“SOUP FOR THE SOUL” THANKS YOU
 

Thank you to everyone who participated in the 5^th annual “Soup for the Soul” fundraiser. Thanks to Altar Society members Jackie Caruso-Taylor, Giedre Jesmantas, Livia Pollock, Maria Santana, Julie Vaitkus, Debbie Zeledonis, and Valdone Ziedonis. They not only put in a lot of work ant time, but also donated many of products used. We extend a very special thank you to Breadsmith bakery owner Ginius Macys for donating the bread. After expenses, there was a profit of about $700.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES
 

We thank everyone who either donated or made a pledge to the 2017 Catholic Charities Annual Appeal last weekend. For those who did not yet pledge to the 2017 Catholic Charities appeal, there is still time to do so. You can either mail in our pledge card that was sent to you from the diocese, or fill out a pledge form and return it to the Rectory office this weekend. Our parish goal for this year is $14,258.00. I know that with your help we can meet this goal again this year.

40 DAYS FOR LIFE

From March 1^st to April 9^th everyone is invited to join other Christians for 40 Days for Life – forty days of prayer and fasting for an end to abortion. This movement also invites those who are able to give witness by publicly praying in front of abortion providers locations in the area. For more information or to volunteer, contact John Noall at 216-245-9744 or e-mail at: clevelandpraysforlife@gmail.com

PANCAKE BREAKFAST

Our next Pancake Breakfast will be Sunday, February 26^th in our Lower Hall after all the Masses (8:30am -1:30pm). All are invited to come 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. Tickets prices at the door: adults - $7, children 6 to 13 - $4. Save $1 by purchasing your tickets in advance.

SEMINARY FUND RAISER

On Friday, February 24^th, students at St. Mary Seminary will have their annual Mardi Gras fund raiser at the Center for Pastoral Leadership (28700 Euclid Ave., Wickliffe), from 5-8 pm. All are invited to the seminary to enjoy New Orleans style cuisine. Tickets can be purchased at the door: $10 for adults, and $5 for children under 12 years old. For more information, call 440-943-7600.

     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 just over 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 we gather here with our youngsters to celebrate independence in Lithuania, not only the restoration of independence in 1990, but the independence that was originally declared in 1918. 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 ongoing troubles in the other parts of the world, we see that gift of freedom is still being threatened. 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

PLEASE PRAY
 

We ask you to remember in your prayers the soul of Helen Jakubs who died recently and was buried from our parish. May she have eternal rest in the peace of God’s Kingdom.
 

THANK YOU
 

This weekend, we thank the staff and students of the Lithuanian Saturday School, the leaders and members of our Lithuanian Boy and Girl Scout troops for their participation in our Lithuanian Independence Day Mass. After the 10:00 Mass, all are invited to the Lower Hall for coffee, which is hosted this week by the Lithuanian Saturday School.