5^th ANNUAL “SOUP FOR THE SOUL”

NEXT WEEKEND - February 11-12, after all the Masses, both Saturday and Sunday, the Altar Society invites everyone in the parish 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-out in the lower hall after the Sunday 10:00 and 12:00 Masses; take-out in the church vestibule after Saturday 5:30pm and Sunday 8:00am Masses. Adult donation - $5,(second bowl -$3) children under 12 - $2. Proceeds go to the Altar Society operating fund for 2017 and to purchase needed items for the Church.

ROOTED IN FAITH

We are pleased to report that we received our quarterly distribution of $3,471.00 from the Rooted in Faith Campaign. 30% of the money we raised for this campaign is given back to us. So far, our parish has received $54,069.00 from the campaign. This is also a reminder to those who have made pledges to send a payment on your pledge. (Your pastor mailed his check last week.) If you were unable to donate during the campaign, and would now want to make a pledge, please contact Father Bacevice.

LATIN AMERICAN - EL SALVADOR OFFERING

This weekend we will accept donations for our Latin American Mission in El Salvador. It is the main support for two diocesan priests who work in two parishes served by our Mission Office. This appeal also makes a contribution to the Collection for the Church in Latin America that is managed by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops and benefits projects and the formation of seminarians, religious and lay leaders in 23 countries across Latin America.

LITHUANIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY:

Thursday, February 16^th is Lithuanian Independence Day, remembering the 99^th anniversary of the signing of Lithuania’s Declaration of Independence. Our parish joins with the entire Lithuanian community in Cleveland to commemorate this day.

     Friday, February 17^th, at 7:00pm in our Upper Hall, the Vytautas Magnus University Chamber Orchestra from Kaunas, Lithuania, will perform a “Celebrate Freedom Concert,” followed by refreshments. Adult concert tickets: $20 in advance/$25 at the door; 18 and under - free. For tickets and to reserve seats, contact Virginija Motiejunas: 216-289-0608 or: lbcleveland@yahoo.com  

     Sunday, February 19^th, the religious celebration will take place beginning at 9:50am with flag raising at the Freedom Monument in our Neff Rd. parking lot, followed by Mass. This year the children from our Lithuanian School, and the Lithuanian Boy and Girl Scouts will raise the flags, process into the Church, present the Offertory gifts and offer a communion reflection. The independence celebration will conclude with the showing of the film “The Partizan’s Wife” at the Gintaras Restaurant at the Lithuanian Club at 1:00pm. Admission is free.

     We invite everyone to celebrate Lithuanian Independence at the concert on Friday, February 17^th, with our children on Sunday, February 19^th or at the Lithuanian Club on Sunday afternoon.

 The 2017 Catholic Charities Annual Appeal begins in each parish this weekend. Please read the insert in this week’s bulletin which includes parish goal information and an overview of the importance of Catholic Charities in our communities.

     This year’s appeal theme is You Did It For Me. In St. Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus says, “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for the least among us, you did it for Me.” With your help, we are able to feed the hungry, take care of the sick, and welcome the stranger, just as Jesus has asked us to do. How will we respond as a community of faith?

     As in the past, an in-pew commitment process will take place next weekend, February 11-12. All who have not received the mailing from Bishop Thomas, or have not had a chance to respond to it, will be asked to consider making a generous pledge to support the ministries and services provided by Catholic Charities. If you received the mailing, please respond to it. There is a box on the in-pew envelope to indicate that you have responded by mail. Our parish goal for this year is $14,258.00.

     I invite you to view the stories of inspiration and for more information at: www.catholiccommunity.org/2017Appeal.
 

God Bless!   Fr. Joe Bacevice

PLEASE PRAY

We ask you to remember in your prayers the souls of Mary Matthews and Donald Smolinski who died recently and were buried through our parish. May they have eternal rest in the peace of God’s Kingdom.

THROAT BLESSINGS

In honor of St. Blaise, we will bless throats after all the Masses next weekend.

WORLD DAY FOR CONSECRATED LIFE

This weekend we celebrate World Day for Consecrated Life.  We recognize and give thanks for those who have consecrated their lives to God and the Church through the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. The consecrated life is one way that women and men live out their baptismal commitment as followers of Jesus. Please pray for those who have made commitments in the consecrated life, and be sure to thank them on their special day.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

Our evening Eucharistic adoration will be on Wednesday, February 8^th, from 6-9 pm. Please consider committing to be in the Church for a specific time for adoration. A sign-up sheet is located on the table at the main entrance to the Church. Please sign up.

COLLABORATIVE TO END HUMAN TRAFFICKING
 

February 8^th is the feast of St. Josephine Bakhita who was sold into slavery as a child. The US Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking urges us to PRAY for all children who live in slavery and are exploited.
(www.sistersagainsttrafficking.org )