Not long ago, I heard the story of someone who visited our Parish on a Sunday morning. This individual enjoyed coming to our Church for weekday Masses and enjoyed being in a traditional Catholic Church with church pews instead of folding chairs, kneelers for people to pray, statues and candles. This person enjoyed participating at weekday Mass and decided to come to the Sunday Mass and to possibly register here.

     This person represents a significant number of people in our neighborhood, the people I call “roamin’ Catholics,” who five years ago lost their parish to a closing or merger and never found a home in a new parish. They go to a different parish each week, or visit the Lourdes Shrine, or go to Mass at the Slovene Home.

     This individual came to Mass one Sunday at 10:00. Although this person did not understand the Lithuanian language, he could follow the Mass and was glad the homily was in English. After Mass, this person followed everyone down into the lower hall where he tried to speak with a few people, but no one would respond. The person felt alone and left shortly afterward. This was another opportunity when someone could have reached out to welcome a visitor, but instead it became a missed opportunity to welcome someone into our parish. This same thing could very well have happened at a pancake breakfast, or a Holy Name Picnic, or any other event we host.

     An important part of who we are as Catholics is to be a welcoming people, inviting others to join us at Mass and inviting them to become parishioners or to become Catholic. Let all of us be more aware of the stranger among us and make that stranger feel comfortable in our Church. Let us help welcome that stranger to our community, so that the stranger will no longer be a stranger, but rather a friend and a parishioner.

     At one time all of us were strangers, or refugees, or persecuted for our faith. All of us have found a home here at St. Casimir’s and we must help others find a welcoming home here in our parish too.

   
                                                               God Bless! Fr. Joe Bacevice

CONGRATULATIONS

 

Ted Kowalski, a member of our Pastoral Council was appointed by Bishop Lennon to represent our district (Central East) on the Diocesan Pastoral Council. The Diocesan Pastoral Council is one of the groups the Bishop consults on a regular basis for guidance in making decisions regarding our diocese. Ted will serve on the Diocesan Pastoral Council for a period of three years.

 

FALL FUND RAISER

 

Our Fifth Annual Clambake/Steak Roast/Autumn Raffle will take place on Saturday, October 24^th, beginning after the 5:30 Mass in our upper hall.

 

All parishioners are asked to pick up their envelope with Raffle tickets in the main vestibule of the Church, as this will save us the cost of mailing them to everyone.

    

     Raffle tickets are now available at the back of the Church.

and dinner tickets will be available after Labor Day. In addition to great food, there will be plenty of refreshments, a basket auction, split raffles and sideboards..
 

     We are also looking for volunteers to help with this project. Set up, clean up, bakers, and other volunteer positions need to be filled. Please sign up in the Book Room to help us out.

    We invite everyone to participate in the fund raiser to support our parish and look forward to seeing you on October 24^th.

 

PROGRAM BOOK

 

Again this year, we are printing a program book for our Fall Fund Raiser. Parishioners, Parish Organizations, and businesses are invited to advertise or send their greetings showing support for our Parish. An ad can be placed in the book for as little as $5. Pick up an advertising form in the Book Room or at the entrances to the Church. Everyone is invited to participate.

 

WE NEED YOUR RECIPES

 

Here is the final call for recipes for our Parish Cookbook. The last day to submit a recipe will be Labor Day, September 7^th. We are looking for additional recipes from the Lithuanian community. They can be submitted on paper or through e-mail, in English or Lithuanian. Don’t leave your recipes out of our Parish Cookbook.

LOSE YOURSELF IN THE WORLD OF ART

Thomas Merton said: “Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.” Parishioner Nijole Palubinskas is an award-winning artist specializing in printmaking and has exhibited her works in more than 100 art shows. Daughter Lina Palubinskas uses nature as an inspiration and crafts fine jewelry from silver and semi-precious metals. Come see a joint exhibition of their works on Saturday, Sept. 12 (from 6:30-9:00pm) and Sunday, Sept. 13 (11:30-2:00pm). Light refreshments will be served and you will have the opportunity to view and purchase artwork. Leave your worries behind for a day and come lose yourself in the beauty of art.