Welcome to Apreiskimo Parapijos English Language Bulletin
ŽINIOS
January, 2013
YEAR OF THE FAITH: LIVE IT!
HEAR MASS! CONFESS YOUR SINS! LEARN ABOUT THE LIVES OF THE SAINTS! READ THE BIBLE! READ THE VATICAN II DOCUMENTS! STUDY THE CATECHISM! VOLUNTEER IN YOUR PARISH! HELP THOSE IN NEED! ASK YOUR FRIENDS TO COME TO MASS! LIVE THE BEATITUDES EVERY DAY.
January 1- Feast of the Solemnity of Mary
HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION
January 6- Epiphany
Kavine, Parish Lower Hall
January 13 – Defenders of Freedom Commemoration, Annunciation Church At Mass; Vaiku Liturgjia
and Commemoration after Mass at Parish Lower Hall
January 20 – American Presidential Inauguration Day, FLY OLD GLORY!
January 21 – Martin Luther King Birthday Commemorated
January 22 – Day of Prayer for the Victims of Abortion
January 25 – LAK Annual Meeting, Parish Lower Hall
January 27 – Kavine, Parish Lower Hall
February 2 – Candlemas / Feast of the Purification
Feast of the Presentation of the Child Jesus
“Ground Hog” Day (US)
February 3 – Feast of St. Blaise / Blessing of the Throats after Mass at Annunciation Church
Vaiku Liturgija, Annunciation Church
Kavine, Parish Lower Hall
Do you have some “Habits of the Faith”? Do you bless yourself when you pass a Catholic Church? Do you say Grace before meals? Bow your head when saying Jesus’ Holy Name? During this Year of the Faith we are encouraged to develop certain habits of Faith (and, maybe even teach them to others, especially children!)………..The Habit of Morning and Evening prayer; the Habit of Grace before meals; the Habit of keeping a few moments’ Silence, so you can hear God’s voice in this tumultuous world; the Habit of seeking the Intercession of the Saints when in need; the Habit of Helping those in need wherever we find them; the Habit of receiving the Body and Blood of Christ as often as we can, so that He can be with us to sustain us in the Faith and through the travails of our lives here on earth. Making a habit requires just one thing………… practice. You can do it.
Christmas Eve Mass (Berneliu Misios) in our beautifully decorated church (THANKS Joe Rudis, Phil Caponegro and Algis Lukosevicius!) was said at 10:00 PM on December 24. Christmas Day Mass was said at 11:30 AM in Spanish. The Lithuanian Mass was preceded by a short concert of carols, sung by Annunciation Lithuanian Choir. Asta Barkauskas conducted, and Vilma Taraskeviciute presided at the Mighty Austin Organ. Monsignor Calise spoke words of welcome just before Mass, and wished everyone “LINKSMU KALEDU!” to a sturdy round of applause!
Mass began with the traditional procession around the church, with the statue of the Infant Jesus cradled in the arms of the Mass Celebrant, Father Volertas. Many thanks go to Dr. Algirdas Lukosevicius and his crew of altar boys for helping Fr. Volertas carry out the beautiful Liturgy of Christmas. The Choir sang the Common of the Mass in Latin, with traditional Lithuanian Carols, along with the beloved German Carol, Silent Night, at the Offertory and Communion. Soprano Astra Butkus blessed all present with a glorious performance of the French Carol O Holy Night. Eucharistic Minister Vytautas Cereska assisted with the distribution of Communion, as did Dr. Lukosevicius. Everyone could follow the Mass, because Raimundas Slizys prepared a very helpful Mass Program Booklet! Parishioners joyfully departed the church to the sound of the traditional hymn, Linksma Giesme Mes Uztrauksim. Beat the Drums! Sound the Trumpet! Christ is Born!
Beautiful Red Poinsettias, arranged for by Joe and Irene Rudis, were everywhere on the High Altar and the Side Altars. New white and gold linen altar cloths, donated in honor of the Sidzikauskas-Sidas family, were placed on the Front Altar. A brand new crèche, housing our traditional nativity figures, built and decorated by Algis Kulpa, Algirdas, Arijana, and Jonas Lukosevicius, Juozas Rudis, Parish Sexton Phillip Caponegro, and Facilities Manager Richard Catalanotti, stood in front of the St. Anthony shrine. “In a manger low, in cattle shed, lo the King of Heaven lies……While the twinkling stars are looking down on the King of Earth and Skies”…….
Following Mass, refreshments were served in the Parish Lower Hall. SO many people helped! ACIU! It is, however, necessary to single out the Slizys and Chakar-Palubinskas families for coming EARLY to get everything started, in case predicted snow kept Pat Sidas from getting there!
The Joint Annunciation, Mairois School and Lithuanian Scouts Association Kucios took place December 16. Mt. Carmel Hall was PACKED with Lithuanian folk, among them Consul General Valdemaras and Dr. Vyte Sarapinas, and the Consulate Staff, Monsignor Calise, Father Lynch, and other English speaking guests. The gathering was blessed with the presence of Brolis Astijus Kungys, brother of Salvijus, who asked the blessing, and taught everyone the customs and significance of the breaking of the plotkeles.
The traditional entrance of the Christmas wreath and lighting of the candles was carried out by the Scouts, and traditional foods filled the Kucios table, donated by School, Scout, and Parish families. There was a fanciful “puppet show” presentation by the Maironis children, and the singing of Lithuanian Christmas Carols.Kudos to the Maironis teaching and their helpers for the “spectacle”!
Special Thanks go to Aldona Marijosius (Scouts) and Cheryl Milukas (Maironis School) for arranging for the Kucios table. Nearly 250 adults (and quite a few children!) were fed with traditional foods, almost all prepared “at home” by generous parishioners, scouts, and parents and teachers. A tip of the hat goes to Vytautas Cereska, the older students of Maironis School, and the parents and volunteers for the spectacular arrival of SANTA CLAUS in his sleigh. A Christmas tree, decorated with traditional Lithuanian straw ornaments, was a much admired feature of the Hall, decorated by Maironis School Parents. Many folk attended the Kucios for the first time this year. We were all so happy to meet them! Surely, they must have felt welcome among us.
Sunday, January 13, the exact day of the murderous massacre, The Brooklyn-Queens Lithuanian American Community Chapter and Annunciation Parish will commemorate the “Defenders of Freedom”. Those killed will be memorialized at Mass. A program will follow in the Lower Hall.
We are all asked to take a moment on January 22nd, even if we are not able to go to Washington for the traditional March in Defense of Life, to remember that every day thousands of American children die at the hands of murderous abortionists before they even come into the world. Pray for an end to the evil of abortion and the evils of poverty that kill children every day all over the world!
January 18, traditionally the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter, used to be observed as the start of the Octave for Christian Unity………a time of prayer and reflection for Catholics to consider the “scandal” of division among Christians, and to pray that one day again we may be “one”.
Parishioners needing contribution receipts for tax purposes should contact Maureen at OLMC...@YAHOO.COM, or call her at 718-384-0223. Have your Envelopes number handy!
Donations to the Hurricane Sandy Fund to help Lithuanian folk afflicted by the hurricane are still being accepted. The fund has offered help to Lithuanians all over the eastern seaboard who suffered losses from the effects of the wind and rain and flood tides. Checks payable to Lithuanian Scouts Association can be given to Raimundas Slizys. List HURRUCANE SANDY in the memo.
Are you a reader of THE TABLET? If so, surely you have read the thoughtful articles our Parish Administrator, Monsignor Calise, has been writing lately for our Diocesan newspaper. You can get YOUR copy of THE TABLET every Sunday on the publications table in the church vestibule when you come in. Be sure to pick up a copy of the Annunciation Bulletin, too. Vida Jankauskas makes a wonderful effort to provide you with the information you need to know about our parish’s life and about life in our diocese in that publication! It’s for YOU! USE IT! (It is also available on the parish web site!)
Do you read BRIDGES, the official English Language Journal of the Lithuanian American Community? If so, you’ll see some fabulous photos of the glorious straw ornaments, made by members of the NY Chapter of the Lithuanian Folk Art Institute, in the December issue. Parishioner Walter A. Sidas, a professional photographer, photographed the multidimensional ornaments for BRIDGES. If you looked closely, you might just see the very same ornaments on the altar Christmas Trees, decorated by members of the Folk Art Institute, as a gift to the parish.
ATTENTION! VOLUNTEER USHERS are URGENTLY needed at Sunday Mass. Thanks to Vytautas Cereska for stepping up to help……….Many thanks for many years of service go to retiring Chief Usher Kazys Butkus! Contact Raimundas Slizys at LIT...@AOL.COM to volunteer.
Sick call list: Elvira Vilineskis, Phyllis Macenas, Liuda Gudelis, Joe Levonas, and Anele Steponis are suffering the assaults of age. Antanas Vytuvis, , Regina Gelzinis, also need prayers. Dan Schmedlein is improving, but still needs prayers.
KAVINE NEWS: There is SERIOUS need for a few good folk to volunteer to come at 9:40 AM to help spread the tablecloths and cut the cakes so that Pat Sidas, who regularly opens the hall and starts the coffee, can get to MASS ON TIME. Several folk, like Maryte and Bill Kumet , the Butkus family, and Ricardas and Ramute Hopanas, come often to help. When you see them, THANK them. A few more generous souls are needed, however! The work is easy, and folk always have some fun. Just show up! ACIU! If you want to provide something special at Kavine, please contact Pat Sidas at SID...@SOL.COM so she can help you coordinate your donation. God Bless the KAVINE SET-UP AND CLEAN-UP COMMITTEE. To volunteer to help at Kavine, contact Vida Penikas or Pat Sidas. All you have to do is come half an hour early once in a while to set up the hall, or stay 15-20 minutes longer to clear the tables, fold the cloths, and “wash” the coffee and tea pots. Aciu to Juze Norvila for sharing her gift cookies with us (home baked!), and to Vida Jankauskas and Anatolijus Garbauskas, for bringing chocolate treats for Trys Karalai!
This time of year many of us get New Year Calendars in the mail. Sometimes we get more than we can use. If you have extra 2013 calendars, bring them to the publications table at Kavine.
May they rest in peace in the arms of the angels! Former NY resident Vaclovas Rociunas has died in Cleveland. Jerry Cernauskas, a member of the Class of 1954, has died. He is survived by his wife Christine Vaitkus, also if the Class of 1954. Gloria O’Brien Class of ’48, sister of Tony Kiveta and Phyllis Macenas, has died. Gloria and her siblings grew up in our parish. Sister Edna Cooke (Sister Mary Brendan), OP, has died. She served in Annunciation Convent as a housekeeper.
HAPPY NEWS! Elena Monika Kungys, daughter of Monika and Salvijus, was baptized by her uncle, Brolis Astijus, OFM, in our parish December 15. Matas Jonas Buchannan, son of Gina Jankauskas and ML Buchannan, was baptized December 29, by former parish Administrator, Rev. Joseph Fonti.
MORE HAPPY NEWS! Wedding bells rang for the beautiful Dovile Mementas and Aidas Klimavicius on December 29 at Annunciation. Parish Administrator Monsignor Calise officiated!
Speaking of BELLS………Annunciation’s “Curator of the Organ”, Saulius Janusas, has repaired the CHIMES of our Austin Organ, and they RANG OUT at Christmas! How wonderful is THAT?
Parish Council News: ERROR! ERROR! Vida Penikas, not Vida Jankauskas, and Algis Lukosevicius represented Annunciation’s Lithuanian Community at the December meeting.
Annunciation 150 News: Parish Sexton Phil Caponegro, whose parents were married in our church, checked his parent’s wedding album: Sure enough! There was a beautiful photograph of his Mother and Father kneeling at the Altar that clearly showed our now gone PULPIT! Thanks, Phil! Now we have a photo with the pulpit. Anyone have a photo taken before the top altar piece was put in place, probably in the 1930s?
News from Mt. Carmel: (www.olmcchurchbk.com) Mt. Carmel Serenity Sunday Mass at 5:00 pm.. Next Serenity Sunday will be February 3. Glad Tidings (LGBT Community): Meets second and fourth Monday, 7:00 PM. Msgr. Calise and Pastoral Assistant Giuditta Coccia regularly visit the folk in the nearby Keser Nursing Home. Volunteers to visit with lonely seniors are needed. Call Alice Hoffman at 718-858-6200 or www.kesernursinghome.com for information on volunteering.
Our Lady of Vilnius News: Elaine Derso, 212-874-2506, eede...@aol.com.or Mindaugas Blaudziunas at mind...@msn.com. Sunday gatherings near St. Patrick and at Our Lady of Vilnius are continuing. The group meets in front of St. Patrick at 11:00 am. Later at 1:00 pm they meet at Our Lady of Vilnius for prayer and snacks.
News from Lithuanian International Student Services: Deadline for applying for Summer 2013 internships is FEBRUARY 1. For information about their programs contact www.lithuanianinternships.com or lssp...@gmail.com. Thanks, BRIDGES for this information!
NEWS FROM PITTSBURGH! We are invited to visit the Pittsburgh Community’s newly-designed website. Check www.pittsburghlithuanians.com! Aciu Ausra Kregzdys Cunningham for the information!
Welcome to our New readers: Visvydas Matulis and Terese Vekteris, Editor of BRIDGES!
ALL the sacraments are celebrated at Annunciation Parish:
The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass: Wednesdays at 7:00 pm, Sundays 10:00 am and 11:30 am
Confessions (Lithuanian and English): EVERY Sunday before Mass.
Baptisms, Funerals, and Weddings are arranged through the Parish Office at 718-384-0223
Sacrament of the Sick (Last Rites): Father Volertas (718-326-2236, 347-62-2240) or Msgr. Calise (718-384-0223). Eucharistic Minister V. Cereska will bring the Eucharist to you. 347-656-9815.
Annunciation Religious Education Program (Children), Childrens Liturgy, in Lithuanian and English, Contact Dr. Milda Palubinskas at mild...@yahoo.com for the monthly calendar.
Religious Education (Adults): Raimundas Silzys or Pat Sidas.
Altar Servers: Dr. Algis Lukosevicius – algi...@yahoo.com. Schedules for serving are flexible. English-only servers are welcome, as are those who can’t come all the time.
Annunciation Parish Lithuanian Choir: The choir rehearses after Mass in the Loft or Lower Hall. The choir will soon start to prepare for Easter Mass. COME SING ! New singers are needed in all voice parts.
Lectors at Mass: Ladies and gentlemen who would like to serve should contact Vida Penikas ( vida...@gmail.com , or 516-922-1760). Vida will show you the ropes and help you schedule your time.
ATTENTION! VOLUNTEER USHERS are URGENTLY needed at Sunday Mass. Contact Raimundas Slizys at LIT...@AOL.COM to volunteer.
IMPORTANT HELPLINE FOR LITHUANIAN SPEAKING PEOPLE! There is a toll-free number to call for Lithuanian speakers when in need of mental health help. It is open Mondays and Thursdays from 6PM-9PM. 866-438-7400. Share this information! It can be life saving!
Volunteers are always needed in our parish.The list of who to contact is below…….CALL! E-MAIL! COME VOLUNTEER FOR YOUR PARISH! Come help do His work on Earth!
Administrator: Msgr. Joseph Calise – 718-384-0223
Associate Priest: Rev.Vytautas Volertas – 347-628-2240
Parish Trustees, Parish Council Members: Eric Arango, Raimundas Slizys
Lithuanian Affairs: Vida Jankauskienė – ALGI...@YAHOO.COM
Committee: Raimundas Slizys – LIT...@AOL.COM
Lectors / Ushers: Vida Penikas – vida...@gmail.com
Annunciation Parish Lithuanian Choir: Asta Barkauskas. Just Come to the loft!
Curator of the Organ: Saulius Janusas
Kavine: Pat Sidas- 203-762-9726, email- SID...@AOL.COM
Lithuanian / English Bulletin Editor: Vida Jankauskienė – ALGI...@YAHOO.COM
Parish Website Administrator: Arunas Tirksliunas – I...@nyapreiskimo.com
Decorating the Church: Joe Rudis, Dr. Algis Lukosevicius – ALGI...@YAHOO.COM, 718-438-4649
Acolyte Program: Dr. Algis Lukosevicius – ALGI...@YAHOO.COM
Religious Education: Dr. Milda Palubinskaite – Mild...@yahoo.com, Raimundas Slizys – LITH...@AOL.COM, Rosemarie Walsh (English) – 718-384-0223, ext. 28
Queen of the Rosary Academy: Maureen Rooney, 718-782-1110
Teachers of Light Tutoring / SAT Prep program (FREE): 347-342-8354, www.Teachersoflight.org
Ateitis Adult Chapter: Dr. Algis Lukosevicius Dr. Algis Lukosevicius – ALGI...@YAHOO.COM
Ateitis Youth Chapter: Dr. Milda Palubinskas – mild...@yahoo.com
Spanish Affairs Committee / Bulletin: Leticia Serrano – ARI...@AOL.COM
Annunciation Parish Spanish Choir: Antonio Arenas. See him after 11:30 am Mass
Guadalupe Committee: Clemente Randon – C12G...@AOL.COM
Lithuanian Apostolate provides counsel, access to resources, translation services, social and religious assistance to Lithuanian speaking people in the Diocese of Brooklyn and Greater New York. Contact Rev. Vytautas Volertas – VOLE...@AOL.COM, 347-628-2240) or Diocesan Migration Office 718-236-3000
To schedule an event in the Parish Lower Hall, please contact Raimundas Slizys – LITH...@AOL.COM
VERY IMPORTANT: TO REGISTER yourself and your family at Annunciation Parish at 718-384-0223 by e-mail at olmc...@yahoo.com , or at Kavine. See Joe Rudis for a registration form. Offertory Envelopes make it easy to make your weekly donation to the support the parish. To get on the mailing list, contact MARY ANN at the OLMC office… 718-384-0223.
To ask a Mass be said in Annunciation Church: Joe Rudis has the Sunday Mass Book Sundays after Mass in the Parish Hall. The usual stipend is $50. MASS IS SAID EVERY WEDNESDAY (in Spanish) at 7:00 PM. AT ANNUNCIATION. Intentions are available for this Mass. Contact Msgr. Calise at OLMC...@YAHOO.COM for information.
Lithuanian Organizations
Lithuanian Catholic Religious Aid: 718-326-5202 www.lkrsalpa.org, email: l...@earthlink.net
Maironis Lithuanian Saturday School: Fausta Sinkunas, Principal – dire...@nymaironiomokykla.org
Lithuanian Scouts: Tomas Lora – tlo...@optonline.net , Aldute Belzer – aldu...@gmail.com
Lithuanian Athletic Club: (www.lithnyc.com), contact Jonas Jankauskas – Kopu...@gmail.com
Tryptinis NY Lithuanian Folk Dance Ensemble: Jonas Jankauskas – Kopu...@gmail.com
Lithuanian Folk Art Institute NY Chapter: Laurynas Vismanas – Laur...@aol.com
Lithuanian American Community: Ramute Zukas – Ramu...@hotmail.com
Lithuanian Citizens Club: Dr. Giedre Kumpikas – ambe...@mac.com
Knights of Lithuania: K12 NYC: Elaine Derso – eede...@aol.com ; K110 BQ: Dr. P. Kazas – pka...@dot.nyc.gov ; K152 LI: Julia Schroeder – jasc...@aol.com; www.knightsoflithuania.com
Marija Radijas: www.marijosradijas.LT
NEW YORK Lithuanian Radio: New York, Tuesdays, 9:00 PM WPAT 930 AM, or at www.wpat930am.com
THE DAILY GOSPEL: www.dailygospel.org
COMMUNITY RESOURCES:
Workers’ Rights Hotline: For complaints or concerns about pay or working conditions, 877-525-2267
Grace Institute: Free Job Training for Women: 1223 2nd Avenue, NYC, 212-832-7605
Churches United: English Classes, Legal Clinic, Employment Services. All free, 718-388-3774
Diocesan Catholic Charities Family /Counseling Centers: 718-281-9540, www.ccbq.org
Rachel’s Helpers: Abortion Victims Consolation, 718-939-6646
Serenity Sunday: Monsignor Calise, 718-384-0223
LGBT Ministry: Father Michael Lynch, 718-834-0223
Monica Ministry: Domestic Abuse, 718-384-0223
Northside Senior Center: 179 North 6th (Bet. Bedford and Driggs Aves.) “Morning Coffee Break”, lunch, recreational, educational, and social activities, a COMPUTER LAB, and Social Services information available FREE, or for VERY LITTLE charge. 718-387-2316
IF ALL OF US CAME TO MASS JUST ONCE A MONTH,
OUR BEAUTIFUL CHURCH WOULD ALWAYS BE FULL!
MASS IS SAID ON SUNDAY AT 10:00 AM IN LITHUANIAN,
AND AT 11:30 AM IN SPANISH, AND ON WEDNESDAYS AT 7:00 IN SPANISH
ALL CATHOLICS ARE WELCOME TO COME!
WWW.ANNUNCIATION-NY.COM , WWW.NYAPREISKIMO.COM