 March
11 of this year marks the 15th anniversary of the restoration of
independence to Lithuania after 50 years of Soviet occupation. On February
27th at 10:30
a.m. at St. Casimir Lithuanian Church a Mass of Thanksgiving was
celebrated by His Eminence Cardinal Justin Rigalli, the archbishop of
Philadelphia. Mass was also concelebrated by Fr. Peter Burkauskas, the
pastor of St. Casimir's and St. Andrew's Parishes, Monsignor Joseph
Anderlonis, the pastor of St. Georges Parish and Monsignor Peck. The Ambassador of Lithuania
to the United States Mr. Vygaudas Usackas and his family were in attendance at
the
Mass as was Mr. Eugene Rainis, Honorary Consul of Lithuania for the state
of New Jersey and his wife. The cultural program at 2:30 p.m. at the Lithuanian
Music Hall, 2715 E. Allegheny Ave. featured the choir "Laisve",
folk dance groups "Ausrine", "Zilvinas", the
"Kaimo Kapela" (the village band) and the students of Vincas
Kreve Lithuanian Heritage School. |