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One of the great
traditions of our Church is
to offer Masses for the
dead. Not only here at St.
Casimir’s but at many
parishes this practice seems
to be disappearing. I
remember years ago, when
there was a funeral, we
would receive upwards of
fifty Mass offerings. Now
many times after a funeral,
no Masses will be offered
for the deceased. As little
as five years ago, families
would come in with their
annual lists of Masses and
schedule them on their
special dates. Today very
few do this. The result is
that we have many open dates
for Masses as early as next
February.
As we look forward to
beginning a new year, I ask
everyone to consider either
reviving this practice or
consider beginning this
practice as part of your
spiritual devotion. It is a
good way to remember our
beloved dead and follow one
of the spiritual works of
mercy: to pray for the dead.
God Bless! Fr. Joe Bacevice
CLUSTER PENANCE SERVICE
 We
invite everyone to attend the Annual Collinwood Custer
Advent Penance Service next
Monday, December 14th
at 7:00pm here at St. Casimir’s. Priests for our
cluster parishes will be available for individual
confessions during the prayer service. Come and join us for
this opportunity to reflect on our lives and prepare for the
coming of Christ into our hearts through this sacrament.
GIVING TREE
This Monday,
December 14th
is the last day to turn in your gift cards
for the
Holy Name Society Giving Tree project.
CHRISTMAS FLOWERS
 The
Altar Society relies on your generosity to make the fresh
flower purchases for Christmas. Please consider a donation
and use the “Christmas flowers” envelope from your packet.
CHRISTMAS CONFESSIONS
 One
of the best ways to prepare for Christmas is to receive the
Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession). We urge everyone
to participate at the Collinwood Cluster Penance Service
here at St. Casimir’s this Monday evening (Dec. 14) at
7:00pm. Confessions will also be heard on Saturday, December
19th from 4-5 pm.
HELP DECORATE THE
CHURCH FOR CHRISTMAS
 Sunday,
December 21st, after the 12:00 Mass,
(at about 12:45pm) we invite you to come help decorate the
Church for Christmas. Many hands make light work. We hope to
see you there!
CHRISTMAS COOKIE COFFEE SOCIAL
 Sunday,
December 27, everyone is invited to participate in a
family-style Coffee Social after the 10:00 Mass. All parish
families are invited to bring a plate of Christmas cookies
to the lower hall. It will be an opportunity to share the
Christmas spirit (and your goodies) with your fellow
parishioners. |
A
BIG THANK YOU
 We
thank the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association for their
generous donation of $17,000 toward our Parking Lot repair
project. As of today, we have raised about $20,000 for this
project. The estimated cost of the complete repair is
between $75,000 and $100,000. We plan to begin work in the
spring and will complete the project in stages. If anyone is
able to make a substantial donation toward this work, please
contact Father Bacevice.
PASTORAL COUNCIL NEWS
The 2016 Pastoral Council membership has been
finalized. Newly nominated members are Anthony Bacevice,
Loretta Gudenas, Ted Kowalski and Richard Marks; they will
begin their two year term January 1, 2016. Father Bacevice
appointed Maria Santana to serve a two year term. The
following members’ terms expire at the end of 2016: Nijole
Balciunas, Grazina Kudukis, Giedre Matas, Stephen Matas and
Jackie Caruso-Taylor. We thank our council members for their
willingness to serve. The first meeting of the new year will
be on Tuesday, January 5, at 7:30pm in the Rectory
Conference Room.
HOLY NAME NEWS
Our Diocesan Holy Name Societies are asking
all parishioners to join in offering a spiritual bouquet for
Bishop Lennon. Please offer Mass, Communion, Rosary, or
other prayers for him this week.
CHRISTMAS WAFERS and CALENDARS
Christmas Wafers are available at the main
entrance to the Church at Mass times, in the lower hall
after the 10:00 Mass and at the Rectory during the week. Our
2016 Church Calendars are also available in the main lobby
of the Church. We thank our friends and fellow parishioners
at Jakubs Funeral Home for providing them.
COFFEE SCHEDULE
 We
are organizing the After-Mass Coffee schedule for
2016. All organizations and parish families are invited
to continue in participating and hosting these coffee
socials. New participants are also invited to sign up for
2016. Families, friends, cohorts – get a group together and
volunteer to host an after-Mass coffee at least once a year.
The parish provides the coffee and supplies, you need only
to bring the baked goods, to put on the coffee, and then be
the good host J. To volunteer, please contact any of the
following by December 18: Dalia Armonas:
jarmonas@sbcglobal.net
Loretta
Gudėnas:
lgudenas@yahoo.com
/ 216-481-0465
or
Ingrid Civinskas:
icivinsk@yahoo.com
/ 440-838-0652.
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CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE
Thursday, December 24th - Christmas Eve
4:00 pm
- Christmas Vigil Mass for children and families
(English)
10:30 pm - Christmas Eve Mass – (Berneliu
Misios Lithuanian)
(before Mass and beginning at 10:00pm - choral and
organ music)
Friday, December 25th - Christmas Day
8:00 am - Christmas Day Mass (English)
10:00 am - Christmas Mass (Lithuanian)
12:00 pm - Christmas Mass (English) |
NEW YEAR’S MASSES
Friday, January 1, 2016,
is the Feast of Mary, Mother of God. It is a Holy Day of
Obligation. Masses will be celebrated on Thursday, December
31st at 5:30pm (English) and Friday, January 1st
at 11:00 am (bilingual Lith/Eng). |
Lietuvi