POPE FRANCIS REQUESTS:
TAKE THE YOUTH SURVEY:

         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.

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.

YOUNG CATHOLIC PROFESSIONALS

Join Young Catholic Professionals for a Lake County Captains baseball game on Tuesday, June 13^th!  The stadium opens at 6pm for networking and a presentation from Peter Carfagna, CEO of Magis, LLS. Check out YCP Cleveland’s Facebook page for more information. Hope to see you there!

GOLF FOR HUNGER RELIEF

Whether you are an avid golfer or just enjoy the great outdoors, join us fo the 2^nd Annual OUTDRIVE HUNGER Golf Outing on Friday, July 21 from 8am to 4:30pm at Sleepy Hollow Golf Course in Brecksville. The event will raise money to feed 13,000 people who turn to our hunger centers every month. Tickets are $125 (individual) and $500 (foursome). To order tickets or sponsor, call 216-696-6525, ext 2520 or visit: www.svdpcle.org

OUR LADY OF FATIMA

HORRORS OF WAR:
 

     This weekend we remember the 77^th Anniversary of the Occupation of the Baltic countries and the 76^th Anniversary of the Mass Deportations of the Lithuanians, Latvians and Estonians from their native homelands by the Soviet Union at the beginning of World War II.

     There are very few left who remember first hand those tragic events. However, there are many who remember stories from parents and grandparents who witnessed these events and lived through them. As succeeding generations are born, these events go further back in history and could very well be forgotten, which would be a tragedy, not only for those who lost their lives or family members, but for future generations who would never know the daily horrors of war.

     Those tragic events that began 77 years ago, continued in the Soviet Union until it broke apart just over 26 years ago. As we remember these events in the past, we are reminded again to be vigilant as individuals and as nations, to insure that they are not repeated in the future.

110 YEARS OF SERVICE
 

     This month, we are privileged to celebrate 110 years of service that two priests have given to the Church.

     On Friday, Monsignor Fred Nawarskas, Pastor of Holy Family Church in Abilene, Texas and a native Clevelander, will celebrate his Golden Jubilee of 50 Years of service as a priest at a special Mass here at St. Casimir. Father Fred, as he is known, grew up in Cleveland. After graduating from Benedictine High School he entered the Pontifical Josephinum Seminary in Columbus, Ohio and was ordained for service to the newly established diocese of San Angelo Texas. He served several parishes and has held several positions in the diocese including the Clergy Personnel Board, the Priest Pension Board, and Board of Diocesan Consultors. We welcome Father Fred to our Parish for this celebration.

     Those who regularly attend our Saturday 5:30 Mass or our Sunday 8:00 Mass know Father Frank Walsh, who has been regularly celebrating these Masses over the past year. Last month, Father Walsh celebrated his 60^th Anniversary as a priest serving the Diocese of Cleveland.  He was the pastor of my first assignment 40 years ago – St. Jerome Parish, and presently lives there in retirement. Father Walsh has served several parishes as a parochial vicar, and was Pastor first at St. Jerome and later at St. Luke in Lakewood. This weekend, Father Walsh is celebrating his 60^th Anniversary at St. Luke’s Parish and will be back here to St. Casimir’s next weekend.

     We are privileged to celebrate with these two priests 110 years of service to the Church. We wish them God’s Blessings and health and happiness in the future.
 

God Bless!   Fr. Joe Bacevice