Not too long ago, I was speaking with some people about the trip I took to Lithuania and we were comparing what I experienced with what others experienced visiting Lithuania when it was under the Soviet Union. In 25 years, Lithuania transformed itself, not only with infrastructure but in education, agriculture, business and tourism. What was once a depressing, sluggish state became a growing nation and a vibrant part of the world community.

     What made this change? The answer comes in two words: freedom and spirit. The time was right for the people who were enslaved to taste freedom, and the people were willing to risk everything, even their lives to stand up to what was called the Evil Empire and declare their independence again.

     Much of the same things could be said with Lithuania’s Declaration of Independence back in 1918. Under domination of a failing Russia, the people longed for freedom and risked everything, even their lives, to gather together declare their independence and establish themselves as an independent nation. After that Declaration, what was once a small serfdom became a free and growing nation and a vibrant part of the world community.

     This weekend, so many people around the world are gathering to reflect on and celebrate freedom – their own freedom and the freedom of their homeland. Whether one is Lithuanian or not, it is a time to celebrate the freedom of the Lithuanian people today and to reflect on the precious gift of freedom. With the trouble in the Middle East and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, we see that gift of freedom being threatened again. So, it is also a time for all of us to renew our efforts to make every person in our world a free person, who can determine his or her own future free from fear, and be a vibrant member of the entire world community.
 

                                                       God Bless! Fr. Joe Bacevice

LENT
 

The season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on February 18^th. Ashes will be distributed at our Masses at 7:30am in English and 7:00pm in Lithuanian. With this bulletin is an insert which contains the spiritual opportunities available at our Parish and in Collinwood during this season, along with the dietary regulations regarding fasting and abstaining from meat. Extra copies will be available during the entire Lenten season. We invite you to make use of the opportunities provided for your own spiritual growth.

THANK YOU

We thank the Altar Society for their generous donation of $1,000. to the Parish to purchase new Communion Cups and Church Linens. The Holy Name Society has also donating $100 for this purpose. These new items will certainly enhance the beauty and dignity of the Sacred Liturgy we celebrate each week.

 

ST. CASIMIR’S FEAST   On Sunday, March 1st, we as a parish will celebrate the Feast of St. Casimir, patron saint of our Parish and of Lithuania. On Sunday, March 1st, we will celebrate one Mass (bilingual) for the entire Parish at 10:00am. For those unable to participate at this Mass, we will celebrate our Saturday evening Mass at 5:30pm.      After Mass, we invite everyone to our Upper Hall (gym), where brunch will be served. Tickets to the brunch and program will be available for sale next weekend: after the weekend Masses at the main entrance of the Church, in the Lower Hall after the 10:00 Mass and at the rectory during the week. Adult tickets are $10 and children 12 and under are free. Only 200 tickets are available, so we urge you to purchase them early.    We encourage everyone in the parish to come together to celebrate our heritage and our faith and share these gifts with each other.