Last Wednesday, we began our annual journey of Lent. Lent is the season of penance that has been set apart by the Church in memory of the 40 days our Lord fasted in the desert and as a means of sanctification of the faithful. Lent includes days of fast and abstinence and days we are called to make personal acts of penance. Their purpose is to prepare us to resist all forms of temptation.      Lent is the time that we might want to ask ourselves some serious questions about our own spiritual lives. Where is our life really leading us? Do we really believe in Eternal Life and is Eternal Life really our aspiration? Have we tried to grow in the life of the spirit through prayer, reading the Word of God and meditating on it, and receiving the Sacraments?      Lent is also a time for spiritual renewal. All of us need to challenge ourselves to grow in our spiritual lives and turn our hearts back to the Lord. Our parish offers many opportunities to grow in the spirit during this season. It is up to all of us as individuals to take advantage of these opportunities and grow in the spirit during this special time of the year.                       God Bless! Fr. Joe Bacevice

REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS
 

We ask you to remember in your prayers the following who have recently died: Nicholas Ivakin, Nancy Foreman and Father Edward Czech. May they live forever in the joy of the Resurrection.

 

TIME CHANGE
 

Daylight Savings Time begins this Sunday, March 10^th, at 2:00am. Remember to set your clocks ahead one hour before going to bed on Saturday, or if you are late for Mass, now you know why.

 

CLUSTER MASS
 

All are invited to the first Cluster Mass which will be on Monday, March 11^th, at 7:00pm at Holy Redeemer Parish (15712 Kipling Ave.). Following Mass all are invited to their School hall for food and fellowship. We encourage parishioners to participate in this worthwhile Lenten program in our community.

 

STATIONS OF THE CROSS
 

We will pray the Stations of the Cross this Friday at 7:00pm. The stations will be led by the Altar Society. All are invited to participate in this traditional Lenten devotion. Bi-lingual Stations of the Cross prayer pamphlets are available so all can participate.

 

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
 

Last weekend, we published a survey with our bulletin regarding our weekend Mass schedule. So far we have heard from 32 people. Additional surveys are available on the table at the main entrance to the Church. Return them in the collection basket or drop them off at the Rectory. Please return them by March 17^th.

 

CLUSTER MASS
 

On Monday, March 18^th, we will be hosting all the parishes in Collinwood for our Lenten Cluster Mass. After Mass, everyone is invited to our Upper Hall (gym) for food and fellowship. We need volunteers to bake, set up and clean up. Those willing to help out are asked to sign up at the main entrance to the church or contact Ingrid Civinskas at: icivinsk@yahoo.com or call 440-838-0652

 

CONFESSIONS

All Churches in our Diocese will be open on Wednesday, March 20^th, from 5 to 8 pm for Confessions. All are invited to take advantage of this unique opportunity in our diocese to receive this sacrament. We are reaching out especially to those who have been away for a while so we can provide an opportunity for them to return to the sacramental life of the Church.

 

NEWS FROM THE HOLY NAME SOCIETY

 

The winner of the February 50-50 Raffle was Marius Laniauskas. The Holy Name Society thanks all who participated in the February raffle. The next drawing will take place after the monthly meeting at 7pm on Wednesday, March 27^th, at the Hope House. Tickets are now on sale for $1 each after most weekend Masses at the entrances to the Church and at the Rectory during the week. All are invited to attend the meeting and see what the Holy Name Society is all about. New members are always welcome.

 

COLLECTION FOR THE CHURCHES IN EASTERN EUROPE

 

Next weekend we will accept offerings for our annual collection to support the Churches in Eastern Europe. The Lithuanian Church receives funds from this collection, and the Lithuanian Bishops have written us to ask you to be generous.

 

CATHOLIC RADIO:
 

Make it a holy Lent! AM 1260 The Rock invites you to listen to Catholic radio as part of your Lenten devotions. In addition to great regular programming, a variety of special programs will be featured. The Stations of the Cross will be prayed for our priests at 3pm each Friday from March 8^th through April 12^th. You can obtain a printed copy of these Stations of the Cross prayers at www.am1260therock.com or call 216-227-1260 and they will be happy to send it to you. Please join in praying this beautiful Lenten devotion and offer the Stations of the Cross for those who serve “in persona Christi.”

 

SPRING CONCERT
 

Senior Scouts Židinys invites everyone to a concert featuring the Dainava Lithuanian Men’s Ensemble. The concert “Return From Your Journey, Oh Winds of Spring” will take place on Saturday, April 27 at 7:00pm in upper hall of the Lithuanian Club. Tickets are $20. For tickets call Terese Urbaitis: 440-442-9091.