Convergence

This is a place where my grandparents trod before my father came into being; a place where my father and aunts prayed as children. It is a place where I was a young child before words organized emotion, where a sense of sacredness was imprinted upon me through my senses.

I fix each image in the crosshairs of my lens, preserving it for memory like the child taking temporary leave of the comb, the brush and the bowl full of mush in “Good Night Moon.”

The Cartesian crosshairs of my lens as I shoot, not to kill but to preserve, align themselves with the cross of Christ. This church represents the convergence of all my loves.

May the Holy Spirit help all to envision each of us and this house through the lens of mercy.

No excuses! Two opportunities to honor Our Lady of Vilnius

This year we are blessed to have the anniversary of the locking of Our Lady of Vilnius fall on a Saturday. This gives you two opportunities to gather with your fellows and pray for the future of Our Lady of Vilnius!

Friday, February 25th - 7:00 PM, Candlelight Vigil
Saturday, February 26th - 12:00 Noon, Gathering for Remembrance, Renewal and Hope

LAC will Commemorate Locking of Our Lady of Vilnius with candlelight vigil

The Lithuanian American Community, Inc. (LAC) which has always been an active champion of the cause of Our Lady of Vilnius, will commemorate the 4th anniversary of the lockout with a candlelight vigil.

Where: in front of Our Lady of Vilnius Church
When: Friday, February 25th @ 7:00 PM

Honoring Our Legacy of Faith

In the years that I have attended Our Lady of Vilnius as an adult some very special people have passed on: Dalia Bulgaris, Danute Strout, Frankie Pretzels,and Julia Martinho. Though they are not present in my daily life, I remember them and their devotion to Our Lady of Vilnius parish often.

They are part of the spiritual legacy of the parish and are a part of me. They join my grandparents, father and aunts who attended the parish through the '20's and '30's. They join our founding Pastor, Father Sestokas, Blessed George Matulaitis, who said Mass at Our Lady of Vilnius in 1926 and all of our deceased friends and relatives who found grace, solace and friendship in Our Lady of Vilnius Parish.

On Saturday, February 26 we will read the names of our departed, and acknowledge that they are present: present in our hearts and present in our community. We will pray for them and ask them to pray for us and for our intention to continue their legacy into the future.

CLICK HERE to add the name of a beloved departed Our Lady of Vilnius parishioner to the list.

Please Join Us on the 4th Anniversary of the Locking of Our Lady of Vilnius

Saturday, February 26, 2011

12 Noon

Our Lady of Vilnius Church

570 Broome Street, west of Varick

On Monday, February 26, 2007, the faithful arrived at Our Lady of Vilnius for noon Mass and found the door locked. Joy McAleer, Parish Trustee, stood in front of the church, greeting, consoling and trying to explain. Our Pastor, Father Sawicki, had gone uptown to meet with Cardinal Egan. While he was there, archdiocesan officials came and locked the church.

On Saturday, February 26, 2011 we will gather at 12 Noon outside the church to:

• Celebrate the life and history of the parish
• Call the roll of those who have gone before us: Father Joseph Sestokas, Blessed George Matulaitis, Father Palubinskas, Dalia Bulgaris, Dalia Bulvicius, Aldona Kepelaite, Linda Pakri, Frankie Pretzels, Danute Straut, and Julia Martinho, to name a few. We will say “Present” on their behalf as their names are read.
• Pray for the future of Our Lady of Vilnius Parish: a source and symbol of goodness, peace and strength in a vast city that grows taller, faster and harsher every day.

Please join us.

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