On July 7, 1929 Fr. Augustine Petraitis became Pastor of St. Casimir's parish in Worcester, MA. His pastorate spanned three decades until his death in 1957. According to the the diamond jubilee book he did not "place any burdens on his parishioners".
In the same souvenir booklet he was credited with being,"a fervent Lithuanian, a great patriot" who injected his ethnic spirit into parish and society meetings and celebrations. Petraitis earnestly sought to maintain this appreciation through the parish school. Moreover,"he introduced the reading of the Gospel in English during the liturgy only in 1949 and full use of English only in 1954 at the 11:30 AM Mass. During his tenure, only Lithuanian was spoken in the rectory. Compared to other Lithuanian parishes, Petraitis' adjustment to the insertion of English was indeed a very late date. This exclusion of English as long as possible was considered a badge of fervent ethnicity.
Fr Petraitis did sponsor emigres to this country after World War II. He collaborated with Anele Zubaviciene and arranged for over 100 sponsorships for DP's.
His dedication and selfless ministry laid the foundation for many Lithuanian-Americans betterment in America. The parish he served so well has been closed but his memory will live in the hearts of so many who benefited from his care.
In the same souvenir booklet he was credited with being,"a fervent Lithuanian, a great patriot" who injected his ethnic spirit into parish and society meetings and celebrations. Petraitis earnestly sought to maintain this appreciation through the parish school. Moreover,"he introduced the reading of the Gospel in English during the liturgy only in 1949 and full use of English only in 1954 at the 11:30 AM Mass. During his tenure, only Lithuanian was spoken in the rectory. Compared to other Lithuanian parishes, Petraitis' adjustment to the insertion of English was indeed a very late date. This exclusion of English as long as possible was considered a badge of fervent ethnicity.
Fr Petraitis did sponsor emigres to this country after World War II. He collaborated with Anele Zubaviciene and arranged for over 100 sponsorships for DP's.
His dedication and selfless ministry laid the foundation for many Lithuanian-Americans betterment in America. The parish he served so well has been closed but his memory will live in the hearts of so many who benefited from his care.
On July 7, 1929 Fr. Augustine Petraitis became Pastor of St. Casimir's parish in Worcester, MA. His pastorate spanned three decades until his death in 1957. According to the the diamond jubilee book he did not "place any burdens on his parishioners".
In the same souvenir booklet he was credited with being,"a fervent Lithuanian, a great patriot" who injected his ethnic spirit into parish and society meetings and celebrations. Petraitis earnestly sought to maintain this appreciation through the parish school. Moreover,"he introduced the reading of the Gospel in English during the liturgy only in 1949 and full use of English only in 1954 at the 11:30 AM Mass. During his tenure, only Lithuanian was spoken in the rectory. Compared to other Lithuanian parishes, Petraitis' adjustment to the insertion of English was indeed a very late date. This exclusion of English as long as possible was considered a badge of fervent ethnicity.
Fr Petraitis did sponsor emigres to this country after World War II. He collaborated with Anele Zubaviciene and arranged for over 100 sponsorships for DP's.
His dedication and selfless ministry laid the foundation for many Lithuanian-Americans betterment in America. The parish he served so well has been closed but his memory will live in the hearts of so many who benefited from his care.
In the same souvenir booklet he was credited with being,"a fervent Lithuanian, a great patriot" who injected his ethnic spirit into parish and society meetings and celebrations. Petraitis earnestly sought to maintain this appreciation through the parish school. Moreover,"he introduced the reading of the Gospel in English during the liturgy only in 1949 and full use of English only in 1954 at the 11:30 AM Mass. During his tenure, only Lithuanian was spoken in the rectory. Compared to other Lithuanian parishes, Petraitis' adjustment to the insertion of English was indeed a very late date. This exclusion of English as long as possible was considered a badge of fervent ethnicity.
Fr Petraitis did sponsor emigres to this country after World War II. He collaborated with Anele Zubaviciene and arranged for over 100 sponsorships for DP's.
His dedication and selfless ministry laid the foundation for many Lithuanian-Americans betterment in America. The parish he served so well has been closed but his memory will live in the hearts of so many who benefited from his care.
