The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-05-20

Parishioners of St. Joseph's church will pay homage to Rev. John J. Kripas at banquet at the parish hall Saturday night at which time he will celebrate the fifth a1- niversary of his ordination to the priesthood.
 Last week Father Kripas was se- lected to lead the delegation to rep- resent the United States at the an- nual pilgrimage to Lithuania for participation in the annual congress of people of that extraction from the four corners of the globe. The American delegation will put of from New York harbor July II and will be occupied abroad for six weeks.
 Prominent guests will be Mayor Frank Hayes, Matthew Kripas, ST., Rev. John Ambotas, of Hartford, pastor of Holy Trinity church; Rev. Vincent Razaitis of Hartford; Rev. Joseph Kazlauskas of Ansonia, pas tor of St. Anthonys church; Rev. Peter KarlauskaS of New Haven, Rev. Benedict Gauronskas of Bridgeport; Commissioner Harry Minor; Attorney Joseph P. Alishau- sky, president of the K. of L., Alder man John W. Bendler; Attorney Clarence V. Balanda; former Deputy Sheriff John w. Jenusaitis; Dr. Frank J. Hill and Dr. Matthew J. Colney.
 Rev. Joseph J. Valantiejus, pastor of St. Joseph's parish, will be toast- master and a special musical pro- gram will be given under the direc- ton of Professor Alexander J. Aleksis.
 The event will begin at 7:30 o'clock with dancing in the basement of the Congress avenue school. Supper will be served in the parish hall at 10 o'clock with the women of the parish in charge.
 Organizations participating in the movement for the success of the af- fair are the Lithuanian Labor so- ciety, branch 5; the Knights of Lithuania; St. Joseph's junior and senior choirs; the Holy Name so- ciety and the Children of Mary Sodality.
 Father Kripas was born in Brook lyn, N. r., September 9, 1904 and a few years later his family migrated to East Granby, Conn, where they have since made their home. Father Kripas attended Center school in East Granby and later entered the Huntsinger Business college at Hart ford. With the completion of busi- ness course he became associated with the office staff of Q large Hart ford concern, during which period, becoming musically inclined he studied the violin.
 He entered St. Thomas Seminary in 1919 and was graduated six years later after which he entered the Grand Seminary of St. Bernard's college where he continued his studies. He was ordained at St. Jo- seph's cathedral in Hartford May 30, 103l by the late Bishop John J. Milan. After celebrating his first mass at Holy Trinity church in Hartford, he was assigned to St. Josephs church and has been here since.
 Writer, Poet and Musician
 Father Kripas has found time to write articles for the local and Lithuanian newspapers. His pen work is often read in the "Amerika, "Darbinikas", "Draugas", "Stu- dentu", "Zodis", "The Vytis", and The Democrat. Besides poetry of various descriptions he has contrib uted articles of deep religious, racial and educational value.
 Known to be an enthusiastic stu dent of Lithuanian history, Father Kripas has often appeared before the faculty of various colleges to ex- toll the statesmen of Lithuania, ex- plain national conditions and the