CATHOLIC CHARITIES UPDATE

The 2017 February In-Pew Appeal at our parish brought in $2,290.00 in pledges from 28 donors. Last year, it brought in $3,660.00 from 40 donors. The weekend of May 20-21 we will have another In-Pew appeal. We ask those who have not yet pledged or donated to the 2017 Appeal to seriously consider a generous donation to help the hungry and homeless throughout our diocese.

CATHOLIC WAR VETERANS

On Memorial Day weekend, our Catholic War Veterans Post 613 will have their annual Poppy Distribution. This activity enables the Post to continue their welfare programs for our veterans and their families. They will be distributing poppies and accepting donations after all the Masses the weekend of May 27-28. Please be generous in supporting their work.

MATTHEW 8:20 MINISTRY

The Matthew 8:20 Ministry, sponsored by the Diocesan Holy Name Society, provides hot meals and clothes for the homeless in Cleveland on the first and third Friday of each month. There is a great need for men’s socks and underwear. Our Parish Holy Name Society will be collecting money to help provide these items between now and June 4^th. If you wish to contribute, place your donations in an envelope marked Matthew 8:20 Ministry and place it in the collection basket. Donations can also be dropped off at the Rectory or given to any active member of the Holy Name Society.

OFFICE OF CATECHETICAL SERVICES

Next weekend we are accepting donations to support the Office of Catechetical Services. This office focuses on supporting and enhancing the diocesan catechetical initiative (PSR programs) and supports faith formation for all including adult faith formation, catechetical leader training and catechist formation for teachers of religion and the Newman Campus Ministry program. Please use the envelopes provided for this collection and please be generous.

 ROOTED IN FAITH

Recently we received our quarterly distribution of $2,489.00 from the Rooted in Faith Campaign, bringing the total we received to $56,558.00. This is a reminder to those who have made pledges to make your quarterly payments. Our parishioners pledged a total of $247,413 to this campaign and so far have donated $188,526.00. Donations are $58,887 short of the goal. I ask everyone who has not completed paying their pledge to do so by the end of this year.

LITHUANIAN CULTURAL GARDENS:

The Lithuanian Cultural Gardens Committee cordially invites Lithuanian Cultural Gardens members, donors, and new members to their annual picnic on Sunday, May 21, at 12:00 noon at the pavilion at the end of East Park Road on Lake Erie.

 LITHUANIAN DANCE FESTIVAL

Saturday, May 20^th, at 1:00pm, our Parish Lithuanian Dance group “Svyturys” is hosting a Lithuanian Folk Dance Festival – Juventus 2017, at the Shore Cultural Center (291 E 222 St., Euclid, OH.) Our dance group as well as dance groups from Toronto, Ontario, Chicago, and Lemont, IL will perform. Tickets: $25 – adults, $15 - 25 and younger. Tickets are available online at: juventus2017.eventbrite.com in the cafeteria after the 10:00 Mass, or contact Virginia Rubinski at 216-486-9023. There will also be a banquet on Saturday evening at the Marriott Cleveland East on Harvard Rd.

     The Fourth Sunday of Easter each year is known as Good Shepherd Sunday and is the day of prayer for vocations. The oldest image of Jesus found in the early Church is the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd carrying home on his shoulders a lost sheep. I once saw a wood carving of the Good Shepherd with Jesus having a smile on his face. The joy of the Good Shepherd was obvious.
 

    Jesus speaks of Himself as the Shepherd and makes the distinction between the Shepherd and the hired hand. The Shepherd will lay down his life for his sheep, while the hired hand will flee danger.
 

     Jesus uses this same image when he commissions St. Peter to lead the Church. From the very beginning of Christianity, the image of the Shepherd is used both for our Savior and for the clergy. These images are evident today. We call the Pope the Shepherd of the Universal Church, our Diocesan Bishops are called shepherds and the symbols of their office include the shepherd’s crosier. Leaders of parishes are called “pastors” which call to mind the ancient symbol of the shepherd.
 

     So it is appropriate to take this day and pray for vocations to the clergy, both the religious and secular. Clergy in consecrated life are the bishops and priests who are members of religious orders (Pope Francis is a Jesuit) while others like Bishop Thomas are members of the secular clergy. The Lord has called each Bishop, Priest and Deacon is a specific way to serve the Church. Members of both the clergy and the faithful are called to support our clergy through prayer and to pray that more will receive the call to serve as members of the clergy.
 

     All of us need to continue to pray for an increase in vocations and to support our priests, bishops and deacons in their vocations, and encourage our seminarians to continue their journey following their call of ordained ministry.

God Bless!   Fr. Joe Bacevice

PLEASE PRAY

We ask you to remember in your prayers the souls of Michael Kuznik and Trina Tomola who tragically lost their lives and were buried from our Parish. May they rest in the peace of our Risen Lord.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION:

On Wednesday, May 10^th, we will have our monthly evening adoration from 6-9pm. If you are able to make a commitment to be present for adoration at a specific time in May, please sign up at the main entrance to the Church.

WELCOME TO THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY

We welcome into the Church the following children who were baptized here at St. Casimir’s this weekend: Maja Simona Laniauskas (daughter of Matas Laniauskas and Daina Maciunas), Alena Aldona Cyvas (daughter of Matas Cyvas and Vaiva Laniauskas), and Aria Aniceta Laniauskas (daughter of Simas Laniauskas and Alyson Prysiazny).

WELCOME HOME

This weekend, we welcome Fr. Lukas Laniauskas, SJ, to St. Casimir’s. He is visiting to baptize his nieces and we welcome him as the celebrant of 10:00 Mass.