By Birute Vaicjurgis Slezas
HONORING YESTERDAY, CELEBRATING TODAY, BUILDING TOMORROW
For over a century, it has symbolized a group’s deep Catholic religion and its Lithuanian roots. St. Peter Lithuanian Catholic Church in South Boston, consecrated in 1904, is celebrating 120 years of its wealthy historical past. On Sunday, October 20, the church on Flaherty Means was alive with exercise, as its parishioners crowded into St. Peter’s to attend a particular Mass to mark the anniversary. Round them have been the partitions that Lithuanian immigrants constructed with their very own arms, with the cash they themselves raised, utilizing supplies donated by a fellow Lithuanian who owned a brickyard. Within the pews sat the good grandchildren of the parish founders. Over time, the inside grew to become a jewel that artists and craftsmen created for the larger glory of God. Its stained glass home windows and frescoes inform the story of Christ and the saints. The sunshine streaming by way of the depictions of sacred figures brings them to life and used to fill me, as a baby, with marvel.
On this setting, parishioners, visitors, clergy, and spiritual sisters gathered collectively to mark this momentous event. The church service started with a live performance of sacred music carried out by three excellent soloists. Additionally taking part within the music liturgy have been two parish ensembles. The Mass was celebrated by Bishop Cristiano Barbosa, Vicar Common of the Archdiocese of Boston. He was assisted by pastor Fr. William Kennedy and two monks who have fun the Mass recurrently at St. Peter’s: Fr. Jude Anyanwu from Nigeria, a doctoral candidate at Boston School, and Fr. Algirdas Malakauskis, OFM, from St. Anthony’s Franciscan monastery in Kennebunk, Maine. Bishop Barbosa, who had visited the parish earlier within the spring to confer the sacrament of Affirmation, in his homily spoke of himself as an immigrant and acknowledged the religion and energy of the Lithuanian group who established the parish and have sustained it for 120 years.
In attendance on the reception that adopted downstairs within the parish corridor have been former Mayor and Ambassador Raymond Flynn and his spouse Kathy, accompanied by their grandson. All 5 of the Flynns’ kids, together with Councillor Ed Flynn who was additionally current, have been pupils at St. Peter’s parochial faculty. The Sisters who taught there for a few years, the Congregation of Jesus Crucified, have been talked about repeatedly throughout this celebration for his or her nice contribution educating the kids of the parish and the encompassing group. They have been represented by a number of Sisters from the congregation’s mom home in Brockton. Greetings in writing have been conveyed by Cardinal O’Malley, Congressman Lynch, State Sen. Collins, State Rep. Biele, along with many others, together with these acquired from Lithuania. Throughout the afternoon’s program Fr. Kennedy and Bishop Barbosa have been each introduced with conventional Lithuanian woven sashes bearing the phrases “St. Peter Lithuanian Parish a hundred and twentieth Anniversary 1904-2024.“ After a superb meal ready by a culinary crew of girls cooks and their helpers that was served by younger parishioners, Daiva Navickas introduced a complete historical past of the parish that she had ready utilizing pictures and different archival materials. Her remarks touched on the numerous facets of the parish‘s life over its 120 years.
The jubilee celebration was the results of many arms coming collectively to make it doable. Dozens of people have been concerned underneath the management and steering of pastor Fr. William Kennedy and Gloria Adomkaitis and Dr. Aldona Lingertat, Co-chairs of the Lithuanian Apostolate. The parishioners of St. Peter‘s Lithuanian Church look to the years forward with hope. And they’re already preparing for the parish‘s subsequent huge occasion: St. Peter‘s Lithuanian Parish Autumn Bazaar that takes place Solar., Nov. 24, from 11am to 2pm within the parish corridor. Will probably be a chance to get pleasure from Lithuanian meals and to buy Lithuanian arts and crafts. There may also be a wonderful White Elephant desk. All are invited to come back and participate in constructing the parish‘s tomorrow! (Pictures taken by Lina Bonda).
Pastor Fr. Kennedy talking on the reception.
Ray and Kathy Flynn, with son Ed Flynn and their grandson, chatting with Fr. Kennedy and a parishioner.
Gloria Adomkaitis and Aldona Lingertat, co-chairs of the Lithuanian Apostolate at St. Peter’s, current Bishop Barbosa with a standard Lithuanian sash.
The Sisters of Jesus Crucified, the order that taught at St. Peter’s, have been represented by (L to R) Sr. Helen Ivanauskas and Sr. Mary Valliere. who’re seen with Fr. Malakauskis, and Bishop Barbosa.
The younger helpers who served the meal.
Bishop Barbosa celebrating Mass assisted by pastor Fr. Kennedy, Fr. Anyanwu, and Fr. Malakauskis
