Our Lady of Vilnius, NYC

We've Got Company in Disapproving of Demolition!

2012-01-19T13:56:00.000-08:00

New York Magazine places the proposed demolition of Our Lady of Vilnius in the "Highbrow/Despicable" quadrant of their Approval Matrix for Week of January 2, 2012!

A Positive Mention of Our Lady of Vilnius in "Catholic New York"

2012-01-17T11:13:00.000-08:00

I was pleasantly surprised to see a tribute to Our Lady of Vilnius among Catholic New York's "Letters to the Editor". The letter, titled "Study Site", was written by Marymount Manhattan professor, Mary Brown. Ms. Brown included Our Lady of Vilnius in a walking tour of Catholic Greenwich Village for her students. Salient quote:

"Even if the Lithuanian community no longer worships there, I’m glad Our Lady of Vilnius stayed for so long. In its last years, it has helped class after class learn more about the role of the Church in the City of New York."

Thank you, Mary, for caring and for making sure that Our Lady of Vilnius will live in the memories of your students."

Church and Real Estate: Another hierarchical church meets community resistance

2012-01-10T07:19:00.000-08:00

Another hierarchical church meets resistance over the proposed sale of a property. Anne Barnard's piece in yesterdays NY Times, Mormon Church's Plan for Land Upsets Harlem, describes how the Mormon church's central authority in Salt Lake City decided to sell a Harlem property to a residential developer, rejecting alternate proposals from a local nonprofit and from a group of congregants. The lot with a small building on it was the first home of the Harlem congregation, which now worships in a newly constructed church nearby.

Salient quote:
"Adjoining the garden are two properties owned by Ms. Tew’s organization, the Rev. Linnette C. Williamson Memorial Park Association, the trust that sought to buy the church land at a discount. One, a grassy lawn, is used as a play space by local day care centers; the other is a community garden.

Paul Coppa, a lawyer for the trust, said that church officials in Utah had no interest in his proposal and that while he believed he could have made a deal with the local congregation, he was told they had “no say.”"

Archbishop Dolan to become Cardinal Dolan on February 18th!

2012-01-06T05:46:00.001-08:00

Will Cardinal Dolan surpass Cardinal Egan as Our Lady of Vilnius's best publicist?

We hope he does it by cancelling demolition and restoring our community of faith.

Speculation that Pope Benedict would appoint new Cardinals appeared in yesterday's press and at today's noon Angelus in Rome (6:00 AM our time) the Pope announced the appointment of 22 new Cardinals, Archbishop Timothy Dolan among them. Since no one does it better than Rocco Palmo at Whispers in the Loggia, visit this blog for coverage.

Biglietto, 2012 - list of new Cardinals
"Pope Benedict Is Putting the Red Hat On the Empire State Building": Now A Cardinal... But Forever Tim - Archbishop Dolan's statement in response to the appointment.

Church and State (of siege): Another publication heard from

2012-01-03T09:48:00.000-08:00

Sarah Posner at Religion Dispatches has picked up on the combative "war on religion/first amendment" rhetoric. Read her essay, "In 2012 Bishops Join Fight to Repackage Discrimination as ‘Religious Freedom’"

I could have innocently picked up on an article from a notoriously anti-Catholic source. Please let me know.

Church and State (of siege)

2011-12-29T18:18:00.000-08:00

As Advent dawned in the Archdiocese of New York I heard about a war from 4 different Catholic pulpits. A war is being waged on religion by the secular society. While it was not uttered, the take home message seemed to be "we better fight back," if only by wearing buttons that say "It's alright to wish me Merry Christmas."

Today's NY Times article by Laurie Goodstein, Bishops Say Rules on Gay Parents Limit Freedom of Religion may be viewed as another salvo. The article describes how Bishop Thomas J. Paprocki of the Diocese of Springfield, Illinois, closed diocesan adoptive services rather than comply with a legal mandate to place children in the homes of gay couples, as these Catholic agencies received state funds. Presenting the Church's position, the article quotes Anthony R. Picarello Jr., general counsel and associate general secretary of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, as saying “It’s true that the church doesn’t have a First Amendment right to have a government contract,” he said, “but it does have a First Amendment right not to be excluded from a contract based on its religious beliefs.” The opposing view argues that "no group has a constitutional right to a government contract, especially if it refuses to provide required services." In the course of relating this ideological standoff, Ms. Goodstein observes, "The idea that religious Americans are the victims of government-backed persecution is now a frequent theme not just for Catholic bishops, but also for Republican presidential candidates and conservative evangelicals." Shortly after hearing about the war on religion from 4 pulpits, I heard it on a Sunday morning news show from Newt Gingrich. Worst of all, we heard it from Cardinal Egan's attorney and Fox News consultant Peter Johnson, Jr.

After the New York State Court of Appeals ruled against Our Lady of Vilnius, Mr. Johnson presented the ruling as an affirmation of religious freedom and an able defense of the Constitution.

The parishioners of Our Lady of Vilnius are not enemies of either religious freedom or the Constitution. They are Roman Catholics that believe that the Church would serve itself better by opening its doors instead of circling the wagons.

St. Stanislaus Kostka Community mourns the loss of Weronika Radoman

2011-12-23T07:11:00.000-08:00

Weronika (Vera) Radoman would have been equally at home in both St. Stanislaus Kostka and Our Lady of Vilnius. In fact, she was very much at home wherever you would meet her.

Though she was a member of the St. Stanislaus Kostka Holy Rosary Society, I met her in tai chi class before I ever found St. Stanislaus. Despite a bum knee, she gamely tried the form while subverting the imposed tranquility of the class with her high spirits. After 2 semesters she moved on to learn Spanish, an interest that did not make demands on her bad knee.

At St. Stanislaus Kostka she was noted for her generosity and warmth. She was a generous contributor to our Rosary Society and did not refuse to feed the woodland creatures that occasionally wandered into her kitchen to feed next to the cat. She fed us, too. Her kielbasi and sauerkraut were a popular mainstay of our Holiday Fair and Spring Thing lunches.

According to her funeral home obit, she was born in Poland on February 10, 1923. She loved hearing the Polish hymns sung at St. Stanislaus and would weep and later thank the choir whenever we sang "Pod Twa Obrone". When we said the rosary together she was right with us, in synch but not unison, praying in Polish.

Like many of the people I've met at these parishes, there was very much more to Vera than met the eye. When talking about movies she could offer insights to rival those of professional critics. It was a privilege to gradually get to know her over the years.

Without parishes like Our Lady of Vilnius and St. Stanislaus Kostka people like Vera and Jurgis Aleliunas would have been friendly faces seen at one of several Masses. These parishes allowed us to know them and love them. It allowed them to inspire and encourage us by merely being themselves.

CLICK HERE to view funeral arrangements.

OLV has guardian angels at New York Magazine

2011-12-15T10:38:00.000-08:00

Unbeknownst to us, Our Lady of Vilnius Church has been lovingly regarded from across the Holland Tunnel plaza. Noreen Malone has put this picture and a paragraph that shows that she groks us! Please refresh your soul by reading Noreen's piece,

Save Our Lady of Vilnius (and Our Office View)!

In 2007, Intel noticed us as well with Edward Egan, Landlord. I have always been grateful for the mention. After reading, add your 2 cents to the Comments.

Meanwhile, Noreen, sit with us in our virtual basement hall while we pop open a Svyturys for you!

OLV TV: Victory for Religious Freedom?

2011-12-14T20:53:00.000-08:00

The above title captions a video on Fox News in which archdiocesan attorney Peter Johnson spins Our Lady of Vilnius case as an assault on religious freedom and presents himself as the virtuous and righteous defender of our constitution.

CLICK HERE to view video.

The high point of the presentation was OLV attorney Harry Kresky's statement:

"The parishioners are disappointed. It's unfortunate that the Roman Catholic Church has been allowed to incorporate its parishes to protect itself on the liability side...while at the same time maintaining full control of the corporation and the parish's property."

NY1 Covers Court Ruling

2011-12-14T11:43:00.000-08:00

Court Sides With Archdiocese In SoHo Church's Demo - NY1.com

NY1 didn't seem to do much but read the archdiocese' press release.

Court Sides With Archdiocese In SoHo Church's Demo - NY1.com

The OLV Corporate Board: Little known fact #1

2011-12-14T09:36:00.000-08:00

The board that voted to demolish the church in October of 2007 was not the board in place at the time that the church was locked on February 26, 2007.

February 2007: Cardinal Egan, Archdiocesan Vicar General, Father Eugene Sawicki and lay trustees Gertrude (Joy) McAleer and Joe Pantuliano.

May 2007 (we learned this in Shirley Werner Kornreich's courtroom): Cardinal Egan, Archdiocesan Vicar General, Msgr. Thomas Gilleece, Claire Libonati and Thomas Libonati.

October 2007: Cardinal Egan, Archdiocesan Vicar General, Msgr. Thomas Gilleece, Claire Libonati and Rose Nunziato.

Reaction

2011-12-14T09:20:00.001-08:00

"I see the image of Ausros Vartu Marija before me and the tears just flow."

-parishioner Grazina Janusas

The Vultures are Circling

2011-12-14T09:17:00.000-08:00

Link to New York Times appears on news page of The Real Deal. It must have been the word "demolish."

New York Times covers Our Lady of Vilnius ruling

2011-12-14T07:44:00.000-08:00

Sharon Otterman's piece, Archdiocese Can Demolish SoHo Church, Court Rules, summarizes the 5 year history of our struggle to save our parish, our church and our faith in the archdiocese.

Please read the article and share your thoughts comments to this post.

NYS Court of Appeals Rules in Favor of Archdiocese of New York

2011-12-13T12:34:00.000-08:00

I was just informed of this by a reporter. CLICK HERE to view the ruling, that I have not yet read. I will be incommunicado for a few hours. More to follow.

Al Smith for president and Our Lady of Vilnius as potential papal portal!

2011-12-12T12:46:00.000-08:00

An op-ed piece in Sunday's New York Times, When a Catholic Terrified the Heartland by Robert A. Slayton, reaches back in history to Al Smith's run for the presidency in 1928. Smith was the first Roman Catholic to run for the office and panic ensued that the Vatican would regain control of the American government.

Salient quote:

"Opponents blanketed the country with photos of the recently completed Holland Tunnel, the caption stating that this was the secret passage being built between Rome and Washington, to transport the pope to his new abode."

Don't bother to demolish Our Lady of Vilnius. We found the secret papal passage to the tunnel years ago. By the way, we also found Judge Crater and Jimmy Hoffa down there!

We honor our Mother on the feast of her Immaculate Conception

2011-12-08T07:20:00.000-08:00

Theotokos, and Mother of all mankind. Pray for your children in their times of suffering and need. Mother of Peace and Truth, Mother of our Savior, Queen of heaven and earth, pray that we imitate your Son in our lives and in our deaths. Spouse of the Holy Spirit, obtain for us the graces of the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit that we may claim our eternal inheritance after living a holy life. Be with us always as we conform ourselves to the will of God.

The absence of original sin must make a difference in how you experience your daily life. Of course, Mary was oblivious to this and thought that she was like everyone else. Are there any speculative writings on this topic?

Archbishop Dolan reverses stance on Simbang Gabi sa Konsulado

2011-12-07T20:31:00.000-08:00

According to Balitang America, Simbang Gabi sa Konsulado will proceed as originally planned with full Masses. Read the full story here.

This reminds me of the time that Joseph Zwilling incorrectly announced the closing of the Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz, our neighbor on Broome Street.

Canon Law and Simbang Gabi sa Konsulado

2011-12-06T10:16:00.000-08:00

Three days ago Asian Journal ran the story "What will happen to the Simbang Gabi sa Konsulado?" Simbang Gabi is a novena celebrated by the Filipino community in preparation for the birth Christ, leading up to the Missa del Gallo on Christmas Eve. Mass is traditionally celebrated before the crack of dawn, and Simbang Gabi sa Konsulado Masses in NYC have been traditionally celebrated in the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center on Fifth Avenue. This year, New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan has weighed in, disapproving of Masses for the Filipino community being celebrated outside a sacred worship place. Today's NY Times also provided coverage of this development in Corey Kilgannon's piece, For Filipinos, an Abrupt Directive Alters a Christmas Ritual. Archdiocesan spokesperson Joseph Zwilling 's input:

"Joseph Zwilling, a spokesman for the Archdiocese of New York, said the archdiocese informed the Filipino clergy that holding a formal Mass in a nonsacred space like the consulate was against “not simply the politics of the Archdiocese, but the teachings of the church, and it applies to the Filipino community as much as anyone else.”"

As a former Our Lady of Vilnius parishioner, I have become a connoisseur of Archdiocesan press statements. Here are my questions:

What canon is violated?
Why now after 25 years of tradition and 2 Christmas seasons with Archbishop Dolan at the helm of the archdiocese?
Is the purported lack of canonical correctness the cause of the cancellation, or is there a "back story"?
Where is New York City's local canonical police precinct so laity can phone in a "911" when canon law is violated by the clerical hierarchy?

For the brave who want to research this themselves the canonical code is available on the Our Lady's Warriors site. Otherwise, maybe the consultants at the St. Joseph Foundation might want to field this one.

Christian canons have fired at my days...

2011-12-06T07:27:00.000-08:00

I saw Phil Ochs perform this song on television when I was a 13 year old girl. I was scandalized and viewed Mr. Ochs as a dangerous and heretical grown up. Now 46 (Yikes!) years later the song seems mild in light of my experience. I am playing it here so that all my readers will know what I am talking about.

Church and Real Estate: Occupy Hudson Square meets opposition in OLV Country

2011-12-05T07:25:00.000-08:00

I heard about it on 1010 WINS this morning and read about it on the Daily News site ("Three Occupy Wall Street protesters busted for trespass in church-owned lot") The article explains:

"This strike is part of a month-long campaign to gain access to the site, where Trinity is developing a residential high-rise tower, the occupiers said.

The trio submitted a letter to Trinity Wall Street Sunday night, notifying them of three additional strikers who joined the group, along with a list of demands."

Trinity Real Estate, the real estate arm of the Episcopal church on Wall Street, holds the lion's share of office space in OLV country, also known as Hudson Square. It is backing a residential rezoning of the neighborhood. A Business Improvement Distric, Hudson Square Connection, is attempting to bolster real estate values with an aesthetic facelift of the area. On November 27, 2011, Hudson Square Connection kicked off the holiday season with an installation of "Flaming Cacti". These objets d'art are neither cacti, nor flaming. In fact they are not even illuminated.

Trinity Wall Street's web site states that revenue from the church's real estate holdings make it possible for the parish to do its good works. Could efforts to increase revenue end up having a negative impact on the area? I am pretty sure that if real estate values had not escalated Our Lady of Vilnius would still be open. Instead of attempting to work up some appreciation of the environmentally correct, cognoscenti-sanctioned "cacti" I would be feasting my eyes on Our Lady of Vilnius' molded plastic illuminated creche.

New English Vernacular Mass

2011-11-28T14:06:00.000-08:00

When I was young I looked forward to graduating from my First Communion prayerbook to my first missal. Back then it was a book with some gravitas: black leatherette binding, pages edged in gold and richly colored ribbon place markers. The Latin Mass was on the left with the English translation on the facing page. By listening and looking back and forth across the two pages, I learned the Mass in both Latin and English. As a second grader both versions of the liturgy were mysterious and foreign compared to the immigrant English of my home and neighborhood. I enjoyed the process of attempting to understand the content in both tongues, of puzzling and pondering over the possible meanings and how they related to the sounds. Was it just because I was a child, or would this contemplation have been a lifelong pursuit if not upended by Vatican II?

Vatican II ushered in the English Mass and ushered out my beautiful missal. In came the missalette, a disposable thing that resembled Reader's Digest. It made the ritual seem less ancient, less permanent, more accessible and stylistically more secular. Mass was friendlier, but less awesome. Did the simplicity of the vernacular give us the illusion that we have somehow tamed and mastered the mystery of the Mass?

Inspiration: Keep your eye on the Hawk

2011-11-25T07:36:00.000-08:00

And strengthen your wings to out-flap the Cardinal!

On Wednesday evening, the men's basketball team of St. Joseph's, a Jesuit college from Philly, lost to Iona in double overtime. Although the Iona victory was remarkable, the St. Joseph Hawk mascot was even more remarkable. He flapped his wings throughout the entire game, including half-time. When well-wishers stopped him to shake his wing, he kept flapping the other!

Apparently the Hawk has been flapping like this since 1956 to embody the motto "THE HAWK WILL NEVER DIE!" The fortitude and persistence of this mascot was an inspiration. Below is a video from St. Joseph's University showing the power of the Hawk:

Happy Thanksgiving to all from Our Lady of Vilnius, NYC

2011-11-24T13:23:00.000-08:00

An Our Lady of Vilnius "aciu labai!" for all of our blessings

We thank God for Our Lady of Vilnius parish where our faith was nourished and where our ancestors could be Lithuanian when it was not permitted in Lithuania.

We Love This Parish and All of Its People: Past, Present and Future!

2011-11-22T11:35:00.001-08:00

"OLV is a hideous ecclesiastical structure that should have long ago been demolished and replaced with something more fitting the dignity of God, the Sacrifice of the Mass, and the people of Lithuania. In simple English the place is a dump, its location is ludicrous, and its importance is arguable."

- Old Parishioner, March 27, 2007

Getting Sentimental Over You, Old Parishioner

2011-11-22T09:53:00.000-08:00

On March 12, 2007 "Old Parishioner" submitted one of my favorite comments to this blog. Ironically, though he takes issue with the effort to save the church, his voice is very "Our Lady of Vilnius." He is clearly a person that I would have enjoyed arguing with in our basement hall. Here's to you, Old Parishioner. If there was a booze with your name to stand on the liquor store shelf next to "Old Crow" and "Old Grand Dad," I would raise a shot in honor of you!

Old parishioner said...

"Anonymous, are you for real? I understand that OLV has emotional, even ethnic and perhaps historical value to the Lithuanian community of the New York area (though I do not remember seeing the same reaction when St. George in Williamsburg Brooklyn was closed, but perhaps being in the geographical center of the then Puerto Rican ghetto detracted considerably from whatever value it had), but to speak of it as a structure worthy of landmark status is beyond the most kind stretches of credibility. OLV is a hideous ecclesiastical structure that should have long ago been demolished and replaced with something more fitting the dignity of God, the Sacrifice of the Mass, and the people of Lithuania. In simple English the place is a dump, its location is ludicrous, and its importance is arguable. It was a dump before the renovations under Father Palubinskas, and it became even more so after Father Vito “UP DATED” the interior. I tell you what see if you can get some of the folks at voice of the faithless to take the building off the hands of the Arch-diocese and turn it into a museum; you can display those hideous windows that Fr. Palubinskas rescued from St. George, at a great cost to the parish I might add, and display them for all of Soho to see—the artistic glory of the Lithuanian community in exile."

Reality TV: Our Lady of Vilnius hearing video now available on the web!

2011-11-21T09:10:00.000-08:00

The New York State Court of Appeals made the Nov. 15th hearing of the case (Blaudziunas v. Egan) available on the web. Visit their web archive page and click on the link for "No. 231 Blaudziunas v. Egan." You will need Windows Media Player to view this video.

CLICK HERE to go directly to video.

Watch the search for truth and justice in action.

Some new reportage on Our Lady of Vilnius in Lithuanian press

2011-11-21T07:58:00.000-08:00

Lithuanian website "BNS Spaudos centras" has published and article by plaintiff Mindaugas Blaudziunas titled "Lapkričio mėn 15 d. Niujorko lietuvių Aušros Vartų bažnyčios bylą nagrinėjo Aukščiausias Niujorko valstijos teismas" .

For those that do not read Lithuanian, here is the Englis text produced by Google Translate. It will give you the gist. In the meantime, I have a Lithuanian friend amending the translation below for correctness and spin.

November 15, New York Lithuanian Church of Our Lady of the case dealt with the Supreme Court of New YorkCategories: Culture, Law Enforcement2011-11-18 15:17Judgement of the Court to answer the question whether the Roman Catholic Church congregation has a legal right to decide the fate of the church.New York, in November. 17 In 2011.Mindaugas BlaudžiūnasParishioner AV AV Conservation CommitteeOur Lady of New York (called Our Lady of Vilnius) legal battle against the parishioners of the Archdiocese of New York for its preservation of the church reached a point kuliminacinį. On November 15, the case was discussed at the highest New York Court of Appeals in Albany. Having listened to the arguments put forward by the judges will decide whether the Archdiocese of New York City has the right to demolish the church building, the AV without the consent of the parishioners.New York's Cardinal Egan E. Decision Our Lady's Church (the UA) was closed in 2007 Within a few weeks, the church building was evacuated and riuošiamas demolition. Cardinal parishioners filed in court, preparing for demolition was halted.About 40 minutes. the court session that lasted 7 panel of judges made their arguments and their questions answered AV parishioners and the Archdiocese of New York, lawyers representing.AV by H. Kresky said, according to the New York State Religious Corporations Law 5th paragraph of the parish is a religious corporation. Parishioners to read the corporate members and to decide church property (ie, corporations) and the fate of the management issues. Or demolition of a building or a church, congregation decides, not the Archdiocese.Based on the U.S. constitution's first supplement (Congress may not impose religion nor the law of one) and said that the Roman Catholic Church is herarchinė structure and are governed by canon (church) law the law, the archdiocese attorney, P. Johnson said that the religious corporations, paragraph 5 of the Civil įstaymo Catholic churches are not. Asked whether he pripažysta that the church is the AV rel. Corporation, Mr. Johnson agreed with the facts, but argued that the parishioners are not members of the corporation and the right to pull the court has no diocese. When asked what his understanding is that members of the corporation, Mr. Johnson replied that they did not exist. P. Johnson suggested the court case."Court proceedings are the same issues that have been made to the court in 2008 defending the destruction of the Irish community in New York City-owned historic St. Brigid church," remarked Mr. Kresky. "Before the St.. Brigid Church of the proceedings had a ready stipius arguments. However, the trial court did not take place before the court because the archdiocese announced that in connection with the anonymous donor's proposal for the repair and restoration of the church donated the sum of $ 20 mil, St.. Brigid repairs and will be transferred to the faithful. This case poses a very important legal issues were not examined in court. Prepared arguments St. Brigid case, I applied the Church of Our Lady of the defense in court. They are now important as regards legal issues will be fully dealt with at the highest state court. "AV by H. Kresky sessions of the court was satisfied. "... The judges questions clearly shows the importance of topics of interest for judges to consider this issue fully. Judges decision will be historic. This decision could legitimize the parish church legal position in asset management and determine the fate of many other churches ..." he said.Date for a judicial decision is not set. It may take longer than a few months.Seeking religious independence, AV Lithuanian Catholic parish in New York was founded in 1905 After 5 years of the church building was completed. The Church was not only in Lithuanian, but also around the living nelietuviakalbių house of worship. Lithuania grabbed the independence and the arrival in New York for an increasing number of new Lithuanian, AV experienced a great revival, and the value of the new Lithuanian parish pastoral care has increased significantly.In 2007 in February. AV E. Savickis pastor was summoned to a cardinal. At the time of the Archdiocese of ministers changed the locks of the church, and Cardinal E. Savickis said that from the day the church is closed. There are also deleted the parish. Sudden closure of the church and decided to demolish it, the Lithuanians lost within the last person the New York Archdiocese of the Lithuanian church.Lithuanian efforts to restore the parish church to recover and preserve the building from destruction going on since 2007, In addition to the civil court, parishioners filed an appeal with the Vatican supreme located kanonininės rights crimes of analyzing organizations. New York Lithuanian community pirmininikė R.Žukaitė New York Cardinal Egan presented the E. about 4000 thousand. people signed a petition in 2008 During his visit to Rome for the preservation of the church in the AV Pope Benedict XVI called Lithuanian resp. President Vladimir The President. For more than four years old, every Sunday a group of parishioners gather AV stairs to the church for prayer and exchange.Stamp of the church is closed, the parish financially self-maintained and fully offered Archdiocese of New York. Parish with Lithuania stunned and encouraged to think of the fact 400 people and have over 100 years-old of the parish community, the grounds for revocation.2002 Lithuania and the U.S. government signed an agreement on the National Heritage Conservation areas in these countries. AS the church is included in the list of protected objects. Gates of Dawn, as the NAC. Lithuanian heritage, part of the U.S., the preservation of this year, official letters of support distributed to the Lithuanian Minister of Culture A. Gelūnas and Lithuanian Foreign Affairs Minister A. Azubalis.Parishioners, Our Lady of the New York Rescue Committee and the Lithuanian American community appeals to all believers and the virtuous people of Lithuania and asks for his intercession in the fight against the illegal closure of Our Lady of the Church and the Archdiocese of New York's desire to destroy one of the oldest and noblest spiritual, historical and architectural monuments created by Lithuanian foreign.Contact (s) of person (s):Mindaugas BlaudžiūnasParishioner AV AV Conservation Committee917 647 1603 (New York) Tel.Mindaugasb@msn.comLithuania - Vilnius Kaminskas 8687 17622Published Vilius Kaminskas, Our Lady's Parish in New York

RIP Jellybean: Our Lady of Vilnius parish cat has passed away

2011-11-20T06:30:00.000-08:00

Our Lady of Vilnius rectory cat, Jellybean, passed away on Friday, November 18, 2011 with former parish trustee, Joy McAleer by his side.

Like Our Lady of Vilnius parishioners, Jellybean stoically moved forward in life despite infirmity, adversity and loss. Jellybean is mentioned by Dalia Bulvicius in a history prepared for the parish's 95th anniversary in 1995:

"Last but not least is the parish cat Jellybean who deigns us with his presence in the hall on special occasions."

They say that "even a cat can look at a king." Apparently Jellybean once had the opportunity to gaze upon a prince of the Church. According to parish lore, which may be apocryphal, Cardinal Egan once visited the parish and casually remarked that Jellybean was overweight. The parish cat wisely kept his own counsel.

While serving the parish, Jellybean was cordial but not intrusive, his presence offering comfort to those who arrived at the rectory in distress.

When the rectory closed Jellybean retired from public life, enjoying a regimen of chilled water, cat grass, wet and dry cat food, naps on a sun-dappled carpet and the gentle companionship of Ms. McAleer.

Lest his reputation be unnecessarily tarnished, I will make it clear that Jellybean was not the orange cat who, tail aloft, attempted to participate in the liturgy via dramatic entrances from the sacristy or center aisle. These were the antics of a different cat named "Morka."

Jellybean occasionally expressed some envy of another orange cat, Chico, who made his way to publication as Pope Benedict XVI's biographer. Jellybean hoped to attract a literary agent who could propel his writings into print. While this did not happen during his lifetime, his admirers will certainly catalog and edit his literary legacy and make every effort to make it available to the public.

Jellybean is survived by many parishioners whose lives he touched. While we do not have a list of his progeny, we assume they exist based on accounts of missed rectory curfews. We hope that they are numerous and touch as many lives as Jellybean.

The Villager covers Our Lady of Vilnius' legal landmark

2011-11-17T13:47:00.000-08:00

The Villager has kept an eye on Our Lady of Vilnius since August 2006 when they published Our Lady of Vilnius 101: Lady of Vilnius and 'Pretzels' and 'Provolone' May Lose Home. They document the latest landmark in our struggle for survival in Albert Amateau's story Fight to save church goes to state’s highest court.

Read the story and add your opinion to the forum that follows. The Villager site works best for me in Chrome.

Today is the feast of our patroness: The Mother of Mercy of the Gate of Dawn

2011-11-16T08:37:00.000-08:00

On this feast of Our Lady, let us thank her for her constant loving care and vigilance. An excerpt from a program for the 95th anniversary of Our Lady of Vilnius parish, which took place in 1995:

"As we end let us thank God the Almighty for sparing this church many times in the past. The construction of the Holland Tunnel in the early twenties, the Great Depression of the early thirties, World War I, II the Korean and Vietnam wars. These indeed had left with scars and loss of membership. But like the Phoenix we are survivors and rise from the ashes awaiting our 100 anniversary. As experience has already proven, we can rest assured that Our lady of Vilnius - The Worker of Ausros Vartai will lead us and our future heirs to a brighter day in the years ahead."

by Dalia Bulvicius

November Pilgrimage moves north ...to Albany

2011-11-14T05:52:00.000-08:00

Every year in the middle of November, tens of thousands of believers gather in Vilnius for the annual pilgrimage to honor Our Lady of Vilnius in the Gates of Dawn.

The streets are covered with wood, and kept especially clean, as many pilgrims approach the chapel and climb the stairwell to the icon on their knees. For eight days, Masses, prayer services, recitations of the rosary, and communal meditations occur around the clock.

The culmination of these days of prayer is the feast of our Patroness, known by more than one name to all that love her: Our Lady of Vilnius, Our Lady of Ostra Brama and the Mother of Mercy of the Gate of Dawn, among others.

On the eve of the feast, as devotees all over the world honor and petition our Vilnius Marija, the case of Our Lady of Vilnius, NYC will be heard in Albany at the NY State Court of Appeals. Join us during this sacred time to pray for the preservation of Our Lady of Vilnius parish and church:

Hail Mary, full of grace,

CLICK HERE for travel info for urban pilgrims

From Attorney Harry Kresky: A SECOND LOOK AT AN ISSUE IN CHURCH-STATE RELATIONS

2011-11-12T11:47:00.000-08:00

Blaudziunas v. Egan 101: The Our Lady of Vilnius Case

"In September, 2008 the New York Court of Appeals was scheduled to hear oral argument on the issue of whether the Archdiocese of New York could demolish historic St. Brigid Church without the permission of the parishioners. The parishioners claimed that Section 5 of the Religious Corporation Law required their permission before the chief asset of a religious corporation could be used for a purpose other than the support and maintenance of the corporation.

The Archdiocese argued that the hierarchical nature of the Roman Catholic Church exempted it from that stricture. The parishioners responded that the Archdiocese waived any such special treatment when it elected to incorporate St. Brigid and many other parishes under the Religious Corporation Law; it could not claim the benefit of corporate status (such as limited liability) without abiding by its requirements.

On May 19, 2008, before the case was to be heard, the Archdiocese announced that an anonymous donor had come forward with $20 million to restore and reopen St. Brigid. The appeal became moot and this important legal issue was not decided by New York’s highest court.

On November 15, 2011, however, the Court of Appeals will hear argument on the same legal issues in a case involving Our Lady of Vilna Church in lower Manhattan, built by Lithuanian immigrants in the early twentieth century. The outcome of the case will determine the fate of this and other churches among the hundreds of incorporated parishes in New York.

I will be arguing on behalf of the parishioners. Peter Johnson, Jr. will appear for the Archdiocese."

Posted on Mr. Kresky's blog, Legal Briefs

Join us at NYS Court of Appeals Hearing in Albany next Tuesday!

2011-11-09T09:42:00.000-08:00

Please join us in observing this historic hearing on Tuesday, at the New York State Court of Appeals in Albany.

Are parishioners members of religious corporations? Do they have the right to vote if a church is to become anything other than a place for divine worship?

Be with us in the courtroom as these issues are addressed.

CLICK HERE for details and travel information.

The Villager gives us the scoop on the possible rezoning of OLV country

2011-11-04T13:16:00.000-07:00

This week's edition of The Villager gives us Al Amateau's piece "In the heights: Hashing out plan for Hudson Square". The informative article gives a variety of individual perspectives on the proposed re-zoning of the printing dis..., er, Hudson Square.

Of the Broome Street block that Our Lady of Vilnius stands on:

"The proposal calls for downzoning short residential blocks on Watts, Broome and Dominick Sts. near the entrance to the Holland Tunnel, but David Reck, who presented the Community Board 2 submission last week, said residential property owners on those blocks say the downzoning is unwarranted."

Can a good Samaritan tell this poor aged blogger what "downzoning" means?

RIP Bob Arihood

2011-10-17T10:11:00.000-07:00

Bob Arihood joined our community of souls to be honored on Velines this year. I was catching up on my newspapers late last night and was saddened to find his obituary in The Villager: a piece by Jefferson Siegel titled "Beloved blogger Arihood’s loss leaves a hole in heart of Ave. A"

I discovered Bob when he discovered us. On March 1, 2007 he honored us with a post about the abrupt closing of our parish, Our Lady of Vilnius is Closed... on his blog, Neither More Nor Less.

Bob's blog chronicled the life of the Lower East side neighborhood around Tomkins Square park with a take that was clear-eyed and produced photos of enormous beauty and power.

According to the Villager a Memorial Mass will be held for him Saturday, Oct. 29, at 5:30 p.m. at Church of the Most Holy Redeemer, 173 E. Third St. between Avenues A and B. Too bad we can't hold one Our Lady of Vilnius. Pray that we will be able to do so in the future when you pray for Bob.

New York Times profiles NYS Court of Appeals Chief Judge

2011-10-11T10:15:00.000-07:00

Amid all of yesterday's bad news, the New York Times published this article by William Glaberson: "Dissenting Often, State’s Chief Judge Establishes a Staunchly Liberal Record"

Happy Columbus Day to all " paisan's" of the Our Lady of Vilnius Communion of Saints and Sinners

2011-10-10T10:40:00.000-07:00

As Italian-Americans proudly celebrate their heritage today, our thoughts turn to the Italian-American parishioners of Our Lady of Vilnius, past and present.

Here's to the Joe's P. and Z! Here's to Pretzels, Provolone and the diSapio family!

Here's to the Lithuanian sons and daughters of Italy in my own family, the Passarellis, the di Lorenzos and the Tangredis who have prayed in the sanctuary of Our Lady of Vilnius!

Our Lady of Vilnius case is now on calendar of NY State Court of Appeals

2011-09-21T21:16:00.000-07:00

The long awaited case of Our Lady of Vilnius (officially known as "Blaudziunas v. Egan") has been placed on November's calendar by the New York State of Appeals. According to the calendar, the case will be heard on November 15th. Follow link to view calendar:

http://www.courts.state.ny.us/CTAPPS/calendar/2011/Nov11fullcal.pdf

Our Lady of Vilnius Parish mourns the passing of Jurgis Aleliunas

2011-08-19T08:58:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we received news that Our Lady of Vilnius parishioner Jurgis Aleliunas (Alejunas) passed away on Monday. Jurgis and his wife, Stase, were the living stones that formed the foundation of the parish. Always the first to arrive and the last to leave, they were models of faith, hope, strength and love.

Pray with us for the soul of Jurgis and for the comfort of those whom, for the time being, he has left behind.

Our Lady Queen of Angels celebrates 125 years of faith: 4 1/2 of them outdoors

2011-07-31T21:06:00.001-07:00

Today joyful noises were made, the faithful prayed and shared a homemade feast, sang and danced in front of the church that has been locked to them since February of 2007. It was a pleasure to join them in praying that they would once more be able to go inside for Mass. Even more noteworthy than their faith and persistence is their vitality, pride in their culture and generosity in sharing it with us. We certainly will return to join them in prayer at their Sunday gatherings at 10:00 AM in front of the church. Gracias and aciu to the bomberos who added so much joy and soul to the festivities.

RIP Papal Nuncio Pietro Sambi

2011-07-29T07:10:00.000-07:00

Today's New York Times published the obituary of Papal Nuncio Pietro Sambi. Those of us involved in saving Our Lady of Vilnius will be forever grateful for his assistance in getting our correspondence to the Vatican and for his replies to our correspondence to him. His Christmas homilies from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington will also be missed.

Archbishop Sambi always will be included in our prayers and given a good seat at one of the long tables in the OLV virtual basement, where he may sip coffee with Avery Dulles and Dorothy Day.

May he rest in peace in the presence of Our Lord under the serene gaze of Our Lady.

Crystal Cathedral to become RC?

2011-07-28T07:20:00.000-07:00

My print version of the New York Times arrived this morning with Ian Lovett's story, Bankrupt Evangelical Megachurch May Get a Roman Catholic Makeover, though the e-version has a publication date of yesterday. Now that Jason Berry has piqued my interest in the secret life of money, these articles increasingly snag my attention. Salient quotes:

"The Diocese of Orange has offered $50 million to buy Crystal Cathedral’s 40-acre campus and convert the landmark church into a Catholic cathedral, part of a plan to allow Crystal Cathedral Ministries, which operates the church, to
emerge from bankruptcy proceedings. "

"The diocese has pledged to erase Crystal Cathedral’s debt: all creditors would be paid by the end of the year, with some cash left over for the ministry, Mr. Martin said.

Still, it is not clear exactly how the diocese would finance a $50 million purchase. In 2004, the diocese paid around $100 million to settle a sexual abuse lawsuit — at the time, the largest such settlement for any diocese in the United States, which led to layoffs and budget cuts."

NY Times reviews "Render Unto Rome"

2011-07-25T10:22:00.000-07:00

Garry Wills bundles Jason Berry's book, subtitled "the secret life of money in the Catholic church," with a book about Scientology in a review titled "Scientologists, Catholics and More Money Than God." The commonality as Wills puts it:

"These two books trace the cash source of theological confidence. "

Trinity Real Estate proposes zoning changes for OLV 'hood

2011-07-22T10:40:00.000-07:00

The latest issue of "The Villager" features Albert Amateau's article on the topic: More conversions, schools wanted for Hudson Square. What Catholic church could argue against more conversions?

Archdiocese of New York parishioners fear that change is a harbinger of church closing

2011-07-17T18:33:00.000-07:00

Parishioners of Sacred Heart in Patterson, NY are concerned that transfer of their Pastor may be the first movement towards closure. The local Gannett daily covers it in this story: "Patterson Catholic church must share new pastor, parishioners fear closing."

6 Roman Catholic churches readied for sale in Boston

2011-07-16T11:37:00.000-07:00

Christian Canons Have Fired At My Days, Part I:

A brief AP item in yesterday's New York Times announced that 6 churches may soon placed on the market in Boston.

"The head of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston has paved the way to sell six churches, including three at which parishioners have been holding protest vigils since their parishes were closed in 2004. The decision by Cardinal Sean O’Malley, announced Thursday, means that the churches are no longer holy places, but secular buildings."

Working Class: One of the united cultures of Our Lady of Vilnius

2011-07-14T14:32:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Dwight Garner of the New York Times reviewed Owen Jones' book "Chavs: The Demonization of the Working Class." In Mr. Garner's take on this book, Mr. Jones' thesis is "How did the salt of the earth come to be viewed as the scum of the earth? " Though Mr. Jones' observes this phenomenon in England, can it be operant in the United States as well?

My roots, as the roots of many parishioners of Our Lady of Vilnius, are planted firmly in the American working class. This is poignantly displayed in the first article to address the future closing of Our Lady of Vilnius, The Villager's "Lady of Vilnius and 'Pretzels' and 'Provolone' may lose home'. It is my view that Our Lady of Vilnius is a casualty of gentrification and the real estate bubble as much as anything else. The working class of New York City is being pushed to the perimeter of the city and beyond. Its habitat, haunts and monuments are being destroyed.

When I was a child, I was encouraged to lose my Bronx accent and associate with people who had "class". I mastered the art of upward mobility, but the spiritual quest for Our Lady of Vilnius has caused me to abandon it. How I miss the "F--- 'em if they can't take a joke" resilience and humor of my parents and the neighbors who surrounded me as a child: people who are smart but not intellectual, who are holy but not conspicuously pious and who do not take themselves too seriously. I found them again in the community of Our Lady of Vilnius and I treasured them.

Returning to Mr. Jones book through the filter of Dwight Garner:

"The author notes how demonizing the lower classes makes it easier to make policy against them. “To admit that some people are poorer than others because of the social injustice inherent in our society would require government action,” he writes. “Claiming that people are largely responsible for their circumstances facilitates the opposite conclusion.”

In this country even those who would champion the working man have reduced him to "Joe Sixpack" Owen Jones' book sounds like a fun, provocative read and, most likely, a cautionary tale.

Echoes of Our Lady of Vilnius at Mater Dolorosa, Holyoke, MA

2011-06-30T21:43:00.000-07:00

Parishioners refuse to let go: wwlp.com

Bishop Timothy McDonnell, current Bishop of the Diocese of Springfield, served as vicar general of the Archdiocese of New York from 2002 to 2004.

A Day at the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission

2011-06-29T15:06:00.000-07:00

Yesterday the closing of Our Lady of Vilnius led me on another fun-filled adventure: a public hearing of the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission! It was so much fun that I was surprised that more of the general public did not attend. The staff was courteous and hospitable and the presentations interesting and entertaining, melding architecture, history and culture.

The paradigm was a little bit like divorce court: the preservationists extol the authenticity, aesthetic and architectural merit and the cultural importance of the sites and structures. In opposition, the owners present as beleaguered stewards who have been forced to remedy profound defects in their impulsively acquired properties by despoiling their architectural purity. God bless the commissioners who have to address the reality at the center of a cyclone of spin.

The four Dominick Street houses, though separate applications, were accorded one presentation. Representatives of preservation organizations spoke in support of the applications. Three out of four owners were in attendance, all speaking in opposition to the proposal. One of the owners came with a retinue consisting of his wife, an attorney, an architect, a structural engineer and a guy to set up an easel for the visuals.

It was a great opportunity to learn about our fair city and to witness an effort to see that it doesn't disappear in an orgy of self-reinvention. Regarding the suspects: the usual ones were absent. I asked a preservationist if she knew who filed the application. She didn't know for sure, but suspected that it was "internal." In a surreal touch, one of the preservationists resembled Ms. Marple more closely than I.

Corpus Christi at Apreiskimo: Taking Jesus to the streets in Brooklyn

2011-06-24T07:29:00.000-07:00

Pat Sidas, the central nervous system of the Lithuanian Catholic community, sent this out via e-mail as an "EXTRA!":

The Feast of Corpus Christi will be celebrated in Williamsburg Saturday, June 25. Monsignor Calise and the Mt. Carmel parishioners and members of the Annunciation Spanish Speaking Community will come down Havemeyer Street in procession from Mt. Carmel Church to Annunciation Church with the Blessed Sacrament.
Monsignor has asked the Annunciation Lithuanian Community to form an Honor Guard to meet the Blessed Sacrament at Annunciation Church (5:30 pm). Come if you can! Sing with the Choir! Honor Our Blessed Lord's True Presence in the BLESSED SACRAMENT.........
Refreshments in the Lower Hall will follow Benediction in the church.

Our Lady of Vilnius Rectory Whodunnit: Chapter 2

2011-06-21T10:50:00.000-07:00

Though it has most recently been referenced as "32 Dominick Street House," a close look at the transom will reveal the ghostly outline of "Our Lady of Vilna Rectory." Apparently the rectory is on the calendar for a public hearing at the Landmarks Preservation Commission. Salient info from The City Record, June 20th edition.

LANDMARKS PRESERVATION COMMISSION

■ PUBLIC HEARINGS
TUESDAY, June 28, 2011
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT PURSUANT to the provisions of 3020 of the New York City Charter and Chapter 3 of Title 24 of the Administrative Code of the City of New York (Sections 25-303 and 25-313) that on Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at 9:00 A.M., at the Landmarks Preservation Commission will conduct a public hearing in the Public Meeting Room of the Landmarks Preservation Commission,
located at The Municipal Building, 1 Centre Street, 9th Floor North, City of New York with respect to the following proposed Landmark and Landmark Site. Any person requiring reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the hearing should call or write the Landmarks Preservation Commission, [Municipal Building, 1 Centre Street, 9th Floor North, New York, NY 10007, (212) 669-7700] no later than five (5) business days before the hearing. There will also be a public meeting on that day.

Item No. 6
LP-2480
32 DOMINICK STREET HOUSE, Manhattan.
Landmark Site: Borough of Manhattan Tax Map Block 578,
Lot 64

Item No. 7
LP-2481
34 DOMINICK STREET HOUSE, Manhattan.
Landmark Site: Borough of Manhattan Tax Map Block 578,
Lot 63

Item No. 8
LP-2482
36 DOMINICK STREET HOUSE, Manhattan.
Landmark Site: Borough of Manhattan Tax Map Block 578,
Lot 62

Item No. 9
LP-2483
38 DOMINICK STREET HOUSE, Manhattan.
Landmark Site: Borough of Manhattan Tax Map Block 578,
Lot 61

Again: Whodunnit? Nobody's Wife will be there, unobtrusively circulating among the suspects just like Miss Marpliciute.

Our Lady of Vilnius: where the language of the heart was spoken

2011-06-12T18:44:00.000-07:00

"When the day of Pentecost had come, the Disciples were all together in one place. And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. And they were amazed and wondered, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?"

Even though archdiocesan publicity states that Mass was not said in Lithuanian, it was. Father would say the Mass in Lithuanian, Jurgis Aleliunas would read the gospel in Lithuanian and Father would deliver the homily in English. The Mass was attended by Americans of various ethnic backgrounds: Irish, Italian and Portuguese in addition to Lithuanians and Lithuanian/Americans. Most important was the language of the heart that was lived by the community. None were more fluent in it than Jurgis and Stasia Aleliunas. They arrived before Mass, started the coffee and prepared the refreshments for the gathering after Mass. They spoke a little English, fluent Russian and Lithuanian. Their devotion to the details of preparing the altar for Mass and their radiant smiles said all that we needed to know. God bless them and all members of the scattered community of Our Lady of Vilnius this Pentecost. May the Holy Spirit inspire archdiocesan leaders to restore our community and its home.

Our Lady of Vilnius is mentioned on page 199!

2011-06-08T10:57:00.000-07:00

Jason Berry's "Render Unto Rome: the secret life of money in the Catholic Church" went on sale yesterday, June 7, 2010. A good read for anyone who is interested in trying to "follow the money" and is fascinated by what is seen and unseen.

For more info, visit the Crown Publishing Group's website for press release. The book is available at Amazon.com.

RIP Rosalyn Yalow, a populist heroine in the populist tradition of Our Lady of Vilnius

2011-06-02T10:07:00.000-07:00

Nobel laureate Rosalyn Yalow lived not far from me before I, like her a Bronx native, moved away from my home borough. She lived there for the remainder of her life, which ended on Monday, May 31, 2011.

As recently as 2005, Larry Summers, then president of Harvard University, publicly expressed the sentiment that women were inherently unsuited for careers in math and science. Imagine the climate that Mrs. Yalow encountered when she embarked upon her career armed with her Hunter College physics degree in 1941.

Despite being a woman in a man's world, she put her NYC public school education to work carving out a distinguished career in science, making a great contribution to the field of diagnostic medicine and winning a Nobel prize.

Since 1905, when Our Lady of Vilnius was founded, it has been the home of countless people of modest beginnings and modest lives who took their abilities and the resources available to them and made the most of their natural gifts for the betterment of this world. Save Our Lady of Vilnius Committee member Dalia Bulgaris comes immediately to mind. A student of chemistry when this was an uncommon vocation for women, Dalia taught this subject for many years at Stuyvesant High School, perhaps helping to form the Rosalyn Yalows of the future.

So today I remember Rosalyn and Dalia, thank God for them and pray that their souls and the souls of all who followed a similar path reside with Him on this Ascension Thursday.

Today is the Feast of Mary Help of Christians

2011-05-24T09:32:00.000-07:00

Josephine from Mary Help of Christians sent us a message today:

I wish you a Happy and Blessed feast day of Mary Help of Christians. Let us continue to pray that the Church of Mary Help of Christians, E12 St, NYC, remains open forever and that the Salesians return to us.
Mary Help of Christians, pray for us.

Josephine

http://salesianity.blogspot.com/2009/05/feast-of-mary-help-of-christians.html?amp

Watch Edvinas Graduate Juilliard Today!

2011-05-20T07:45:00.000-07:00

Edvinas Minkstimas, last in a fine succession of musicians at Our Lady of Vilnius, graduates from Juilliard today. He has sent us this link:

http://www.juilliard.edu/live/index.php

Commencement begins at 11:00 AM.

VALIO!

On this day...

2011-05-08T07:04:00.001-07:00

Hail Mary, full of grace,

Forget "Hudson Square": Presenting "Užupio NYC"!

2011-05-07T07:39:00.000-07:00

As early as 2007, when Our Lady of Vilnius was locked, Lithuanian publications were already locating our church in "Hodson Skvere." Since those days, real estate and business interests have been trying to morph the gritty and inky printing district into the mildly quirky yet infinitely more sanitized "Hudson Square." Just yesterday I noticed how deeply these settlers had driven their stakes into the asphalt with the "Hudson Square Exchange" cheek by jowl with the "Hudson Square Pharmacy."

Why not take a page from Vilnius and morph it into "Užupio NYC?" Shouldn't Manhattan make room for a playfully anarchic community of artists and their patron$? Our Lady of Vilnius, now the eyesore on the southern margin of the district can become the anchor for a new geographic parish of Lithuanian settlers. Does Zydrunas Ilgauskas still own a house on Thompson Street? That's a start. Maybe we can buy the egg, nest it by the Holland Tunnel access on Varick and see what hatches.

Totus Tuus

2011-04-30T18:28:00.000-07:00

" I do not know when it will come but I place this moment, like all other things, in the hands of the Mother of my Master: Totus Tuus. In these same motherly hands I leave everything and Everyone with whom my life and my vocation have brought me into contact. In these Hands I above all leave the Church, and also my Nation and all humankind. I thank everyone. I ask forgiveness of everyone. I also ask for prayers, so that God’s Mercy may prove greater than my own weakness and unworthiness."

Valio! Edvinas Minkstimas, on your Doctorate

2011-04-25T18:09:00.000-07:00

From Our Lady of Vilnius, NYC

In true Our Lady of Vilnius fashion, one of the worst pianos I've ever heard was paired with one of the best pianists, Edvinas Minkstimas, who played for our Lithuanian/English Mass in the church hall. It's been a pleasure to hear him play in local venues such as Alice Tully Hall and the U.N. Today we received news that he has successfully completed his doctorate at Juilliard:

"Dear Friends,

Just wanted to let you know that today I successfully passed the Doctoral Defense Exams at the Juilliard School.

I look forward to the commencement ceremony on May 20th, when I will officially received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Juilliard School.

Your support, kindness and encouragement made it all possible. My deep gratitude goes to all of you,

Sincerely,
Edvinas"

Congratulations, Edvinas. It was a pleasure to meet you and hear you play. We look forward to following you throughout your career.

Crux Fidelis

2011-04-22T06:58:00.000-07:00

FAITHFUL Cross! Above all other,

one and only noble Tree!

None in foliage, none in blossom,

none in fruit thy peers may be;

sweetest wood and sweetest iron!

Sweetest Weight is hung on thee!

Would this effect the Print...,er, Hudson Square?

2011-04-21T06:52:00.000-07:00

The eradication of history was apparently proceeding nicely until the acronyms began sounding too silly. Today's NY Times informs us that Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries is writing legislation that would require city approval for name changes, punish realtors for making up new names and extending the boundaries of the more upscale districts. Salient quote from Mr. Jeffries:

“Neighborhoods have a history, culture and character that should not be tossed overboard whenever a Realtor decides it would be easier to market under another name,”

I hope he succeeds. I would hate to see Our Lady of Vilnius quarantined in WeVaNeHoTu, should it become aesthetically unacceptable to Hudson Square.

Visit the Times to read "ProCro, SoBro, FiDi, BoCoCa: A Lawmaker Says, ‘Enough'" by Cara Buckley.

Another whodunnit: Our Lady of Vilnius Rectory on Landmarks Preservation Calendar

2011-04-06T20:56:00.000-07:00

The Our Lady of Vilnius Rectory, a.k.a. 32 Dominick Street, appears on a list of "Research Department Actions" scheduled for The New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission's public meeting/hearing of March 22. Also on the schedule were 34, 36 and 38 Dominick Street.

Who? Why? When? What's up? How does this relate to our cause?

These are not rhetorical questions. Please enlighten this ignorama.

Encounter the Man of Sorrows in Manhattan at Mobia

2011-04-01T05:40:00.000-07:00

Two renditions of the Rupintojelis recently attended a lecture given by the Fordham University Center on Religion and Culture titled Dead or Alive: The Mystery of the Man of Sorrows . The Rupintojelis made his way into the Q&A, and, after a brief moment of disorientation in the world of folk art, the panel of experts agreed that our Pensive Christ fell within the tradition of the Man of Sorrows.

The lecture was associated with the current exhibit at MOBIA, the Museum of BIblical Art: Passion in Venice, which explores the evolution of the image of Christ as the Man of Sorrows. Today's New York Times reviews this exhibit, which runs through June 12th, in a piece titled "The Enduring Power of an Icon."

"Pray More Novenas" Plans Gift of Prayer for Pope Benedict's Birthday

2011-03-31T08:33:00.000-07:00

Our Papa, catlover and owner of the celebrated orange tabby and biographer, Chico, Benedict XVI, will be celebrating his 84th birthday on April 16, 2011.

The people at "Pray More Novenas" are planning a gift of 84,000 Novenas for the Pope's 84th Birthday.

Join up with praymorenovenas.com to get 84,000 people to pray a novena for the Pope's 84th birthday. The Pope prays for us everyday so it's time to return the gift to him on the anniversary of his birth.

Today in History: Triangle Shirtwaist Fire March 25, 1911

2011-03-24T09:39:00.000-07:00

"The Triangle Waist Company was located one block east of Washington Square Park. There were over 500 employees – most were young women, most were recent immigrants. March 25, 1911 a fire broke out on the 8th floor. The workers ran to the fire escape. It collapsed, dropping them to their death. On the 9th floor a critical exit was locked. People on the street watched as the workers began to jump out the windows. Fire trucks arrived but their ladders only reached the 6th floor. The elevators ran as long as they could, workers pressed into the cars; some tumbled down the elevator shaft."

In the end 146 people died. There was a trial but the owners, long known for their anti-union activities, got off. The fire became a rallying cry for the international labor movement. Many of our fire safety laws were created in response to this tragic event.

We remember because we are still fighting for social justice for all."

from the Remember the Triangle Fire Coalition

My Lithuanian grandmother, who attended Our Lady of Vilnius, was the same age as many of the women who perished in the fire. Today we pray for their souls and, in their memory,work to obtain respect, safety and fair treatment for all workers.

Learn more at WNYC Archive: Triangle Shirtwaist Fire

RIP Margaret Ruta

2011-03-23T20:05:00.001-07:00

A message from Josephine of Mary Help of Christians let us know that Margaret Ruta had passed on. Margaret and Josephine Ruta were featured in a New York Times article, The Church Ladies, in 2007 when the Salesian parish was closed by the Archdiocese of New York.

As we pray for Margaret, let us thank God for her example of faith and for the parishes that gave us the privilege of knowing women like her.

In celebration of St. Patrick

2011-03-17T08:37:00.000-07:00

As members of the Archdiocese of New York, today we celebrate the feast of our patron saint, St. Patrick. Today I learned that St. Patrick was not Irish and, initially, not Catholic! He was kidnapped and taken to Ireland. After escaping and returning to his parents, he underwent a conversion, was ordained to the priesthood and returned to Ireland. The banished snakes of legend were gone before he arrrived there, but he set about the expulsion of evil and the propagation of our faith, stalwartly facing many trials.

Maybe he had some Lithuanian ancestry...

An evening out with the Rupintojelis

2011-03-15T07:19:00.000-07:00

He might look too preoccupied for you, but He's my dream date! Friday, March 18, the Fordham University Center for Culture and Religion will present a program titled "Dead or Alive?: The mystery of the man of sorrows". My Rupintojelis and I will set out on one more journey in an education in faith started by Our Lady of Vilnius.

Meanwhile, west of Hudson Square...

2011-03-10T14:26:00.000-08:00

The most recent edition of The Villager covers local resistance to a Business Improvement District (BID) east of "Hudson Square" in Soho in an article by Aline Reynolds titled "Soho residents wrangle over BID, artist in residence." Our Lady of Vilnius Church and Rectory are empty spaces on the map of Hudson Square BID.

St. Stanislaus Kostka: The Metamorphosis

2011-03-08T18:06:00.001-08:00

St. Stanislaus is now owned by The Purple Crayon Center for Learning and Social Innovation.

Previously Spotted on Broome Street

2011-03-06T11:30:00.000-08:00

After commemorating the 4th anniversary of the locking of Our Lady of Vilnius, some of the faithful trooped East to the Broome Street Bar. As we paused in front of this establishment, the person pictured above swept past us. Same silhouette, different color. On Saturday, the kilt was black and the jacket was black leather. We stared in awe.

Yesterday, as I had my wispy gray hair trimmed, I spoke to my stylist, Joe, wishing for a more dangerous look. He suggested a Mohawk and I went on to describe last week's vision on Broome Street, wondering whether I should go for the single spike.

Lo and behold! Here he is again in the "Sunday Styles" section of the today's Times! Does anyone in the neighborhood know this guy?

"The Villager" editorial endorses rezoning of Hudson Square

2011-03-01T09:17:00.000-08:00

Our Lady of Vilnius resides at the southern margin of Hudson Square, where everyone thinks more creatively, even us!

The Villager's editorial, "A new Hudson Square," briefly explains the proposal and then expresses support. Basically the plan calls for increased residential development and a cap on building height.

New residents could mean new life for Our Lady of Vilnius. Traffic is so bad on Varick that a parish on the Western side of the street would be indispensable.

Convergence

2011-02-24T20:08:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-23T09:12:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-23T08:45:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-19T19:43:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-19T18:32:00.000-08:00

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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A Mystery in The Villager's article: Whodunnit? Got a clue?

2011-01-29T08:40:00.000-08:00

Albert Amateu's recent article on the Our Lady of Vilnius (Vilna), "Lady of Vilna appeal goes to the state's highest court" contained one curious statement:

"Instead, Blaudzinas said the congregation is looking into “the possibility of starting a new dialogue.” Leaders of the congregation met with New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan and hope that he finds favor with their cause,Blaudzinas said."

I view a "congregation" as a religious entity with a clerical leader. I do not view our movement to restore the parish of Our Lady of Vilnius as a "congregation" and no one that I recognize as my leader has met with the Archbishop regarding the parish. Could they be referring to this meeting? Who are my mystery leaders and what is their cause?

"The Villager" reports on Our Lady of Vilnius Lawsuit

2011-01-29T08:23:00.000-08:00

The latest issue of The Villager features and article by Albert Amateau titled "Our Lady of Vilna goes to state's highest court" The article goes on to explain the legal issues at stake. We thank The Villager, the local paper literally around the corner, that has been documenting our plight since we first heard that Our Lady of Vilnius was destined for closure (Lady of Vilnius and 'Pretzels' and 'Provolone' may lose home)

Please read the article, and add your comments to the forum.

To Grow Up and Old around Our Lady of Vilnius

2011-01-12T05:53:00.000-08:00

Today Manny Fernandez profiles John "Moe" Maloney of Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn, in his piece To Grow Up and Old in the Same Little Neighborhood.

Joe Maloney doesn't seem much different from Francis Healey, who was Grand Knight of the Knickerbocker Council, Knights of Columbus, at the time that Our Lady of Vilnius was locked. Last year I saw Mr. Healy standing at the corner of Broome and Varick. I walked up to him and asked "How are things in the neighborhood?" He replied "What neighborhood? The neighborhood is shot," waving his hand in the direction of an empty space on the corner diagonally across Varick where an interesting brick building had once stood.

Mr. Fernandez mentions Mr. Maloney's parish, 132 year old Holy Name of Jesus. Let us hope that this parish survives the cuts planned for the Archdiocese of Brooklyn. These parishes are the habitats of now-rare birds like John Maloney and Francis Healey. Mr. Fernandez describes greater diversity arriving in Windsor Terrace along with gentrification. Will greater diversity accompany residential development around Our Lady of Vilnius, which now bears the real-estate moniker "Hudson Square?" Or will we have a racially and geographically diverse population of seekers of new apartments, top of the line appliances, a short commute and ready access to their preferred consumer goods and night life? It is my hope that the inner light of a restored Our Lady of Vilnius parish will attract them and transform them into the rare birds that they were meant to be.

Room for Our Lady of Vilnius in the inn?

2010-12-24T05:53:00.000-08:00

If we were Mexican, we might take our posada to Archbishop Dolan's residence or the Chancery. We would knock on the door and chant and ask for a place for Jesus to be born.

Our presence across the street from St. Patrick's Cathedral on Sunday is our posada. When we sing "Marija, Marija" we are asking for entry, a place among the "in," if not in the "inn."

Our canonical appeal and our civil lawsuit are our knocking. Can't the Archdiocese let us in instead of installing a stronger door and bigger locks?

Pray for us this Christmas. When you remember your loved ones who have gone before, ask them for their help in finding room in the inn. In any case, the love of Jesus is alive and burning in our hearts.

linksmų šventų Kalėdų, buon Natale, feliz Natal and a blessed Christmas to all!

Hot Damn! It's Christmas!

2010-12-21T17:22:00.001-08:00

This is the box that we've used to store our Christmas decorations for years.

A Man with a Dream

2010-12-09T05:52:00.000-08:00

He's not Lithuanian, he's not Jewish, but he's opening a Jewish library in Vilnius. He's following his dream and he is an inspiration.

Old St. Patrick's: Basilica with a future

2010-12-06T07:23:00.000-08:00

Today's New York Times features an article about the Archdiocese of New York's first and only basilica, the old St. Patrick's Cathedral. Robert D. McFadden's article, "Cathedral With a Past; Basilica With a Future" recaps the history of the church and parish and reports on yesterday's inaugural vespers, led by Archbishop Timothy Dolan.

The article ends:

"In a homily, Archbishop Dolan spoke of the church’s historic past and future vitality
“The title basilica is awarded to a church because of its historical, spiritual, cultural and artistic value,”
he said. “This is still a living, breathing, loving, embracing, serving parish.”

It is a shame that the Archdiocese of New York failed to see the "spiritual, cultural and artistic value" of Our Lady of Vilnius. Though in our estimation, it qualifies as a basilica, we realistically understand that an archbishop's nomination was unlikely. We would have gladly settled for existence. Our Lady of Vilnius was "a living, breathing, loving, embracing, serving parish" at the time of its abrupt closure. It is our mission to educate the Archdioces of New York so that they may see the value of our parish through loving eyes, to acknowledge its value to the archdiocese and to the Church worldwide and to restore it. In this mission we ask for the intercession of Our Lady and the Holy Spirit.

Our Lady of Vilnius organ bench to reside in basilica!

2010-12-05T05:45:00.000-08:00

In the early months of 2007, after Our Lady of Vilnius was abruptly locked, unbeknownst to most parishioners patrimony was being removed from the church under cover of darkness. Near neighbors noted bulky objects being carried out to waiting trucks at odd times.

On April 29, 2007, the same day that Knights of Lithuania members entered the church and found it torn apart, a parishioner sighted the Our Lady of Vilnius organ bench in Old St. Patrick's Cathedral, a silent harbinger of our church's demise.

Today Archbishop Dolan will celebrate the Mass that inaugurates Old St. Pat's as a basilica as our organ bench bears silent witness. Hear all about it at WPIX.

Screening to Benefit Our Lady of Vilnius

2010-12-01T21:22:00.000-08:00

Save Our Lady of Vilnius Committee invites you to see

An award-winning Film
by
KRISTINA BUOZYTE
COLLECTRESS/KOLEKCIONIERE
Released in Lithuania in 2008, with English subtitles, 84 min.

To be shown at the Lithuanian Alliance Building,
307 West 30th St.
N.Y. 1001

(8th Ave. & 30th St.)

Tel.: 212-563-2210

Friday, December 3, 7:00 p.m.
Donation: $10.00

Ausros Vartu Baznycios Gelbejimo Komitetas kviecia Jus in Kina

KRISTINOS BUOZYTES
Premijuota Filma
KOLEKCIONIERE/COLLECTRESS
Isleista 2008-siais metais Lietuvoje, su angliskom antrastem, 84 min.

Ivyks: Manhattan SLA patalpose, 307 West 30th Street, N.Y. 1001
(8th Ave. & 30th St.)
Tel.: 212-563-2210

Penktadieni, gruodzio 3d., 7:00 val. Popiet
Iejimo Auka: $10.00

Thanksgiving: For Our Lady of Vilnius, NYC

2010-11-25T08:12:00.001-08:00

For the home Father Sestokas' parish gave to my grandparents, a place where Lithuanian immigrants could meet each other and form a community, speak their language which, in other circles was obscure and comical, and, most important, not be "different".
For the home it gave to my father; American born and driven by his parents to become totally American, a place where his heritage was lived rather than preserved, a place for him to remain Lithuanian despite the imperatives of upward mobility.
For giving me, a prodigal daughter, a home to which I could return.
For the people that I met there, attracted to the unique culture and charism of this parish like iron filings to a magnet: the Lithuanians at Sunday Mass, the Portuguese neighbors, the weekday lunch crowd, Council 12 of the Knights of Lithuania, Knickerbocker Council of the Knights of Columbus, the people who came to listen to Father Eugene's encouraging preaching of the gospel, Edvinas Minkstimas who worked miracles on the gap-toothed basement piano, the members of NSM who brought good fellowship and good times to the basement hall as they promoted Lithuanian culture, all the lecturers, artists and performers who shared their gifts with us in the cozy, time-battered basement hall.
The lore of the parish passed on to me by all of the above.
For "Marija, Marija"
For the gradual movement of my soul closer to God
For all of you

Amen.

Help Save an Endangered Species: The Roman Catholic Warbler

2010-11-23T07:14:00.001-08:00

A tome has been written on Why Catholics Can't Sing. Well, these Catholics can! The Archdiocesan Festival Chorale, made up of volunteer singers from parishes all over the archdiocese have been holding an Advent/Christmas Concert at St. Joseph's Seminary (Dunwoodie) in Yonkers for 23 years. The raison d'etre for this chorale are the seminarians themselves, bravely stepping up before the public in concert rather than their usual bailiwick, the liturgy.

X-mas began shortly after Halloween. As Advent approaches, our hearts turn to Christmas, the celebration of the birth of Christ. Join the Festival Chorale and the seminarians on Saturday, December 4th at 7:00 PM and/or Sunday, December 5th at 3:00 PM to begin Advent with some musical inspiration.

Required Reading: Archdiocese of New York Releases Financial Report

2010-11-21T06:28:00.000-08:00

In the interest of transparency, the Archdiocese of New York announced via press release that they have released a financial report. I think that all of the following merit reading and evaluation:

Read them and think.

Archbishop Timothy Dolan Elected President of USCCB

2010-11-17T10:35:00.000-08:00

This is yesterday's news, but I wanted Our Lady to stay at the top of the blog for her feast day. The New York Times ran the story today on their front page: "Dolan Chosen as President of U.S. Bishops’ Group". The piece touches upon Dolan's role in investigating allegations of abuse in Ireland as well as this new role, noting:

"In New York, he has a full plate of challenges, including a budget-cutting effort that will close dozens of churches and parishes."

The news story is accompanied by a profile, "Prelate, Crowd-Pleaser and Defender of the Faith"

Today is the Feast of Our Patroness: Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn

2010-11-16T09:06:00.000-08:00

"As we end let us thank God the Almighty for sparing this church many times in the past. The construction of the Holland Tunnel in the early twenties, the Great Depression of the early thirties, World War I, II, the Korean and Vietnam wars. These indeed had left it with scars and loss of membership. But like the Phoenix we are survivors and rise from the ashes awaiting our 100 anniversary. As experience has already proven, we can rest assured that Our Lady of Vilnius - The Worker of the Aušros Vartai will lead us and our future heirs fo a brighter day in the years ahead."

- Dailia Bulvicius, parishioner,"90 Years for God and Country", 1995

Committe member and leader of Sunday prayers, Rita S. recently returned from Lithuania. While there, she requested Masses for the intention of our parish. On November 14th she relayed the following message: "Intention for our church was held TODAY in Ausros Vartai chapel!!!.And all feast week masses will be held for us every day!!!...And it is "original mother church" in Vilnius. Prayers for us in this special time at Ausros vartai feast are priceless."

Let us unite in prayer with those worshipping in the Gate of Dawn in Vilnius, thanking Our Lady for her protection and asking her for her help in the future.

Brooklyn Priests Speak Out About Church Closures

2010-11-15T19:22:00.000-08:00

So many newspapers, so little time! I missed today's Daily News cover story, "Priests charge that Brooklyn Dem boss Vito Lopez influenced closure or merger of churches" Two respected pastors express their opinion that their churches were targeted for closure because they opposed agendas supported by Lopez. Paul Moses posted on this article at dotCommonweal (Priests say that Brooklyn pol meddled in parish closings) While he is unfazed by allegations that church actions are politically motivated, he is impressed that priests are speaking out. Visit this post and enjoy. The comments are frequently priceless.

Rest in Peace, Henryk Gorecki

2010-11-13T10:44:00.000-08:00

Henryk Gorecki passed away on November 12, 2010. He gave us a little piece of heaven on earth with this meditation on Marija.

After casting out parishioners, Roman Catholic Church in US displays renewed interest in casting out demons

2010-11-13T07:41:00.001-08:00

In today's New York Times, Laurie Goodstein describes a renewed interest in exorcism on the part of the Church. Her piece, titled "For Catholics, Interest in Exorcism Is Revived" describes how Catholic priests are responding to a call from the laity for more exorcists. On Friday and Saturday, Bishop Thomas Paprocki (any relation to Danny and Snookie?) of Springfield, Ill, is holding a 2 day conference for priests on exorcism and the determination of demonic possession.

For those who might be scratching their heads over "why do this now", in light of other issues facing the Church, Ms. Goodstein consulted R. Scott Appleby, a Professor of Catholic History at Notre Dame, who offered this quote:

“What they’re trying to do in restoring exorcisms,” said Dr. Appleby, a longtime observer of the bishops, “is to strengthen and enhance what seems to be lost in the church, which is the sense that the church is not like any other institution. It is supernatural, and the key players in that are the hierarchy and the priests who can be given the faculties of exorcism.
“It’s a strategy for saying: ‘We are not the Federal Reserve, and we are not the World Council of Churches. We deal with angels and demons.’ ”

An Our Lady of Vilnius "Valio!" for Adele Jencius

2010-11-11T08:19:00.000-08:00

There's Adele at the far right of the picture, standing serenely by as St. Brigid's parish celebrated its salvation by an anonymous donor last year.

Today we celebrate the 80th birthday of a lifelong Our Lady of Vilnius parishioner and a stalwart supporter of our effort to save the parish. Adele was baptized at Our Lady of Vilnius by our parish founder, Father Joseph Šestokas (Shestokas)and married there by Father George Gurinskas, namesake of our basement hall.

Adele is part of the living heritage of Our Lady of Vilnius parish, a quiet example of faith from whom we can learn, even though she does not teach or preach. Let's celebrate with her today and strengthen our resolve to restore the parish that shaped her and gave us all the opportunity to be quietly improved by her example.

"Pathways to Excellence" will be cleared with a sharp scythe

2010-11-10T08:40:00.000-08:00

Today's New York Times lets us know that 32 parochial schools in the Archdiocese of New York will close. The article, "32 New York Catholic Schools to Close" by Paul Vitello, reports that Church officials characterize this as the largest school system reorganization in its history.

CLICK HERE to view Archdiocese of New York press release including list of schools under consideration for closure.

Without their schools, will the pathway to excellence be paved with suppressed parishes?

A Dan Brown-ish Plot Unfolds in Mt. Kisco

2010-11-09T07:11:00.000-08:00

Today's New York Times published a story titled "2 Charged With Fraud of Millions from Pianist." While financial scandals are often fascinating in their own right, the scammers created a a baroccoco page turner in order to deceive their mark. The story, by Manny Fernandez, details the scenario that Vickram Bedi and Helga Invarsdottir concocted as follows:

"Mr. Bedi’s uncle supposedly had learned that Polish priests tied to the conservative Roman Catholic organization Opus Dei were trying to harm Mr. Davidson, the district attorney’s office said. The Central Intelligence Agency, Mr. Bedi told Mr. Davidson, was working with him to prevent the priests from infiltrating the United States government, officials said."

Is this another instance of the Times' anti-Catholic bias or could it be ....news?

NY State Court of Appeals Grants Our Lady of Vilnius' Motion to Appeal

2010-11-05T17:25:00.000-07:00

A message from Mindaugas arrived today:

"Yesterday the Appellate Division for the First Department, based in Manhattan, issued an order granting our motion to appeal to the Court of Appeals. This means that the State’s highest Court will have an opportunity to rule on the significant and novel issues pertaining to the proper interpretation of Section 5 of the Religious Corporation Law and whether or not the archdiocese can demolish the Church without the consent of the parishioners."

This decision came on the feast of our friend St. Charles Borromeo, canon and civil lawyer. Thank him for his intercession and continue to seek his aid.