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.

BALTIC COMMEMORATION

On Sunday, June 11^th, at 2:00pm, the Baltic American Committee of Cleveland is sponsoring a prayer service to commemorate the 76^th anniversary of the occupation of the Baltic States and remember the victims of the mass deportations of June 13-14, 1941, here at St. Casimir’s. After the service refreshments will be served at the Lithuanian Club. All are invited to join with our Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian communities for this commemoration.
 

THE FEST

As we celebrate Memorial Day and enter into the summer season, join thousands from across our region for a day of faith, family and fun (all for FREE) at The FEST. Mark your calendar for Sunday, August 6, and join us in Wickliffe. It is the perfect family day. Come and hear the best national Christian artists: Laura Story, Matt Maher, Crowder and For King and For Country. There are great displays, lots of activities for the kids, games and fun. All the details can be found at: www.theFest.us  It’s the highlight of the summer. Join us at The FEST. Special thanks to our friends who allows us to keep the FEST free and open to all: Marc’s, Sherwood Foods, PNC Bank, Notre Dame College, and Advance Ohio.

A REQUEST FROM ROME
 

           The Catholic bishops of the world are planning to meet in October, 2018 for the 15^th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. The theme of this gathering is: ”Youth, Faith and Vocational Discernment.” In preparation for this major synod on youth, Pope Francis wants to gather input from the Catholic Faithful. Consequently, the Diocese of Cleveland has made available a survey questionnaire to gather information on the current state of the young in our diocese that will included as part of the pre-synod discernment document.

         The survey can be found on the diocesan website homepage, www.dioceseofcleveland.org   All are invited and encouraged to participate by taking this short survey. The bishops of the United States pray that the results of this survey will help them more fully understand the experience of young people in our Church and in our country – their hopes, dreams, fears and struggles – so that the synod may bear fruit in offering more insight and direction to our ministry with young people.

      One of the most beautiful places around our nation’s capital is Arlington National Cemetery, just outside Washington, DC in Arlington, Virginia. The cemetery itself is meticulously maintained with rows of Crosses and Stars of David marking the graves of our servicemen and women and national leaders buried there. The most solemn place in the cemetery is the Tomb of the Unknowns.  There Company E of the Third US Infantry Regiment – The Old Guard – keeps a constant vigil honoring servicemen “known only to God.” The cemetery and the tomb are signs of the respect we show to those who have lost their lives in service to our country.

     On Monday, the national holiday of Memorial Day, all of us are called to honor our war dead, those who gave their lives in defense of our country and for freedom throughout the world. As Catholics, the best way to honor our dead is to pray for them, particularly on Memorial Day.

     Our Catholic War Veterans Post 613 has, since its founding in 1946, provided a beautiful opportunity for us to gather to honor our war dead.  On Monday beginning at 8:30am, they will lead us in a flag raising ceremony, followed by Mass. Immediately after Mass, they have arranged to serve breakfast in our hall. They invite everyone in the Parish to join with them in remembering those who have died in service to our country and to remember their members who have died.

     I have been a member of Post 613 since 1980, and have led the Memorial Day service each year. I invite all of you to join with me as we remind ourselves through prayer, that the freedom we enjoy here in this country came at a great price, and we offer our prayers for those who sacrificed their own lives that we could live in freedom. 
 

God Bless!   Fr. Joe Bacevice

PLEASE PRAY
 

We ask you to remember in your prayers the following who have recently died and were buried through our parish: Mary Brezar, Wildtraut Solomayer, and Petronele Karosas. May they have eternal rest in the peace of God’s kingdom.

POPPIES FOR THE 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.