Sunday Voice, Catholic newspaper

Šventadieno Balsas (Sunday Voice)

Soon after arrival in Australia it became evident to Lithuanians that a newspaper in their own language was needed, as many did not speak English at the time.

When Father Jatulis arrived in Adelaide there was no Lithuanian church and he would conduct mass in Lithuanian in several Australian churches.  A newspaper would serve to keep parishioners informed.  On 29 March 1953, Father Jatulis began to print a bulletin on a copying machine, the Sunday Voice (Šventadieno Balsas) was born. 

Father Jatulis produced the bulletin until he was recalled to Rome, when the following priest, Father Kungys took up the role.   The editors was always the priest, following Kungys was Kazlauskas, Dauknys, Spurgis.  If they were will or away the task was passed on to Pranas Pušdešris.

Each edition would feature a religious article, thankyous, coming events and notifications.  Some advertisements were used to offset the cost of production.

The bulletin was funded by Lithuanian Caritas Inc which comes from the parishioner’s donations.  For many years two couples Valerija and Bronius Masionis and Petronelė and Antanas Dancevičius would fold and post each paper.

The first year of the Adelaide Lithuanian Women's Catholic Society

1961, the Lithuanian Catholic Women's society had been active for one year.  This is their first annual report.

Father Kungys, centre with members of the Adelaide Lithuanian Catholic society

St Joseph's and later St casimir church decorations and cleaning.  Flowers for the church with a roster ending at Christmas for the year.

Catering for the St Casimir volunteer workers.  From 3 March 1960 to 16 April 1961 they organised 35 lunches, feeding over 500 volunteers.

Organised Father Kungys 15 year jubilee as a priest.

Buffets prepared for various balls throughout the year, Sunday Voice newsletter ball, SA Lithuanian Catholics Ball, St Casimir’s opening of the church where over 200 people attended.

Together with parents organised supper for children receiving their first communion.

Supper for the school children end of year program.  Tea, coffee and snacks for the break during Lithuanian school.

Community Christmas Eve meal where 83 people attended.

Organised church clothing, including, 6 chasubles, alter and tabernacle, coverings for the altar, cross and statue.

The women collected 8 packages of donated clothes and footwear to be sent for the clergy at the St Casimir seminary, Rome.

The women’s committee members attended the Australian Lithuanian Catholic gathering.

The years earnings was £748.14.4 of which over half was used to purchase food and befet furniture.  Treasuer was A. Mainelienė.

A new committee was elected, A. Mainelienė, E. Kervelienė, S. Pusdešrienė, M. Gerulatienė, A. Uldukienė, G. Opulskienė, K. Dičiūnienė.

Teviskes Aidai 1961 gegužes 9d. Nr 18

St Casimir festival 1961

The Adelaide Catholic community celebrated the holy day of St Casimir over three days, 2-4 March 1961. Over those days Father J. Kungys said prayers each day. In the evenings at the St Casimir chapel mass and special prayers were offered for the persecuted church in Lithuania. A formal offering was taken up on the Sunday. On the Sunday Adelaide Auxiliary Bishop James Gleeson (Later to become Adelaide’s first priest to become Archbishop) near the altar met some Lithuanian scouts, members of the community in national costume and members of the Lithuanian Catholic Committee.

The offering was given in English by Father Kungys using passages from Ecclesiastes and referring to the persecuted Catholics in Lithuania at that time, those martyred and tortured. Bishop Gleeson then took the opportunity to refer to the Lithuanian continued devotion to St Casimir and that God hears the hopes and prayers of his faithful. He declared that Lithuania will one day be free again. Bishop Gleeson encouraged Lithuanian parents to pray that their children may be called to enter the priesthood or sisterhood.

Vilniaus scout room

Father Kungys blessing the room

A inviting room at Lithuanian house was devoted to the ‘Vilniaus’ troop scout group.  The walls were covered with Lithuanian artwork, each piece had to be of Lithuanian basis.  The room was opened and blessed on 23 April 1961, St George day also World scout day.

Following mass at Lithuanian church a scout meeting was held at Lithuanian House.  Father Kungys, blessed the room, and urged the scouts to continue with scout principles.  Vaclovas Raginis, President of the Adelaide Lithuanian society provided the scouts with their own room where the youth could cultivate their Lithuanian heritage.

Jonas Vanagas was the scout master at that time.   Vanagas as the Museum Curator was able to prepare a display of scout journals and made a guest book was available to sign. 
After some brief speeches participants were able to view the room.  A large table had been made without nails, the legs and frame fixed together with rope.  The curtains had embroidered Guide logo sewn into them by the Guides.  A map of Lithuania, Vytis, wooden cross, photographs and framed letters also graced the walls.  The majority of the material were made by the scouts. 

As it approached sunset, the V. Šulcas prepared a fire where all gathered.  The Girl Guides (paukštytės) gave a recital, and 17 scout camp songs were sung.  The evening ended with the traditional ‘Ateina naktis’ (Night is approaching song) and the fire extinguished. 

The room was were the present day bar is, near the ladies restrooms.  It could be accessed through the hall and had an external door.  The scout room was moved at a later date to one of the rooms in the cottage, adjacent the Lithuanian House where the Saturday school was held.  Many years later, the scout room was again transferred to the Lithuanian Catholic centre where it remains today.  The room however is more of a storage room than a display room.

Kungys, Paceviciene, R. Urminas, J. Lapsys, Vanagas, Neverauskas, Raginis

Father Juozas Kungys

Father Kungys the day he was made a Priest

Juozas KUNGYS

14 February 1919 – 4 March 1962

Born in Rensciu village near Telsiai in Samogitia, Lithuania.  He attended the Telsiai school and then the Telsiu seminary.  The war intervened and he was unable to complete his studies.  Following the second Soviet invasion of 1944, he fled to Germany.  Here he attended the Eichstaett seminary which he finished on 29 July 1945.

From 1946 to 1949 Father Kungys lived in Freiburg, Germany where he furthered his theological studies in the Frieburg University.  He provided pastoral care to Lithuanians in Hechingen, Rottweil, Trassingen, Schweningen.  He joined the Ciurlionis choir during those years.

On the 31 May 1949, father Kungys arrived in Melbourne aboard the ship Skaugum, which carried many refugees from war torn Europe.  He first resided in Uranquinty migrant camp just outside the township of Wagga Wagga, then in 1950 moved to Brisbane where Lithuanian religious language services were introduced by Father Kungys.   In 1951 he moved to Melbourne, as second priest to the community.  Whilst in Melbourne he was one of the first teacher offering Lithuanian language courses for people who were not able to complete their secondary studied in Lithuania or studied Lithuanian in Displaced Persons camps prior to coming to Australia.  Not long after he moved to Geelong to St Mary’s an Australian parish. 

Father Kungys with the first child he christened

Father Kungys was very involved in the Lithuanian community in Australia.  He instigated the Australian Lithuanian Catholic Federation and later served as president and spiritual leader.   He was one of the imitators of the Melbourne Catholic newspaper “Teviskes Aidiai” (Echoes of our Homeland).  The newsletter is still published.

He came to Adelaide in 1957 and was thrust into the establishment of the Lithuanian Catholic Centre and church.  A petition signed by 480 Lithuanians was organised to gather support for the communities own church.  Permission was granted and a suitable place was sought.

On 30 November 1960 the church was consecrated in honour of Lithuania’s patron saint, St Casmir, situated in Third Ave, St Peters.

On 7 August 1960 the Adelaide community celebrated Father Kungys 15 year anniversary of becoming a priest.

He was a member of the Australian Lithuanian National Committee, and 1954 – 1955 was Adelaide Community President.  His health was failing and in 1957 he spent a time in hospital recovering. 

In 1961 Father Kungys moved into the Adelaide Lithuanian Catholic Centre all priests since that time have resided.  His health deteriorated further, a bad heart combined with asthma restricted his activities.  On 16 February (Lithuania’s Independence Day) 1962, Father Kungys gave his last mass.

On March 4^th 1962, Fr Juozas Kungys died at the young age of 43 at Calvary hospital.  The corridor was filled with Lithuanians who spent his last moments as near to him as possible.  Father Vaseris gave the last rights. The following day Father Kungys was laid out at St Casmir’s  church where Father Vaseris and Father Butkus presided over the funeral.

Father Kungys is buried at Centennial Park cemetery.

Father Kungys with girls at their first communion

Adelaide Catholic Women's Society

Adelaidės Lietuvių Katalikų Moterų Draugijos 
(Adelaide Lithuanian Catholic Women's Society)

The Lithuanian Catholic Women’s Society (LKM) is an old organisation that began in Kaunas in 1907.  It began at a time when the Russian occupiers of Lithuania wanted to extinguish all things Lithuanian and all things Catholic.  During Lithuania’s independent years the society worked for the improvement of women’s lives, and to assist and improve the disadvantaged.  In the free world the LKM society exists to strength Catholic women so they can work for God and their homeland.

Adelaide Lithuanian Catholic Women’s society was formed in March 13th 1960.  However the women were working informally for ten years before the official start date.  The beginning started in September 1956 when Father Jatulis formed the Lithuanian parish council Caritas.  Caritas is a Latin word meaning love and compassion.  At that time, the church had purchased a property at Christies Beach and work had begun on the new church in St Peters.  There was a lot of work for women to do.  Amongst the first volunteers were K. Dičiunienė, M. Gerulaitienė, A. Mainelienė, A. Stepanienė.  At the beginning the women would travel each Saturday with the men to Christies Beach to give them a hand.  The women worked for the parish at were known as “Karitietemis” (A derivative of the word Caritas).

In September 1957 a new Catholic priest came to the parish, Father Juozas Kungys.  The women’s involvement in the parish increased.  Balls, catered occasions, events at Christies Beach, camps, farewells, visits from other Catholic clergy all involved the women.  On the 20th October 1957 Birutė Budrienė was elected to oversee catering.  Any profits made from events would go to Caritas, but from November that year the women’s group separated themselves and formed the Lietuvių Parapijos Moterys” (Lithuanian Parish women).   A committee of five was elected, A Stepanienė (President), A. Mainelienė (Treasurer), B. Budrienė (Catering), K. Dičiunienė(Information officer), and member G. Opulskienė.  This group existed until 13th March 1960 when it transformed into the Lietuvių Katalikų Moterų Draugijos.  K. Diciuniene, M. Gerulatienė, A. Stepanienė were chosen to organise the charter.  The new committee consisted of K. Diciunienė (President), M. Gerulaitienė, A. Mainelienė, E. Kervelienė, G. Opulskienė, Saulenė Pušdesrienė, and A. Uldukienė.

The society made lunches and dinners on various occasions, a hot traditional lunch every Sunday after mass, a light lunch for the Lithuanian school on Saturday for the teachers and students.  A community Christmas Eve was held, feast days observed, and the sick visited in hospital.  

The group would raise money through fairs, lotteries, buffets, weddings and Sunday lunches.  The money raised would be reinvested into the church, in the form of clothes for the priests, coverings for the altar, carpets for the floors, the library, and the general upkeep of the church.  Kitchen white goods were purchased, fridge, stove, cutlery and crockery, lawn mower, curtains for the stage.  Money was donated to Lithuanian Catholic newspaper in Australia and overseas.  Donations were given to the poor, disasters, and hospitals.  

An annual concert “Šiupinys” was held. A concert of various acts, music, skits, recitals etc.  

The Adelaide branch is a member of the World Lithuanian Catholic Women’s Association.

Journey to the Pacific region continued

On December 27th they were invited to lunch at Lapšys, who drove them around. They then attended the children’s Christmas celebrations organised by the Women’s guild. The children all received presents and presented the Baciunai with a song, that they had rehearsed. The choir had around 30 children organised by Vasilauskienė. The children also danced, taught by Grėbliunienė and Lapšiene. Many of the children were born in Australia.

That evening there was a party at Vytautas Linkus house at Port Adelaide. Linkus has his own business a food products shop at Port Adelaide, “Linkus World Food”. He was then invited to visit Vasilauskas at 36 roomed hotel at Semaphore . Vasilauskas owned several other properties, used for holiday rental.

Sunday December 29th, Dičiunas drove them to church where over 300 Lithuanians had gathered. After mass Father Kungys said a prayer for Lithuania independence. After the service had finished Father Kungys drove them to Dičiunas’ home for lunch. Dičiunas has built a lovely home, next to his sister lives. After lunch they were driven to Christies Beach where the church had purchased a block of land which has a small building. A pleasant afternoon with song and food was occurred. The Baciunai were then taken to Pascevičius’ home where more Lithuanians had gathered. Pascevicius, an engineer had designed a elevator that can lift 1,500,00 bushels. The lift is built in a factory by the sea, where over 150 people work.

St Casmir's School

Members of the St Casmir’s Lithuanian Catholic Centre, initiated the school in 1960. The schools main aim was to instill a belief in God, and preserve the Lithuanian language and culture in Adelaide. The school began with two teachers and seventeen students, and a year later it had eight teachers with Father Kungys who teaching Religion. Elena Varniene ws the first principal of the school.

The second floor of the parish building was perfectly suited for a school. It consisted of a large room which became the kindergarten, several small rooms were used for individual classes and another large room that held different activities. The parish also had a hall and stage where performances could be held.

The school was run on very similar lines to the weekend school held at Lithuanian house. School ran from 10am to 1pm each Saturday morning. In 1979 there were six classes plus kindergarten.
Initially school curriculum was obtained from America, lastly being used in 1974, when an Australian version was created.

The school began with six grades which rose to eight in 1972 and by 1980 there were ten grade levels.

Children who attended the school also participated in Lithuanian dancing, sports and Eiglutes choir.

Teachers were Elena Varniene who taught Lithuanian language. Agota Stepaniene – Lithuanian geography and history, Kazys Pazera – Lithuanian language, Aldona Zakiene – Lithuanian language, S. Pusdesriene – singing. L Vilcinskaite – national dancing, Rimas Daugalis – art, Laimute Kuncaityte – dancing and accompanied on piano.

Funding came from donations, the Lithuanian Catholic women’s Association, and occasionally donations were received from Ramove (Lithuanian veterans) and the general community.

From 1960 to 1989, 60 students completed school. In 1965, 103 students were enrolled, and over 300 attended over the years.

Directors of Sv Kazimiero
Elena Varniene 1960 – 1964
Pr Dauknys 1965
Kazys Pazera 1966-70
Kun Albinas Spurgis 1971-1973
Anele Urneviciute 1974-1976
Elena Varniene 1977
Loreta Rupinskaite 1978-79
Elena Varniene 1980 – 1981
Anele Urneviciene 1982.

Throughout the 28 year history, this school taught over 300 students taught by 60 teachers.