the Slovak Catholic Celebrating a Centennial of Faith, Life and Witness By Daniel F. Tanzone, K.C.H.S.

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1 Celebrating a Centennial of Faith, Life and Witness The Slovak Catholic Federation By Daniel F. Tanzone, K.C.H.S. The Slovak immigrant community in the United States was nearing the peak of its existence in Although nearly three hundred Slovak national parishes had been established, new faith communities continued to spring up in various American communities and adjustments to the experiences of the American church were created. The need for parochial schools in Slovak parishes became apparent. Slovak Americans longed for religious communities of men and women who would evangelize in the best traditions of our Cyrilo-Methodian heritage of faith. Eventually, several communities of religious women arrived from Europe to staff the new Slovak parochial schools. The Congregation of the Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius was established in the United States of America on September 11, 1909 to teach the children of Slovak immigrants. While the desire to propagate the Cyrilo-Methodian heritage of faith was foremost in the minds of the Slovak pastors, a unifying movement was seen as necessary to address the pastoral needs of Slovak Catholics in America as well as to continue a bridge to the Church in Slovakia, then a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. By 1911, the major Slovak Catholic fraternal societies had already been established: the First Catholic Slovak Union, the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association, the Slovak Catholic Sokol, the Ladies Pennsylvania Slovak Catholic Union, the Pennsylvania Slovak Catholic Union as well as other smaller Slovak Catholic fraternal societies. These fraternal societies were actively engaged in their own projects and programs for the benefit of their membership. The need to unify on behalf of pastoral service was uppermost in the minds of the clergy and laity alike. With the large concentration of Slovaks in the Diocese of Scranton, Pennsylvania the Slovak pastors inaugurated the tradition of an annual Catholic Congress. These gatherings attracted thousands of the faithful to outdoor liturgies, processions and other religious and educational lectures as a source of evangelization. These Congresses recalled the great tradition of pilgrimages in Slovakia. The Reverend Joseph Murgaš, one of the most respected and educated priests from among the Slovak Catholic clergy, directed many of these Congresses. Following the establishment of the schismatic Polish National Catholic Church in 1897, some detractors accused Father Murgaš of plan- The Reverend Joseph Murgaš, founder of the Slovak Catholic Federation ( ) ning to establish an independent Slovak National Catholic Church through these Congresses. Some critics even alerted the Apostolic Delegate, Archbishop Diomede Falconio of such plans. Nothing resulted from these accusations. In fact, Father Murgaš always invited the Bishop of Scranton, Pennsylvania, Most Reverend Michael J. Hoban, to these Congresses. Slovak Catholics remained faithful to Church. At one of these Congresses, Bishop Hoban received a pectoral cross with the inscription: From the loyal Slovak Catholics of the Scranton Diocese. The pioneering efforts of the members of the Congresses gave birth to a distinct organization which was unique in that clergy and laity collaborated in promoting the work of the Church. Such cooperation and harmony had always been a trait of Slovaks prefiguring the Second Vatican Council model of Church. On February 22, 1911, thirty-eight Slovak priests and more than two hundred laity under the direction of the Reverend Joseph Murgaš gathered at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, to establish the Slovak Catholic Federation. This organization would serve as a unifying bond among Slovak Catholics, their parishes, fraternal societies, religious communities and other institutions here in America. The founding began with a solemn high Mass celebrated by Father Joseph Murgaš in Sacred Heart of Jesus Church where he was pastor. A meeting followed at Conrad s Hall located on South Washington Street in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Two members of the American Catholic hierarchy were present at the founding meeting: the Most Reverend Michael J. Hoban, Bishop of Scranton, Pennsylvania and the Most Reverend Joseph M. Koudelka, then Auxiliary Bishop of Cleveland, Ohio who was later named Bishop of Superior, Wisconsin. Bishop Koudelka, a Czech, had been active in pastoral ministry among the Slovaks in the United States and was beloved within the American Slovak community. A total of thirty-six Slovak priests were in attendance along with more than two hundred laity. Bishop Hoban addressed the gathering and noted that he ~ 22 ~

2 was interested in the work of this new organization and extended his blessing for its success. He reminded the founders that it is necessary to establish parochial schools connected to every Slovak Church so that the faith might be transmitted to future generations. Bishop Koudelka also addressed the founders, appealing to their pure Catholic and Slovak hearts to support the work of the new organization. Reverend Joseph Murgaš prepared and presented the constitution and bylaws of the new organization to the founders who accepted them and named the organization the Slovak Catholic Federation or Združenie Slovenských Katolíkov. The following were elected as the first officers of the Slovak Catholic Sacred Heart of Jesus Slovak Church, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Federation: Most Reverend Michael J. Hoban, protector; Most Reverend Joseph Koudelka, honorary president; Reverend Stephen Furdek, who was not present at the founding due to illness, advisor; Reverend John Porubsky, a prolific writer and then pastor of Saints Cyril and Methodius Parish in Binghamton, New York, president; Joseph Chudatsik and the Reverend John Liscinsky and Michael Lapcak, vice presidents; Reverend (later Monsignor) John Sobota, secretary; and Andrew V. Kozak, president of the First Catholic Slovak Union, the treasurer. In addition, the first board of directors included Joseph Skurka, Edward Ujfalussy, Reverend Joseph Murgaš, Reverend Andrew Jurica, Andrew Imrich, John Cajko, Reverend (later Monsignor) Emrich Hajtinger, Michael Vasil, Reverend Benedict Rajcany, Stephen Banovic, Nicholas S. Bielik and Andrew Faybik. The Slovak Catholic Federation was later incorporated on December 30, 1912 when His Honor, Judge S.J. Strauss of the Court of Common Pleas of Luzerne County in Pennsylvania approved the Charter. Among the first projects of the Federation was to give support to the recently established Congregation of the Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius and to promote activities for youth. The Federation also advanced the work of the Vincentian Sisters of Charity and the School Sisters of Saint Francis, who had recently arrived in the United States to begin their educational apostolate among Slovak immigrants. During World War I ( ), the Slovak Catholic Federation worked for the emancipation of the Slovaks and Czechs from Hapsburg domination. On September 20, 1917 Reverend John J. Kubasek of Yonkers, New York, president of the Slovak Catholic Federation called a meeting of Slovak priests in New York City with General Milan R. Stefanik, a Slovak leader who helped to establish a common state for the Slovaks and Czechs. General Stefanik allayed the fears of some clergy regarding the position of the Church in the newly proposed state. On May 30, 1918, Father John Kubasek joined Father Joseph Murgaš in signing the Pittsburgh Agreement. Thomas G. Masaryk, who would become the first president of Czecho-Slovakia, also signed this important document which guaranteed autonomy to the Slovaks in the new state. In the early years of the new republic, the Slovak Catholic Federation continued to be vigilant regarding Church issues in Slovakia, even to the point of expressing concern in 1919 over the Prague centralist government s anti-clerical campaign. Following World War I, the Federation established its own official publication, Dobry Pastier (The Good Shepherd) in 1919, whose first editor was the Reverend Monsignor Stephen J. Krasula, P.A. of New York City. Though beginning as a monthly publication, eventually it became a quarterly publication and more recently, an annual publication. The delegates to the 1921 Slovak Catholic Federation convention met in Chicago, Illinois and adopted a new constitution and bylaws of the Federation. They were formally approved on July 4, 1921, by His Eminence, George Cardinal Mundelein, Archbishop of Chicago, Illinois on behalf of the American bishops. On July 7th of that year, the Most Reverend Joseph Schrembs, Bishop of Cleveland, Ohio approved the Federation s affiliation with the National Catholic Welfare Conference, the forerunner of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. In affiliating with the National Catholic Welfare Conference, the Federation launched various drives to raise funds for refugees following both the First and Second World Wars. In the 1920s, the Slovak Catholic Federation initiated fund-raising activities under the title Matica Skolská, in support of higher education among Slovak Catholics in America. Monies donated enabled the Federation to sponsor the Franciscan Friars in their establishment of a monastery in the United States. Financial support was also given to the Benedictine Abbey of Saint Andrew Svorad in Cleveland, Ohio; the Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius, in Danville, Pennsylvania; the School Sisters of Saint Francis in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and the Vin- ~ 23 ~

3 The Slovak Catholic Federation centian Sisters of Charity in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to establish institutions of higher education. During the Holy Year of 1925, the Federation organized a pilgrimage to Rome. It was the first pilgrimage of American Slovaks to the Eternal City. The work of the organization continued to flower and chapters were established in many Slovak parishes with districts or regions seeking to coordinate their work on a regional basis. For example, the Eastern Region promoted love for Cyrilo-Methodian faith traditions by hosting an annual pilgrimage around the feast of Saints Cyril and Methodius. Religious books and pamphlets were published to aid the spiritual needs of Slovak Catholics. The Cleveland Region and the Western Region of the Federation also hosted religious programs to encourage interest in the work of the organization. In 1926, the Slovak Catholic Federation welcomed the visit of four bishops from Slovakia who participated in the twenty-sixth International Eucharistic Congress in Chicago, Illinois and supervised their month-long visit to American Slovak parishes. The Slovak Catholic Federation also directed the sale of the copies of the new Slovak edition of the Bible produced by the Society of Saint Adalbert Press (Spolok Svätého Vojtecha) in Trnava, Slovakia, which these bishops brought to the United States. In the mid-1930s, the Slovak Catholic Federation launched a drive for funds in support of the expansion of the Society of Saint Adalbert Press. The Slovak Catholic Federation worked closely with the Saint Adalbert Society in publishing many religious prayer books and other religious works throughout the 1930s. A plaque remains to this day at the headquarters of Saint Adalbert Society recalling the generous gesture of the Slovak Catholic Federation. Unfortunately, during the Communist period, these very presses were employed in the production of atheistic and socialist works. Following the Second World War, the Slovak Catholic Federation promoted various refugee-resettlement projects under the direction of Reverend Monsignor Cyril J. Potocek of New York City, helping to raise more than three hundred thousand dollars toward this endeavor. During these years, a number of priests from Slovakia came to the United States and were given support by the Slovak Catholic Federation. Following the arrest of Reverend Monsignor Jozef Tiso, President of Slovakia ( ), the Slovak Monsignor Jozef Tiso ( ) Catholic Federation gave him their support in When he was sentenced to death in 1947, the Federation appealed to the president of Czechoslovakia, Eduard Beneš the Archbishop of Prague, Josef Beran as well as His Holiness, Pope Pius XII, to spare Tiso s life. To no avail, on April 18, 1947, Monsignor Tiso was executed. In 1949, Reverend Monsignor Joseph A. Kushner of Donora, Pennsylvania, became the president of the Slovak Catholic Federation at its Thirty-Second Convention. During the Holy Year of 1950, the Federation sponsored another pilgrimage to Rome. During the pilgrimage, liturgies were celebrated at the major churches, including the Basilica of Saint Clement where Saint Cyril is buried. When the leaders of the Slovak Catholic Federation discovered that the grave of Saint Cyril was in disrepair, they decided to raise funds to restore the altar over Saint Cyril s Tomb. In 1952, the Slovak Catholic Federation sponsored a pilgrimage to the International Eucharistic Congress in Barcelona, Spain. As part of the pilgrimage, the pilgrims visited Rome and attended mass in Saint Clement s Basilica at the new altar over Saint Cyril s grave on June 5, Reverend Monsignor Andrew R. Biros of Toronto, Ohio, who directed the fund raising activities for the restoration of the altar, celebrated the liturgy at the altar which was solemnly blessed and dedicated to the Slovak people who contributed to the project. The inscription on the altar translated from the Latin reads, Built by the sons and daughters of the Slovak nation. After many years of petitions sent from the Slovak Catholic organizations to the Apostolic Delegate seeking the appointment of a bishop of Slovak ancestry in the United States, the Slovak Catholic Federation rejoiced in 1955, when it was announced that Reverend Monsignor Joseph A. Durick of the Diocese of Mobile-Birmingham, Alabama was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the diocese. While Slovak on his paternal side, (his mother was of Irish ancestry) Bishop Durick was nevertheless the first American bishop of Slovak ancestry. He later became Bishop of Nashville, Tennessee. On a few occasions, he participated in Slovak American activities including offering the English homily at the dedication of the Chapel of Our Mother of Sorrows, Patroness of Slovakia, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. on September 5, Joy resounded once again within the American Slovak community when at Christmas 1956, it was announced that Reverend Monsignor Andrew G. Grutka, pastor of Holy Trinity Slovak parish in Gary, Indiana had been appointed to head the newly erected Diocese of Gary. Most Reverend Andrew G. Grutka was consecrated bishop in February ~ 24 ~

4 Most Reverend Andrew G. Grutka ( ), First Bishop of Gary, Indiana Fluent in Slovak, he began a close association with the work of the Slovak Catholic Federation. A new chapter in the life of the Slovak Catholic Federation had begun with Bishop Grutka s Episcopal ordination. By the end of World War II and the prosperity of the post war years, construction on the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C., resumed in the Marian Year of The Great Depression and World War II halted the work on the Shrine s Great Upper Church superstructure. The Great Upper Church was completed in 1959 and the National Shrine was dedicated on November 20, To enhance the beauty of the façade of the Great Upper Church, the Federation s Eastern Region raised funds to erect statues of Saints Cyril and Methodius. The statues were blessed during a pilgrimage hosted by the Eastern Region in In the 1950s, the Federation faced its greatest challenge when the communist government of Czecho-Slovakia began its persecution of the Church. The Reverend Monsignor Clement M. Mlynarovic of Valparaiso, Indiana, a prolific writer and author, served as president during these challenging years. Providence would have it that Monsignor Mlynarovic s new bishop would be the Most Reverend Andrew G. Grutka. During these years, funds were raised to support the Slovak seminarians at the Pontifical Nepomucene College in Rome. The need for a Slovak seminary in Rome was quite evident and such a project depended upon the strong support of the Slovak Catholic community in the United States because communist domination in Slovakia hampered the faithful in Slovakia to promote this noble endeavor. At a public audience at Castel Gandolfo in 1958, His Holiness, Pope Pius XII acknowledged the work of the Federation in assisting Slovak seminarians. Both His Eminence, Joseph Cardinal Pizzardo, and His Eminence, Eugene Cardinal Tisserant, requested that the Federation continue to assist Slovak seminarians at the Nepomucene College and to promote the construction of the proposed Slovak Institute of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Rome. The Federation, under the leadership of Most Reverend Andrew G. Grutka, who became its episcopal moderator, inaugurated a drive to raise funds for the new Slovak Institute which would include a seminary and publishing house. Under Reverend Monsignor Clement Mlynarovic s capable leadership, the Federation responded with its full support for the Slovak Institute project. With Bishop Grutka as chairperson of the fund-raising drive, American Catholics of Slovak ancestry responded with traditional generosity and concern for the spiritual needs of Slovaks in their ancestral homeland. The Benedictine Abbey of Saint Andrew-Svorad in Cleveland was the first to contribute $50,000 for this project. Its superior, Abbot Theodore G. Kojis, O.S.B., and his successors, Abbot Jerome M. Koval, Abbot Roger W. Gries, Abbot Clement Zeleznik, and the current Abbot Christopher Schwartz have given strong support over the years to the work of the Slovak Catholic Federation. The Slovak fraternal societies affiliated with the Federation followed suit and raised the initial funds needed for the project. The First Catholic Slovak Union of the USA and Canada was the first to respond with a donation of $100,000, followed by the Slovak Catholic Sokol with $50,000, the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association with $100,000, and the Ladies Pennsylvania Slovak Catholic Union with $50,000, as well as donations from other groups and parishes which greatly strengthened the building fund project. In 1963, Slovaks throughout the world celebrated the 11th centenary of the evangelization efforts of Saints Cyril and Methodius. The various regions of the Federation hosted pilgrimages and celebrations throughout the United States marking this milestone of faith for Slovaks, often with Bishop Grutka as homilist. At these celebrations, he encouraged support for the project and often collections for the newly proposed Slovak seminary in Rome were taken up to provide funds for the new Slovak Institute. Between 1963 and 1965, two Slovak priests traveled from Rome to promote the need for the Slovak Institute among our parishes and organizations. The late Reverend Monsignor Štefan Nahálka, who was to become the first rector of the Slovak Institute, and Reverend Monsignor Jozef Tomko, began their association with the Federation and made frequent visits to the United States to solicit support for the project. His Holiness, Pope John XXIII blessed the cornerstone of the new Slovak seminary during one of his last public appearances on May 13, At the same time, the Papal letter, Magnifici Eventus (The Great Event) commemorating the eleventh centenary of the mission of the Apostles of the Slavs, SS. Cyril and Methodius was issued. On September 15, 1963, the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, patroness of Slovakia, the Slovak Institute of Saints Cyril and Methodius became a reality when it was solemnly blessed and dedicated by His Eminence, Eugene Cardinal Tisserant, Dean of the College of Cardinals, in the presence ~ 25 ~

5 The Slovak Catholic Federation of a large delegation of Slovak Catholics from America. It was a fitting event to conclude the observance of the eleventh centenary year of the evangelization of Saints Cyril and Methodius among the Slovaks. On September 16, 1963, during a special papal audience with the group led by the Most Reverend Andrew G. Grutka and the Reverend Monsignor Mlynarovic, His Holiness, Pope Paul VI, lauded the work of the Slovak Catholics in America under the banner of the Slovak Catholic Federation and prayed that the new Slovak Institute (Ustav) would be the spiritual center of the Slovak nation in the Eternal City. In addition to serving as a minor seminary under the direction of the Salesians of Saint John Bosco, the Slovak Institute became an important center for the publication of much needed liturgical and religious books for the faithful in Slovakia. Over the years, more than three million religious books were published by the Slovak Institute (Ustav). Through the continuous, generous support of the Federation, the work of the Slovak Institute blossomed and flourished. Following the dedication of the Slovak Institute in Rome, Reverend Monsignor Mlynarovic resigned the presidency of the Slovak Catholic Federation and Reverend Monsignor Joseph S. Altany of Munhall, Pennsylvania, became president on November 1, The Slovak Catholic Federation hosted its forty-third convention in New York City, on May 10-13, The convention liturgy was celebrated in Saint John Nepomucene Church with the Vicar General of the New York Archdiocese, Most Reverend John J. Maguire as celebrant. A highlight of the convention was the Slovak Day observance held at the New York World s Fair. As part of the observance, Most Reverend Andrew G. Grutka celebrated Mass at the Vatican Pavilion. Reverend Monsignor Joseph S. Altany was reelected as national president of the Slovak Catholic Federation. During his presidency, the Federation promoted various activities to interest Slovak youth in the work of the Federation. Several youth conferences were held in different areas and the first national youth conference took place in Washington, D.C. at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in The Slovak Catholic Federation s sixtieth anniversary was observed during the forty-sixth national convention held in Yonkers, New York, on April 18-21, Abbot Jerome M. Koval, O.S.B. was the principal celebrant of the convention liturgy in Most Holy Trinity Church. At the convention, His Eminence, Terence Cardinal Cooke, Archbishop of New York, greeted the delegates and encouraged them to continue their great support of the Catholic Church in Slovakia. At the convention banquet, Reverend Monsignor John Kallok, a noted Slovak Greek Catholic author and historian, and the Reverend Louis B. Luzebetak, S.V.D., a well-known Divine World Missionary, were honored. In Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in May 1973, at the Federation s first convention outside the United States, it was decided to promote the Federation s work among Canadian Catholics of Slovak ancestry as well. It was at this convention that the delegates elected the Reverend Joseph V. Adamec, chancellor of the Diocese of Saginaw, Michigan, as the Federation s next president. During Father Adamec s presidency, programs to strengthen the role of the Federation among Slovak Catholics were inaugurated. The annual Slovak Catholic Federation Appeal was established and promoted. The collection was taken up around the feast of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Slovak parishes and earmarked to support the Slovak Institute in Rome. The Conference of Slovak Religious was founded in 1977 by Mother M. Valeria Romanchek, SS.C.M, the eighth Superior General of the Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius, and the Reverend Joseph V. Adamec, S.T.L. It was established as a component of the Slovak Catholic Federation and was comprised of ten religious communities of men and women with Slovak roots in the United States and Canada. The presidents, secretaries and chaplains of the affiliated Slovak Catholic fraternal societies as well as representatives from the Conference of Slovak Religious were included as members of the Executive Board. Pastoral conferences were hosted by several of the Federation s regions during these years. The Slovak Catholic Federation took an active part in the American Bicentennial celebrations in Detroit, Michigan and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In the name of the Slovak Catholic Federation, Sister M. John Vianney Vranak, SS.C.M. petitioned the J.S. Paulich Company to publish a photograph of Saints Cyril and Methodius on the cover of their missalette in January, Thus, Saints Cyril and Methodius were honored nationally. The Federation played an important part in promoting Slovak Catholic participation in the fortythird International Eucharistic Congress in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and sent delegates to the first Call to Action convention in Detroit, Michigan. A noteworthy event took place on September 15, 1979, as a revered friend of the Federation, the Reverend Monsignor Jozef Tomko, who had been closely affiliated with the work of the Slovak Institute, received episcopal ordination from His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican. Archbishop Tomko had been ~ 26 ~

6 A highlight of the 51st SCF convention held in Allentown, Pa. in 1985 was the Pan-Slavic celebration commemorating the eleventh centenary of the death of St. Methodius. The Papal Pro-Nuncio in the United States, Archbishop Pio Laghi was principal celebrant of a liturgy at the Cathedral of St. Catherine of Sienna on April 24. Archbishop Laghi is shown above with principal concelebrants, from the left, Abbot Jerome M. Koval, O.S.B., Bishop Andrew G. Grutka, Bishop Thomas J. Welsh and Bishop Dominic Hrušovský. During the 51st SCF convention in Allentown, Pa. in 1985, the Holy Father s official representative in the United States, Archbishop Pio Laghi was honored at a dinner on April 24, given in his honor. Monsignor Francis J. Beeda, S.T.L. is shown above speaking at the dinner as, seated, l-r, Bishop Andrew G. Grutka, Bishop Thomas J. Welsh, Archbishop Pio Laghi, Bishop Dominic Hrušovský and Abbot Jerome M. Koval, O.S.B. listen attentively. named secretary of the Synod of Bishops, a new ecclesiastical institution established by His Holiness, Pope Paul VI in The Federation sponsored a pilgrimage to Rome for the historic event. In April 1985, the Federation celebrated its fifty-first convention in Allentown, Pennsylvania. A special highlight of the event was the presence of His Excellency, Archbishop Pio Laghi, the Apostolic Pro-Nuncio. It was the first time that the Holy Father s personal representative in the United States participated in a convention of the Federation. The Pro-Nuncio was honored at a dinner hosted by the Federation. He later served as the principal celebrant of a special pan-slavic liturgy commemorating the eleventh centenary of the death of Saint Methodius, at Saint Catharine of Siena Cathedral in Allentown, Pennsylvania. A history-making event also highlighted the convention. On the morning of April 24, 1985, Most Reverend Andrew G. Grutka received a call from Rome indicating that His Holiness, Pope John Paul II had elevated Archbishop Tomko to the College of Cardinals and appointed him Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. The long-standing desire of Slovaks to have their own cardinal finally became a reality and the fact that the new cardinal was a close friend of the Federation added to the joy of the appointment. His Eminence, Jozef Cardinal Tomko was the first Slovak cardinal created in the twentieth century. The Federation led a pilgrimage to Rome for the Consistory of Cardinals held on May 25, Cardinal Tomko s many Federation friends and collaborators over the years rejoiced with him as he received the red hat and began his new ministry as prefect of the missionary arm of the Church, the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples (Propaganda Fidei). The red pope, as the prefect of this congregation is traditionally known, appealed to his Slovak friends in America to assist him in his new role. The Federation His Eminence, Jozef Cardinal Tomko ( ) responded appropriately as it organized the Cardinal Tomko Mission Fund to raise monies to build churches in mission lands. The Slovak fraternal societies likewise supported Cardinal Tomko s plea and continued to support the work of evangelization in the best traditions of the Cyrilo-Methodian heritage of faith. Another memorable outcome of the 1985 convention was the establishment of the Federation s newest chapter in the Allentown Diocese. The Jozef Cardinal Tomko Chapter was formally established with great enthusiasm in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania and has, since its inception, contributed much to the vitality of the Slovak Catholic Federation. After the fifty-first convention, on April 22, 1985, at the suggestion of the late Reverend John J. Spitkovsky of Chicago, Illinois, then spiritual director of the Federation, a new program was established to assist Slovak seminarians. Slovak American priests were asked to contribute one hundred dollars annually to support Slovak seminarians in Rome, Italy. This group called itself The Conference of Slovak Clergy. It provides mutual support among American bishops, priests and deacons of Slovak ~ 27 ~

7 The Slovak Catholic Federation Bishop Dominic Hrušovský, rector of the Slovak Institute of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Rome and Bishop for Slovaks residing outside Slovakia, was the principal celebrant of the 51st SCF convention liturgy at St. John the Baptist Church in Allentown, Pa on April 23, Bishop Hrušovský is shown on the church steps with Bishop Thomas Welsh, clergy and laity assembled following the liturgy. ancestry while promoting the work of the Federation. Two representatives of the Conference serve as members of the Federation s Executive Board. In November 1985, the Federation led another pilgrimage to Rome to commemorate the eleventh centenary of the death of Saint Methodius. As part of the celebrations, the Slovak Catholic Federation published a book titled, Saints Cyril and Methodius Among the Slovaks. On April 20, 1986, the Federation observed its seventy-fifth Anniversary with a gala celebration in Wilkes- Barre, Pennsylvania. Heading the list of dignitaries was His Eminence, Jozef Cardinal Tomko, and a number of American bishops also participated in this great anniversary to honor the work of the Federation. In the fall of that year, On April 20, 1986, the SCF celebrated its 75th anniversary in Wilkes- Barre, Pa. with Cardinal Jozef Tomko, center, as principal celebrant of a Mass of thanksgiving in Sacred Heart of Jesus Slovak Church. Among the concelebrants shown with him are, l-r, Archbishop Nicholas Elko, Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, Bishop William Connare, Bishop James C. Timlin, Cardinal Anthony J. Bevilaqua, Abbot Jerome M. Koval, O.S.B. and Archabbot Leopold J. Krul, O.S.B. Cardinal Jozef Tomko, second from the left, is shown extending his blessing to the SCF during his visit to the spring executive board meeting in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. on April 21, Shown with him on the photo are, l-r, Monsignor Edward M. Matash, Bishop Joseph V. Adamec, Bishop Andrew G. Grutka, Monsignor Thomas V. Banick and Rev. Vincent Danco, S.J. Reverend Joseph V. Adamec, President of the Slovak Catholic Federation received the Prelate of Honor with the title of Monsignor. On March 15, 1987, the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Pio Laghi announced that His Holiness, Pope John Paul II had appointed Reverend Monsignor Joseph V. Adamec bishop of Altoona-Johnstown, Pennsylvania. It was the first time in the history of the Slovak Catholic Federation that its national president was raised to the office of bishop. Reverend Monsignor Joseph V, Adamec received episcopal ordination from His Eminence, Jozef Cardinal Tomko and installed him as the seventh Bishop of Altoona-Johnstown at the Cathedral of the The Most Reverend Joseph V. Adamec, D.D., S.T.L. ( ) Blessed Sacrament, Altoona, Pennsylvania on May 20, Bishop Adamec continued to serve as president of the Slovak Catholic Federation for an additional six months. Following the resignation of the Most Reverend Joseph V. Adamec, Reverend Monsignor Edward M. Matash of Bayonne, New Jersey, the first executive vice president, assumed the office of national president. In the fall of 1988, under the leadership of Reverend Monsignor Edward Matash, the Slovak Catholic Federation organized a pilgrimage to Rome to observe the twentyfifth anniversary of the dedication of the Slovak Institute of Saints Cyril and Methodius. It was the Slovak Catholic Federation which organized the drive to raise funds to erect the Ustav as it was known in Slovakia in the late ~ 28 ~

8 1950s. Most Reverend Joseph V. Adamec was the principal celebrant of the special liturgy in Slovak at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome on September 29. His Holiness, Pope John Paul II received the participants in a special audience on October 1 and commended the American Slovak community for its loyal support given to the Slovak Institute since its inception. His Holiness recalled his personal visit there in On Sunday, October 2, Jozef Cardinal Tomko was the principal celebrant and homilist at the outdoor liturgy celebrated on the grounds of the Slovak Institute. During the ensuing years, the Federation continued its pastoral work promoting closer contact with the Church in Slovakia. The long-standing desire to host a pilgrimage to Slovakia finally came about when the communist government of Czecho-Slovakia gave permission to receive such a pilgrimage of the Slovak Catholic Federation in September of A total of one hundred sixty Slovak Catholics from America traveled with the leadership of the Slovak Catholic Federation, visiting all the dioceses in Slovakia. With the fall of communism in 1989, a new chapter began in the work of the Slovak Catholic Federation. As in previous years, the Slovak Catholic community in the United States and Canada met the challenge of trying to assist the Church in Slovakia as it emerged after years of communist oppression. For more than four decades, the Church in Slovakia suffered greatly. Many of the bishops were imprisoned and a number of Catholics died there. Most of the seminaries were closed and religious communities of men and women were abolished. The Slovak Catholic press was almost non-existent. The Saint Adalbert Press In September 1989, the SCF hosted its historic pilgrimage to Slovakia. A total of 160 American Slovaks participated and visited every diocese in the country. The participants pose for a group photo on the steps of the Church of St. Nicholas in Trnava with their gracious host, Archbishop Jan Sokol. It was the first American Slovak pilgrimage sanctioned by the Czechoslovak government, then in the final months before the fall of Communism in November of that year. Sister M. Bernadette Lichman, M.S.C., is shown here in 1992 with Jozef Cardinal Tomko and her sister, Monica Anthony of Allentown, Pennsylvania. During Sister s 42 years as a missionary in Papua, New Guinea, she had the occasion to again meet Cardinal Tomko during his missionary work as Prefect for the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. (Spolok Svätého Vojtecha) in Trnava, Slovakia, which had close links with the Federation in the early years of the twentieth century, was now in need of support. The Federation s response was as determined as ever. The Slovak Church Fund was established by the Federation with an office in Danville, Pennsylvania. Funds from the annual appeal of the Federation were restricted for the support of the Church in Slovakia and were channeled to each bishop in Slovakia to support the most pressing needs of the Church. Seminaries were reestablished and monies were used to support religious communities of men and women as well. On January 1, 1993, following the peaceful breakup of the former Czecho-Slovakia, Slovakia declared its independence. It was a long-awaited occasion which was welcomed with rejoicing for Slovaks both at home and throughout the world. That year, the fifty-third National Convention of the Slovak Catholic Federation was held in Youngstown, Ohio. The delegates welcomed the Most Reverend Rudolf Baláz, president of the Slovak Bishops Conference, who presented a very positive report on the growth of the Church in Slovakia and expressed thanks and gratitude to the Slovak Catholic Federation for its continued support. At this convention the Youngstown Region of the Federation was established, much to the joy of American Slovaks in the northeastern part of the State of Ohio. It was during the fifty-third National Convention that Reverend Monsignor Thomas V. Banick, S.T.D. a priest of the Diocese of Scranton, Pennsylvania was elected as the new president of the Slovak Catholic Federation. Monsignor Banick, a distinguished educator and liturgist, had served as the vice rector of the North American College in Rome. On November 11, 1993, the Lord called Most Reverend Andrew G. Grutka to Himself. Throughout his episcopal ministry, Bishop Grutka had championed the work of the Federation and ranked among the greatest leaders to have emerged from the Slovak community in the United States. He was a kind and loving minister of the Church; ~ 29 ~

9 The Slovak Catholic Federation On April 18, 1994, the SCF hosted its Pilgrimage of Faith at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. in conjunction with its spring executive board meeting. Archbishop Agostino Cacciavillan, the Papal Nuncio in the United States, was principal celebrant of the pilgrimage liturgy. Archbishop Cacciavillan, seated, second from the right, is shown with SCF officers at the dinner given in his honor including, seated, l-r, Rev. Vincent Danco, S.J., Bishop Joseph V. Adamec, and Monsignor Thomas V. Banick. Standing, l-r, Tibor T. Kovalovsky, Justine Wesnak, Monsignor Peter M. Polando and Rev. Edward Slosarcik. an inspiring leader of social justice and equality; and a good neighbor and friend a true Slovak! On April 18, 1994, the Slovak Catholic Federation hosted A Pilgrimage of Faith to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. in conjunction with its Spring Executive Board meeting. The Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Agostino Cacciavillan, was principal celebrant of the liturgy with Bishop Joseph V. Adamec offering the homily. Cardinal James Hickey, Archbishop of Washington, D.C. participated and addressed the pilgrims, offering high praise for the work of the Slovak Catholic Federation. During Reverend Monsignor Thomas V. Banick s capable leadership as national president of the Slovak Catholic Federation, the fifty-fourth convention of the Federation was convened at Wilkes- Barre, Pennsylvania, on the occasion of the eighty-fifth anniversary of the founding of the Federation in October The Slovak Catholic The 85th anniversary celebration of the Slovak Catholic Federation opened with a festive liturgy celebrated on April 26, 1996, in Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Wilkes- Barre, Pennsylvania. The church, built by Father Joseph Murgaš, was the site of the founding of the Slovak Catholic Federation on February 22, Bishop James C. Timlin of Scranton, second from the left, is shown extending a warm welcome to Archbishop Jan Sokol of Trnava, Slovakia s first Metropolitan, at the 85th anniversary liturgy of the SCF celebrated in Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. on October 13, Looking on are, Bishop Joseph V. Adamec, SCF Episcopal Moderator and Monsignor Thomas V. Banick, SCF president. Federation invited several bishops from Slovakia to participate in the convention. Among the guests present for the national convention were the Most Reverend Ján Sokol, Archbishop of Bratislava-Trnava; the Most Reverend Bernard Bober, Auxiliary Bishop of Košice; the Most Reverend Andrej Imrich, Auxiliary Bishop of Spiš; and the Reverend Monsignor Štefan Vrablec, Rector of the Institute of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Rome. The cardinal of the diocese of Nitra and the Eastern Catholic bishop of Prešov also sent priest representatives. It was a convention historical event to have a number of distinguished clergy from the Slovak Republic, in addition to the rector of the Slovak Institute in Rome. The delegates elected Reverend Peter M. Polando of Youngstown, Ohio as President of the Slovak Catholic Federation for the next four years. The 54th convention of the SCF was held in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. in October Monsignor Thomas V. Banick, president, shown at the podium, is shown with headtable guests including, seated, l-r, Bishop Andrej Imrich, Archbishop Jan Sokol, Archabbot Douglas Nowicki, O.S.B. and Bishop Joseph V. Adamec. Standing, l-r, Msgr. Peter M. Polando, Msgr. Juraj Kamas, Msgr. Stefan Vrablec, Abbot Roger W. Gries, O.S.B. and Msgr. Jan Gaydos. ~ 30 ~

10 Prior to the convention, Monsignor Banick escorted the visiting bishops from Slovakia on a tour to New York City and its environs. More than six hundred guests attended the eighty-fifth anniversary celebration of the Federation. During the convention banquet, Monsignor Thomas Banick and Bishop Joseph Adamec presented the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (for the Church and the Pontiff) medal of Pope John Paul II to Justine Wesnak, president of the First Slovak Wreath of the Free At the 54th SCF convention held in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. in October 1996, Michael J. Fox was awarded the first SCF Youth Award during the convention banquet. Michael is shown accepting his award from Bishop Joseph V. Adamec as SCF President Monsignor Thomas V. Banick looks on. Eagle and Daniel F. Tanzone, editor of the Slovak Catholic Sokol, in recognition of their outstanding service as members of the Slovak Catholic Federation. Michael Fox was the first recipient of a Slovak Catholic Federation Youth Award. With Slovakia declaring its independence and grappling with western concepts and ideologies, new challenges faced the Church there. With seminaries renovated or erected, religious houses and local churches had to be built or restored. The Church in Slovakia encountered an influx of vocations to the religious life and the need for the laity to renew their role within the life of the Church became apparent. The Slovak Church Fund continued to receive generous donations and the Federation was able to assist in establishing a new Discalced Carmelite monastery in Košice, help in the repairs and building of the children s home in Ružomberok sponsored by the School Sisters of Saint Francis, and expand the library at Saint Francis Xavier Seminary in Banská Bystrica. In addition, monies were made available to the Spolok Svätého Vojtecha for the printing of the Church s new catechism in Slovak and toward construction of a new church structure in Tajov, Slovakia, the birthplace of the Federation s founder, the Reverend Joseph Murgaš. The membership of the Slovak Catholic Federation was pleased to receive the news that on September 8, 1998, by papal decree, His Holiness, Pope John Paul II raised the Institute in Rome, Italy, to the dignity of a Pontifical College with the name: the Pontifical College of Saints Cyril and Methodius. The college continues to accommodate student-priests from the various diocesan churches in the Slovak Republic. In 1999, the executive board of the Slovak Catholic Federation voted that fifteen percent of all monies collected from the two hundred thirty-three Slovak ethnic parishes in the United States and Canada in the annual Saints Cyril and Methodius Appeal, would be given to the seven religious communities in the Slovak Republic who have American counterparts in the Conference of Slovak Religious. The endeared friend of the Federation, His Eminence, Jozef Cardinal Tomko, celebrated his fiftieth anniversary of ordination to the priesthood in March Festivities commemorating this event were held both in the Eternal City, Rome and in his home archdiocese of Košice, Slovakia. A delegation of priests, headed by the Most Reverend Joseph V. Adamec, traveled to Rome to congratulate the Cardinal, to celebrate Holy Mass with him, and to convey, on behalf of the members of the Federation, their affection for and joy with him. During the presidency of Reverend Monsignor Polando, the Slovak Catholic Federation s tradition of being a prayerful federating body for Catholics of Slovak descent in the United States remains an integral force in its existence as seen in the maintenance of a regular pilgrimage program. Responding to the call of His Holiness, Pope John Paul II for spiritual preparation for the Jubilee Year 2000, the Federation sponsored pilgrimages to significant places which are held close to members hearts: Rome and the Pontifical College of Saints Cyril and Methodius in 1998 for the thirty-fifth anniversary of the dedication of the Ustav; Danville and the Motherhouse of the Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius in 1999; and Washington, D.C., and the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception during the Holy Year, the Great Jubilee Year Pilgrims who participated in the 1998 pilgrimage of the Slovak Catholic Federation to the Eternal City of Rome are pictured in the Chapel of SS. Cyril and Methodius in the Basilica of St. Clement. The grave of Saint Cyril is located in this well-known Roman basilica. The altar over the grave was restored by the Slovak Catholic Federation during the Holy Year of ~ 31 ~

11 The Slovak Catholic Federation In November 1998, the SCF hosted a pilgrimage to the Eternal City of Rome to participate in the festivities marking the 35th anniversary of the dedication of the Slovak Institute of SS. Cyril and Methodius (now known as the Pontifical Slovak College of SS. Cyril and Methodius). Its rector, Monsignor Frantisek Novajovsky, third from the left, is shown welcoming some of the pilgrims at the Institute s corner stone which was blessed by Blessed John XXIII on May 13, Shown on the photo with Msgr. Novajovsky are, l-r, Rev. Anthony J. Pleho, Rev. Philip A. Altavilla, Msgr. Peter M. Polando, SCF president; Rev. Andrew S. Hvozdovic and Daniel F. Tanzone. On October 9, 1999, the SCF hosted a pilgrimage at the Motherhouse of the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Danville, Pa. in anticipation of the Holy Year. SCF President Monsignor Peter M. Polando, center, was principal celebrant of the pilgrimage liturgy. He is shown with some of the clergy and laity on the steps of the Basilica of SS. Cyril and Methodius. At the request of the members of the Conference of Slovak Religious, holy cards depicting the images of Saints Cyril and Methodius were printed in English and Slovak with a prayer for a renewed evangelization. These cards were distributed in the United States and the Slovak Republic. Following the Communist takeover in Czechoslovakia and the suppression of religious orders there in 1950, several Slovak Jesuits took refuge in several western countries. The first Slovak Jesuits arrived in Canada in They eventually established The Oaks, a Mission House and publishing center in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada. The site was also the home of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, offering worship and Mass for decades to the local Slovak community. In the spring of 2000, following the fall of Communism and the independence of Slovakia, the center was closed and most of the Slovak Jesuits returned to their home province. Changing times and demographics, saw the merger of the Slovak Franciscan Vice Province of the Most Holy Savior with headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with the Province of Saint John the Baptist in Cincinnati, Ohio, in July They had their beginnings with the arrival of the first Slovak Franciscans in Pittsburgh in The fifty-fifth National Convention of the Slovak Catholic Federation was held in Yonkers, New York, during the Great Jubilee Year of 2000 on October 28-31, The highlight of the convention was the concelebrated Pontifical Liturgy in Most Holy Trinity Church. The Most Reverend Joseph V. Adamec, Bishop of Altoona-Johnstown, Pennsylvania and the Episcopal Moderator for the Federation, was the principal celebrant. Also participating in the liturgy were the Most Reverend František Tondra, Bishop of Spiš and president of the Bishops Conference of Slovakia; Ukrainian Catholic Bishop Basil Losten of Stamford, Connecticut; Abbot Roger W. Gries, O.S.B., of Cleveland, Ohio; and Monsignor František Novajovský, rector of the Pontifical Slovak College of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Rome. Reverend Andrew S. Hvozdovic, the National Chaplain of the Federation delivered the homily for the liturgy. Bishop František Tondra presented a report on the Church to the convention delegates. His Excellency, Martin Butora, Slovakia s Ambassador to the United States, offered cordial greetings to the delegates It was the first time in the history of the Slovak Catholic Federation that Slovakia s official representative in the United States participated in a Federation convention. Slovakia s Ambassador to the United States Martin Butora participated in the festivities of the 55th SCF convention held in Yonkers, N.Y., October during the Holy Year of Ambassador Butora, second from the left, is shown prior to the convention liturgy at Most Holy Trinity Church with, l-r, Bishop František Tondra of Spiš, president of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Slovakia; Bishop Joseph V. Adamec, principal celebrant of the liturgy; Bishop Basil Losten, Eparch of the Ukrainian Byzantine Catholic Diocese of Stamford; and Abbot Roger W. Gries, O.S.B. ~ 32 ~

12 In addition to these clergy who participated in the convention, twenty-five priests of Slovak ancestry from across the country joined them. More than three hundred delegates and guests attended a festive banquet at the Polish Community Center in Yonkers, New York. During this convention, Reverend Philip A. Altavilla of Scranton, Pennsylvania, was elected the Federation s national president and Dolores M. Evanko, of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, accepted the election to serve as national secretary-treasurer. The twenty-fifth Slovak Catholic Federation s Saints Cyril and Methodius Appeal was taken up in February 2001 in Slovak parishes in the United States. This particular year marked a quarter of a century that this financial appeal has been taking place to support the ministry of the Pontifical Slovak College of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Rome as well as the religious communities of men and women in Slovakia. The year 2001 was an important one in the life of the Slovak Catholic Federation. Joy resounded throughout the organization when it was announced that His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, had elevated Abbot Roger W. Gries, O.S.B., of Cleveland, Ohio, and long-time activist within the Federation, to the office of bishop. Following his Episcopal ordination on July 7, 2001, in Saint John s Cathedral in Cleveland, Ohio, Bishop Gries was named the Auxiliary Bishop of Cleveland as Titular Bishop of Praesidium. With the new appointment and accompanying duties of Bishop Gries, the monks of Saint Andrew Svorad Benedictine Abbey in Cleveland found themselves needing to elect a new superior. On June 8, 2001, The Reverend Clement L. Zeleznik, O.S.B., was elected the fifth Abbot of The Rev. Charles P. O Connor, Ph.D., noted Church historian, was the principal speaker at the SCF s 90th anniversary banquet in Scranton, Pa. on Spetember 30, Dr. O Connor, second from the left, is shown with, l-r, Monsignor Thomas V. Banick, S.T.D., former national president; Bishop Joseph V. Adamec, S.T.L., and Monsignor Francis J. Beeda, S.T.L. the abbey. The abbatial blessing took place on September 8, 2001, and was presided over by The Most Reverend Roger W. Gries, O.S.B. With this transition, Saint Andrew Svorad Abbey s long association with the Slovak Catholic Federation continued with the enthusiastic support of Abbot Clement Zeleznik, O.S.B. On September 30, 2001, the Slovak Catholic Federation commemorated its ninetieth anniversary with a celebratory religious and social program. A concelebrated Pontifical Mass of Thanksgiving was held in Saint John the Baptist Church in Taylor, Pennsylvania, whose pastor was Reverend Philip A. Altavilla, also the national president of the Slovak Catholic Federation. The Most Reverend Joseph V. Adamec, bishop of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, Pennsylvania was the principal celebrant and homilist at this special liturgy. In addition to Bishop Adamec, the celebration was blessed by the presence of Abbot Clement L. Zeleznik, O.S.B., of the Saint Andrew Svorad Abbey, and twenty-one invited priests of Slovak ancestry. Following the celebration of the Eucharist, a festive The SCF commemorated its 90th anniversary during a concelebrated Mass of Thanksgiving in St. John the Baptist Church in Taylor, Pa. on September 30, Liturgy participants included, l-r, Msgr. Thomas A. Derzack, Rev. Andrew S. Hvozdovic, Abbot Clement Zeleznik, O.S.B., Bishop Joseph V. Adamec, Rev. Philip A. Altavilla, SCF president and host pastor; and Msgr. Edward M. Matash, former National President. Monsignor Francis J. Beeda, S.T.L. (center), pastor of the oldest Slovak parish in the United States, St. Joseph s in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, was honored with an award during the 90th anniversary banquet of the Slovak Catholic Federation in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Pictured with him are, from left: Rev. Andrew S. Hvozdovic, Abbot Clement Zeleznik, O.S.B., Rev. Philip A. Altavilla, Bishop Joseph V. Adamec, Dolores M. Evanko, and Monsignor Thomas A. Derzack. ~ 33 ~

13 The Slovak Catholic Federation banquet, attended by more than two hundred fifty guests, was held at the Clarion Hotel in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The program at the dinner consisted of authentic Slovak dancing and singing and an address given by the Reverend Charles P. Connor, Ph.D., a noted Catholic historian and priest of the diocese of Scranton Pennsylvania. Along with a presentation from a historical perspective of our faith and its traditions, the evening included with an opportunity to honor four individuals for their efforts within the American Slovak Catholic community. Those being recognized for their contributions were: The Reverend Monsignor Francis J. Beeda, S.T.L., pastor of the oldest Slovak church in the United States, Saint Joseph s Parish in Hazleton, Pennsylvania; Trude Check-Tuhy of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, a highly esteemed musician, vocalist, and Slovak cultural activist; the Reverend Monsignor Peter M. Polando of Youngstown, Ohio, the immediate past president of the Slovak Catholic Federation; and Bernadette J. Demechko, also of Youngstown, Ohio, the past national secretary-treasurer of the Slovak Catholic Federation. The year following the anniversary liturgy, on September 15, 2002, the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, patroness of the Slovak people, the Federation hosted a pilgrimage to Villa Sacred Heart, the Motherhouse of the Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Danville, Pennsylvania. This journey of faith afforded the pilgrims an opportunity to take part in special devotions and various presentations. The highlight of the event was the celebration of the Pontifical Liturgy in the Basilica of Saints Cyril and Methodius with the Most Reverend Joseph V. Adamec, Bishop of Altoona-Johnstown, Pennsylvania as the principal celebrant and homilist. On February 22, 2003, Americans of Slovak heritage were once again blessed with the episcopal ordination of the Most Reverend Ronald W. Gainer, the sixth American bishop of Slovak ancestry and formerly a priest in the Diocese of Allentown, Pennsylvania. With his installation in the Cathedral of Christ the King in Lexington, Kentucky, Bishop Gainer now became the second bishop of the Diocese of Lexington. On September 6, 2003, the Slovak Catholic Federation hosted a pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. More than seven hundred-fifty pilgrims from various parts of the United States journeyed to our nation s capital to participate in the pilgrimage in honor of Our Mother of Sorrows, patroness of Slovakia. The Most Reverend Joseph V. Adamec was principal celebrant of the pilgrimage liturgy and blessed the newly restored Chapel of Our Mother Slovakia s Ambassador to the United States, Rastislav Kačer, center, visited with the participants of the Holy Year Pilgrimage of Faith sponsored by the SCF at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. in September Ambassador Kačer is shown with from the left, Rev. Philip A. Altavilla, SCF president, Bishop David A. Zubik of Pittsburgh, Pa., Bishop John R. Gaydos of Jefferson City, Mo., and Bishop Joseph V. Adamec of Altoona- Johnstown, Pa. of Sorrows, patroness of Slovakia. The chapel was a gift of the First Catholic Slovak Union and was dedicated in His Eminence, Theodore W. Cardinal McCarrick, Archbishop of Washington, D.C. addressed the pilgrims. His Excellency, Ratislav Káčer, Slovakia s Ambassador to the United States, in his remarks recalled the close association of the Slovak Catholic Federation with the people of Slovakia over the years. Also participating in the liturgy were Most Reverend David A. Zubik, Bishop of Green Bay, Wisconsin, Most Reverend John R. Gaydos, Bishop of Jefferson City, Missouri, and Abbot Clement L. Zeleznik, O.S.B., of Cleveland, Ohio. Pioneer anthropologist, scholar, and author, the Reverend Louis J. Luzbetak, S.V.D., died of heart failure on March 22, 2005, in Techny, Illinois. He was eighty-six years of age. He was an internationally known scholar in the field of missiological anthropology, which applies anthropology to Christian mission, and was an innovative exponent of priestly ministry in the post Vatican II Church. He served as the founding executive director of CARA, the Washingtonbased Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate. Born of Slovak immigrant parents in Joliet, Illinois, he was raised in Saints Cyril and Methodius Parish there. Historic Saint Joseph s Parish in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, hosted the fifty-sixth National Convention of the Slovak Catholic Federation on April 17-20, Established in 1882, Saint Joseph s Church is the oldest Slovak parish in the United States. It is considered the mother church of nearly three hundred Slovak Roman Catholic parishes founded in the United States. The highlight of the convention was the pontifical concelebrated liturgy celebrated in Saint Joseph s Church on Sunday, April 17, The pastor of Saint Joseph s, Reverend Monsignor ~ 34 ~

14 Bishop Joseph V. Adamec, center, is pictured with four active promoters of the work of the Slovak Catholic Federation who have each received the Papal honor, Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice from Pope John Paul II. The medal is awarded in recognition of service to the Church and the papacy. From left to right are Justine Wesnak of the Diocese of Allentown, Eileen Salamon Wilson of the Diocese of Bridgeport, Connecticut, the late Cecilia Sarocky of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, and Daniel F. Tanzone of the Archdiocese of New York. Francis J. Beeda, S.T.L., a long-time promoter of the work of the Slovak Catholic Federation, welcomed the delegates and guests in attendance. Principal celebrant of the liturgy was the Episcopal Moderator of the Slovak Catholic Federation, the Most Reverend Joseph V. Adamec. Concelebrants included the Most Reverend John M. Dougherty, Auxiliary Bishop of Scranton, Pennsylvania; the Right Reverend Clement Zeleznik, O.S.B., Abbot of St. Andrew Svorad Abbey in Cleveland, Ohio; and twenty priests. The homilist was the Federation s national chaplain, the Reverend Thomas Derzack. The convention banquet followed at Genetti s Best Western Hotel in Hazleton, Pennsylvania with more than During the 56th National Convention, a special exhibit on the life and legacy of Slovak Catholic Federation founder, the Reverend Joseph Murgaš, was featured at King s College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The exhibit opened with Evening Prayer in the college s chapel on April 18, 2005 with Bishop Joseph V. Adamec presiding. Shown with Bishop Joseph are, L-R: Thomas M. Hricik, Theresa M. Kluchinski, Dolores M. Evanko, Reverend Thomas O Hara, C.S.C., president of King s College, Reverend Philip A. Altavilla, Sue Ann M. Seich and Mary Ann S. Johanek, Esq. three hundred people in attendance. Honored at the banquet were the Reverend John L. Fabian, a retired priest of the Diocese of Scranton, Pennsylvania; Sister M. Mercedes Voytko, SS.C.M., director of Jankola Library and Slovak Museum along with her sister, Catherine Voytko, her faithful collaborator; and Joseph and Anna Biros. A posthumous award was granted to Rita M. Simalchik, former president of the Ladies Pennsylvania Slovak Catholic Union. During the fifty-sixth convention, the delegates had the opportunity to view an exhibit in King s College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania commemorating the accomplishments of Reverend Joseph Murgaš, the founder of the Slovak Catholic Federation. The evening festivities began with Evening Prayer by Bishop Joseph V. Adamec in King s College chapel of Christ the King. The convention delegates reelected the Reverend Philip A. Altavilla as national president of the Slovak Catholic Federation and Dolores M. Evanko as national secretary-treasurer. While in the midst of intense deliberations on the future direction of the Slovak Catholic Federation, delegates paused to watch television coverage of the Conclave that was taking place in Rome. Because of the death of His Holiness, Pope John His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI (Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger, ) Paul II on April 2, 2005, a Conclave was convened to elect a new Successor to Saint Peter. On April 19, 2005, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (the Holy Office) was elected as the successor to Pope John Paul II on the second day of the papal conclave after four ballots. Cardinal Ratzinger had hoped to retire peacefully and said that At a certain point, I prayed to God please don t do this to me... Evidently, this time He didn t listen to me. The Convention delegates offered prayer and song for the 265 th Vicar of Christ on earth and a letter of congratulations and assurances of loyalty and support was to be sent by the National President. On July 9, 2005, the Slovak Catholic Sokol observed its centennial with an elaborate religious and cultural celebration in Passaic, New Jersey, the city of its birth. Guest of honor at the celebration was His Eminence, Jozef Cardinal Tomko, Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, Rome. The jubilee began with a memorial service presided over by Cardinal Tomko at Saint Mary s Cemetery in Saddle Brook, New Jersey, where the founders of the Slovak Catholic Sokol are buried. Later that afternoon, Cardinal Tomko was principal celebrant ~ 35 ~

15 The Slovak Catholic Federation and homilist during the Pontifical concelebrated liturgy in Saint Mary of the Assumption Church in Passaic, where the Slovak Catholic Sokol was founded in Most Reverend Joseph V. Adamec, Bishop of Altoona-Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Most Reverend Arthur J. Serrateli, Bishop of Paterson, New Jersey and Most Reverend Frank J. Rodimer Bishop Emeritus of Paterson, New Jersey, as well as twenty priests concelebrated the centennial anniversary liturgy. Following the liturgy, Cardinal Tomko blessed and unveiled a special plaque at the Sokol home office where an open house was held in observance of the organization s centennial. The evening concluded with a gala banquet at the Marriott Hotel in Saddle Brook, New Jersey. The Slovak Catholic Sokol has enjoyed continuous membership in the Slovak Catholic Federation for nearly nine decades. The Milwaukee area Slovak community hosted its ninetieth annual pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady Help of Christians at Holy Hill in Hubertus, Wisconsin, on Labor Day, September 5, The annual tradition of pilgrimage to the monastery of the Discalced Carmelites began in 1915 by the faithful people of Saint Stephen the Martyr Parish in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. On September 24, 2005, Daniel F. Tanzone of Yonkers, New York, a Slovak Catholic Federation activist and editor of the Slovak Catholic Sokol, was solemnly invested as a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem by His Eminence, Edward M. Cardinal Egan, Archbishop of New York, during a liturgy celebrated at Saint Patrick s Cathedral in New York City. Earlier, in 1960, the late Stephen and Katherine Tkach were the first American Slovaks to be invested as Knights and Ladies of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem at New York s St. Patrick s Cathedral. Sir Knight Tkach was a well-known Slovak Catholic fraternalist and served for many years as the president of the Pennsylvania Slovak Catholic Union. Instituted in 1099, the order recognizes men and women for their commitment to the promotion of the works of charity and benevolence as well as supporting the Church in the Holy Land. Knights and Ladies are appointed by the cardinal grand master at the recommendation of their local bishops. On October 2, 2005, the annual Slovak Pastoral Seminar was held at the Motherhouse of the Sisters of Casimir in Chicago, Illinois. The annual seminar, sponsored by the Midwest Region of the Slovak Catholic Federation, has been a Chicagoland tradition since On November 1, 2005, the Slovak Heritage Society of Northeastern Pennsylvania published a new book on Slovak culture and heritage titled: Folk Customs and Traditions of Slovakia. On March 6, 2006, His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI awarded the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (for the Church and the Pontiff) medal to Reverend Philip A. Altavilla, National President of the Slovak Catholic Federation. With the approval of the Most Reverend Joseph F. Martino, D.D., Hist. E.D., Bishop of Scranton, Pennsylvania, the Most Reverend Joseph V. Adamec, Bishop of Altoona- Johnstown, Pennsylvania presented the Papal honor to Father Altavilla during a dinner of the Executive Board of the Slovak Catholic Federation held at Saint Matthias Parish in Youngstown, Ohio. On June 1, 2006, Archbishop Dominik Hrušovský celebrated his eightieth birthday in Rome. Archbishop Hrušovský served as the rector of the Pontifical Slovak Institute of Saints Cyril and Methodius from 1975 until Pope John Paul II named him a bishop to serve Slovaks residing outside Slovakia and personally ordained him to the episcopacy on January 6, 1983, in St. Peter s Basilica. In 1996, he was given the personal title of Archbishop and named Papal Nuncio to Belarus. Archbishop Hrušovský has enjoyed a close association with the Slovak Catholic Federation. Archbishop Hrušovský retired in On June 6, 2006, the Reverend Monsignor Michael A. Komar, retired pastor of Holy Family Parish in Linden, New Jersey, celebrated the seventieth anniversary of his priestly ordination. On June 11, 2006, the Reverend Monsignor Edward M. Matash, pastor of Saint Joseph s Parish in Bayonne, New Jersey, observed the fiftieth anniversary of his priestly ordination. Monsignor Matash, pastor of the oldest Slovak parish in the state of New Jersey, served as national president of the Slovak Catholic Federation from July 1987 to On September 20, 2006, a special plaque honoring the Reverend Joseph Murgaš, founder of the Slovak Catholic Federation and pioneer in wireless telegraphy, was unveiled at the main Post Office in Bratislava, Slovakia. Reverend Monsignor Francis J. Beeda, S.T.L, a member of the Executive Board of the Slovak Catholic Federation of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, who spearheaded the drive for funds for the plaque, spoke during the dedication. Monsignor Beeda was a successor of Father Murgaš, serving as pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, from 1974 to On September 30, 2006, Plaque honoring Father Murgaš at the main Post Office, Bratislava, Slovakia. ~ 36 ~

16 Thomas M. Hricik, president of the First Catholic Slovak Union of the United States and Canada, and his wife, Geraldine Hricik of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, were solemnly invested as Knight and Lady of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem by the Most Reverend Henry J. Mansell, Archbishop of Hartford, during a liturgy at Saint Patrick s Cathedral in New York. The Hricik s, who have been active in the work of the Slovak Catholic Federation for many years, were recommended for the honors by the Most Reverend Lawrence M. Brandt, Bishop of Greensburg, Pennsylvania. On November 1, 2006, the president of the Slovak Catholic Federation, the Reverend Philip A. Altavilla announced the appointment of Sister Bernadette Marie Ondus, SS.C.M., as the new editor of The Good Shepherd (Dobry Pastier), the organization s annual publication. She succeeded Sister M. Anne Kremenik, V.S.C., who faithfully served as national editor for the previous 15 years. Because of health reasons, Sister Anne retired from her position. The publication had its origins in 1919 when its first editor was the Reverend Stephen J. Krasula of New York City. The new year of 2007 brought joyous news for the newly established Benedictine presence in Slovakia. Benedictine monasteries flourished in what today is Slovakia as early as the ninth century. Among the great Benedictines of the period, there was Saint Andrew Svorad. However, following the Turkish invasions and the Protestant Reformation, by the seventeenth century Benedictines had disappeared from the territory. When the Slovak Benedictines established their community in Cleveland in 1922, they chose Saint Andrew Svorad as their patron. It was always their dream of one day helping to reestablish a Benedictine presence in Slovakia. Following the fall of communism in Slovakia, a group of young men established a Benedictine monastery in Bacurov, a village in central Slovakia. Through the generosity of Saint Andrew Svorad Abbey in Cleveland, Abbot Clement Zeleznik, O.S.B., traveled to Bacurov to visit the new foundation and present funds which they raised for this mission. Abbot Clement also presented a generous monetary gift of $5, from the Slovak Catholic Federation for the new foundation. Our long-time friend of the Slovak Catholic Federation, His Eminence, Jozef Cardinal Tomko authored an outstanding book, On Missionary Roads, in which he describes his first hand missionary work as it takes place today all over the world. The publication, originally written in Slovak and translated into other languages, was finally translated into English in March Published by Ignatius Press, it became available in the United States for the first time. In his book, Cardinal Tomko shares his account of the many missionary journeys he made from 1985 until his retirement in 2001 as Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, the Church s chief missionary dichastry in Rome. On April 9, 2007, Archbishop Pietro Sambi, Papal Nuncio in the United States, announced that His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI had named Reverend Monsignor Peter A. Libasci, 55, as Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, New York. One of the largest dioceses in the United States, the Rockville Centre Diocese covers all of Long Island. Bishop Libasci s maternal grandparents were natives of a village outside of Košice in eastern Slovakia. He was ordained a bishop at the Cathedral of Saint Agnes in Rockville Centre, New York on June 1, On May 20, 2007, the Most Reverend Joseph V. Adamec, Episcopal Moderator of the Slovak Catholic Federation, marked his twentieth anniversary of episcopal ordination with a Mass of Thanksgiving celebrated in the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Reverend Monsignor Adamec was serving as president of the Slovak Catholic Federation when His Holiness, Pope John Paul II appointed him as the seventh Bishop of Altoona-Johnstown, Pennsylvania in March Bishop Joseph served a total of 14 years as national president of the Slovak Catholic Federation. On June 11, 2007, Archbishop Pietro Sambi, the Papal Nuncio to the United States, announced that His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI had appointed the Most Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, Bishop of Knoxville, Tennessee, as the fourth Archbishop of Louisville, Kentucky. Archbishop Kurtz, 60, a native of Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania, where he was raised in the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Slovak Parish, became the first American Archbishop of Slovak ancestry. His paternal grandparents were natives of a village outside Košice in eastern Slovakia. On July 5, 2007, Bishop Joseph V. Adamec, the first American bishop of Slovak ancestry, was invited to be the principal celebrant and homilist of the Mass at the national celebration honoring Saints Cyril and Methodius in Nitra, Slovakia. Two cardinals and many bishops concelebrated the liturgy with Our Episcopal Moderator, Bishop Joseph V. Adamec, was the principal celebrant and homilist at Slovakia s celebration of the feast of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Nitra, Slovakia, on July 5, ~ 37 ~

17 The Slovak Catholic Federation Sister Linda Marie Bolinski, SS.C.M., General Superior of the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius (third from the right), is shown welcoming some of the pilgrims who participated in the Slovak Catholic Federation pilgrimage held at Villa Sacred Heart in Danville, Pennsylvania, on September 22, Bishop Adamec outdoors in front of the Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Emeram. Thousands of faithful people attended this national observance honoring Saints Cyril and Methodius. In Slovakia, the feast of the brother saints, who are the Apostles of the Slavs, is observed on July 5. Bishop Adamec was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Nitra in Nitra established in 880 A.D., is not only the oldest diocese in Slovakia, but the oldest in the territory of the western Slavs. On July 10, 2007, the Most Reverend Joseph F. Martino, Bishop of Scranton, Pennsylvania appointed the president of the Slovak Catholic Federation, the Reverend Philip A. Altavilla as Episcopal Vicar of the Northern Pastoral Region of the Scranton Diocese. Father Altavilla is one of four Episcopal Vicars in the diocese and continues to serve as the Director of the Office of Ecumenism and Interfaith Affairs for his diocese. On July 17, 2007, Archbishop Pietro Sambi, Papal Nuncio in the United States, announced that His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI appointed the Most Reverend David A. Zubik, Bishop of Green Bay, Wisconsin, as the twelfth Bishop of Pittsburgh. A native of Sewicky, a borough outside of Ambridge, Pennsylvania, Bishop Zubik s maternal grandparents were natives of eastern Slovakia. Bishop Zubik, 58, was named to head one of the largest and most important American dioceses which is home to a large community of Slovak ancestry. In 1894, Saint Elizabeth s Church in the flats section of Pittsburgh became the first Slovak parish to be established in the diocese. Slovaks settled in an additional thirty-five parishes in the diocese of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. On August 15, 2007, His Eminence, Edward M. Cardinal Egan presided at a liturgy in the Church of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Tappan, New York, where he officially established the New York Congregation Oratory of Saint Philip Neri. The Very Reverend George J. Torok, C.O., leads the Oratory which includes three priests from the Archdiocese of Košice in Slovakia. The Oratory priests minister to the spiritual needs of the Slovak speaking people in the New York-New Jersey metropolitan area. On September 22, 2007, the Slovak Catholic Federation hosted its traditional pilgrimage and spiritual conference at Villa Sacred Heart, the Motherhouse of the Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Danville, Pennsylvania. Most Reverend Joseph V. Adamec, Bishop of Altoona- Johnstown, Pennsylvania was principal celebrant of the pilgrimage liturgy celebrated in the Basilica of Saints Cyril and Methodius. On September 30, 2007, Most Reverend Joseph F. Martino, D.D., Hist. E.D., Bishop of Scranton, Pennsylvania celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving in Saint Joseph s Church in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, in observance of the one hundred twenty-fifth anniversary of the founding of the parish, in It was the first Slovak parish to be established in the United States. Reverend Monsignor Francis J. Beeda, S.T.L., had served as its pastor. History was made in the American Slovak community on November 9, 2007, when President George W. Bush appointed Vincent Obsitnik of Peachtree, Georgia, as ambassador to of the United States of America to the Slovak Republic. Ambassador Obsitnik, a native of Morovany, in eastern Slovakia and a deacon in the Byzantine Catholic Church, was sworn in at ceremonies held at the United States Department of State in Washington, D.C. Ambassador Obsitnik is the first American Slovak to serve as a United States Ambassador. In February 2008, the Reverend Andrew S. Hvozdovic, Slovak Catholic Federation National First Vice President, inaugurated the annual Saints Cyril and Methodius Appeal, which marked its thirtieth anniversary. Father Hvozdovic, the Appeal Director, announced that funds raised in the Appeal had exceeded the two million dollar mark. The collections from the Slovak parishes in the United States and Canada were designated to be used for the support of the Pontifical Slovak College of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Rome, as well as religious communities of women and men in Slovakia, who share a counterpart with United States communities affiliated with the Conference of Slovak Religious and the Slovak Catholic Federation in the United States. On February 12, 2008, the Most Reverend Edward P. Cullen, Bishop of Allentown, Pennsylvania announced that His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI named the Reverend Thomas A. Derzack, national chaplain of the Slovak Catholic Federation and pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in ~ 38 ~

18 Whitehall, Pennsylvania, a Chaplain of His Holiness with the title of Monsignor. In July 2008, the Jankola Library and Slovak Museum marked its fortieth anniversary in Danville, Pennsylvania. The Congregation of the Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius established the library in 1968 as a depository and center of Slovak literature and the arts. It was named for the congregation s founder, the Reverend Matthew Jankola. Sister M. Martina Tybor, SS.C.M., was its first director and served until Sister M. Mercedes Voytko, SS.C.M., succeeded her and served until That year, Jankola s third director, Sister M. John Vianney Vranak, SS.C.M., was appointed. In 2010, Sister Linda Marie Bolinski, SS.C.M., General Superior of the Congregation appointed Sister Catherine Labouré Bresnock, SS.C.M. to be the new director of Jankola Library and Slovak Museum. On August 29, 2008, the Abbatial Blessing of the Right Reverend Christopher R. Schwartz, O.S.B., took place in the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Broadview Heights, Ohio. Abbot Schwartz was elected to serve as the sixth superior of Saint Andrew Svorad Benedictine Abbey in Cleveland, Ohio, following the retirement of Abbot Clement Zeleznik, O.S.B. In September 2008, the Ladies Pennsylvania Slovak Catholic Union marked its one hundred tenth anniversary. The organization was established in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, in 1898, and received its charter in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1900 under the title The Women s Pennsylvania Slovak Roman and Greek Catholic Union. In 1948, the name of the organization was changed to the Ladies Pennsylvania Slovak Catholic Union. Headquartered in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, the organization was among the founders of the Slovak Catholic Federation and has enjoyed continuous membership ever since. On September 14, 2008, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, the Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius inaugurated their centennial year observance with a Pontifical Mass of Thanksgiving in the Basilica of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Danville, Pennsylvania, with the Most Reverend Joseph V. Adamec, Bishop of Altoona-Johnstown, Pennsylvania as principal celebrant. The Reverend Philip A. Altavilla, president of the Slovak Catholic Federation, and a product of the educational ministry of the Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius, offered the homily. The Congregation of the Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius which was established by the Reverend Matthew Jankola to serve the needs of the children of Slovak immigrants, received papal approbation on September 11, The Youngstown Ohio Chapter of the Slovak Catholic Federation hosted its fifteenth annual pilgrimage in honor of Our Mother of Sorrows at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon in North Jackson, Ohio, on September 14, Faithful of Slovak ancestry from across northeastern Ohio participated in the annual religious event. History was made in the American Slovak community on September 17, 2008, when a Mass was celebrated in Slovak for the first time in the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Most Reverend Joseph V. Adamec, Bishop of Altoona-Johnstown, Pennsylvania concelebrated the liturgy with four other American bishops of Slovak ancestry. Joining him were Most Reverend David A. Zubik, Bishop of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Most Reverend Ronald W. Gainer, Bishop of Lexington, Kentucky; Most Reverend David R. Choby, Bishop of Nashville, Tennessee; and Most Reverend Peter A. Libasci, Auxiliary Bishop of Rockville Centre, New York. The liturgy was held in conjunction with the biennial meeting of the Conference of Slovak Clergy, a member body of the Executive Board of the Slovak Catholic Federation. From l-r: Most Reverend David A. Zubik, Bishop of Pittsburgh; Most Reverend Peter A. Libasci, Auxiliary Bishop of Rockville Centre; Most Reverend Joseph V. Adamec, Bishop of Altoona-Johnstown; Most Reverend Ronald W. Gainer, Bishop of Lexington; Most Reverend David R. Choby, Bishop of Nashville. On October 19, 2008, the Slovak community of greater New York gathered in Saint John Nepomucene Church in New York City to participate in a concert dedicated to the musical genius of Mikulas Schneider-Trnavsky, one of the most prolific composers of Slovak church music. The concert, hosted by the Slovak American Cultural Center of New York, marked the fiftieth anniversary of the composer s death. On November 15, 2008, the community of the Vincentian Sisters of Charity of Pittsburgh officially merged into the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth in Kentucky. The first Vincentian Sisters of Charity arrived in Braddock, Pennsylvania, in 1902 to minister to the educational needs of ~ 39 ~

19 The Slovak Catholic Federation the children of Slovak immigrants. A second province was established in 1928 in Bedford, Ohio. This province too was merged. Over the years, this congregation of religious women played an important role in the educational and religious life of the American Slovak community, especially in western Pennsylvania and Ohio. On April 12, 2009 the Dominican Sisters of Saint Rose of Lima from Oxford, Michigan joined five other Dominican groups in forming the Dominican Sisters of Peace. The Slovak Dominicans had staffed a number of schools in Slovak parishes. They had their beginnings when the first sisters arrived in 1913 to staff the new school at Holy Trinity Parish in Ford City, Pennsylvania. Both the Vincentian and Dominican communities of women religious have been members of the Conference of Slovak Religious, a member body of the Executive Board of the Slovak Catholic Federation. The centennial of the birth of Most Reverend Andrew G. Grutka was observed on November 17, Born of immigrant Slovak parents in Joliet, Illinois, he was ordained a priest in Rome on December 5, When His Holiness, Pope Pius XII established a new diocese covering four northwest counties in Indiana, Monsignor Grutka was named its first bishop. He was consecrated and installed as first Bishop of Gary, Indiana on February 25, He was the first American bishop of Slovak ancestry to be named an ordinary of a diocese. Bishop Grutka was active in the work of the Slovak Catholic Federation as its Episcopal Moderator and helped to establish the Slovak Institute of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Rome, where he served as its first Protector. He died on November 11, 1993, just a few days shy of his eighty-fifth birthday. The Slovak Catholic Federation hosted its fifty-seventh national convention in the Lehigh Valley of southeastern Pennsylvania. His Eminence, Jozef Cardinal Tomko participated in the convention deliberations and was principal celebrant of the convention liturgy at St. John the Baptist Slovak Church in Allentown, Pennsylvania, on April 26, More than two hundred fifty guests enjoyed a festive banquet at the Best Western Convention Center in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. During the convention banquet, Cardinal Tomko presented John and Margaret Ferri with the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (for the Church and the Pontiff) award. The well-known couple received the Papal honor for their years of dedicated service to the Church and the work of the Slovak Catholic Federation. Margaret, who was the chairperson of the fifty-seventh convention committee, serves as the editor of Zornička (Morning Star) the official publication of the Ladies Pennsylvania Slovak Catholic Union and is president of the Cardinal Jozef Tomko Chapter of the Slovak Catholic Federation The SCF hosted its 57th convention in Allentown, Pa., April 26-28, Cardinal Jozef Tomko was the guest of honor at the convention. His Eminence is shown with some of the concelebrants and delegates following the convention liturgy at St. John the Baptist Church. One of the highlights of the 57th SCF convention was the bestowal of Papal honors during the banquet on April 26, 2009 held at the Lehigh Valley Conference Center in Bethlehem, Pa. John and Margaret Ferri were awarded the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (for the Church and the Pontiff) medal for their efforts in promoting the work of the Church and the SCF. John and Margaret are shown on the above photo during the presentation with, l-r, Cardinal Jozef Tomko, Allentown Bishop Edward P. Cullen and SCF national president, Rev. Philip A. Altavilla, V.E. in the Lehigh Valley. The convention delegates reelected the Reverend Philip A. Altavilla as national president and Dolores M. Evanko as national secretary-treasurer. On June 28, 2009, His Eminence, Jozef Cardinal Tomko served as Papal envoy of His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI at the close of the Year of Saint Paul. Cardinal Tomko was one of seven cardinals delegated to represent the Pope at sites associated with the life and mission of Saint Paul. Cardinal Tomko presided over ceremonies in Thessalonica, Greece. Coincidently, Thessalonica was the birthplace of Saints Cyril and Methodius, Apostles of the Slavs. The Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius concluded their centennial year observance on September 12, The Most Reverend Kevin C. Rhodes, Bishop of Harrisburg, ~ 40 ~

20 Pennsylvania was the principal celebrant and homilist at a Mass of Thanksgiving in the Basilica of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Danville, Pennsylvania. The congregation, from its earliest years, has been closely associated with the work and ministry of the Slovak Catholic Federation. Mr. Joseph T. Senko who serves as the Slovak Honorary Consul in Pennsylvania and is a well known Catholic layman in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was named a Knight in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem. He was solemnly invested in the robes of the Papal Order at Saint Patrick Cathedral in New York City on September 26, 2009 by His Eminence, Edward M. Cardinal Egan, Grand Prior of the Eastern Lieutenancy of the Archbishop-Emeritus of New York. On September 29, 2009, Slovak Catholics recalled the twenty-fifth anniversary of the death of the Right Reverend Theodore G. Kojis, O.S.B., and the second abbot of Saint Andrew Svorad Benedictine Abbey in Cleveland, Ohio. He was born a century ago outside Košice in Eastern Slovakia. He came with his parents to the United States and was ordained a Benedictine priest in He served as abbot of the Cleveland Benedictines from 1946 until For many years he was closely associated with the work of the Slovak Catholic Federation. In the Diocese of Scranton, Pennsylvania, following the reorganization of its parishes, through the Called to Holiness and Mission, pastoral planning process, His Eminence Justin Cardinal Rigali, Apostolic Administrator of Scranton officially named the merged Slovak parishes of Saint Joseph and Holy Trinity Hazleton, Pennsylvania and created the new parish of Saints Cyril and Methodius effective January 3, The new parish was the result of the merger of Saint Joseph Parish which was the first Slovak parish established in the United States in 1882 and the Slovak parish of Holy Trinity founded in The new name was a tribute to the faith legacy of the Slovaks in the Scranton Diocese as well as an honor recalling the centennial of the ministry of the Congregation of the Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius which was founded a century ago in the Scranton Diocese. It was the first time that an American Cardinal designated the name of a parish for the Apostles of the Slavs following a diocesan reorganization of parishes. The Most Reverend Joseph V. Adamec, Bishop of Altoona-Johnstown, Pennsylvania, long associated with the work of the Slovak Catholic Federation and its Episcopal Moderator, was honored by the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown on September 12, 2010 with a celebration for the fiftieth anniversary of his priestly ordination which he observed on July 3 and for his seventy-fifth birthday which Bishop Adamec (center) celebrates a Mass of Thanksgiving on Sunday, September 12, 2010 in the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Altoona. Joining him at the altar: l-r, the Most Reverend Donald Trautman (Diocese of Erie), Deacon Robert Bailey (Master of Ceremonies), Monsignor Michael Servinsky, Diocesan Vicar General. he observed on August 13. [Editor s note: On January 14, 2011, His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI accepted the resignation of Bishop Adamec, who reached the mandatory retirement age of 75 on August 13, Pope Benedict named Monsignor Mark A. Bartchak, Judicial Vicar of the Diocese of Erie, Pennsylvania, to succeed Bishop Adamec. Bishop-Elect Bartchak will be ordained and installed as the eighth bishop of Altoona-Johnstown on Tuesday, April 19, 2011.] The Bishops of the United States, assembled at their annual meeting in Baltimore, Maryland on November 16, 2010, elected the Most Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, the Archbishop of Louisville, Kentucky, as their new vice president. A native of Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania, where he was raised in the former Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Slovak Parish, Archbishop Kurtz was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Allentown, The Most Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, Archbishop of Louisville, Kentucky ( ) Pennsylvania in 1972 and appointed Bishop of Knoxville, Tennessee in He was named Archbishop of the historic Kentucky diocese in Originally headquarters in Bardstown, the Louisville Archdiocese is one of the four oldest dioceses in the United States. Proud of his Slovak ancestry, Archbishop Kurtz is a member of the Conference of Slovak Clergy of the United States. To commemorate the centennial of the founding of their Congregation, the Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius sponsored a pilgrimage to Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, October 4-13, Reverend Philip A. Altavilla, national president of the Slovak Catholic Federa- ~ 41 ~

21 The Slovak Catholic Federation Basilica of the Assumption of Mary and Saints Cyril and Methodius, Velehrad, Czech Republic. Mass celebrated in the Basilica of the Assumption of Mary and Saints Cyril and Methodius, October 10, Reverend Andrew S. Hvozdovic is presiding; from l-r: Reverend Phillip Sladicka, Deacon Tom Baranoski and Reverend Philip A. Altavilla. tion and its first national vice president, Reverend Andrew S. Hvozdovic, accompanied the group as chaplains. Among the many places visited was the Basilica of the Assumption of Mary and Saints Cyril and Methodius in Velehrad, Czech Republic. It is believed that Saint Methodius served the church as Archbishop in Velehrad and died there in 885 A.D. The year 2010 closed on a sad note, with the passing of Most Reverend Archbishop John Bukovsky, Most Reverend Archbishop John Bukovsky, S.V.D. ( ) S.V.D., a member of the Divine World Missionary congregation, at age eighty-six on December 18, Sister Linda Marie Bolinski, SS.C.M. General Superior, along with the Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius on pilgrimage, near a statue of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Nitra. Monsignor Edward M. Matash, former national president ( ) 2010 at the Divine Word headquarters in Techney, Illinois. Although Archbishop Bukovsky was born in Slovakia, he was a naturalized American citizen. He spent many years in Rome in the service of the Holy See. Archbishop Bukovsky had an important role in His Holiness, Pope Paul VI s ostpolitik, a policy to improve the situation of the Church in eastern and central Europe through clandestine diplomatic negotiations. In 1990, His Holiness, Pope John Paul II named him the first Papal Nuncio to Romania after the fall of Communism. His Eminence, Agostino Cardinal Casaroli ordained Archbishop Bukovsky to the episcopacy in St. Peter s Basilica, Rome on October 13, On December 20, 1994, he was appointed the first Papal representative to the Russian Federation. Throughout his priestly and episcopal ministries, Archbishop Bukovsky kept a close relationship with the work of the Slovak Catholic Federation and the American Slovak community. He was buried in his native village outside Nitra, Slovakia on January 3, The Slovak Catholic Federation learned the sad news that on Tuesday, February 15, 2011, a former national president of the Slovak Catholic Federation, Reverend Monsignor Edward M. Matash had passed away. His funeral liturgy was celebrated on Monday, February 21, ~ 42 ~

22 Sanctuary of the Cathedral of Saint Peter prior to the Centennial Liturgy of Thanksgiving in the Saint Joseph s Church, Bayonne, New Jersey, where he was Pastor Emeritus. His obituary states: He was deeply involved in promoting the Slovak heritage by participating in various activities and events, such as the New Jersey Slovak Festival at the Garden State Art Center; he served as chairman of the Slovak Youth Federation and the head of yearly seminars for Slovak clergy held at the Pontifical Slovak Institute, which aids the Catholic Church in Slovakia. (Star-Ledger, New Jersey; February 18, 2011). Under the leadership of national president, Reverend Philip A. Altavilla, special emphasis has been placed on the use of modern technology to advance and promote the causes and Purposes of the Slovak Catholic Federation. Reverend L ubomír Strečok, a representative of the Conference of Slovak Clergy on the Executive Board of the Slovak Catholic Federation developed the first website for the Slovak Catholic Federation: With the assistance of Dr. Jayne Klenner-Moore, a faculty member, and her students at King s College, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, the Federation s website has been further enhanced and renovated. Given the recent advancements in modern social networking, the Slovak Catholic Federation has engaged the use of Facebook by creating a special Group as the means to communicate with those who share a common interest in the Purposes and activities of the Federation. The Slovak Catholic Federation marked the Centennial of its founding with a gala celebration in Scranton, Pennsylvania, on Sunday, May 15, The festivities began at 2:30 p.m. in the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter, the Mother Church in the Scranton Diocese, where Reverend Joseph Murgaš, a Slovak priest established the Slovak Catholic Federation. The Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., and 10th Bishop of Scranton, was the principal celebrant of the Pontifical Liturgy of Thanksgiving. Several bishops, namely, the Most Reverend Joseph V. Adamec, Bishop Emeritus of Altoona-Johnstown, Pennsylvania and Episcopal Moderator of the Slovak Catholic Federation; the Most Reverend John M. Dougherty, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Scranton; the Most Reverend Peter A. Libasci, Auxiliary Bishop of Rockville Center, New York and the Right Reverend Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B., Archabbot of Saint Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe, Pennsylvania and thirteen priests from various places in the United States concelebrated the centennial liturgy with Bishop Bambera. Representatives of the four Slovak Catholic fraternal benefit societies, religious institutions, the Conference of Slovak Religious and the Conference of Slovak Clergy participated in the Centennial Liturgy of Thanksgiving. Deacon Leonard G. Kassick, Deacon Cyril J. Kowalchick, Left to right: Most Rev. Joseph V. Adamec, Bishop Emeritus, Altoona- Johnstown and Episcopal Moderator of the Slovak Catholic Federation; Most Rev. Peter Libasci, Auxiliary Bishop, Diocese of Rockville Center, New York; Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton; Rev. Philip A. Altavilla, national president, Slovak Catholic Federation; Most Rev. John M. Dougherty, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus, Diocese of Scranton; Right Rev. Douglas Nowicki, O.S.B., Archabbot, St. Vincent s Benedictine Abbey, Latrobe, Pennsylvania; Rev. Andrew S. Hvozdovic, national first Vice president, Slovak Catholic Federation. and Deacon Louis Smolinsky assisted during the liturgy. Reverend Christopher T. Washington, S.T.L. acted as Master of Ceremonies to Bishop Bambera. Dolores M. Evanko, National Secretary-Treasurer of the Slovak Catholic Federation, and Jayne Klenner-Moore, Ph.D., Executive Board member were Lectors of the Word. Sister Aurelia Cerny, O.S.F., and Brother Gabriel Balazovic, O.S.B., members of the Conference of Slovak Religious presented the Offertory Gifts. Reverend Philip A. Altavilla, National President of the Slovak Catholic Federation delivered the homily during the liturgy. In his opening remarks Father Altavilla spoke to the assembly in Slovak and in appreciation he received warm applause from more than 200 worshippers in the ~ 43 ~

23 The Slovak Catholic Federation SCF National Secretary- Treasurer Dolores M. Evanko proclaims the first Scripture Reading at the Centennial Liturgy of Thanksgiving. congregation. In his homily, on Good Shepherd Sunday, Father Altavilla reflected on the Gospel reading of the day (John 10: 1-10) by instructing the congregation to listen for God s call and to respond generously to God s call. He referred to Reverend Joseph Murgaš, pastor of Sacred Heart Slovak Church in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, who founded the Slovak Catholic Federation in February Father Altavilla noted that Father Murgaš responded to God s call by leaving his homeland in Slovakia and coming to America to serve the faithful in northeastern Pennsylvania, and by using his many God-given talents to make a better life for others, especially by seeking to create an organization that can bring people together to celebrate, to live and to share common faith and Representatives of the Conference of Slovak Religious, Sister Aurelia Cerny, O.S.F. and Brother Gabriel Balazovic, O.S.B. present the offertory gifts to Bishop Joseph C. Bambera. common ethnic heritage. To conclude the liturgical celebration, Bishop Bambera addressed the members of the Slovak Catholic Federation and thanked them for their dedication and commitment to the good works that the Federation has folded into the life and the ministry of the Church for 100 years. In recognition of the missionary work of our brothers Saints Cyril and Methodius in the 9 th century, the Bishop remarked that You have and you continue to live the spirit of the great Saints Cyril and SCF National President, Reverend Philip A. Altavilla, delivers the homily at the Centennial Liturgy. Methodius. Bishop Bambera further stated, You have promoted a deep appreciation for your roots and for the Slovak Catholic heritage of the United States and beyond. Encouraged by these thoughts from Bishop Bambera, the congregation participated in singing the beautiful L-R: The Most Reverend Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B., Most Reverend Peter A. Libasci, Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, Most Reverend Joseph V. Adamec, and Most Reverend John M. Dougherty. Bishop Bambera and fellow concelebrants. closing Easter hymn, Radujte Sa, O Krestania! The members of the music ministry for the Centennial Liturgy were Daniel Marx, director of Liturgical Music; Jean M. Shields, organist; Diane Franklin, cantor; Mary Kay Kuzma, violin; Jeff Leas, trumpet; Joseph Stefanko, trumpet; Monica Spishock, Following the Prayer timpani; and Edward Wargo, flute. after Communion, Bishop Bambera offers Saint Peter s Cathedral Choir and remarks. the Slovak Heritage Society of Northeastern Pennsylvania beautifully sang appropriate Federation members and guests fill the pews and the choir loft at the anniversary liturgy. ~ 44 ~

24 The choir combined members from St. Peter s Cathedral Choir and the Slovak Heritage Society of Northeast Pennsylvania under the direction of Daniel Marx, director of liturgical music at Scranton s Cathedral of Saint Peter. Front row, L-R: Deacon Cyril Kowalchick, Archabbot Douglas Nowicki, O.S.B., Bishop Peter Libasci, Bishop Joseph V. Adamec, Bishop Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop John M. Dougherty, Msgr. Francis J. Beeda (seated), Rev. Philip A. Altavilla, Deacon Louis Smolinsky, and Rev. Andrew S. Hvozdovic. Middle row, L-R: Msgr. Robert Kozel, Msgr. Robert Siffrin, V.G., Msgr. Peter Polando, Rev. Sylvester Bendzella, Rev. Andrew Kurovsky, Rev. Thomas Nasta, Rev. Richard Cirba, Rev. Jozef Kovacik, Rev. John Albosta, and Deacon Leonard Kassick. Back row, L-R: Msgr. Thomas Derzack, Rev. John Polednak, Rev. Anthony Pleho, Rev. Joseph Evanko, Rev Albert Marflak, O.S.B., Rev. Gary Hoover, O.S.B., Rev. Francis P. Straka, Msgr. John T. Sekellick, and Msgr. David Bohr. Missing from the photo are Msgr. Michael J. Chaback and Rev. Christopher T. Washington. liturgical hymns during the liturgy. For this momentous occasion attractive flowers adorned the sanctuary and an impressive, colorful life-sized youthful portrait of Saints Cyril and Methodius had prominence near the altar. Following the centennial liturgy, approximately 200 guests attended a reception and dinner held at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Reverend Philip Altavilla, National President of the Slovak Catholic Federation, was a suitable and competent toastmaster for the banquet and Reverend Monsignor Thomas J. Derzack, M.Div., National Chaplain for the Slovak Catholic Federation offered a Prayer of Blessing The assembly sang the National Anthems of the United States, Canada, and the Slovak Republic. Reverend Andrew S. Hvozdovic, M.Div., National First Vice-President of the Seated, L-R: Most Rev. Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B., Most Rev. Peter A. Libasci, D.D., His Excellency Peter Burian, Ambassador of the Slovak Republic to the U.S., and Most Rev. Joseph V. Adamec, D.D., S.T.L. Standing, L-R are SCF national officers: Rev. Andrew S. Hvozdovic, M.Div., 1st Vice President; Rev. Philip A. Altavilla, President; Dolores M. Evanko, Secretary-Treasurer; and Msgr. Thomas J. Derzack, M.Div., Spiritual Advisor. Slovak Catholic Federation gave a toast in honor of the Federation s 100th Anniversary. Then dinner was served. Dolores M. Evanko, National Secretary-Treasurer of the Slovak Catholic Federation introduced the guests at the main table. The Honorable John P. Blake of the 22nd Senatorial District of Pennsylvania and the Honorable Sid Michaels Kavulich of the 114th Legislative District of Pennsylvania, both of whom claim to have Slovak roots, presented a proclamation of congratulations to Father Altavilla to honor the 100 Anniversary of the founding of the Slovak Catholic Federation. Furthermore, Representative Kavulich invited Father Altavilla to deliver the invocation at the opening of the legislative session of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives when Representative Kavulich presented a resolution designating May 15, 2011 as Slovak Catholic Federation Day in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. His Excellency, Peter Burian, Ambassador of the Slovak Republic to the United States of America received a cordial welcome as a special dinner guest of the Slovak Catholic Federation. His words of greeting had high praise for the enduring legacy of the Federation. Ambassador Burian remarked that all the efforts and projects of the Slovak Catholic Ambassador Peter Burian offers remarks at the centennial banquet. ~ 45 ~

25 The Slovak Catholic Federation Federation assisted many people in the United States and Slovakia. The Most Reverend Joseph V. Adamec, Episcopal Moderator of the Slovak Catholic Federation received a special tribute in celebration of his 75 th birthday. Cantor Raymond Mastroberte, an eminent iconographer, from Lansford, Pennsylvania wrote a beautiful icon of Saint Joseph who is Bishop Adamec s patron saint. Father Altavilla and Cantor Mastroberte presented this gift to Bishop Adamec in gratitude and appreciation for his dedication and work in the Federation for more than a half century. During the dinner, the guests listened to speeches from Bishop Peter A. Libasci, Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B. and Bishop Joseph V. Adamec. Thereafter, Father Hvozdovic gave the final Benediction and the program concluded with the assembly singing Hej, Slovaci and God Bless America. Pajtáši, a Slovak acoustic cimbalom band from New York City entertained during the evening. SIGNIFICANT EVENTS IN 2011 On July 1, 2011, The Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton assigned Reverend Philip A. Altavilla, Slovak Catholic Federation National President, to be the new rector and pastor of the Cathedral parish of Saint Peter. This appointment made history. The first priest of Slovak ancestry was named the rector and pastor of the Cathedral in the Scranton diocese. The pride of the Slovaks grew! The Church in Slovakia celebrated a joyful and historic milestone on August 24, 2011, when His Eminence, Jan Chryzostom Cardinal Korec, S.J., Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Nitra in Slovakia, marked the 60th anniversary of his Episcopal Ordination. Cardinal Korec was secretly ordained a priest on January 10, 1950 by Bishop Robert Pobozny. With the communist suppression of the Church Father Philip Altavilla with his Aunt, Marie Mayme Gryczko, his mother, Anne Altavilla, Bishop Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, Rev. Thomas M. Muldowney, Vicar for Clergy and Deacon Ed Shoener, Cathedral Permanent Deacon. Jan Chryzostom Cardinal Korec, S.J. ( ) in Slovakia in high gear, he was then consecrated a bishop on August 24, 1951 to serve in the underground Church by Bishop Pavol Mária Hnilica, S.J. Blessed Pope John Paul II named Korec a cardinal in Cardinal Korec retired as head of Slovakia s oldest diocese in Cardinal Korec visited the United States on several occasions and is familiar with the work of the Slovak Catholic Federation. On September 18, Msgr. John Demkovich and Bishop Serratelli following the Mass Sept. 18 at which Msgr. Demkovich was honored for his four decades as pastor of St. Mary s Assumption Parish. 2011, long-time supporter of the Slovak Catholic Federation, Monsignor John J. Demkovich, was honored at a Mass and dinner on the occasion of his retirement as pastor of Saint Mary of the Assumption Parish in Passaic, New Jersey. In his homily during the special Mass, The Most Reverend Arthur J. Serratelli, Bishop of Paterson, said, We are very grateful for God s gift, God s witness given to us through the Church and given to us through the ministry of his priests and today, most especially to this dedicated and zealous priest - Msgr. Demkovich. Bishop Serratelli further remarked, In his preaching of the Word, in his devout, fervent celebration of the sacraments, especially Reconciliation and the daily celebration of Mass; in his prayers and works of healing and charity; in his work at the Tribunal and his apostolate for the missions, God has used Msgr. Demkovich to share his own life with us. To God we lift our hearts in praise for the ministry of such a good, dedicated, prayerful, humble worker in the Lord s vineyard Monsignor Demkovich served as pastor of the well-known Passaic Slovak parish for 40 years and has always been a strong and generous advocate of the work of the Slovak Catholic Federation. Monsignor Demkovich continues his priestly ministry in residence at Saints Cyril ~ 46 ~

26 and Methodius Parish in Clifton, New Jersey. Monsignor Jean-Francois Lantheaume, First Counselor of the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington, D.C., announced on September 19, 2011 that Pope Benedict XVI named Rockville Center, New York, Auxiliary Bishop Peter A. Libasci as the 10th Bishop of Manchester, New Hampshire. Bishop Libasci, a native New Yorker of Italian and Slovak ancestry, is active in the work of the Slovak Catholic Federation. Bishop Peter Anthony Libasci, Bishop of Manchester ( ) Bishop Libasci s maternal Sosnak family traces its roots to a village outside Kosice in Eastern Slovakia. NOTEWORTHY EVENTS IN 2012 Another long-time Slovak Catholic Federation activist and member of the Executive Board, Monsignor Francis J. Beeda, S.T.L., Pastor Emeritus of Saint Joseph s Parish (now Saint Cyril and Methodius Parish), Hazleton, Pennsylvania, celebrated the 50th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood on December 20, The Scranton, Pennsylvania, native completed his priestly studies at the North American College, Rome, Italy, and was ordained to the priesthood in Rome, Italy, by Archbishop Martin J. O Connor, Rector of the North American College and fellow Diocese of Scranton native, on December 20, Monsignor Beeda has been active in American Slovak life throughout his priesthood. At the 90th anniversary celebration of the founding of the Slovak Catholic Federation in 2001, Monsignor Beeda was honored with a special award for his dedicated efforts on behalf of the Federation. On February 12, 2012, Most Holy Trinity Parish in Yonkers, New York, hosted a special liturgy and reception commemorating the 100th anniversary of the ordination of its former pastor, the Reverend John J. Kubasek. Father Kubasek was the first Slovak ordained a priest in the Archdiocese of New York. He served the Yonkers parish from 1912 until his death in He was of the pioneer generation of activist Slovak priests ordained in the United States. In the years prior to the conclusion of World War I, Father Kubasek actively promoted the right of the Slovaks to seek their own political self-determination in their homeland. As president of the Slovak Catholic Federation in 1918, he was a signator of the Pittsburgh Agreement on May 30, 1918, which promised autonomy for the Slovaks in the newly proposed Czecho-Slovak Republic. The Most Reverend Joseph V. Adamec, D.D., S.T.L., Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, Pennsylvania, celebrated the 25th anniversary of his Episcopal Ordination on May 20, Bishop Adamec was serving as National President of the Slovak Catholic Federation in 1987 when the then Monsignor Adamec was appointed by Blessed John Paul II to be the 7th Bishop of Altoona-Johnstown. He was ordained a bishop by His Eminence, Jozef Cardinal Tomko at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona, Pennsylvania. A native of Banister, Michigan, he was ordained a priest on July 3, 1960 in Rome, Italy, for service in the Diocese of Nitra, Slovakia. Because of the Communist domination in then Czecho-Slovakia, he was unable to minister in Nitra but returned to his home Diocese of Saginaw where he served until his appointment as Bishop of Altoona- Johnstown. He is the first president of the Slovak Catholic Federation to be named a bishop. Even in retirement, Bishop Adamec continues to serve as the Federation s Episcopal Moderator. MEMORABLE EVENTS IN 2013 A milestone in the history of the Slovak Catholic Federation was achieved when the Reverend Andrew S. Hvozdovic, national First Vice President and Coordinator of the annual Saints Cyril and Methodius Appeal of the Slovak Catholic Federation, announced in January 2013 that the Appeal marked its 35th anniversary. Instituted during the presidency of then Monsignor Joseph V. Adamec, proceeds from the annual Appeal are donated to the Bishop Andrew G. Grutka Fund, managed by the Conference of Slovak Clergy, and from which monthly financial support is sent to the Pontifical Slovak College of Saints Cyril and Methodius, Rome, Italy. Proceeds from the annual Appeal are also donated to religious communities of men and women in Slovakia which have an American counterpart who are active members of the Conference of Slovak Religious. To date, a total of more than $2,350,000 has been raised in support of the Church in Slovakia. On February 22, 2013, the Most Reverend Dale J. Melczek, Bishop of Gary, Indiana, blessed and dedicated the newly created Bishop Andrew G. Grutka Center, established at Calumet College of Saint Joseph in Whiting, Indiana. The center contains memorabilia and archival materials of Bishop Grutka who served as the first Bishop of Gary from 1957 to He was the first American bishop of entirely Slovak ancestry. Bishop Grutka was ~ 47 ~

27 The Slovak Catholic Federation active in the work of the Slovak Catholic Federation and served as its first Episcopal Moderator. In observance of the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council and the 20th anniversary of the promulgation of The Catechism of the Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI, with his Apostolic Letter of October 11, 2011, Porta Fidei (The Door of Faith), declared October 11, 2012 to November 24, 2013, as a Year of Faith for the Universal Church. The year 2013 also marked the 1,150th anniversary of the arrival of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Great Moravia, which is present-day Slovakia and the Czech Republic. To commemorate these two important moments in the life of the Catholic Church, the Slovak Catholic Federation organized a special Pilgrimage to Rome, Italy and Western Slovakia, April 14-26, The American pilgrims departed from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Sunday, April 14, 2013, under the spiritual leadership of the Reverend Philip A. Altavilla, National President; the Reverend Andrew S. Hvozdovic, National First Vice President and Monsignor Thomas Derzack, National Chaplain. During their five day stay in Rome, the pilgrims visited many of the great churches in the eternal city and were privileged to be present at the General Audience of Pope Francis on Wednesday, April 17, This was only the second papal audience of Pope Francis since his election as a Successor of Saint Peter. During the audience, Pope Francis continued a reflection on parts of the Profession of Faith (the Creed) prayed at Sunday Mass. The Holy Father reflected on the statement in the Creed: he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. Later on the same day, the American pilgrims visited the Pontifical Slovak College of Saints Cyril and Methodius, formerly known as the Saints Cyril and Methodius Institute (Ustav) in Rome, to His Holiness, Pope Francis, greets pilgrims during his weekly General Audience, April 17, celebrate the 50th Anniversary of its existence. Upon the arrival of the pilgrims, Reverend Monsignor Vladimir Stahovec, Rector and all the Slovak post-graduate priests During the historic Pilgrimage of Faith hosted by the Slovak Catholic Federation in April 2013, the American pilgrims were privileged to be present on April 17, 2013, for the second General Audience of Pope Francis. The pilgrims are shown above as they gather in St. Peter s Square for the audience. living at the Pontifical College came outdoors to meet the bus and to greet the pilgrims with a warm, cordial welcome. The presence of His Eminence Cardinal Jozef Tomko, Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, at the Pontifical College added to the joy of the group. The foundation for the Slovak Institute in Rome began in the sixties. At that time Father Jozef Tomko with his Slovak collaborators came to America to solicit help from American Catholic Slovaks to build a residence for Slovak seminarians and priests in Rome. The late Most Reverend Andrew G. Grutka, the first Slovak bishop of the Diocese of Gary, Indiana, was designated by His Holiness Pope John XXIII to head the fund raising and construction of the Saints Cyril and Methodius Institute in Rome. In 1963 the Slovak Institute was completed. Young seminarians from Slovakia came to be trained at this Seminary to be future priests in their homeland. During the Communist era, this important edifice housed a printing press which produced religious and catechetical materials that were sent secretly into Slovakia. This mission greatly contributed to preserving and strengthening the Faith. Over the years the Slovak Catholic Federation, the Slovak benefit societies and private individuals have been generously contributing funds to the building and maintenance of the Slovak Institute of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Rome. The universal support of the Slovaks of the world has been most generous and heartwarming. His Holiness, John Paul II made a rare visit to the Slovak Institute on November 8, 1981 to honor the missionary work of Saints Cyril and Methodius. Furthermore, in 1997 ~ 48 ~

28 Cardinal Tomko with concelebrants in the Chapel of the Pontifical College of Saints Cyril and Methodius, Rome. Pope John Paul II raised the status of the Slovak College to the Pontifical Slovak College of Saints Cyril and Methodius in recognition of its place in the Holy See of Rome. In thanksgiving for the fiftieth year of ministry at the Pontifical Slovak College of Saints Cyril and Methodius, His Eminence Cardinal Jozef Tomko concelebrated Mass with the American priests and Slovak priests in residence at the Pontifical College for all the American pilgrims present in the beautiful chapel. The mosaics in the chapel were created by the late famous Slovak artist Dr. Jozef G. Cincik, who was a former resident of Maria Joseph Manor, a Continuing Care Facility managed by the Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Danville, Pennsylvania until his death in January After the liturgy, the pilgrims enjoyed a superbly prepared delicious dinner as guests of the rector, Reverend Monsignor Vladimir Stahovec. He graciously acknowledged with gratitude and thanks all the support and financial aid that has been given by the Slovak Catholic Federation to the Pontifical Slovak College since 1963 and up to the present, While in the Eternal City, the pilgrims had the privilege to attend a Mass celebrated at the Tomb of Saint Peter in the Basilica of Saint Peter at the Vatican. Reverend Andrew S. Hvozdovic, National First Vice President of the Slovak Catholic Federation celebrated the Mass and offered a homily. In his homily, Father Hvozdovic reminded the pilgrims that Saints Cyril and Methodius in the 9 th Century prayed at Saint Peter s tomb and pledged their loyalty to the Pope as successor to Saint Peter. In a visit to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major the pilgrims viewed a historical plaque displayed in the Baptistery of the Basilica which indicates that Saints Cyril and Methodius had the approval of His Holiness, Pope Adrian II to celebrate a Slavonic Liturgy in the language they created. Celebrating 1,150 years since Saints Cyril and Methodius established the faith in Slovakia, the pilgrims had the privilege to participate in the Liturgy in the Basilica of Saint Clement. Father Altavilla reminded the pilgrims National Officers of the Slovak Catholic Federation at the Pontifical Slovak College of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Rome on April 17, Shown on the photo are, l-r, Reverend Philip A. Altavilla, National President; Cardinal Jozef Tomko, founder of the Slovak Institute; Dolores M. Evanko, National Secretary-Treasurer; Monsignor Vladimir Stahovec, rector of the Pontifical Slovak College and the Reverend Andrew S. Hvozdovic, National First Vice President. Following his death on February 14, 869, a.d., Saint Cyril was buried in the ancient Basilica of Saint Clement. Saint Cyril s original grave is located in the basilica s lower church. The altar over the grave was restored by the Slovak Catholic Federation during the 1952 Marian Year. The Latin inscription on the altar reads: This Altar was restored by the sons and daughters of the Slovak nation. Shown at the altar are, left to right, Rev. Andrew S. Hvozdovic, National First Vice President of the Slovak Catholic Federation; Monsignor Thomas Derzack, National Chaplain of the Slovak Catholic Federation; Sister M. Catherine Labouré Bresnock, SS.C.M., Director, Jankola Library and Slovak Museum in Danville, Pennsylvania; Reverend Philip A. Altavilla, National President of the Slovak Catholic Federation and Monsignor Vladimir Stahovec, rector of the Pontifical Slovak College of Saints Cyril and Methodius, Rome, Italy. ~ 49 ~

29 The Slovak Catholic Federation of the appropriateness of being present in a place where Saint Cyril is buried. Departing from Rome, the pilgrims set their sights on Slovakia, the beautiful land of our ancestors. Experiencing the spiritual nature of the trip, the pilgrims had the opportunity to strengthen their faith and to absorb the hospitality and love of the Slovaks in their visits to significant churches and shrines in western Slovakia associated with the legacy of Saints Cyril and Methodius. To begin with, The Most Reverend Jozef Halko, Auxiliary Bishop of Bratislava and Delegate of the Slovak Bishops Conference for the Pastoral Care of Slovaks Living Abroad, welcomed the pilgrims and celebrated Mass at the country s national Shrine of Our Mother of Sorrows at Šaštín. After that the pilgrims visited Trnava where they were warmly welcomed by Archbishop Emeritus, Jan Sokol, longtime friend of the Slovak-American community. On the next occasion the pilgrims traveled to the Czech Republic to visit Velehrad where tradition claims that the grave of Saint Methodius is located. Mass was celebrated at the Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saints Cyril and Methodius for the benefit of the pilgrims. Last of all, the group concluded the pilgrimage with a Mass in the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Emmeram in Nitra, the center of the Cyrilo-Methodian mission. Due Pilgrims visit the memorial to the Rev. Jozef Murgaš at the main Post Office in Bratislava, Slovakia. Father Murgaš is credited with founding the Slovak Catholic Federation in 1911 and is recognized as a pioneer in wireless telegraphy. to illness, the Most Reverend Viliam Judak, Bishop of Nitra and successor of Saint Methodius, was unable to cele brate the Mass. Monsignor Štefan Vallo, Chancellor of the Diocese of Nitra and Cathedral Rector celebrated Mass and on behalf of Bishop Judak, Monsignor Vallo welcomed the American pilgrims and thanked the Slovak Catholic Federation for its continued support of the Church in Slovakia. A visit to the Basilica of Our Mother of Sorrows in Šaštín, Slovakia, a center of pilgrimage since the middle of the 13th century. Pictured with the pilgrimage group is the Most Reverend Jozef Halko, Auxiliary Bishop of Bratislava and Delegate of the Conference of Slovak Bishops for the Pastoral Care of Slovaks living abroad. During their visit to the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Emmeram, seat of the Diocese of Nitra, the pilgrims had the opportunity to attend Mass with Monsignor Štefan Vallo, Chancellor of the Diocese of Nitra and Cathedral Rector, serving as principal celebrant and homilist. Monsignor Vallo, flanked by concelebrants (left to right) Monsignor Thomas Derzack, Reverend Philip A. Altavilla and Reverend Andrew S. Hvozdovic, is shown on the photo with the American pilgrims following the liturgy. ~ 50 ~

30 Afterward the pilgrims were invited to a first-class reception in the Bishop s palace. The American pilgrims returned to the United States on April 26, 2013, spiritually enriched and blessed by the great pilgrimage to the Eternal City and to the land of their ancestors during the Year of Faith. In August 2013, the American Slovak community welcomed the Most Reverend Jozef Halko, Auxiliary Bishop of Bratislava and Delegate of the Slovak Bishops Conference for the Pastoral Care of Slovaks Living Abroad on his first visit to the United States. Bishop Halko visited a number of American and Canadian Slovak communities. During his pastoral visit in recognition of the 1,150th anniversary of the beginning of the evangelization mission of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Slovakia, Bishop Halko brought a relic of Saint Cyril to the United States. Bishop Halko began his pastoral visit by celebrating Mass on August 10, 2013, at Saints Cyril and Methodius Church, Clifton, New Jersey, as part of the parish s centennial year observance. Bishop Halko participated in the annual New York area Slovak pilgrimage on August 11, 2013, at the Shrine of Our Lady Help of Christians, West Haverstraw, New York, and visited and celebrated Mass at the Basilica of The Most Rev. Jozef Halko, Auxiliary Bishop, Archdiocese of Bratislava ( ) Saints Cyril and Methodius, Danville, Pennsylvania, on August 13, While in North America, Bishop Halko visited Slovak parishes in Sterling Heights, Michigan, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, as well as Slovak communities in Chicago, Illinois, San Francisco and Los Angeles, California. On August 15, 2013, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the American province of the School Sisters of Saint Francis, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, celebrated the 100th anniversary of their arrival in the United States. The Most Reverend David A. Zubik, Bishop of Pittsburgh, was principal celebrant and homilist of the Centennial Liturgy in Queen of Angels Chapel followed by a dinner at the community s Motherhouse, Mount Assisi Convent. It was on August 15, 1913, that a group of pioneer sisters arrived from Slovakia to establish a Motherhouse at the former Saint Gabriel s Slovak Parish on Pittsburgh s north side. The sisters eventually began to Greeting Bishop Halko on his visit to the Basilica of Saints Cyril and Methodius, Danville, Pennsylvania: Most Rev. Joseph V. Adamec, Bishop Emeritus of Altoona-Johnstown, Sister M. John Vianney Vranak, SS.C.M., former Director, Jankola Library and Slovak Museum, Sister Michael Ann Orlik, SS.C.M., General Superior of the Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius, Most Rev. Jozef Halko, Auxiliary Bishop, Archdiocese of Bratislava, Rev. Philip Altavilla, National President, Slovak Catholic Federation, Daniel F. Tanzone, K.C.H.S., Editor, The Slovak Catholic Sokol. staff a number of parochial schools of our Slovak parishes, especially in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. During the Year of Faith and the 1,150th anniversary of the arrival of Saints Cyril and Methodius among our ancestors in faith, delegates and friends gather for the 58th national convention in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, where the Slovak Catholic Federation was founded in The 58th National Convention is an opportunity to promote the high ideals and purposes of the Slovak Catholic Federation. The American Slovak community has contributed much to the growth and vitality of the Church in America. May our Cyrilo-Methodian heritage of faith continue to inspire us as we promote the work of the Slovak Catho- Slovak Catholic Federation Leadership Team with Bishop Halko in the Jankola Library and Slovak Museum, Danville, Pennsylvania: Dolores M. Evanko, National Secretary-Treasurer, Most Rev. Joseph V. Adamec, Episcopal Moderator, Most Rev. Jozef Halko, Auxiliary Bishop, Archdiocese of Bratislava, Rev. Philip A. Altavilla, National President, Rev. Andrew S. Hvozdovic, First National Vice President, Msgr. Thomas J. Derzack, National Spiritual Advisor. ~ 51 ~

31 The Slovak Catholic Federation Visiting the grave of the Rev. Jozef Murgaš, founder of the Slovak Catholic Federation, at Sacred Heart of Jesus Slovak Cemetery, Dallas, Pennsylvania: Most Rev. Jozef Halko, Auxiliary Bishop, Archdiocese of Bratislava and Rev. Philip A. Altavilla, National President. lic Federation in the future. Let us continue to labor in the best traditions of the motto of our ancestors: For God and Nation - Za Boha a narod! On January 24, 2014, Pope Francis named the Most Rev. Ronald W. Gainer, Bishop of Lexington, Kentucky to be the 11th Bishop of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The Pottstown, Pennsylvania native is of Slovak ancestry and seventh Abbot. Abbot Gary received his abbatial blessing on October 5, 2014 at the Church of St. Ambrose in Brunswick, Ohio. Abbot Gary currently serves as our organization s Protector. Following the resignation of the national president, the Rev. Philip A. Altavilla, the national first vice president, the Rev. Andrew S. Hvozdovic assumed the office of national president of the Slovak Catholic Federation. Bishop Joseph V. Adamec administered the oath of office to Father Hvozdovic, a priest of the Diocese of Scranton, during the meeting of the Slovak Catholic Federation board in Youngstown, Ohio on September 16, At the same meeting, the Rev. Thomas A. Nasta became the national first vice president. History was made on October 4, 2014 as Sister Miriam Teresa Demjanovich, a Sister of Charity of St. Elizabeth of Convent Station, N.J. was solemnly beatified at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, N.J. Sister Miriam Teresa was the first American to be beatified in the United States following the revised rules for the process of canonization. Presiding at the beatification rite was Angelo Cardinal Amato, S.D.B., Prefect of the Congregation of the Causes of Saints in Rome. Blessed Miriam Teresa was born in Bayonne, N.J. of immigrant parents from Bardejov in eastern Slovakia. The Slovak Catholic Federation has been promoting her cause of canonization for more than a half century. On October 17, 2014, the Basilica of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Danville, Pennsylvania celebrated the 75th anniversary of its dedication at Villa Sacred Heart, the Motherhouse of the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius. It was dedicated on October 17, 1939 by Dennis Cardinal Dougherty of Philadelphia. In the spring of 1989, following an extensive restoration, Bishop William H. Keeler, then Bishop of Harrisburg, petitioned Rome to have the chapel named a Minor Basilica. On November 26, 1989, Jozef Cardinal Tomko came from Rome to celebrate a liturgy inaugurating America s newest Minor Basilica. The basilica is the only one in the world dedicated to the Apostles of the Slavs, SS.Cyril and Methodius. On June 4, 2015 King s College in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. dedicated the Rev. Joseph Murgas Room, a mini museum dedicated to our organization s founder and pioneer in wireless telegraphy at its new academic facility, King s on the Square, in downtown Wilkes-Barre. King s College established the Murgas Room in cooperation and support of the Slovak Heritage Society of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Continuing in our pilgrimage tradition, the Slovak Catholic Federation participated in a pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception actively promotes the work of the Slovak Catholic Federation as well as the Conference of Slovak Clergy. His maternal grandparents were natives of eastern Slovakia. February 17, 2014 marked the 150th anniversary of the birth of the Rev. Joseph Murgas, noted pioneer in wireless telegraphy and founder of the Slovak Catholic Federation. To mark the occasion, the Slovak Catholic Federation hosted a tour to Slovakia which included a visit to the plaque honoring Father Murgas on the main post office in Bratislava. This plaque was erected through the efforts of Monsignor Francis J. Beeda, S.T.L. and members of the Slovak Catholic Federation. On March 11, 2014, Jozef Cardinal Tomko, retired prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, celebrated his 90th birthday in Rome. The Slovak Catholic Federation has enjoyed a close collaboration with Cardinal Tomko for more than a half century. On April 10, 2014, at age 90, death came to Bishop Jan Hirka, Byzantine Catholic Eparch-emeritus of Presov in Slovakia. For 20 years, he served as the administrator of the Greek Catholic Diocese of Presov without episcopal ordination. Following the fall of Communism in the then Czechoslovakia, Pope John Paul II appointed him Byzantine Catholic Bishop of Presov. He received episcopal ordination from Jozef Cardinal Tomko on February 17, On May 22, 2014, Pope Francis named the Canadian Slovak priest, the Rev. Michael Kolarcik, S.J. as the new rector of the Pontifical Bibical Institute, known as the Biblicum, in Rome. Born to Slovak immigrant parents in the Canadian province of British Columbia, he was raised in SS. Cyril and Methodius Slovak Parish in New Westminister. On August 6, 2014, the monks of St. Andrew Svorad Benedictine Abbey in Cleveland elected the Rev. Gary A. Hoover, O.S.B., a native of Garfield Heights, Ohio, as their in Washington, D.C. on September 12, This pilgrim- ~ 52 ~