The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-09-15

by the Lithuanian entertainers over radio station W.A.T.R. each Satur- day afternoon. The soloists will be Marian Andrikas and Bernice Ze- lonas, sopranos; Mrs Stephani So- pranos and Miss Natalie Plangas. alto; Peter Lazauskas, bass; and Norbert Aleksis, tenor. Folk tunes will be offered by Norbert Aleksis and his ten Melodians. This group will also furnish modern music for dancing later in the evening.
 Arrangements for seating sever al hundred people in the audito- rum have been completed. A loud speaking device has been installed so that all will be in a position to hear the speakers and entertain ment.
 Father. Valantiejus, pastor of St Joseph's parish was born July PC, 1883 in the county of Raseiniu III Lithuania. His parents were MT and Mrs John Valantiejus. Father Valantiejus graduated from gram mar school in Lithuania and arr rived in America, September 12, 1900. He came to Waterbury and was employed in the mills here un- til 1904 and during that time att tended night school and received tuition from Thomas J. Condon, now superintendent of schools. lie entered LaSallette college at Bloomfield, Connecticut in 1904 and graduated in 1910. In that same year he went to Fribougn college in Switzerland to continue his studies. He graduated from the college in the Alps in 1914, the same year as the outbreak of the World War and returned to the United States to be ordained at St Joseph's Cathedral in Hart ford by the late John J. Milan, Bishop oi the Hartford diocese, November 20, 1914.
 He served as curate in Wa terbury, Ansonia, New Britain ard Hartford and returned to St Jo- seph church here to serve as as- sistant pastor to Rev Peter Sauru- saitis. He was appointed as ad- ministrator of the Brooklyn parish May Sth, 1915 and was named pas tor May 2y, 1919.
 School a Landmark
 One of his principal accom- plishments since taking over the pastorate has been the erection of a beautiful Lithuanian parochial school. This building on John street was purchased for $25,O0O. He has expanded the church char ities to such an extent that they include the support of an orphan age and dispensary.
 St JoSeph's church was founded by Father Joseph Zezris considered to be the greatest of Lithuanian ecclesiastical prospectors to come to the Diocese of Hartford. The actual founding took place on May 18th, 1894. The church was com mitted to the titulary protection of St Joseph, and was formally incor- porated September 20, 1894. The church founded by Father Zebris was dedicated on Thanksgiving day of the same year with appro- priate ceremonies. Vicar-General John A. Mulchy witah the lte Rev fDr Farrell Martin as sub-deacon. The address was delivered by Rev Joseph Jaksztys in the Lithuanian language.
 Father Zebris, by his own elec- ton was transferred to New Brit ain and his successor was Rev Peter Saurusaitis, a most pious and cratic genius. Father Saurasaitis remained at St Joseph's until May 8, 1915, when he was succeeded by Father Valentiejus.'
 Operate Convent
 Among the buildings supported by the parish are the church which includes between $500 parishion- CTS. St Joseph's parochial school with 900 students, the orphanage, dispensary and convent at the cor ner of Liberty and South Main streets. Thirty sisters of the Holy Ghost who teach at the school re- side in the convent.
 One of the most notable of pre- vious events. that took place in the church occurred June 10th, 1917 when Rev Joseph A. Yankovsky, a young man born and raised in Wa terbury read his first mass. He is credited with being the first local