Building 'a treasure'

"St. Casimir's is not like so many modern churches that are so bare inside they look almost like garages," Father Grabys told The Evangelist. "This church is a jewel, a treasure. The first Sunday I was here introducing myself to the parishioners, I remember telling them that they didn't need to worry about securing visual aids for the religion classes. I pointed to the magnificent stained glass windows, which depict the life of Christ, and said: `You have your visual aids right here inside the church.'"

Father Grabys hopes a way can be found to preserve the historic structure. He is especially concerned about the church's ornate stained glass windows and the hand-painted frescos on the ceilings, which he termed "absolutely magnificent."

Father Grabys expressed relief that the majority of parishioners agreed to move as a "parish family" to nearby St. John the Baptist Church. Sunday Masses will be concelebrated there by Father Grabys and Rev. Stanislaus Swierzowski, pastor of St. John's.

"Our parishioners have so much in common," said Father Grabys. "Not only are we all Catholic, but many are of Lithuanian descent. It is important not only to preserve our common faith, but also our common heritage -- our culture and language."

(AH)

(11-14-96)

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