Lithuanian Catholic Religious Aid was incorporated as a charitable organization in New York State in 1961. The organization had its humble beginnings as a Committee that was formed byt the American-Lithuanian Priest's League in 1959 with a mission to provide help for the faithful in occupied Lithuania. The first president of the Committee was bishop V. Brizgys and the vice president was msgr. J. Balkunas. In 1961, office space was rented and rev. S. Raila became executive director. In 1976, the rev. C. Pugevicius (now deceased) assumed the executive director's responsibilites followed by Ruta Virkutis. The current administrator is Vida Jankauskas. Newly consecrated bishop Paul A. Baltakis, OFM, became president in 1986, a position he holds to this day. LCRA moved its offices the Lithuanian Cultural Center when it opened in 1978. With the restoration of Lithuania's independence in 1990 it was painfully clear that enormous financial, spiritual and moral support would be needed by the Lithuanian Catholic Church and its various organizations. With an outpouring of generous support, LCRA was able to provide the vital aid and to this day continues in its humanitarian aid to Lithuania.

To discover how your support can enable LCRA to continue its mission well into the 21st century, please contact us using the information found below.

64-25 Perry Avenue, Maspeth NY 11378-2441

ph. 718.326.5202 fx. 718.326.5206

e-mail. lcra@earthlink.net