A Lithuanian priest serving in Manchester from St Chad’s, Cheetham Hill has been a long tradition in our diocese dating back to the 1880’s when the first migrants came to Manchester and surrounding areas. This tradition has continued down through the years until the retirement of Canon Valentinas Kamaitis over 10 years ago. The Lithuanian Community now prepares to welcome a new priest, Fr. Donatas Kilmasauskas to continue this pastoral tradition.
Fr Donatus has been appointed by the Bishop as assistant priest at St. Marie and St Joseph’s Parish, Bury. In addition to this he will have responsibility for the Lithuanian Catholic Community in the diocese, the North West and the Midlands.
Fr. Donatas comes from a small village Lykšilis in Lithuania. He completed his studies at the Seminary in Kaunas and was ordained in 2008 in Siauliai. After ordination he continued his studies and gained a Master Degree from the University of Vilnius.
His arrival is a cause of great celebration for Lithuanians in the diocese and for our parish of St Marie and St Joseph. Those of Lithuanian background will now have the opportunity to pray and worship in their native language and maintain the traditions of the Lithuanian Catholic Church.
A Welcome Mass
on Sunday 9th October at 4:00pm at St Marie’s Church
will be celebrated by Monsignor Edmond Putrimas,
the Lithuanian Bishops’ Conference Delegate for the Lithuanian Catholic Apostolate Abroad,
Fr. Petras Tverijonas, Pastor of St Casimir’s Lithuanian Church in London
as well as representatives of the Ukrainian and Polish communities in Bury.
ALL MEMBERS OF THE PARISH ARE INVITED TO THIS MASS TO WELCOME OUR NEW PRIEST
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