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Probably the most underused Sacrament in our Church is the
Sacrament of Reconciliation, the act of Going to Confession. It’s no
wonder, because one of the most difficult things for us to do as
human beings is to confront and admit to our own sinfulness. It is
too easy for us to deny we ever sin, or we minimize the effects of
our sinfulness to the point that we don’t ever see the need to
receive this sacrament. We also like to make excuses for ourselves
on why we don’t approach this sacrament.
Whatever the reason is that keeps us away from this sacrament,
by doing so, we are missing out on the special relationship we can
have with Our Lord that we receive in this sacrament. When we commit
sin, either by commission or omission, there are three effects.
First, sin always offends God and as a result we weaken our
relationship with Him. Second, sin always weakens us
spiritually, and serious sin breaks our relationship with God.
Finally, sin is offensive to the Christian Community, as we are
called by our Baptism to holiness.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation remedies all three of these
effects. Though we can always ask God’s forgiveness sincerely, and
God does forgive. However, Reconciliation first strengthens
our relationship with God. Reconciliation then strengthens us
spiritually, giving us the strength to avoid sin in the future.
Finally, Reconciliation restores our relationship with the
Christian Community through the action of the priest who represents
both Jesus and the Community.
It takes a great act of humility to go to Confession and
receive this Sacrament, but the effects of this Sacrament are so
great, that it is truly worth the effort. I invite all of you to
make use of this sacrament as part of your preparation for the
celebration of our Lord’s birth which we celebrate on Christmas day.
God
Bless ! Fr. Joe Bacevice |
RETIREMENT FUND FOR RELIGIOUS
 Next
weekend, December 8-9,
we will accept dona-tions for the Retirement Fund for Religious. Money collected
is distributed in our own diocese as well as across the country to assist our
retired religious Sisters, Brothers, and Priests with their needs in retirement.
Our religious men and women have dedicated their lives in service to the Church
by teaching in our schools, working in hospitals, orphanages, and so many other
places that have touched all our lives. They are now asking our support to help
them provide for them in retirement. Please us the envelopes provided in your
envelope packets. SHARE IN THEIR CARE and PLEASE BE GENEROUS!
PENANCE SERVICE
This year’s Collinwood
Cluster Parishes’ Advent Penance Service will take place on Monday, December
17th at St. Mary Parish, 15519 Holmes Avenue. At least 5 priests
will be hearing confessions. All are invited to prepare for Christmas by
receiving the Sacrament of Penance on December 17th.
GIVING TREE
 There
are approximately 30 items remaining on our Giving Tree. We invite you to select
one or more of these remaining ornaments, purchase the card marked on it, and
return it to the Rectory this week. We would like to distribute
these to our needy families next week.
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HELP DECORATE THE CHURCH
FOR CHRISTMAS
 Lend
a hand and help decorate the church for Christmas: manger set-up is
Tuesday, December 18 at 10:00am, and all Church decorating is
Sunday, December 23 at 1:00pm.
CHRISTMAS WAFERS and 2019 CALENDARS
Traditional Christmas Wafers are available at the
main entrance to the Church at Mass times, in the lower hall after the 10:00
Mass and at the Rectory during the week. Please use the special envelopes
provided; the suggested donation for each wafer is $1.
Our 2019 Church
calendars are available on the tables in the main lobby of the Church. We
thank our friends and fellow parishioners at the Jakubs Funeral Home for
providing them again this year.
PEACE LIGHT
The “Peace Light” movement
began in 1986 when a child traveled to Bethlehem and lit a lantern from a
light in the grotto of Jesus’ birth. The flame was carried throughout Europe
through the efforts of scouts. In 2001 it was brought to New York by the
Canadian Scouts and placed at Ground Zero; it has been brought back each
year since. Our Lithuanian Scouts received this light and have placed it in
our Church. It will remain lit there through the Advent/Christmas Season as
a reminder to all of us to pray and work for peace in our homes and in our
neighborhoods, in our country and throughout the world.
CHRISTMAS FLOWER DONATIONS
 The
Altar Society decorates the church each Christmas with live flowers. Your
envelope packet has an envelope marked “Christmas Flowers.” Please help
decorate the Church by making a donation for Christmas flowers.
PERPETUAL HELP IN THE KITCHEN
Our
parish cookbook, Perpetual Help in the Kitchen, 2017 edition is a
great gift for someone special. It is available at the Rectory during the
week and can be ordered and picked up after the weekend Masses. The price is
$25; we can also ship for a small fee. For more information, call the parish
office during regular business hours or reach us by email:
laura@saintcasimirparish.org
2019 COFFEE HOUR SCHEDULE
 We
are organizing the after 10:00 Mass Coffee Hour Schedule for 2019. All
organizations and parish families are invited to host these coffee socials. We
are always looking for new people to serve as hosts. The parish provides the
coffee and supplies; you need only bring the baked goods, put on the coffee, be
a good host and clean up afterward. To volunteer contact Dalia Armonas (jarmonas@sbcglobal.net),
Loretta Gudenas (lgudenas@yahoo.com
or 216-481-0465 ) or Ingrid Civinskas (icivinsk@yahoo.com
or 440-838-0652).
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CHRISTMAS AT ST.
CASIMIR’S
Tuesday, December 25th,
is Christmas day.
Masses for Christmas
will be
celebrated as follows:
Monday, December
24th - Christmas Eve
4:00 pm - Christmas Mass for children and families (Engl.)
10:30 pm
- Christmas Eve Mass (Berneliu Misios in Lith.)
(before Mass,
beginning at 10:00pm - choral and organ music)
Tuesday, December
25th –Christmas Day
8:00
am (Engl.)
12:00
pm (Engl.)
NOTE:
there will be NO 10:00am MASS on Christmas Day
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Lietuvi