Both last weekend and this weekend, we have had baptisms here at St. Casimir’s and in today’s bulletin, we published the first Banns for the first of two marriages taking place in the near future. It’s good to experience these sacraments being celebrated at our parish as they provide a contrast to all the funerals that take place here. It also gives us an opportunity to look at these two sacraments and what they mean in the life of the Church.

     Baptism is the first Sacrament of Initiation. Sacramentally, it erases Original Sin and so makes one a child of God and a member of His Catholic Church. Parents who present an infant for baptism pledge to raise their child in the Catholic Faith, following the teachings of the Church. Parents are the first teachers of their children in the ways of our Faith, and when the time comes, they more formally prepare their child, through religious education, for the other sacraments of initiation: the Holy Eucharist and Confirmation. So for the person Baptism is the beginning of living a life of Faith.

     That Faith then leads to the Sacraments of Commitment: Holy Orders and Matrimony. One of our parishioners, Lukas Laniauskas, received the sacrament of Holy Orders when he was ordained a priest this past spring. Most people, though, are called to the married state and receive the sacrament of Matrimony. With this sacrament, the couple enters into a special relationship with God to help them live out the covenant relationship of marriage. Catholics are to follow the “Canonical Form” of Marriage, by exchanging their consent before an authorized priest and two witnesses at their parish church. Any variation to this must be approved by the Bishop or the marriage is not recognized by the Church. Those who marry without following “Canonical Form” or without a dispensation from the Bishop, are excluded from receiving the other sacraments.

     Sometimes we need to remind ourselves what these sacraments mean, and to renew our commitment to live out our own faith commitment and to guide our children to do the same. 
                                                               God Bless! Fr. Joe Bacevice

HOLY NAME SOCIETY

Our Holy Name Society is pleased to invite the entire parish to attend the Holy Name Picnic and Cookout on Wednesday, July 29^th, from 5-8pm in the back yard of the convent. Hot dogs, burgers, snacks and soft drinks will be served. Last year, we had live entertainment which might be repeated this year. There is no cost for the picnic as the Holy Name Society underwrites the entire cost. In case of rain, the food will be served in the lower hall. This is a good way to meet fellow parishioners and learn about the Holy Name Society.

THE FEST
 

We are about half way through summer and the ’best part’ is yet to come – THE FEST. Join us for the highlight of the summer season – the FEST on Sunday, August 9^th at the Center for Pastoral Leadership in Wickliffe. The FEST is about faith – family – and fun – all for free. Last year, over 39,000 people from across the region came to our annual Catholic Family Festival. It’s the place to be and the thing to do this summer. To learn more or to get all the details and schedule for The FEST, go to: www.theFEST.us. Faith – Family – Fun – Free – Together – It’s the FEST.

 

YOUR RECIPES ARE NEEDED

 

Cooking and baking are probably the furthest thing from your minds in the summer months. But, we are still gathering recipes for our Parish Cookbook. Submission forms are in the Book Room, and recipes can also be submitted through our website. We would like to have at least 200 recipes in our cookbook and we are getting close to that number. If you haven’t submitted your recipe yet, please do so this week.

 

PANCAKE BREAKFAST

 

Our next Pancake Breakfast will take place on Sunday, August 9^th, in our Lower Hall after all the Masses (8:30 am to1:30 pm). All are invited to come down and enjoy the best pancakes in North Collinwood. Tickets are now available at the main entrance to the Church after the English Masses, in the Lower Hall after the 10:00 Mass, and at the Rectory during office hours. Adult tickets are $7 and children 6 to 13 are $4 at the door. Save $1 by purchasing your tickets in advance.

 

RETROUVAILLE

 

     Retrouvaille is a three-month program to help couples struggling in their marriages. It has three phases, starting with a weekend experience in which couples learn to re-establish communication and to gain new insights into themselves as individuals and as a couple. Post sessions are held over a period of 12 weeks to further develop and enhance the techniques learned on the weekend. A support group is available offering interaction with other couples who are striving to improve their relationship.

     The next Retrouvaille program will begin September 11-13 at the Fairfield Inn & Suites, Beachwood, Ohio. To register, call Diane and Al Miskinis, email Cleveland@retrouvaille.org or call 800-470-2230 or 330-665-3506. For complete information see their website: www.helpourmarriage.com

WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER

Do you know that more than 1,500,000 couples in over 92 countries have experienced a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend? They found something worth passing on. The next weekend is scheduled for October 16-18, 2015 at the Cambria Suites, Uniontown. For more information call Scott or Lori at 330-305-9963 or visit www.wwme.org