During these hot days of early July, except for the road work going on, life here has been fairly quiet. With people’s regular vacation schedules and with the uncomfortable weather, attendance is down at Masses. It seems like a good time for all of us to relax.      This break has given me some time to start thinking about our future as a parish and what we will be as a parish in five, ten or even twenty years. Each year, we as a parish have gone through several changes. Though each one seems insignificant, when taken together, I can see that we are very different from what we were just a few years ago, and we must adapt to the new realities. We are considerably smaller in number than we were just five years ago. Our offertory income is down significantly from just one year ago. So after almost two years of study, we are implementing our new Mass schedule on December 1st. We’re working on a program to spark renewed interest in our parish and welcome back old members and attract new members.      During this summer, I’m looking at everything we do as a parish to see how we can be more responsive to the needs of all of you, our members and how we can reach out in our community to those in need. I am going to challenge all our organizations and groups who use our facilities to add a Catholic Christian service component to their activities, so we can truly live up to our mission as a Catholic Parish in the Diocese of Cleveland.      I invite everyone in the parish to work with me to renew our Parish so we can truly live up to our mission.   God Bless! Fr. Joe Bacevice

 PLEASE PRAY

We ask you to remember in your prayers the souls of Ilario Ferenac and Zenon Ducmanas who died recently and were buried from our parish. May they have eternal rest in the peace of God’s kingdom.

PICNIC FOR PARISHIONERS
 

The Holy Name Society is pleased to announce that the Annual Picnic for Parishioners will take place on Wednesday, July 31, from 5-8pm at the East Shore Park Club, at the corner of East Park and Dorchester Dr., on the shores of Lake Erie. Hot dogs, burgers, snacks and soft drinks will be served. There is no cost for the picnic as the Holy Name Society underwrites the entire cost. This is a good way to meet fellow parishioners and learn about the Holy Name Society. We look forward to seeing you.

SUNDAY COFFEE

During the month of July, there will be no coffee served after the 10:00 Mass. This gives our coffee hosts and hostesses a break during the warm summer days ahead.

TAX-WISE GIFTING FROM YOUR IRA

If you are 70½ or older, you may be able to reduce your taxable income this year with a gift made directly from your IRA to a qualified charity such as our parish. Your accountant or IRA administrator can help you understand how the IRA Charitable Rollover works and the particular steps you can take to lower your taxes and help us here at St. Casimir’s. Questions? Contact Father Bacevice at the Rectory office. You can also learn more by contacting Sandy Lucas of the Catholic Community Foundation at 216-696-6525 x1640.

50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION MASS

This year’s Jubilee Mass with Bishop Perez is scheduled for Saturday, October 12, at 10:00am. Online registration is now available. For more information contact Laura at the Rectory office or contact Jason Lewis at jrlewis@ccdocle.org or call 216-334-3974.

FAMILY PERSPECTIVES

As we celebrate our freedom, let us give thanks to God for our abundant blessings. Let us also remember that God’s Kingdom is being established on earth, and we are to be part of this. We are sent into the world like the seventy-two were sent out in today’s Gospel. Jesus wants us to bring good news to our families, neighborhoods, workplaces and wherever we go. Pope Francis writes in his encyclical The Joy of Love (#289): “The work of handing on faith to children, in the sense of facilitating its growth, helps the whole family in its evangelizing mission. It naturally begins to spread the faith all around them, even outside the family.”

THE FEST
 

The theme for The FEST this year is Generations of Faith and Family – what better way to pass on values of faith and family than by spending time together in service? As we prepare for an amazing day of faith, family, and fun on Sunday, August 4^th, consider signing up to volunteer with your family. There are opportunities for everyone to be a part of this great day! For more information and to sign up, visit www.theFEST.us/volunteer To learn about the amazing bands and over 150 activities, crafts and displays check out the website – www.theFEST.us   There is something for every age and generation at The FEST.