09/10/2024
To All:
Good afternoon! The above photos are of some religious items in St. Vitus Church. The first two photos are what are considered as "Muller" stain glass artwork on the stain glass windows in the upper choir galley St Joseph altar side. Mr. Muller was a renowned stain glass artist from Germany. St. Vitus Church has eight (8) such windows, all in the upper choir gallies. The detail glass are "symbols" of the Catholic faith, such as the basket of loaves and fishes provided by Christ to the multitude of people. Also included are symbols of the Eucharist as well as a "monstrance" with the Holy Eucharist. The cost today to replicate such a window due to the type of pigment used in the windowpanes would be in excess of $15,00 a window.
We also see again the creative use by the three Slovenian artists who painted the interior of St. Vitus Church with various figures the artists met while this work was in process. The upper portion on the left hand side includes the late Msgr. B.J. Ponikvar (second pastor and pastor when current St Vitus Church was constructed circa 1930-1932), the late US Senator Frank J. Lausche (parishioner of St Vitus, mayor of Cleveland, judge, senator and Governor, state of Ohio), the late Vinko Rozman, Paul and Cilka Kosir, and other parishioners, the artists came in contact during their work at the church, Feb to Aug 1993), the first Pentecost, and Ascension of Christ to Heaven. We also have a view of the many rose plants in and around the rectory courtyard as well as around parish grounds, and the "planter boxes" installed as an Eagle Scout Project by parishioner Andrew Uzl.
We are now going into the final phase of the parish initiative "Heart Of A Shepherd (HOS)," A letter is being prepared for all registered parish households with an insert of all expenses paid to date regarding HOS: all individuals, parish organizations, fraternal lodges, courts, branches as well as the Home Office of a fraternal, small businesses, should know how the donated monies have been spent. I also note that the parish endowment trust/endowment corp. Has an annual audited financial statement prepared by a certified public accountant/CPA firm. In all honesty, much of the completed 77 tasks would not have been able to be completed without your generous support including prayers, kind words of advice, and donations. St. Vitus Parish is greatly blessed and fortunate to have had such support for so many years and decades.
I am pleased to inform you that two (2) anonymous parishioners have presented as "matching challenge grant" as part of the final phase of HOS. Each of the two anonymous parishioners will match, dollar for dollar, up to maximum of $5,000.00 each anonymous donor, for a total of $10,000.00 for this challenge. This would greatly help moving toward completion of two major outstanding tasks, that being, upgrade of the electrical distribution panel on the St Joseph altar side and also to move toward a plan for remodeling and upgrading the old wooden landings in the choir lofts along with work needed in these two areas. We kindly request you consider donating to HOS for these two main purposes. Donations may be made to "St. Vitus Endowment Corp." You can drop your donation in the weekend collection basket. Or mail in to the parish rectory at "St. Vitus Rectory, c/o 6019 Lausche Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44103, HOS." HOS is to conclude in Dec. 31, 2024. I note again that all funds raised for HOS ARE NOT assessed by the diocese (as well as any donations to the parish endowment trust). These are restricted funds.
We have completed 77 tasks due to the generosity of 568 donors at an expense to date of $303,000, with an additional pending payment of $10,000.00 for work completed on tuck point of the entire front church steps, side concrete steps off East 61st St side plus two brick columns and one wrought iron fence, some work on the concrete landing by the choir entrance, and by the ADA ramp. Your continued support is greatly appreciated.
To all, have a safe and great week!
(For) Stane Kuhar
