, vestibule,
classrooms, and upper level will be CLOSED FOR ALL
ACTIVITIES from Monday, December 22, 2014 through Sunday,
January 11, 2015, for renovations. The ceilings and
walls will be painted, and the floor will be sanded,
refinished and striped for basketball. The majority of the
work will be done to the floor, so it is critical that no
one enter the gym during this period.
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CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS
Annual contribution statements for 2014 will be available
after January 15th, and will be sent only to
those who request them. Those wanting a statement can call
the rectory during business hours or drop a note in the
collection basket.
3rd ANNUAL CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL
 Saturday
and Sunday, January 24-25, after
all the weekend Masses,
the Altar Society invites everyone in the parish to the
lower hall to savor a hearty bowl of soup (your choice of
two kinds) with bread, and to spend some time with your
fellow parishioners. Eat in, or take a container home. Adult
donation is $5, children under - $2. Proceeds go to the
Altar Society operating fund for 2015 and are used to
purchase needed items for the Church.
CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY
The Collection for Catholic University will take place next
weekend, January 10-11, 2015. Every
year, millions of Catholics across the country contribute to
the National Collection for The Catholic University of
America through their parishes. The collection raises
millions of dollars that go directly to support student
financial aid at Catholic University of America.
SING A JOYFUL SONG UNTO THE LORD!
 Calling
all parish singers to come join in the parish choir. If you
have sung in a group before, if you are familiar with
singing harmony, consider joining the parish choir.
Rehearsals times are before Mass. If you are interested or
have any questions, contact our parish music director, Roma
Bandza. Join the choir and help make 2015 a year of song at
St. Casimir‘s!
WINTER AT ST. CASIMIR’S
So far this winter, we have been fortunate that we have
not had much snow and the temperatures have been mild. But
that could change very quickly. Though we do a good job of
keeping the snow plowed and the ice melted, we still urge
everyone to use care when on our property. Also, we ask for
your help when it is snowing
on Saturday evenings or
Sunday morning during Mass
times. There are are snow shovels and containers of ice
melting chemicals at all our entrances. If the entrances
have ice or snow on them - if you are able please - push the
snow away from the doors and spread some of the chemicals on
the ice. Your fellow parishioners will appreciate your care
and concern.
For our older members, please remember that cold and
snowy weather can be dangerous. Though we appreciate your
presence and participation at Mass, please don’t take
unnecessary risks trying to come to Mass.
Finally, our most expensive utility is natural gas
which heats our buildings. Our winter gas bills run in the
thousands of dollars each month. Though our major tenants
pay a large portion of the gas bill, we still are
responsible for the Church, Rectory and Hope House utilities
which can be several thousand dollars each month. We ask
that those who are able to increase their donations during
the winter months, use the "Special Heating" envelope
monthly, and please make regular contributions to the
parish. If we all do our part, winter will not be a hardship
for any of us. And remember, Spring is only three months
away.
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Lietuvi