Slovensk¥ Katolícky SokolApr 06, 2016 · beer, wines and other delights Relish in the tastes of...

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SLOVAK CATHOLIC SOKOL – MEMBERSHIP 28,000 – HOME OFFICE: 205 MADISON STREET, PASSAIC, N.J. 07055 – www.slovakcatholicsokol.org

Periodical Postage Paid at original entry of Passaic, N.J., 07055 and additional mailing offi ces

VOLUME CV PASSAIC, N.J., APRIL 6 PASSAIC, N.J., APRIL 6, 2016, 2016 NUMBER 5066

Slovensk¥ Katolícky Sokol

Za Boha a Národ For God and Nation

Highlights of the First Quarterly Meeting of the Board of Directors Held at the Home Offi ceand at St. Mary of the Assumption Parish, Passaic, New Jersey - March 11-12

Supreme President Michael J. Horvath, center left, is shown presenting a plaque to Honorary Supreme Of-fi cer, Attorney John D. Pogorelec who served as our General Counsel for 44 years. Looking on are from the left, Honorary Supreme Offi cer Steven M. Pogorelec, F.I.C., Supreme Vice President Edward D. Moeller, Supreme Secretary Scott T. Pogorelec, F.I.C., Supreme Chaplain, Rev. Andrew S. Hvozdovic, and General Counsel, Attorney John D. Pogorelec, Jr. who succeeded his father in the position.

Attorney Peter Bakarich, president of Assembly 1 of Passaic, the oldest lodge of our organization, center is shown welcoming Supreme Presi-dent Michael J. Horvath and supreme offi cers at the dinner hosted by our organization at St. Mary’s Parish. Looking on are, l-r, Supreme Chaplain Rev. Andrew S. Hvozdovic, Supreme Secretary Scott T. Pog-orelec, F.I.C. and Supreme Vice President Edward D. Moeller. Brother Bakarich serves as the president of St. Mary’s Parish Council.

A special cake was prepared for the dinner hosted by our organiza-tion on March 12 in the social hall of St. Mary’s Parish in Passaic, N.J. Shown above are Supreme President Michael J. Horvath and Su-preme Secretary Scott T. Pogorelec, F.I.C.

Shown celebrating the Mass on March 12 in St. Mary’s Church in Passaic, invoking God’s blessing on our organization in the coming years, are the chaplain of Assembly 162 in Clifton, N.J., Rev. Richard A. Bay and our Supreme Chaplain, Rev. Andrew S. Hvozdovic.

Supreme President Michael J. Horvath is shown above bidding fare-well to our retiring General Counsel and now our Honorary Supreme Offi cer, Attorney John D. Pogorelec. Looking on is Supreme Secretary Scott T. Pogorelec, F.I.C.

SLOVAK CATHOLIC FALCON, APRIL 6, 2016

(Continued on page 3)

Sokol Calendar

SAT.APRIL 9 Opening of the 74th annual Slo-

vak Bowling Congress of America tournament at Stonehedge Bowling Lanes, 580 East Cuyahoga Falls, Akron, Oh. tel. 330 928-2161 for information contact SBC Secretary Joseph M. Harkulich at tel. 330-448-8630. Tournament continues over weekends until May 1.

6th annual Slovak Wine Tasting afternoon featuring Slovak wines with American wines at the Sonoma Grille(947 Penn Ave.) in the Cultur-al District of downtown Pittsburgh beginning at 1 p.m. featuring ap-petizers and live music, $35.00 per person, for reservations call Joe at [email protected] or 412 956-6000.

Spring Celebration at St. Michael the Archangel Parish, 1130 Bruns-wick Ave., Trenton, N.J. beginning with Mass in Slovak at 7 p.m. fol-lowed by dinner featuring Slovak culinary specialties and dance fea-turing the artistry of RELAX in the church hall; $40.00 at the door; for information call Jana 609 915-7303.

SUN.APRIL 10 Annual Spaghetti Dinner hosted

by Group 1 in SS. Cyril and Metho-dius Church Hall, 235 Ackerman Ave., Clifton, N.J. beginning at 4 p.m., $7.00 adults, $6.00 seniors, and $4.00 for children ages 6-12, free of charge for children under age 6. For reservations: Peter Walentow-icz, 973-340-9078.

Group 5 semi-annual meeting fol-lowing the Group 5 bowling tour-nament at the Slovak Catholic Sokol Center, 888 West Hopocan Ave., Barberton, Oh. beginning at 4 p.m., for additional information contact Kathy Figard at tel. 330 336-8816.

Mass for the living and deceased members of Assembly 86 of Port Griffi th at the Church of St. John the Evangelist Church, William St., Pittston, Pa. at 12:15 p.m.

MON.APRIL 11 Wreath 111 meeting “April show-

ers bring May fl owers” at the Amer-ican Slovak Club, 2915 Broadway Ave., Lorain, Oh. beginning at 6:30 p.m.

FRI.APRIL 15 Comedy Fundraiser hosted by

Group 7, “Rev. Joseph Murgas” at Wisecrackers Mohegan Sun Pocono Downs, doors open at 8 p.m., show time is 9 p.m., for those age 21 and older; tickets $20.00 for reservations call Amy at 570 823-0388.

SUN.APRIL17 Group 3 semi-annual meeting

at the Slovak Catholic Sokol Hall, Route 16, Douglas, Mass. beginning at 10:15 a.m.

Assembly 162 meeting in SS. Cyril and Methodius Church Hall, 218 Ackerman Ave., Clifton, N.J. beginning at 12:30 p.m.

SUN.APRIL 24 Annual St. George patronal feast

day observance hosted by Assembly 34 beginning with Mass at 9 a.m. at the Church of SS. Cyril and Metho-dius, 1315 Second St., N.E., Minne-apolis, Minn. followed by breakfast

Eastern European Food Festival

Saturday May 28th, 201612 noon— 5 pm

Slovak Catholic Sokol Hall411 Crestmont Street - Reading, Pa.

Dobrú Chuť!

A smorgasbord of tastings food, beer, wines and other delights

Relish in the tastes of traditional Slovak, Ukrainian,and Polish foods. Treat your sweet tooth to homemade

pastries and baked goods. Enjoy a variety of ethnic beers in our beer garden. Eat in or take out

(bring your own container).

On Saturday, May 7, fraternalists across the country will come to-gether to participate in the 15th an-nual JOIN HANDS DAY. Youths and adults, seniors and children - fraternal benefi t society members and non-members will mobilize in their own local neighbor-hoods to solve problems and build new relation-ships. People of all ages begin to understand the value in youths and adults working together. Many par-ticipants hear about fraternal ben-efi t societies for the fi rst time be-cause of JOIN HANDS DAY and

Renata Jurasi Vasil, our Sokol-ka of Assembly 182 in New York City, presented a Piano Recital at William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey on Decem-ber 5, 2015. She performed works by Beethoven, Chopin, Schubert and Joseph Haydn during the af-ternoon recital in the Shea Recital Hall. Renata was accompanied by Marshsall Green,cello and Anton Corazza, soprano saxophone. Renata, a native of Slovakia, is currently a junior classical piano performance major at William Pa-terson University where she cur-rently studies piano with Professor Gary Kirkpatrick. Renata started playing piano and reciting poetry in three languages at the age of seven. In 2001, she received both a Bach-elor and Master’s degree in Slavic languages and linguistics from the University of Presov in Slovakia. In 1993, she received a Diploma from the Academy of Art, majoring in the art of piano performance. Re-nata is looking forward to pursuing a career in teaching and performing following her graduation from Wil-liam Paterson University. She is ac-tive in many Slovak cultural, frater-nal and social organizations in the New York Metropolitan area. She regularly serves on the committee of the annual New Jersey Slovak Heritage Festival where she shares her many artistic and music talents. Renata is the daughter of Jozef

Renata Jurasi Vasil presents pianorecital at William Paterson University

and Maria Jurasi of Garlield, N.J. She and her husband, Jan Vasil are active in area Slovak activities. She adds much to the rich cultural fabric of life within the New York metropolitan area in general and the Slovak community in particular. Our congratulations and frater-nal best wishes go out to Renata as she pursues her musical career. She is a credit not only to her family but to her extended family, the mem-bers of the Slovak Catholic Sokol. Brava diva!

Renata attired in her ancestral kroj is a regular at the annual New Jersey Slovak Heritage Fes-tivals.

Group 7, “Rev. Joseph Murgas” will host a Comedy Fundraiser in support of its various sporting and fraternal activities on Friday, April 15 at Wisecrackers Mohegan Sun Pocono Downs. Doors open at 8 p.m. with show time scheduled for 9 p.m. The evening is for those age 21 and older. The comedians per-forming that evening include Louis Ramey, Bill Boronkay and Scott

Group 7 to host Comedy Fundraiserat Mohegan Sun Pocono Downs

Bruce. Refreshments and snacks will be available. A variety of bas-ket raffl es will be sold at this event. An enjoyable evening is assured. Cost of the tickets is $20.00 per person. To purchase tickets, please contact Amy at tel. 570 823-0388. Come join us for and exciting night out!

Zdar Boh!Comedy Fundraiser Committee

Wisecrackers Mohegan Sun Pocono Downs

Mohegan Sun Pocono Downs

27th World Youth Day The theme of the 28th World Youth Days, scheduled for Krakow, Po-land July 27-Auugust 1, 2016 is “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for they will receive mercy,” (Matthew 5:7). Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven(Matthew 5:3) and “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God”(Matthew 5:8) are themes for preceding Youth Days, which are go-ing to be organized locally. In 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Pope Francis said: “Look, read the beatitudes: that will do you good!” He asked the young people to read the beatitudes again and to make them the action plan for their lives. World Youth Days were begun by St. John Paul II in 1986. The fi rst World Youth Day was held in Rome. We have hosted World Youth Days in the United States on two occasions. For information on the 2016 World Youth Day, visit www.worldyouthday.com/krakow-2016.

they are impressed. So remember the fi rst Saturday in May as the day when genera-tions of our members and fellow

fraternalists unite to im-prove our local communi-ties. Why not plan an ac-tivity with our brother and sister Slovak fraternalists as we demonstrate the rich tradition of service and

outreach which has been the hall-mark of the fraternal benefi t sys-tem in general and of Slovak fra-ternalism in particular. Remember it starts with you - it starts with me - it starts with us!

Join Hands Day - 2016

SLOVAK CATHOLIC FALCON, APRIL 6, 2016 PAGE 3

Message from our Supreme Presidentby Michael J. Horvath

The Easter Season is my favorite holiday of the year. Beginning with receiving ashes on Ash Wednesday and then culminating with sa-cred Triduum Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and ending on Easter Sunday with the Easter Alleluia not only renews our Christian faith but our family traditions as well.

One of my family’s Easter traditions begin with the family gathering after Good Friday ser-vices for the potato pancake dinner. This family tradition was handed down to me by my late fa-ther, Andrew Horvath, some 25 years ago. A true labor of love to grate the potatoes, prepare the batter and do the frying is well worth it since this tradition brings the family together. The potato pancakes connoisseurs that line up for the next fried to perfection golden brown disc have men-tioned with their unbiased opinions the pancakes

are beyond the best that can be found anywhere. I do believe them. Or, are they just hungry? On Holy Saturday, the unseen super worker of the household does her magic. The house fi lls with the fragrances of the cooking that is be-ing prepared for the great Easter Sunday feast. Then the hour arrives to take our Easter basket to the church to be blessed. This unique Slovak and Eastern European tradition has changed a little over time but is still a special ritual. Afterwards it is back to the house to continue to prepare for Easter Sunday but also get ready for the Solemn Easter Vigil services. Then after Easter Sunday Mass and the other visits the family starts to arrive for a day of joy and patience. The joy that all family members are together to enjoy each other for the day and patience that the little ones behave the best they can and enjoying themselves without getting hurt. In addition to our Easter religious traditions and celebrations, Easter, ushers in Spring, which is welcomed by all to bring us out of the winter dreariness and hibernation. Spring days are longer, brighter, warmer and nature is waking up all of our senses. The vivid colors and fragrances of the blooming fl owers and trees, sorry to those who suffer from allergies, and the sounds that come from nature’s orchestra makes the world anew. Talking about a new season being upon us, your Supreme Board of Directors gathered this past month at our Home Offi ce for their fi rst quarterly meeting of 2016, and to launch their four year term. As you will read in the Falcon, it proved to be a most productive fi rst quarterly meeting. The Board reviewed the 2015 reports of the Supreme Offi cers, the Society’s inancial reports, and activities of the previous year. The Board also heard the reports from the Society’s professional advisors. The Board has committed itself to continue to press forward to fi nd avenues of progress to increasing our membership, maintain our solid fi nancial stability which the previous Board of Directors had left us with and grow the Society. The Slovak Catholic Sokol as I have stated previ-ously is in solid fi nancial shape with a growing membership. The Board of Directors acted on accepting the recommendations presented to it from our Supreme Physical Fitness Board. Activities for 2016 were approved beginning with our 70th International Bowling Tournament. One of our most successful events held every year, and this year will be no exception. As we did last year, we will again partner with the Greek Catholic Union at the Airport Bowling Lanes in Cheek-towaga, (Buffalo, NY) on May 20-22nd for a combined tournament. Old friendships will be renewed and new friendships will be made by all attending members of both Societies. Additional information on all our 2016 scheduled events can be found in future editions of the Falcon and on our web site, (www.slovakcatholicsokol.org). Another outstanding way to show our fraternalism within our Groups, Assemblies and Wreaths is to get involved with a “Join Hands Day” project. Each year this national volunteer event is scheduled on the fi rst Saturday of May, this year on May 7th. I encourage all members to get involved on this very special day, by volunteering, no matter how big or small a project it might be. Please share with us your “Join Hands Day” project. We want to publicize them with hope it can stimulate oth-ers to follow your lead. Yearly as well, we seek nominations for our “Fraternalist of the Year.” I encourage all Groups, Assemblies, and Wreaths to look for a member who truly exemplifi es the spirit of what it means to be a mem-ber of the Slovak Catholic Sokol. Nominations can be made by any member; forms can be obtained by contacting our Editor, Dan Tanzone at the Home Offi ce. I am looking forward to seeing who are all nomi-nated and will feel let down if you do not nominate someone. And last but certainly not least, April is “Distracted Driving Aware-ness Month.” Cell phone texting and driving is a NO, NO. I am sure we are all very much aware of this. I urge all to be aware of this driving hazard. If you must text while driving, pull off to the side of road, many roads are now designating, “Texting road side rest areas.” Use common sense, the life you save might not only be your own but that of others as well. Please pledge you will not text and drive since you are loved and the world will not be the same without you. Zdar Boh!

With God’s blessings to all.

Supreme Chaplain, Rev. Andrew S. Hvozdovic, center, is shown with our directors following the opening Mass celebrated for the living and deceased members of our organization on March 11 in the board room of the home offi ce. Shown with Father Andrew on the photo from the left are: Chairperson of Supreme Au-ditors James G. Jerek, Supreme Treasurer Dennis J. Zifck, General Counsel, Attorney John D. Pogorelec, Jr., Supreme Secretary Scott T. Pogorelec, F.I.C., Supreme President Michael J. Horvath, Supreme Vice President Edward D. Moeller, Supreme Physical Directress Kathleen S. Watkins, Supreme Physical Direc-tor John M. Underation and Supreme Director of Sports and Athletics James C. Matlon.

Supreme Chaplain, Rev. Andrew S. Hvozdovic, continuing the time-honored Epiphany tradition is shown above blessing the portals at the home offi ce and then using blessed chalk, inscribing: 20 + C + M + B + 16 in the traditional blessing recalling the names of the legendary Magi, Caspar, Melchoir and Balthasar. The initials also stand for the Latin motto “Christus Mansionem Benedicat”(May Christ bless this house) along with the year 2016 as Sokol directors look on.

(Continued from page 2)

Sokol Calendar

in the Father George Dargay Memo-rial Hall of the parish, free of charge.

Annual Spring Festival hosted by the School Sisters of St. Francis at their Motherhouse, Mount As-sisi Convent, 934 Forest Ave., Pitts-burgh, Pa.(Ross/Bellevue area) 12 noon to 5 p.m. for further informa-tion tel.412 761-6004, www.school-sistersosf.org.

FRI. APRIL 29 Lock-In Movie Night for Chil-

dren, ages 3 to 12 hosted by Group 14 at the Slovak Catholic Sokol Club, 2912 East Carson St., South Side, Pittsburgh, Pa. beginning at 6 p.m.

MON.MAY 2 Lecture titled “The Religious Per-

secution in Slovakia - 1948-1989” by the Rev. Valarian Milchik, pastor of St. Gregory Byzantine Catholic Church at the Mount Lebanon Li-

brary, 16 Castle Shannon Blvd., Mt. Lebanon, Pa. beginning at 7 p.m.

SAT.MAY 7 Fraternalist of the Year dinner

hosted by the Fraternal Societies of Greater Pittsburgh honoring our Marketing and Sales Director Albert J. Suess, Jr., F.I.C. at the South Hills Country Club, Pittsburgh, Pa. begin-ning with reception at 6 p.m. fol-lowed by dinner at 7 p.m. Call Pam Blum at NSS Life at 724-731-0094.

SAT.MAY 14 Group 14 meeting at the Slovak

Catholic Sokol Club, South Side, Pittsburgh, Pa. beginning at 11 a.m.

MAY 20-22 70th International Bowling Tour-

nament at Airport Bowling Lanes, Buffalo, N.Y.

SAT.MAY 28 3rd annual Eastern European

Food Festival hosted by Assembly 261 and Wreath 155 at the Slovak Catholic Sokol Club, 411 Crestmont

St., Reading, Pa. from 12 noon to 5 p.m., for information call Kathy Smolkowicz at 610 507-3748, [email protected].

SUN.JUNE 5 Semi-annual meeting of Assem-

bly 63 at Dorothy’s Place, Donora, Pa. beginning at 1 p.m., light re-freshments will be served, call The-resa Gardner, 724-263-7289.

MON.JUNE 6 Lecture on Juraj Janosik, the Slo-

vak Robin Hood by Richard Kocur, WPSCA president at Mount Leba-non Public Library, 16 Castle Shan-non Blvd., Mt. Lebanon, Pa. begin-ning at 7 p.m. free of charge.

JUNE 29-JULY 2 27th Sokolfest and 120th anniver-

sary of the founding of Sokol USA - Slovak Gymnastic Union Sokol at Kennywood Park and the Twentieth Century Club, Pittsburgh, Pa. for in-formation call 973 676-0280, www.sokolusa.org.

AUG.19-21 60th International Golf Tourna-

ment at Treasure Lake Resort, Du-Bois, Pa.


REFLECTOR ... Jotings fr om Sokol and Slovak life

Gospel for the Third Sunday of Easter - April 10th

John 21:1-19

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

At that time, Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tibe-rias. He revealed himself in this way. Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fi shing.” They said to him, “We also will come with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore; but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered him, “No’ So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat and you will fi nd something.” So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fi sh. So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad, and jumped into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards, dragging the net with the fi sh. When they climbed out on shore, they saw a charcoal fi re with fi sh on it and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fi sh you just caught.” So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore full of one hundred fi fty-three large fi sh. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.” And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they realized it was the Lord. Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fi sh. This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples after being raised from the dead. When they had fi nished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He then said to Simon Peter a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Simon Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.” Jesus said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that Jesus had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you,” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” He said this signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Gospel for the Fourth Sunday of Easter – April 17th

John 10:27-30

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

Jesus said: “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

The Word of God...

Ordination of Bernardino Soukupset for May 28 in New York City The Rev. Brother Bernardino Maria Soukup, C.F.R. will be ordained to the priesthood on Saturday, May 28 by His Eminence, Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop

of New York at New York’s St. Pat-rick’s Cathedral beginning at 9 a.m. Deacon Bernardino Maria is a native of the city of Kosice, Slo-vakia’s great eastern metropolis. He emigrated to the United States at the age of seven with his family in 1983, settling in Florida. He at-tended Catholic grade school and high school in Sarasota, Florida. He pursued the idea of becoming a

medical doctor at the University of Miami. Although he never attended medical school, in 1999 he received his Bachelor’s Degree of Science with a Biology major and both Chemistry and Psychology minors. After working in the medical fi eld for more than three years, he heard the call to enter religious life and priesthood. In 2003, he entered religious life as a member of the Community of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, a new contem-porary Franciscan group founded in the Archdiocese of New York in 1988 by the late Rev. Benedict J. Groeschel. After two years of philosophy, he began his theological studies at St. Joseph Seminary Dunwoodie in Yonkers, N.Y. He was ordained a transitional deacon in 2015. Over the past year, he has provided Deaconal ministry at St. John Nepomucene Parish in New York City. Father Bernardino is the fi rst Slovak to be ordained a priest for the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. On Memorial Day, May 30, Father Bernardino will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving at the Church of St. John Nepomucene, located at the corner of East 66th Street and First Avenue in Manhattan at 11 a.m. While the liturgy will be offered in English, several parts, in-cluding the Gospel will be said in Slovak. Homilist at the liturgy will be the Rev. Eugene Fulton, director of Trinity Retreat House in Larchmont, N.Y. Immediately after the Mass, there will be the traditional fi rst blessing of Father Bernardino followed by a light reception in the parish so-cial hall. The public is invited to attend. Father Bernardino expects to participate in the de-liberations of the 27th World Youth Day in Krakow, Po-land July 27 to August 1. On Tuesday, August 2 he will travel to Slovakia to celebrate the great Franciscan feast of the Portiuncula. He will offer a Mass of thanksgiving at the Church of Our Lady of Peace, Milosrdenstva 15 in Kosice at 5 p.m. It was in this church that Father Ber-nardino was baptized. We rejoice with Father Bernardino on the occa-sion of his ordination to the priesthood. We pray that his priestly ministry be fruitful among us. We pray that God will bless him as he mirrors the very best of our Cyrilo-Methodian heritage of faith. Ad multos, gloriosque annos and Zdar Boh! Those of our members who would like to extend greetings to him on this joyous occasion may do so by attending his Mass in New York on May 30 or send him a note: Rev. Bernardino Maria Soukup, C.F.R., St. Leo-pold’s Friary, 259 Nepperhan Ave., Yonkers, NY 10701.

Fr. Richard D. Baker to lead Pilgrimagein the footsteps of SS. Cyril and Methodius Our Group 1 chaplain, the Rev. Richard D. Baker, pastor of New York’s historic parish of St. John Nepo-mucene, affectionately known as New York’s Slovak basilica, will host a Holy Year of Mercy tour to Slovakia titled a “Slovak Faith and Heritage Tour in the Footsteps of SS. Cyril and Methodius.” In addition to Slovakia, the tour will visit Austria and Hungary. The tour departs from New York’s JFK International Airport on Friday, September 30 and returns on Tuesday, October 11. The tour will include English speaking guides in Austria, Slo-vakia and Hungary. The pilgrimage will include a full day tour of the

Imperial Capital of Vienna, once the center of the Aus-tro-Hungarian Empire of which the Slovaks were a part. Vienna is one of Europe’s most historic and picturesque cities. The tour will then proceed to Slovakia’s sparkling capital city of Bratislava on the picturesque Danube River, visiting the historic castle, its palaces and the Ca-thedral of St. Martin where Mass will be celebrated. The tour will enjoy the area’s historic wine tour of the Small Carpathians, visiting cultural sites and visiting a pottery and ceramics factory. Visits to Trnava, known as “The Rome of Slovakia” due to its numerous churches; the great city of Nitra, the center of the mission of SS. Cyril and Methodius which is Slovakia’s oldest diocese as well as a visit to the country’s national shrine dedicated to its Patroness, Our Mother of Sorrows at Sastin are also on the program. From western Slovakia, the tour will continue east on to Levoca, Spisska Kapitula, Kezmarok and Stara Lubovna. A highlight of the tour will be attending Mass celebrated by Father Baker in his family’s ancestral church in the village of Starina, a quaint hamlet near the Polish border. The group will also visit the region of the High Tatras and will include rafting on the Du-najec river, which forms the natural boundary between Slovakia and Poland. Visits will also be made to Presov and Kosice. From Kosice, the tour will travel to the Hungarian city of Budapest on the Danube River. The beauty and richness of the Hungarian capital with its great artistic and cultural centers will be enjoyed. A full day tour will include a visit to Buda hill - the Royal Palace which houses a museum and art gallery, the Matthias Church, the royal coronation and wedding church as well as a visit to Gellert Hill for a panoramic view of the city. The tour returns to New York on Tuesday, October 11. The cost of the tour is $2,899 all inclusive, based on double occupancy. The single supplement is $350. Tour includes round-trip air transportation from New York, four star hotels, daily breakfasts and dinners with vis-its to museums and guided tours included. Plan to join Father Baker and be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime op-portunity to visit Slovakia, Austria and Hungary . For additional information on this historic tour, feel free to call the rectory of St. John Nepomucene Church in New York City at tel. 212 734-4613.

2th Annual Consular tourof Slovakia scheduled Active Slovak fraternalist and cultural leader, Slovak Honorary Consul in Pennsylvania, Joseph T. Senko and his Slovak born wife, Albina, have assembled a deluxe tour of Slovakia and its neighbors scheduled for August 28 to September 10, 2016. The tour will include visits to the country’s history-rich cities of Bratislava, Sastin, Skalica, Trencin, Bojnice, Rajecke, Teplice, Cicmany, the High Ta-tras, Zdiar, Stara Lubovna, Kosice, Bardejov and Presov. As you travel through the various regions of Slovakia, ar-rangements can be made for individuals to visit relatives or family towns and villages for an additional cost. These are just some of the highlights of the tour. When makes the tour unique is that it includes a tour of the Dobsinska ice cave, a tour of two castles, a mock wedding, two wine tastings, rafting on the Duna-jec river between Slovakia and Poland, spa treatments and a welcome reception with the Mayor of Presov, Pittsburgh’s Sister City. At no extra cost, Joe and Albina have included a tour of Vienna, Austria, once the imperial capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The tour will also visit Po-land. While in Poland, the tour will visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa, Zakopane and Krakow, in-cluding tours of Auschwitz and the Wieliczka salt mine. The cost of the tour includes airfare from Pitts-burgh or Newark, two delicious meals daily, four-star hotels, air conditioned tour bus, and a professional Eng-lish speaking guide and more. At $3,899, this is the low-est price of any deluxe tour to Slovakia. For a detailed daily itinerary, contact Joe Senko at [email protected] or tel 412 956-6000.

Group 3 semi-annual meeting on April 17 The semi-annual meeting of Group 3, “Rev. Edmund Mochak” is scheduled for Sunday, April 17 at the Slovak Catholic Sokol Hall located on Route 16 in Douglas, Mass. beginning at 10:15 a.m. Coffee and Danish will be available. Representatives of Wreath 18, Assembly 28 and Assembly 314 are invited to attend this important meeting. A number of fund-raising activities for the upcoming year will be discussed. Input from our members will insure the success of these fraternal activities. We hope to see a good turnout of mem-bers at this meeting. Zdar Boh! Christine Manyak Group 3 secretary


OUR NEXT ISSUE IS APRIL 20TH In keeping with our bi week ly publishing sched ule, the next is sue of the Slovak Cath o lic Fal con will be that of Wednes day, April 20th. Dead line for all pho tos and in for ma tion for this issue will be Thurs day, April 14th. View e-Falcon on our website: www.slovakcatholicsokol.org. Thank ing you for your con tin ued co op er a tion in this mat ter, I re main Zdar Boh! Daniel F. Tanzone, Editor

ISSN: 0897-8107

Established April 15, 1911Official Publication of the Slovak Catholic Sokol

Issued Bi-Weekly

Daniel F. Tanzone, EditorEditorial office: (973) 777-4010

Annual Subscription RatesUnited States $40.00 – All others countries $45.00

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Slovak Catholic Falcon,P.O. Box 899, 205 Madison Street,

Passaic, New Jersey 07055

Member of the Catholic PressAssociation and the Slovak Newspapermen's

Association of America

Proprietor and Publisher

SLOVAK CATHOLIC SOKOLP.O. Box 899

205 Madison Street, Passaic, N.J. 07055Home Office: (973) 777-2605-06

WEB SITE –www.slovakcatholicsokol.org

Lodge Jottings

CLIFTON, NJAssembly 162

The next regular monthly meet-ing of our lodge under the patron-age of SS. Cyril and Methodius is scheduled for Sunday, April 17 in SS. Cyril and Methodius Church Hall beginning at 12:30 p.m. All members are invited to attend. On our meeting agenda will be an update on the upcoming 100th anniversary celebration of our Assembly scheduled for October as well as any other lodge busi-ness to be discussed. Our spring and summer sporting season lies ahead and our members look for-ward to their participation, name-ly the 70th International Bowling Tournament, scheduled for May 20-22 in Buffalo, N.Y. and the 29th International Softball Tour-nament scheduled for July 8-10 in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Looking for-ward to seeing a good turnout of members at our April 17th meet-ing, may we remain Zdar Boh! John D. Pogorelec, Jr. President David Bulwin Recording Secretary

DONORA, PAAssembly 163

The semi-annual meeting of our lodge is scheduled for Sun-day, June 5. Our meeting will be held at Dorothy’s Place in Donora beginning at 1 p.m. All members are invited to attend. Following our business meeting, light re-freshments will be enjoyed by all. Reports of the offi cers will be presented and there will be discus-sion regarding any future fraternal events in 2016. Come join us for an enjoyable fraternal afternoon. For additional information, feel free to contact me on my cell phone at 724-2637289. Wishing all a very joyous Easter season, may I remain Zdar Boh! Theresa Gardner Financial Secretary

LORAIN, OHWreath 111

We are pleased to announce that our Wreath meets every sec-ond Monday of the month at the American Slovak Club beginning at 6:30 p.m. Each monthly meet-ing has a particular theme with refreshments and good fellowship making for an enjoyable evening out. Our next Wreath meeting is set for Monday, April 11. The theme for this month’s meeting is “April Showers Bring May Flowers,” which is quite appropriate to the season. An enjoyable evening has been planned and we look for-ward to seeing a good turnout of members at this gathering. We especially extend a cordial invita-tion to any of our newly enrolled members to join us for our various fraternal activities. Looking forward to seeing many of our members at our next

Slovak Catholic Sokol SportingEvents Scheduled for 2016 We are pleased to announce the various sporting events

which will be hosted by our organization in 2016. Exact schedules and details of each of these events have been fi nalized. We recom-mend that our members mark their calendars and make every effort to participate in one or more of our exciting sporting events. Partici-pants of each of these events can be assured of a memorable and exciting time in the best traditions of Sokol fraternalism, good sports-

manship and fellowship.

70th International Bowling TournamentMay 20-22 at the Airport Bowling Lanes

Buffalo, New York29th International Softball Tournament

July 8-10 at Kirby Park FieldsWilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

Supreme Clinic - Kurz in preparation forour 48th International Slet

July 28-31 at SUNY Brockport, New York61st International Golf Tournament

August 19-21 at Treasure Lake Golf ResortDuBois, Pennsylvania

22nd International Men’s Basketballand Coed Volleyball Tournament

October - with exact date and location to be announced

2016 will be a busy and exciting sporting year in the life of our organization. Mark your calendars and I hope to see you all soon. Zdar Boh! James C. Matlon Supreme Director of Sports & Athletics

meeting, Monday, April 11 and wishing all a very pleasant and joyous Easter Season, may I re-main Zdar Boh! Helen M. Zemanek President

MINNEAPOLIS, MINN.Assembly 34

We extend a cordial invitation to all our members as well as that of Wreath 47 to join us as we host the patronal feast of St. George on Sunday, April 24. Mass will be celebrated for the living and de-ceased members of Assembly 34 at 9 a.m. at the Church of SS. Cyr-il and Methodius, 1315 Second Street, N.E. by our parish admin-istrator, the Rev. Edison Galarza, O.C.C.S.S. Following the liturgy, we will enjoy breakfast in the Father George Dargay Memo-rial Hall of the parish. There is no charge for the breakfast. We remind all participants that there is no parking in the school lot. We invite all to celebrate with us as we commemorate the 107th an-niversary of the founding of our Assembly. So mark your calendar and join us for our annual patronal feast day observance on April 24 as we celebrate Sokol fellowship and fraternalism in the Twin Cities. A happy and healthy new year to all! Zdar Boh! James T. Genosky Financial Secretary

READING, PAAssembly 261Wreath 155

Continuing in our promotion of culture and heritage and outreach to the community, we extend a cordial invitation to area So-kol members and their friends to join us as we host our 3rd annual Eastern European Food Festival on Saturday, May 28 at our Slo-vak Catholic Sokol Club, located at 411 Crestmont Street from 12 noon until 5 p.m. Our past festi-vals have proven to be very popu-lar and successful and this year’s looks to be better than ever. Our festival helps present the rich culi-nary traditions of the Slovak, Pol-ish and Ukrainian communities. A smorgasbord of tastings of food, beer, wines and other delights will allow our visitors to savor many of our beloved specialities, includ-ing homemade pastries and baked goods. A variety of Slavic beers can be enjoyed out-of-doors in our garden. You may either eat in or take out. For take-out orders, we ask that you bring your own con-tainers. Needless to say, an enjoy-able experience is assured. Members of both our lodges are working to insure the success of this year’s Eastern European Food Festival. We hope to see many So-kols and Sokolky from near and far to join us for some great feast-ing and fraternal fellowship. Zdar Boh! Kathi Smolkowicz President, Wreath 155

The Fraternal Societies of Great-er Pittsburgh(FSGP) has named our Sales and Marketing Director, Al-bert J. Suess, Jr. as their 2016 Fra-ternalist of the Year. Brother Albert

will be honored during the orga-nization’s annual gala reception and dinner on Satur-day, May 7 be-ginning at 6 p.m. at the South Hills Country Club,

located in Whitehall, a suburb of Pittsburgh. Those interested in at-tending the banquet should contact Pa. Blum at the NSS Life Home Of-fi ce at tel. 724 731-0094 or emailing [email protected]. Our Albert was born and raised on Pittsburgh’s historic South Side. While working at Westinghouse Credit Corporation(WCC), he at-tended both the Community College of Allegheny County and Duquesne University, studying both computer science and elementary education. Since 2002, Brother Al has been a part of the fraternal world on a full-time basis as the Sales & Mar-keting Director of the National Slo-vak Society. In 2010 he became our Sales & Marketing Director. For the past 10 years he has also served on the board of directors of United American Savings Bank, both as a director and as secretary. Brother Albert earned his Fra-

Our Sales and Marketing Director

Albert J. Suess, Jr. to be honored by theFraternal Societies of Greater Pittsburgh

ternal Insurance Counselor(FIC) designation in 2003 and joined the board of the Pennsylvania Chapter of Fraternal Insurance Counsel-ors as fi rst vice president. He also served as an offi cer for four years through the various ranks of the FSGP. In addition to the Slovak Catholic Sokol, he enjoys member-ship in the First Catholic Slovak Union, the National Slovak Soci-ety, and GBU Financial Life. He is a life-long member of Assembly 16 of the Slovak Catholic Sokol where he has held numerous leadership positions, initially serving as direc-tor of sports, and then as president, a position he continues to hold today. He also currently holds the position of president and fi nancial secretary of the Slovak Catholic Sokol Club. He has been active in Group 14, serving in various posi-tions including that of sports direc-tor. He has served for many years on our Supreme Physical fi tness Board, including eight years as Su-preme Director of Sports and Ath-letics. In addition, he also served as supreme second vice president. Our congratulations and fraternal best wishes go out to Brother Albert on this well-deserved tribute. He is a credit to his family, the fraternal ben-efi t system and the Slovak Catholic Sokol in particular. We hope that many area Sokols and Sokolky will turn out for the May 7th dinner hon-oring him.

SLOVAK CATHOLIC FALCON, APRIL6, 2016

ENTRY BLANK—70th ANNUAL

SLOVAK CATHOLIC SOKOL BOWLING TOURNEY“USBC MORAL SUPPORT CERTIFIED”

Airport Lanes Buffalo, NYFriday, May 20 & Saturday, May 21, 2016

Please note: Bowling Fees must accompany this application for the bowlers to be registered in the tournament.

Name: _________________________________________________

Address: ________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

Phone: _______________________ CERT/POLICY# _______________

E-mail: _________________________________________________

Name: _________________________________________________

Address: ________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________


E-mail: _________________________________________________

Name: _________________________________________________

Address: ________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________


E-mail: _________________________________________________

Name: _________________________________________________

Address: ________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

hone: _______________________ CERT/POLICY# _______________

E-mail: _________________________________________________

BOWLER INFORMATION (LIST CAPTAIN FIRST) SCS TOURNAMENT INFORMATION

Highest Avg. 2014-15 _____ USBC No. ________ Wreath/Assm No. ___

Team: ____________________________________________


Team: ____________________________________________


Team: ____________________________________________


Team: ____________________________________________

Team Singles Doubles All Events Banquet




Please Check Tournament Events Bowler at Left Is Submitting Payment for on this Application:




TEAM EVENT—FRIDAY, MAY 20(Please Circle Time Desired)

7:00 PM

Team Name: __________________________________________(Please place team bowlers in the order they will be bowling.)

1. ________________________________________________

2. ________________________________________________

3. ________________________________________________

4. ________________________________________________

DOUBLE & SINGLES EVENT—SATURDAY, MAY 21(Please Circle Time Desired)

10:00 AM

1. ________________________________________________

2. ________________________________________________

1. ________________________________________________

2. ________________________________________________

Financial Totals for this ApplicationEntry Fee for Each Event

Prize Fee-$8.00 + Bowling Fee-$7.50 + Tournament Fee-$4.50 = $20.00

Optional Events Banquet + Bowling EntryAll Events-$5.00 Banquet-$25.00 $90.00 per person

___Singles Event @ $20 ea. = $ ________________

___Doubles Event @ $20 ea. = $ ________________

___Team Event @ $20 ea. = $ ________________

___All Events @ $5 ea. = $ ________________

___Banquet @ $25 ea. = $ ________________

Total Enclosed $ ________________

No applications will be accepted

after April 15, 2016.

Make Entry Fee payable to: Slovak Catholic Sokol Sports Account

Mail to: James Matlon, 6 Academy Drive East, Whippany, NJ 07981.

BOWLING FEE AS WELL AS ENTRY MONEY MUST ACCOMPANY THIS BLANK.

FORMS MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH COMPLETE INFORMATION.

INCOMPLETE FORMS WILL BE RETURNED TO TEAM CAPTAIN AND MUST BE RESUBMITTED.

Please check one: Men’s Application Women’s Application

No applications will be accepted

after April 15, 2016.

70th Annual Slovak Catholic Sokol International Bowling TournamentAirport Lanes + The Holiday Inn + Buffalo, N.Y. + May 20-21


Your last opportunity to participate

Slovak Catholic Sokol 70th InternationalBowling Tournament set for May 20-22

by James C. MatlonSupreme Director of Sports and Athletics

All is in readiness for this year’s exciting 70th International Slovak

Catholic Sokol Bowling Tour-nament, sched-uled for the weekend of Fri-day, May 20th and Saturday, May 21st in Buf-falo, N.Y. Com-petition on the lanes will take

place at the Airport Bowling Lanes located at 3754 Genesse Street in Cheektowaga, N.Y. In recent years, we have suc-cessfully combined our tourna-ments with other fraternals. This year, our bowlers will once again join the Greek Catholic Union for a combined tournament. Application deadline for the bowling tourna-ment is Friday, April 15th. The Holiday Inn, the host hotel for our 70th annual bowling tour-nament, is located at 4600 Genesse Street in Cheektowaga, NY 14225, tel 716 634-6969 , just 1.5 miles from the bowling lanes. Our Sat-urday banquet and program will be held at this hotel. The price is $109.00 per room, per night plus tax. In addition, we also have rooms reserved at the Holiday Inn Ex-press, 131 Buell Avenue in Cheek-towaga, NY 14225, tel. 716 6331-8700 in case additional rooms are needed. The price there is $114.00 per room, per night, plus tax. Dead-

line to make hotel reservations is Friday, April 29. On Friday evening, hospital-ity food and refreshments will be served at The Airport Bowling Lanes beginning at 5:30 p.m., prior to our tournament, which is sched-uled to begin at 7 p.m. This will allow time for the bowlers to have something to eat and socialize, en-joying Sokol fellowship before the tournament begins. The Double and Singles events will begin on Saturday morning at 10 a.m. This year’s tournament marks a milestone in the history of our bowling tournaments. For the past seven decades, our organization has hosted this annual competition, the oldest sporting event hosted by the Slovak Catholic Sokol. Generations of Sokol bowlers have competed at these tournaments, celebrating So-kol good sportsmanship, camarade-rie and Sokol fraternal fellowship. Our fi rst national competition was held in April 1946 in Bridgeport, Conn. Since then, our tournaments have been held in various American and Canadian cities. This year’s competition looks to be one of our best. So why not plan to join us in Buffalo for an exciting fraternal weekend in the best tradi-tions of Sokol good sportsmanship. If you have any further questions, feel free to email me at jmatlon@slovakcatholicskol, org or call me at 973 647-8551. I look forward to seeing you in Buffalo. Zdar Boh!

Sokol Birthdays

APRIL 14 Msgr. Thomas A. Derzack, chaplain of Group 18 and a mem-ber of Assembly 188, Lansford, Pa. Carson Louis Lough, Dana Point, Ca., a member of Assembly 59, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Glenice Zelina, Amherst, Oh., a member of Wreath 111, Lorain, Oh.

APRIL 15 Rebecca Bagin, Pittsburgh, Pa., a members of Wreath 22, Pittsburgh, Pa. James V. Iancale, Jr., Port Charlotte, Fla., a member of As-sembly 9, Bridgeport, Conn.

APRIL 16 Darlene M. Fata, Yonkers, N.Y., Recording Secretary of As-sembly 219, Yonkers, N.Y. R. J. Wilson, III, Humble, Tex., a member of Assembly 9, Bridgeport, Conn.

APRIL 17 Joan Yanosick, Pittsburgh, Pa., a member of Wreath 22 in Pittsburgh, Pa. Catherine Yonkoski Gorski, Milwaukee, Wis., a member of Assembly 82, Dunlo, Pa.

APRIL 18 Cynthia Ann Bednar, Bethle-hem, Pa., a member of Assembly

78, Bethlehem, Pa. Marilyn T. Bergeron, Little Falls, N.J., a member of Assembly 162, Clifton, N.J. Thomas Mikoni, Lebanon, Pa., a member of Assembly 78, Bethlehem, Pa.

APRIL 19 Jennifer Anne O’Sullivan Esq., Pelham, N.Y., a member of Assembly 162, Clifton, N.J. Ava Szluka, Hopatcong, N.J., a member of Assembly 162, Clif-ton, N.J.

APRIL 21 Tina Hellinger, Lorain, Oh.,a member of Wreath 111, Lorain, Oh. Viera Stano, North Chelms-ford, Mass., a member of Assem-bly 314, Boston, Mass.

APRIL 22 Dr. Mark M. Stolarik, Ottawa, Ont., Canada, a member of As-sembly 48, Philadelphia, Pa. Terry Johnson, Franklinville, N.J., a member of Assembly 188, Lansford, Pa.

APRIL 23 Katherine Hanson, Minneapo-lis, Minn., a member of Wreath 47, Minneapolis, Minn. John D. Pogorelec, Jr., Esq., Clifton, N.J., our General Counsel and president of Group 1 and presi-

dent of Assembly 162, Clifton, N.J. Andrew P. Rajec, Broad-view Heights, Oh., a member of Wreath 93, Milwaukee, Wis.

APRIL 24 Loretta Garasic, Broken Ar-row, OK, a member of Wreath 54, Youngstown, OH. Eileen Schweyer, Jenkintown, Pa., a member of Wreath 13, Phila-delphia, Pa. Loretta G. Smith, Canfi eld, Oh., a member of Wreath 54, Youngstown, Oh.

APRIL 25 Rose Marie Kedzuf, Orland Park, III., a member of Assembly 11, Chicago, III.

38th Annual SS. Cyril and MethodiusAppeal of the Slovak Catholic Federation

by Rev. Andrew S. Hvozdovic When our ancestors came to these shores more than a cen-tury ago, they brought with them few monetary assets. They did in fact bring their most precious possession to our country, their strong faith. The seeds of that faith were nur-tured and sustained by the Slovak immigrant priests who left their homeland and came to serve the Slovak immigrants helping to orga-nize nearly 300 Slovak parishes in many com-munities throughout the Northeast, the Mid-west and even Canada. They helped to build our great Slovak Catholic fraternals as well as religious communities of men and women. In 1911, 36 of those Slovak priests along with more than 200 of the laity, in the presence of two bishops met in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. under the leadership of the Rev. Joseph Murgas at Sacred Heart of Jesus Slovak Parish there. That gathering saw the founding of the Slovak Catholic Federation, which continues today to promote and coordinate religious activities among those of Slovak ancestry, our Slovak fraternals, religious communities and parishes in their effort to address themselves to the pastoral needs of Slovak Catholics in the United States and Canada. Over the years, we in the United States and Canada have responded generously to assist the Church in our ancestral home-land. During the 41-year Communist period, the Church in Slo-vakia suffered greatly. For the past 38 years, the Slovak Catholic Federation has hosted its annual SS. Cyril and Methodius Appeal to assist the Church in Slovakia. As we inaugurate this year’s 38th annual appeal on the feast of SS. Cyril and Methodius, February 14th, we once again ask for your continued support. As the presi-dent of the Slovak Catholic Federation, I am especially pleased with the support given this appeal from so many of our Slovak Catholic Sokol Groups, Assemblies and Wreaths. In 2015, do-nations amounted to a record $2,416. I sincerely thank all of our members and lodges for their continued moral and fi nancial support. Be assured that all of their intentions will continue to be remembered in my Masses and prayers. The 2015 Appeal collected $38,650.30 and since its incep-tion the Appeal has raised $2,422,682.00. Funds raised from the Appeal will aid the priest-graduate students at the Pontifi cal Slovak College of SS. Cyril and Meth-odius in Rome. These fi ne priests are being called upon to be the future leaders of the Diocesan Churches in Slovakia both as Vicars and Bishops, in addition to providing qualifi ed instruc-tors/professors for the seminaries that educate future priests. In addition, funds also benefi t those religious communities of both men and women in Slovakia which share a counterpart which belongs to the Slovak Catholic Federation and the Conference of Slovak Re-ligious in the United States. In our church today, we are fi nding more and more individu-als of Slovak ancestry no longer attend traditionally founded Slo-vak parishes with many having been closed or merged. Because of this reality today, the monies raised in this appeal now come from both the collections taken up in existing Slovak parishes as well as from a good number of in-dividual donors. All donations, however large or small, are grate-fully received as a token of gratitude for having received the gift of faith from our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents. This year, coordinator of the SS. Cyril and Methodius Ap-peal is the National First Vice President of the Slovak Catholic Federation, the Rev. Thomas A. Nasta. Father Nasta, a priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, is pastor of the Parish of Our Lady of Ransom in Philadelphia and serves as the national chap-lain of the First Catholic Slovak Union. I know that you will give Father Nasta the same cooperation and generosity that you have shown me during my years as SS. Cyril and Methodius Appeal Coordinator. Tax deductible donations to this year’s appeal, made pay-able to: Slovak Catholic Federation, noting that it is earmarked for the appeal, can be sent to the National Secretary/Treasurer of the Slovak Catholic Federation: Dolores M. Evanko, 173 Berner Ave., Hazleton, PA 18201. Finally, in the name of all associated with the work of the Slovak Catholic Federation, may I express thanks and gratitude to you all for your continued support of the SS. Cyril and Metho-dius Appeal. Thank you and may God repay your generosity - Pan Boh Zaplat!

Library Week, April 18-22

Those who make reading a part of their lives are wise. Long ago, they discovered the special joy that comes from books. Additionally, there are no limits to the mind that has been enriched by good reading habits, by access to books - from childhood on. And National Library Week, April 18-22, reminds us that we can’t afford a nation of nonreaders. In our society we depend on all our citizens. We need people who are alive to new ideas...who value their past....people who are prepar-ing themselves now for a satisfying future. That’s why books in our homes and in our libraries are so important - and never more so than in today’s changing world. No matter what your age, your tastes, or your individual spe-cial needs, books insure personal growth.

His Run Became Marathon How did the marathon come about? In 490 B.C., one Phidip-pides of Athens was sent from Mar-

athon to Sparta, a distance of 26 miles, to get help in fi ghting off the Persian Army. Help was not avail-able for reli-

gious reasons, so Phidippides ran the 26 miles back with this news. The Persians were defeated any-way at the Battle of Marathon. Leg-end has it that Phidippides also took this news back to Athens where he died saying, “Rejoice, we are vic-torious.” The marathon became an event in the 1896 Olympic Games at Athens. Since 1924, the race is 26 miles, 385 yards in distance. Perhaps the most famous U.S. race is the Boston Marathon to be run April 17, 2016 its 120th year. The route begins in Hopkinton, goes through eight cities and towns, then fi nishes in downtown Boston, a distance equivalent to the Olympic marathon.



Cultural Program Celebrating Slovak Independence held at New York’s St. John Nepomucene Parish Continuing in a time-honored tradition spanning more than 70 years, Assembly 1 of the Slovak League of America in cooperation with Assembly 182 of the Slovak Catholic Sokol, Branch 45 and Branch 716 of the First Catholic Slovak Union hosted a celebration of Slovak independence and identi-ty on Sunday, March 13 at St. John Nepomucene Parish in New York City. This year’s celebration com-memorated the 77th anniversary of the declaration of independence of

the fi rst Slovak Republic on March 14, 1939 and recalled the 23rd an-niversary of independence of the present Slovak Republic on Janu-ary 1, 1993. In addition, this year’s celebration anticipated the Slovak Presidency of the European Union on July 1. The program opened with Mass celebrated in Slovak in St. John Nepomucene Church at 10:30 a.m. The cultural program and luncheon began at 1 p.m. in the parish social hall. The program opened with

prayer offered by the Rev. Stefan Chanas, parochial vicar of the par-ish followed by the singing of the national anthems of the United States and Slovakia. Serving as the very capable mistress of cer-emonies was Henrietta Dait, sec-retary of Assembly 1 of the Slovak League of America and of Branch 716 of the Jednota. She welcomed all and thanked Assembly 1 and the local fraternal lodges for their sup-port in hosting this annual event. Henrietta offered cultural observa-

tions and offered several poems in Slovak. A cultural interlude was presented by the well-known ten-or, Radoslav Lesay sang several Slovak folk songs. The principal Slovak address was presented by Nina Holy, the national secretary-treasurer of the Slovak League of America. The host pastor, Father Richard D. Baker offered remarks and expressed his support for the promotion of Slovak culture and heritage in the parish. The princi-pal address in English was offered by Editor Daniel F. Tanzone in his capacity as president of the Slo-vak League of America. The Slo-vak League is a civic and cultural federation of Americans of Slovak ancestry. Founded in Cleveland in 1907, the Slovak League has cham-pioned the political and cultural rights of the Slovaks at home. The Slovak League publishes the cul-tural annual “Slovakia” edited by Dr. M. Mark Stolarik, chair of the Slovak Chair of Culture and His-tory at the University of Ottawa, Canada. Scholarship grants are also offered in the promotion of higher education among youth of Slovak ancestry. Following the formal pro-gram, a delicious luncheon featur-ing Slovak culinary specialities was enjoyed by the more than 75 guests in attendance. The program closed with the prayer offered by Father Baker followed by the singing of God Bless America, Hej Slovaci and Kto za Pravdu hori. The following is the principal ad-dress in English offered by Daniel F. Tanzone. American Slovaks’ concern for the political plight of their brethren at home in the then Austro-Hungar-ian Empire led them to establish the Slovak League of America in 1907 to champion the cause of self-deter-mination for the Slovaks at home. Let us remember that less than 50 percent of the Austro-Hungarian Empire was made up of either Austrians or Hungarians. Half the empire included Poles, Slovaks, Czechs, Slovenians, Croatians, Ukrainians, Ruthenians and Roma-nians, among others. The impact of World War I saw an opportunity for the liberation of the subject peoples of the empire. Slovak General Milan R. Stefanik, son of a Slovak Lutheran pastor, became an important fi gure in the movement for the emancipation of the Slovaks. He joined with Thom-as G. Masaryk and Eduard Benes in promoting the cause of libera-tion for the Czechs and Slovaks. In 1915 the Cleveland Agreement was signed by the representatives of the Slovaks and Czechs in America advocating a common state for the Slovaks and Czechs after World War I. Stefanik’s most important contribution to the future of his people was the visit he made to the United States in 1917 in which the movement for the creation of a common Czech and Slovak state received the wholehearted support of President Woodrow Wilson. It was Stefanik who was largely re-sponsible for the meshing of the two efforts for liberation, the one he began in Paris and the one in America.

Nina Holy, national secretary-treasurer of the Slovak League of America is shown addressing the celebra-tion commemorating the 77th anniversary of the fi rst Slovak Republic.

Headtable guests at the luncheon are shown above and include, seated, l-r, Nina Holy, national secretary-treasurer of the Slovak League of America, the Rev. Richard D. Baker, pastor of St. John Nepomucene Parish, Daniel F. Tanzone and Dr. Mikulas Halko, national president and fi rst vice president, respectively of the Slovak League of America; and Eva Lysak, treasurer of Assembly 1 of the Slovak League. Standing,l-r, Joseph Bilik, president of Branch 716 of the First Catholic Slovak Union; Henrietta Dait, Rev. Stefan Chanas, parochial vicar of St. John Nepomucene Parish, Martha Catalano, national auditor of the Slovak League; John A. Holy, Honorary Secretary of the Slovak League; and Anna Korcak, fi nancial secretary of Assembly 182 of the Slovak Catholic Sokol.

An enjoyable luncheon featuring traditional Slovak culinary specialities was enjoyed by the participants of the Slovak Independence Day festivities held in the social hall of St. John Nepomucene Parish.

The signing of the Pittsburgh Agreement in May 1918 at the be-hest of the Slovak League of Amer-ica and the Czech National Federa-tion, was the most important event in the liberation movement here in America. In the presence and ap-proval of Thomas G. Masaryk, son of a Slovak father and Czech moth-er, who would become the fi rst president of Czecho-Slovakia, with the hyphen; Slovaks were promised autonomy. Unfortunately in 1919 a strong centralist regime in Prague replaced the promise of autonomy for the Slovaks. Autonomy was never achieved in the fi rst repub-lic. Even the long-time advocate of Slovak rights, Msgr. Andrej Hlinka was denied the right by Masaryk to participate in the deliberations of the Peace Treaty at Versailles following the end of the war. How-ever, through the kindness of the Polish Premier, Marshall Pilsudski, Hlinka was allowed to travel with the Polish delegation to the peace conference, arriving in August 1919 to plead the cause of Slovak autonomy for the new Czecho-Slo-vak Republic. The cause of Slovak autonomy was fi nally achieved in October 1938. The central government in Prague nominated the fi rst autono-mous government of Slovakia. The members of the autonomous government appointed Msgr. Jo-seph Tiso as prime minister. Tiso’s government was empowered with full control over all matters affect-ing Slovak territory. Following the Dec. 18, 1938 elections, the autonomous parliament included 63 members. The parliament con-vened in the great hall of Bratislava University on Jan. 18, 1939. On March 13, 1939, Premier Tiso was summoned to Berlin to meet with Adolf Hitler. After the meeting Tiso was clearly faced with the following twin-horned dilemma. His choice was either to break with the Czechs and become an independent state, or to hold fast to autonomy within Czecho-Slova-kia and then watch Berlin gobble the Czech lands while Budapest moved, with German approval, to reswallow Slovakia. Tiso chose the former. He returned to Bratislava and on March 14, 1939 convened the autonomist parliament. The legally elected members of the au-tonomist parliament in Bratislava voted for independence. This be-came a fact of history. A total of 28 countries offi cially recognized Slo-vakia as an independent entity. For the fi rst time in history Slovakia would be master of its own destiny. Unfortunately with the advent of World War II, the political situation in Slovakia declined. Following the end of the war, Slovakia was again reincorporated into Czecho-Slova-kia without ever seeking the wishes of the Slovak people. Then in 1948, a 41 period of communist domina-tion prevented any consideration for independence or autonomy. Following the fall of communism in 1989, the opportunity for Slovak autonomy and independence re-emerged. Following the agreement of the autonomist parliament in

SLOVAK CATHOLIC FALCON, APRIL 6 2016 PAGE 9

Highlights of the First Quarterly Meeting of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors, 2016-2019, pose for a photo following the Mass celebrated at St. Mary’s Church in Passaic on March 12. Our organization had its beginnings in the parish 111 years ago.

The meeting of our Slovak Catholic Sokol Museum Board preceded the deliberations of the board of direc-tors meeting on March 11. Museum directors shown above include, l-r, General Counsel John D. Pogorelec, Jr., Supreme Treasurer Dennis J. Zifcak, Supreme Vice President Edward D. Moeller, who chaired the meeting and Supreme Chaplain, Rev. Andrew S. Hvozdovic.

Shown conducting the opening session of the fi rst quarterly meeting of our Board of Directors, are l-r, Honorary Supreme Offi cer Steven M. Pogorelec, F.I.C., Supreme Secretary Scott T. Pogorelec, F.I.C. and Supreme President Michael J. Horvath.

There are two words which come to mind when referring to the frater-nal benefi t system as opposed to the commercial life insurance industry. Service and outreach beautifully de-scribe what a member of a fraternal organization is all about. A true fra-ternalist is committed to a variety of outreach and service projects which are committed to his or her local community, parish or neighborhood. Fraternalists are pleased to serve others with a spirit of giving and sharing. For the past almost 111 years, the Slovak Catholic Sokol and its membership have striven to mirror such a philosophy of life. There are countless individual members who labor on behalf of others with a quiet spirit of service. Often such individuals are behind the scenes members who seek no recognition beyond their own pleasure in seeing their projects succeed. Well, now is the time to look among our ranks and fi nd such individuals so that the entire organization can celebrate their efforts. Since 1985, our organization has recognized fraternal leadership among us by selecting an individual member who mirrors the high ide-als of the fraternal benefi t system of which the Slovak Catholic Sokol is a part. We ask our members to submit the names of individuals who should be considered as our Fraternalist of the Year. Fraternalism is unique and has served an important purpose in American life. The fi rst fraternals were organized just prior to the Civil War. These organizations were founded to serve their fellow mem-bers as well as the communities in which they were active. Over the decades, fraternal organizations have been an important component of the charitable outreach network in our country ever since. Fraternals, as not-for-profi t non governmental organizations provide invaluable service to others. For more than 30 years, individu-al members of our organization have been selected as our Fraternalist of the Year in recognition of all the good they accomplish on behalf of others. Over the years those chosen for this award have refl ected a vari-ety of outreach efforts which have been a credit not only to them indi-vidually but to the Slovak Catholic Sokol in general. Past honorees have come from all parts of the United States and Canada as well. Our or-ganization would not enjoy our cur-rent success without the hard work and dedication of many members in our many Groups, Assemblies and Wreaths. There are just such in-dividuals out there who need to be recognized so that they might be an inspiration to others. Often they are quiet, behind the scenes individuals who make things happen. Such do-ers need to be recognized!

An opportunity to recognize leadership among us

Our 2016 Fraternalist of the Year ProgramSalutes Volunteerism and Outreach

Each year then, we ask the mem-bership to take the time to nominate an individual member who in their estimation serves as a wonderful role model and mentor who is wor-thy of being considered as our 2016 Slovak Catholic Sokol Fraternalist of the Year. So at your next lodge or Group meeting, discussion of the Fraternalist of the Year project should be on the meeting agenda. Discuss individuals who deserve

recognition. There are many out there, we need only recommend them. This year’s honoree will be presented with an appropriate plaque along with a gift of $200.00 as a small to-ken of our gratitude for

his or her efforts in promoting vol-unteerism and outreach. In addition, the presentation of the Fraternalist of the Year Plaque is presented at a dinner hosted by our organization for the honoree’s family and friends. In addition, the individual se-lected as our Fraternalist of the Year is then recommended for consider-ation to the American Fraternal Al-liance for consideration in its 2016 Fraternalist of the Year program. The American Fraternal Alliance is the trade organization which repre-sents more then nine million frater-nalists in 70 member societies in the United States and Canada, including our own. Three individuals are then selected from participating fraternal benefi t societies for recognition. One winner and two runners up are selected and will be honored at the 130th annual meeting of the Ameri-can Fraternal Alliance, scheduled for September 8-10 in Nashville, Tenn. Therefore, now is the time to think about who among us is de-serving of this recognition? Last year’s nominee was Dolly Hussar of Canton, Oh. Dolly has been an ac-tive Sokolka all her life, serving in a variety of positions on the local and Group levels. She has shared her love for the Slovak Catholic Sokol with her children and grandchil-dren who continue to remain active in our various sporting events and champion the cause of Sokol frater-nalism. There are other individual So-kol members who are movers and shakers among us who should be considered as our 2016 Slovak Catholic Sokol Fraternalist of the Year. Any individual member, local Assembly, Wreath or Group may nominate an individual for consid-eration. A special nomination form is available from the home offi ce. Contact Editor Daniel F. Tanzone, who coordinates the program at the home offi ce, at tel. 800 886-7656 for a copy. A recent photo of the nominee should also be included along with the completed nomina-tion form. Deadline for receipt of the completed nomination form at the home offi ce is Friday, July 1, 2016.


Scenes of the Annual Bowling Tournament Hosted by Group 1Paul’s Bowling Academy + Paterson, N.J. + Sunday, March 6


KIDS’ CORNER “Detský kútik ” April, 2016

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!!

Chase Hazelbaker 4/11 Amanda Hartman 4/12

By Dr. Michael Kopanic Detský kútik [dyet-ski ] [koo – teek ] = Kid’s corner

spring = jar [yaar] warm = teplo [tyep-low] warmer = teplejšie [tyep-lay-shye] outside = vonku [vone-koo] In the spring, it is warmer outside. = Na jar je teplejšie vonku [Nah jar, yeh tyep-lay-shye vone-koo] grass = tráva [traah-vah] mow = koši [ko-sheet] I have to mow the grass. = Musím koši trávu. [Moo-seem ko-sheet trah-vu].

NO COOK KOOL AID PLAY DOUGH #1 This is my favorite play dough because--it's fast--no cooking--easy ingredients and smells good---tastes bad... Need: 2 1/2 c flour, sifted 1/2 c salt 3 T cooking oil 1 pkg Kool-aid (unsweetened) 1 c very hot water Mix together flour, salt, oil, and Kool-aid. Add the cup of almost boiling water. Mix well. Knead the mixture until it forms a soft dough. Have fun! Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Your play dough will be the scent and color of the Kool-Aid! *Any other unsweetened, powdered drink mix may be substituted. *There may be colored hands but it washes off.

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What's making headlines in our ancestral homeland

News and Views from Slovakia...

Selected stories are provided by TASR-Slovakia, the Slovak Republic’s offi cial News Agency.

Slovakia recorded foreign tradesurplus of $3.5 billion last year Slovakia’s foreign trade produced a defi cit of $70.2 mil-lion n December 2015, the Slovak Statistics Offi ce stated in a detailed report on March 10. Total exports reached $6.1 billion in December, which represented an increase of 6.5 percent, year-on-year, while im-ports rose by 7.6 percent to $66.1 billion. In 2015 as a whole Slovakia had the highest trade surpluses in relation to trade with Germany($6 billion), Great Britain($3 billion), Poland($2.6 billion), Austria($2.4 billion), France($1.9 billion), the Czech Republic($1.6 billion), Italy($1 billion), the Netherlands($825 million) and the United States($800 million). Conversely, Slovakia reported the highest trade defi cits vis-a-vis China($4.6 billion), South Korea($4.2 billion), Rus-sia($2.1 billion), Japan($600 million), Taiwan($565 million), Malaysia($500 million), India($230 million), and Ukraine($170 million).

SNS leader Andrej Danko electedas parliamentary chairman Andrej Danko, the chairman of the second strongest coali-tion entity the Slovak National Party(SNS), was elected parlia-mentary chairman in a secret ballot on March 23, receiving 112 votes from the 150-member House. At least 76 votes are required in order to elect a parliamen-tary chair. Danko is replacing Smer-SD’s Peter Pellegrini in the second highest constitutional post in Slovakia. “We’re living at a time with a fi ght to preserve statehood ahead of us and one for gaining a (good) position for Slova-kia in the EU. I’ve always striven to be a person who wouldn’t promote xenophobia and racism in politics. I want to look for the good. I realized yesterday how dangerous the use of arms, resolving problems with violence and playing on the lowest in-stincts and emotions are,” said Danko in his inaugural address in reference to the terror attacks in Brussels. “Exhibitionism shouldn’t be displayed in Parliament, while the only arms used should be words...It’s fundamental to have our politics in line with human rights,” said Danko (Legislator for the far-right Kotelba People’s Party Our Slovakia(LSNS) Peter Krupa took a gun to the parliamentary building on March 21. He voluntarily surrendered it to the guards upon arriving, however. -ed. note). Meanwhile, the three most-frequently used expressions in Parliament should be “thank you, excuse me and please,” added Danko.

Kiska appoints Robert Ficoas new Prime Minister President Andrej Kiska received the resignation of the out-going Government from the hands of Prime Minister Robert Fico on March 23. The homogeneous Cabinet made up of representatives and nominees of Smer-SD has offi cially concluded its four-year term. At the same time Kiska has appointed Smer-SD leader Robert Fico to lead the new Government and approved its com-position. Most of Smer-SD ministers remain in their posts - Robert Kalinak(Interior), Peter Kazimir(Finance), Miro-slav Lajcak(Foreign and European Affairs), Marek Madaric(Culture) and Jan Richter(Labor, Social Affars and the Family). Former parliamentary chair Peter Pellegrini takes over the post of the Deputy Prime Minister for Investments and former environment minister Peter Ziga becomes the Econo-my Minister. Nonpartisan nominee Tomas Drucker is the new Health Minister. Meanwhile, Peter Gajdos, Gabriela Matecna and Peter Plavcan will be representing the Slovak National Party at the ministries of Defense; Agriculture and Rural Development; and

Education, Science, Research and Sport, respectively. The Most-Hid party will be represented by its vice-chair Lucia Zitnanska as the Justice Minister and Laszlo Solymos as the Environment Minister. Roman Brecely from the Siet party is the new Transport, Construction and Regional Development Minister.

Hudak: PM Fico asks me to helpwith EU Presidency agenda Outgoing Economy Minister Vazil Hudak stated on March 23 that he’s been asked by Prime Minister Robert Fico to be helpful to the new Government in dealing with certain issues related to the country’s Presidency of the European Council. “At the same time, as it’s already been reported, I’ve been nominated by the Government to serve as a vice-president of the European Investment Bank(EIB) for Slovakia,” he said at a press conference, adding that he wants to remain active on Slo-vakia’s behalf. Hudak’s nomination for EIB isn’t for certain yet, however, as it also needs to be okayed abroad. Hudak, who was not on the party slate in 2012 or this time around, was already active in the fi nancial sector in the past. In the outgoing Government he served as a Finance Ministry state secretary and took over the post of Economy Minister in June 2015 following the resignation of Pavol Pavlis, who was re-elected MP on March 5.

Comenius University in top500 in URAP ranking Comenius University in Bratislava has made it into the top 500 of the University Ranking by Academic Performance(URAP) and top 700 of the QS World University Rankings, Andrea Foldvaryova from the university’s PR depart-ment told TASR on March 24. Comenius came in 494th in the URAP chart, being the only Slovak university to make it into the top 500 in this ranking. Other Slovak universities were below the 1,000 place. The world’s three best universities were Harvard University(fi rst)in the United States; the University of Toronto(second)in Canada and Oxford University in Great Brit-ain. URAP releases charts of the world’s best 2,000 universities representing 10 percent of the best performing facilities on an annual basis. The criteria involve six objective criteria, including the number of scientifi c articles published by scientists active at individual universities, the number of their citations in other scientifi c pieces, scientifi c productivity and the so-called impact factor of magazines featuring their work. Meanwhile, Comenius University was again placed on the 651st-700 place in the QS World University Rankings. The fi rst three places went to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology(fi rst), Harvard University(second), both of the United States and third, the University of Cambridge in Great Britain. The ranking is composed according to six criteria with var-ious weight: academic reputation(40 percent), employer repu-tation(10 percent), student-to-faculty ratio(20 percent) citations per faculty(20 percent), international faculty ratio(5 percent) and international student ratio(5 percent).

Sulik: Europe needs to grasp it’sin war and start protecting itself Europe needs to understand that it’s in a war and that it must start protecting itself, said Freedom and Solidarity(SaAS) party leader Richard Sulik in a video on Facebook on March 22 in response to the explosions in Brussels on the same day.

One of the most historic and picturesque towns in the Spis region of northeast Slovakia is that of Kezmarok lo-cated in the foothills of the High Tatra Mountains with a population of 17,000. It received its town charter in 1269. It had the right to organize a cheese market. Its name derives from the German Kesmark which means cheese market. It became a thriving open market for centuries due to its location on the area’s trade route. In 1433 the town was severely damaged by a Hussite raid. After 1440, the count of Spis had a seat in Kezmarok. In the 15th cen-tury and then once more in 1655, Kezmarok became a free royal town. The town was a stronghold of the Thoko-ly family. The town’s other monuments include a castle, many Renaissance merchant houses, and a museum of ancient books. The town’s pride is the Protestant church built in 1688 entirely of wood with not a single nail in its construction. The church also contains an organ dating from 1719 with wooden pipes. The church has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008.

Sulik said that, fi rst of all, the EU needs to close its own borders and start protecting its citizens. Brussels has been a center of terrorism over the long term. “Brussels and Belgian security services don’t properly fulfi ll their duties. Their French counterparts have often complained about this,” stated Sulik, claiming that there are almost 100,000 people from Arab coun-tries living in the Brussels borough of Molenbeek. “Europol has recently warned that between 3-5,000 jihad-ists, who had left Europe for Islamic State’s training camps, re-turned to Europe via a large uncontrolled infl ux of migrants,” asserted Sulik. Sulik added that “weird” deals with Turkey resulting in a visa-free arrangement for 75 million Turks aren’t the solution. “There may be terrorists even among them,” states the Slovak MEP, adding that Europe is only creating further problems for itself.



REPORT OF THE SUPREME CHAPLAIN

Pochvalen bud Pan Jezis Kristus!

SLAVNA ROCNA SCHODZA In Compliance with Section 4.0 article (g) of the Constitution and Bylaws of the Slovak Catholic Sokol, I hereby submit my report of activities for the calendar year 2015. The duties, obligations and responsibilities of the Offi ce of the Supreme Chaplain are clearly spelled out in the Bylaws. I tried to the best of my ability to fulfi ll them.

Following is a listing and brief explanation of my activities: On January 22, 2015, I represented our organization by participating in the Na-tional March for Life held in Washington, DC. I organized the transportation from Epiphany Parish and School in Sayre, PA, working closely with the President of the Ladies Pennsyl-vania Slovak Catholic Union, Mrs. Theresa Kluchinski. I enjoyed traveling with my fellow Slovak Catholic Sokol, Group 7 President, and Chairperson of the Supreme Auditors, Mr. Michael Horvath and his family along with local members of both Fratemals. I attended the Annual Board of Directors Meeting of the Slovak Catholic Sokol held March 19-22, 2015 held at our Home Offi ce in Passaic, NJ. I provided the spiritual needs for the Annual Meeting; (ie) daily Mass, prayers beginning and ending each session, and a special memorial service remembering all our deceased members since our last First Quarterly Board Meeting. June 13, 2015 I participated in the Second Quarterly meeting of the Board of Di-rectors as it Was a conference call meeting. I opened and closed the meeting with a prayer and participated in the discussions of the meeting. From July 14-18, 2015 I participated both as Spiritual Director and Chaperone for the 47th International Slet held at Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, PA. This gave me the wonderful opportunity to meet the participants and their families, the Group Physical Directors and Directresses along with the members of our Supreme Physical Fitness Board. I provided the Holy Sacrifi ce of the Mass for both the opening and closing of the Slet. I com-mend the Supreme Physical Fitness Board for conducting a most successful Slet. The 32nd National Convention of the Slovak Catholic Sokol was held August 2-5, 2015 at the Doubletree by Hilton Pittsburgh Green Tree in Pittsburgh, PA. I was responsible to make all the preparations for the Opening of the Convention Mass which was held at Saint Paul’s Cathedral with The Most Reverend David Zubik, D.D., Bishop of Pittsburgh and our member as Celebrant. I opened and closed each session of the convention with prayer as Well as provide daily Mass. I Wish to take this opportunity to thank the delegates of the Convention for rescinding bylaw Section 3.0 article G) as it applies to the offi ce of Supreme Chaplain. This afforded me the opportunity to seek, and be elected to a fourth consecutive term as Supreme Chaplain. August 15, 2015 I provided the Holy Sacrifi ce of the Mass to fulfi ll the Sunday obligation for those participating in the 60th Annual Golf Tournament which was held in Barnesville, PA. As National President of the Slovak Catholic Federation it is my responsibility to conduct the Fall meeting of the SCF held in Washington, DC on September 11, 2015. As Supreme Chaplain of the Slovak Catholic Sokol, I hold an automatic seat on the Slovak Catholic Federation Board of Directors. On September 12, 2015 I participated in and represented our organization for the50th Anniversary Celebration of the Dedication of Our Mother of Sorrows Chapel located in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception also in Washington, DC. On September 13, 2015, I attended the 80th Slovak Catholic Sokol Day of Group 7 in Wilkes-Barre, PA. On September 26, 2015 I participated in the Third Quarterly meeting of the Board of Directors as it was a conference call meeting. I opened and closed the meeting With a prayer as well as participated in the discussions of the meeting. From October 3-6, 2015 I represented our organization at the 41st Convention of the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association in Louisville, KY. I Was afforded the op-portunity to offer greetings on behalf of our organization during the Convention’s Opening Banquet. I also concelebrated the Opening of the Convention Mass as Well as concelebrated daily Mass as scheduled for the participants of the Convention. The Fourth Quarterly meeting of the Board of Directors was held Dec. 10-13, 2015 in Tampa, FL. I provided the opening and closing prayers for all sessions. Once all business was completed, the Board of Directors was afforded the opportunity to conduct a site inspection for possible consideration for any future Slovak Catholic Sokol events. As per the Duties of the Supreme Chaplain, Section 4.0 (d) I followed through, to the best of my ability, inviting our Group Chaplains to submit articles to Daniel F. Tanzone, Editor of the Slovak Catholic Falcon, as they Wish, concerning matters of our Catholic Faith, or any other topic they choose to share with our membership for publication. I submitted TWELVE articles for publication in The Falcon, which I trust all found to be informative. I recommended TWO individual for membership in the Slovak Catholic Sokol this past year. I sincerely wish to thank my parents for their love and support over this past year. To the parishioners of Epiphany Parish, Sayre, PA for their patience and understanding dur-ing my absence from the parish order for me to fulfi ll my duties as Supreme Chaplain. I am most appreciative to our Supreme President, Mr. Larry M. Glugosh for his encouragement and support, along with our Supreme Secretary, Steven M. Pogorelec, FIC for his time, energy, and dedication to the Slovak Catholic Sokol, and his support shown to me. I pray that We commit ourselves to do our part to live our organization’s slogan, “A Sound Mind in a Sound Body”, and we defend our organization’s motto, “For God and Nation”.

As we begin our 111th year We can be very proud of our impressive past, may We commit ourselves to assure a promising future.

ZDAR BOH! Rev. Andrew S. Hvozdovic Supreme Chaplain

REPORT OF THE SUPREME PRESIDENT

Slavna Rocna Schodza!

In compliance with the Constitution and Bylaws of the Slovak Catholic Sokol, I hereby submit my 2015 written report to the Board of Directors. As I write my fi nal annual report as~the Supreme President, my thoughts and emo-tions are fi lled with great memories, personal satisfaction, much happiness and peace. The journey continues for the newly elected Supreme Offi cers, however for me, it is closure on eight wonderful years as the Supreme President and 20 years as an active member of the Board of Directors for our beloved organization. I wish to thank the membership and all the national and local offi cers, who have supported and enabled my vision and business plan for the Slo-vak Catholic Sokol. I leave the offi ce knowing we are fi nancially stronger and with a growing membership, which was my main goal when I took offi ce in 2008. I am confi dent the newly elected Supreme Offi cers will continue the work we have started and will make the society even better and more vibrant in the future. There is a great deal of experience retiring from offi ce this year and I wish to con-gratulate those dedicated leaders who have contributed to the overall health and well-being of our organization. You devoted your time and effort for the betterment of our society and en-riched our lives because of your individual effort, hard work, sacrifi ce and love for the society. With heartfelt thanks I wish you all the very best in the future with much happiness and good health, as you move to the next chapter of your lives. Your legacy will never be forgotten and your friendship, compassion, understanding and love with always be cherished and fondly remembered. Despite the above changes, there remains a great deal of depth, knowledge, experi-ence and youthful passion with the newly elected leadership for the Slovak Catholic Sokol. I will be available to these new Supreme Offi cers, to offer any support and guidance as you build your business plan to enable your vision and direction for the society. I wish each of you the very best in the coming years and again I remain confi dent that you will represent the interests of the society to the best of your ability. With respect to 2015, the past year continued the excellent work we started many years ago and we achieved a positive year of year growth in our assets, membership and pro-grams. We continued to represent the membership to the best of our abilities and in keeping with the high ideals and goals of our forefathers. Our annual results last year should offer our current membership and new leadership optimism on the future of our society. In 2015, the Board of Directors and our membership continued to support our goals, objectives and provide me the necessary leadership and focus to contribute to the betterment of the Slovak Catholic Sokol. I would sincerely like to thank all of you for your support, understanding, dedication and prayers. After 3 years of positive membership growth, the society saw a slight decline with 136 less members than in 2014. Despite this fact, our life and annuity sales exceeded expecta-tions. These efforts are having a signifi cant impact on our solvency and the overall fi nancial health of our society continues to get stronger. Now we did experience some issues in terms of our rapid growth and therefore had to invest more funds into our life reserves to cover our future costs. Despite this fact, we continue to show positive growth in our sales results and our net assets continues to grow to record heights. To be more specifi c, our sales and marketing organization signed over $25M in new life and annuity business and our home offi ce staff effectively helped manage our overall operating expenses. I would like to congratulate our sales and marketing organization led by Brother Albert J. Suess and all of his sales agents for their tremendous results in 2015. As well, I would also like to recognize our retiring Supreme Secretary Steven M. Pogorelec and his entire offi ce staff for their commitment, tireless efforts and operational effi ciencies. Given these improvements and with the leadership, focus and dedication of our newly elected Supreme Assembly, I am confi dent that our fraternal benefi t society will continue to grow and prosper in the future. It has been a true privilege and honor to serve the Slovak Catholic Sokol and repre-sent the membership as the Supreme President. It has also been my pleasure to work with the entire Supreme Assembly, especially the Board of Directors and the Supreme Physical Fitness Board. I would like to sincerely thank them for their guidance, commitment and support in terms of the fraternal, spiritual and fi nancial aspects of the organization. As representatives of our organization, you demonstrated a great deal of insight and experience throughout the year which certainly contributed to our success. In addition, I would sincerely like to thank the Group Offi cers for their continued support, cooperation and contribution to our wonderful society. My duties, obligations and responsibilities are clearly outlined in the Bylaws and I have performed these duties to the best of my ability and objectively keeping in mind the best interests of our membership. In general, the feedback we have received from our members has been generally positive and supportive, as we have endeavored to represent the member-ship and listen to all suggestions for the betterment of our organization. During the past year, I attended all four of the quarterly Board of Directors meetings, the annual Supreme Physical Fitness Board meeting in January, the Annual Scholarship Committee meeting in April, the Bylaw and New Motions committee meetings in May, the National Convention in August, several business development meetings and many other fraternal events, meetings and activi-

Reports of the Supreme Offi cers for 2015 Presented at the First Quarterly Meeting of theBoard of Directors Held at the Home Offi ce in Passaic, N.J., March 11-12, 2016




Reports of the Supreme Offi cers

ties throughout the year. I also attended our International Bowling tournament in May and the International Slet in July. Unfortunately, some of our fraternal events were canceled and other events could not be attended due to work or family commitments. However, I plan to attend as many as possible in the future as a newly elected Honorary Offi cer. I would like to personally thank all of our 2015 participants, coaches and parents who attended these fraternal events and enjoyed our program and we look forward to seeing you at future events. In November, Brother Daniel F. Tanzone and I hosted our Annual Fratemalist of the Year event and this year it was held in Canton, Ohio where we honored our 2015 recipient, Sister Dolly Hussar. The local Group 5 offi cers, family and friends did a wonderful job hosting this special celebration and I would personally like to congratulate Sister Dolly for winning this prestigious award, which represents her many years of dedication, love and commitment to our society. Keep up the great fraternal work Sister Dolly! In addition to the above list of activities and events, I continued to enroll new mem-bers, increase my own family’s insurance, attended several conference calls, attended some administrative meetings at the home offi ce and contributed monthly articles to our newspaper. As Supreme Offi cers in the Slovak Catholic Sokol, it is important that we fulfi ll all of our duties and obligations to the organization by signing up new members, selling life insurance, annuities and becoming positive role models for our youth. Remember our youth is our future! Once again, I would like to sincerely thank the entire membership for their support and dedication to our blessed society. As I leave offi ce, I pledge to you that as an HonoraryOffi cer of the society, I will continue to contribute to the organization and take a more active role in our local events and programs in Toronto and always maintaining my focus to the high ideals of our organization namely; growth in our fraternal Catholic membership, a love and understanding of our Slovak heritage, a stimulation of activity for our youth and the improved solvency in our organization. In the past I have stated that in our home “Life means Family” and this was very apparent and needed throughout the past year. With my fi nal words, I would like to thank my entire family for all of their support, understanding, patience, compassion and love. I was only able to do the things I did for the society because of you. I love you all in heaven and on earth! May God bless you all and the Slovak Catholic Sokol.

Zdar Boh! Larry M. Glugosh Supreme President

REPORT OF THE SUPREME VICE-PRESIDENT

Clenom Zboru Direktorov! In compliance with the constitution and bylaws of the Slovak Catholic Sokol, I hereby submit my activity report for the year 2015. The Supreme Board of Directors continues to be focused on the growth of ourorganization and we have been blessed with continued positive results from both a fi -nancial and membership perspective. The collaboration of the current board, the strongleadership of our Supreme President and Supreme Secretary and the leadership and persistence of our Director of Sales and Marketing can be credited with this ongoing progress. I am proud of my small role in helping to redirect our organization and chal-lenge the incoming board to continue to promote progress in order to sustain fi nancial viability for years to come. For the better part of my service as a supreme offi cer, I have been the author and editor of the monthly Kids’ Corner. This endeavor has brought great pleasure and new connections with Sokol members and families throughout our organization. The Kids’ Corner has provided the Sokol youth with an opportunity to learn more about our organization, our Slovak heritage and has provided an avenue for involvement even for those that do not live near an active Group. It has been nice to see my early participants being eligible to apply for college scholarships! I would like to thank Jen-nifer Romine, Supreme Physical Fitness Board Member, our editorial staff, and Dr. Michael Kopanic for their support and input each month. As Vice-President I have the responsibility of serving as Chairperson of the Scholarship Committee and thus have been honored to have participated in the award-ing of many thousands of dollars representing hundreds of scholarships to our deserv-ing student members over the past 12 years. During the 2015 scholarship season we gave out a total of 76 scholarships to grade school, high school and college students. We continue to improve the college scholarship program to assure that the process for application aligns with the type of online experience that one would expect given today’s technologically oriented applicant. I hope that we have created a process that will transition seamlessly to our new Vice President and fully expect that the program will continue to evolve under his direction. The Slovak Catholic Sokol Memorial Scholarship Fund continues to accu-mulate enough donations to have allowed us to consistently offer scholarships in each of the past 9 seasons. The donations accumulated in 2014 allowed us to be able to offer three $1000 Memorial Scholarships to college student/members who live the volunteer spirit of our fraternal history. The Memorial Scholarship Fund was devel-oped to offer an opportunity for members to honor a lost loved one or fellow Sokol member. Those memorialized continue to be recognized in the Falcon on a quarterly basis. I would enthusiastically encourage that more Wreaths and Assemblies consider the practice of some who have made it their practice to use this fund as the vehicle to honor members who have died or to celebrate a special event. I am so grateful to both our member and corporate donors. Through their generosity, I am confi dent that we will be able to continue to offer this scholarship for years to come. I would like to thank my partner, Supreme Treasurer, Dennis Zifcak, for his assistance with managing the donations directed to this fund.

In late 2011 following several natural disasters in areas highly populated withfellow members, the Slovak Catholic Sokol Disaster Relief Fund was fi rst created. Due to generous member donors we are now prepared and positioned to offer some fi nancial assistance to those who may suffer damage or loss due to a future Natural Disaster. This fund remains open to both donor and requestor and is advertised at inter-vals in the Falcon. The fi rst Saturday of May each year We celebrate Join Hands Day. Several of our Groups/Wreaths/Assemblies have made it a habit of participating in this Worthy event and I would like to take this moment to applaud them. You only have to watch the Falcon to see articles and photos of their involvement. In 2015, I was excused from attending our summer Board of Directors meet-ing due to a family confl ict, but was in attendance at each of the remaining meetings as well as the scholarship selection meeting. I was in attendance for the 47th Interna-tional Slet held in Slippery Rock, PA and was able to experience fi rst-hand the posi-tive changes implemented by our Physical Fitness Board. I attended the 32nd Slovak Catholic Sokol Convention held in Pittsburgh, PA from August 1-5, 2015 and after 24 years as a Supreme Offi cer, am grateful to have been elected to the position of Honor-ary Supreme Offi cer. It was during this convention that I was asked to embark on my next phase of service as Chairperson of the SKS2020 committee. As chairperson, I commit to representing our convention participants and members as outlined by the New Motions Committee proposal. In conclusion, I would like to thank my family, my fellow board members and the home offi ce staff for all of their support shown to me over the past many years. I will be forever grateful for the opportunities, but more importantly, for the re-lationships that have developed with my Wonderful colleagues. Go forth and do great things!

Zdar Boh! Respectfully submitted, Julie Ann Dobbs Supreme Vice-President

REPORT OF THE SUPREME SECRETARY

Clenom Zboru Direktorov!

In compliance with Section 4.3, Article (l) page 25 of the Constitution and Bylaws of the Slovak Catholic Sokol, I hereby submit my written annual report for the year 2015 to the Board of Directors. My duties, obligations, and responsibilities as the Supreme Secretary are clearly listed in our Bylaws and I have performed these duties for the past 24 years to the best of my ability keeping in mind at all times the best interests of our members and organization. I wish to report that I have, as required, executed and carried into effect all the decisions of the 2015 Convention, the Supreme Board of Directors, and mandates of state and federal regulators. In 2015 our organization celebrated its 110th Year as a fraternal benefi t society and we continue to offer sound fi nancial protection and wonderful fraternal benefi ts for our members and their families. Having been in existence for 110 years is a remarkable accom-plishment and achievement for any organization to be proud of. Throughout the year many fraternal programs and activities were conducted by our Assemblies, Wreaths, Groups, as well as the Supreme Assembly. The success of all of these events is due to the dedication, support, and cooperation of the offi cers, agents and members in the promotion of our organization’s endeavors which is truly valued. I would like to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to the delegates at our 32nd Quadrennial Convention held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on August 1 – August 5, 2015 for electing me as an Honorary Supreme Offi cer after serving our organization for the past 40 years as a Supreme Offi cer. My congratulations to all the newly elected and reelected Supreme Offi cers on their election and I am forever thankful to the departing of-fi cers for all of their support, cooperation, dedication and for their many years of service and friendship. I will forever treasure all the wonderful memories as I pen this fi nal report as the Supreme Secretary. Words cannot express how proud I am that my son Scott has succeeded me as the new Supreme Secretary of the Slovak Catholic Sokol. He is a dedicated individual who is educated, experienced, young, committed and very familiar with our organization. Along with the support and cooperation of the new Board of Directors, Supreme Assembly and membership, Scott will do an excellent job in leading our society in the years to come.

HOME OFFICE EFFICIENCY One of the most valuable assets of our organization is the Home Offi ce staff, which is a dedicated group of individuals who provide experienced and knowledgeable ser-vice to the membership on a daily basis. I am so very thankful to each one of them for their commitment, dedication and professionalism and for their friendship and understanding. Many of them have shared the past 34 years at the Home Offi ce with me and I appreciate the opportunity to have worked with them on a daily basis. The workforce continues to process information on life insurance, annuities, loans, mortgages, billing, mailing of dividends, verifi cation of insurance coverage and the payment of death claims in a timely manner. They also update important necessary personal data such as Social Security numbers, name changes, addresses, telephone numbers, change of benefi ciaries, collecting additional information to keep membership records as up to date as possible. In 2015, as in previous years, we continue to advise our members to take advan-tage of the best certifi cate dividend options offered and recommend that they continue to use their dividends to purchase additional paid-up insurance which is of course benefi cial to


(Reports continued in the next issue)


Reports of the Supreme Offi cers

the member and our organization. Most importantly, increasing our membership continues to be our main concern and our number one objective. Through the efforts of Brother Albert J. Suess, Jr. F.I.C., our Director of Sales and Marketing in establishing a professional sales force to compliment our current recommenders, we have been able to realize greater sales of our life insurance and annuity products which have increased assets, surplus and profi t-ability for our organization. In conformity with Title V of the “Gramm-Leach Bliley Act” we have, as in previ-ous years, met the requirements and issued the “Slovak Catholic Sokol Privacy Commit-ment Statement to our Insured’s” during 2015. Our well-known bi-weekly publication, the Slovak Catholic Falcon, continues to serve as an important means of making information readily available and helpful to keep our members informed of meetings and events. It also enables the membership to read meeting minutes, offi cer’s reports and various fi nancial reports. In addition, articles, results and photos regarding the sporting tournaments and ac-tivities that the organization offers are publicized throughout the year. I commend and thank Brother Dan Tanzone, my friend, for his many years as our Editor, for the fi ne job that he does on a daily basis and for all of his support working together for the last 34 years. As in the past, the Home Offi ce has received and welcomed numerous visitors and guests from the religious, political, and athletic fi elds and other Fraternal Societies to our Home Offi ce here in Passaic, New Jersey. We make every effort to see that everyone is welcomed during their visits and we appreciate the compliments regarding our Slovak Catholic Sokol hospitality and facility.

STATISTICS The statistics for the year of 2015 refl ect a decrease of 134 certifi cates and an increase of 110 members. The amount of Premium Income received during the year was $7,607,267 of which $1,643,720 was for life insurance premiums and $5,963,547 was re-ceived as annuity income. Face amount of Insurance written totaled $23,495,468 and the amount of Insurance in Force was $210,748,672. The Society has 28,356 members with 31,221 certifi cates in force and 93 Assemblies/Wreaths. There are also 709 annuities to-taling $20,111,702. Assets as of 12/31/2015 were $73,870,947 and the Unassigned Funds equaled $7,580,723. The Solvency Ratio is a creditable 111.44%.

ACTIVITIES AND DUTIES As the Supreme Secretary, it is necessary for me to meet on behalf of our orga-nization with state legislators and insurance regulators in our state capital of Trenton, New Jersey. Also every effort is made to attend various fi nancial and insurance seminars, meet-ings, and educational classes as the life insurance industry is constantly changing so our organization remains in compliance with these changes. The reporting process to all the life insurance related agencies and State Insurance Departments is an enormous task, but neces-sary to protect our organization and the membership and most importantly to maintain our tax exempt status. Also, I was privileged and honored to represent our Society at many National, Group, Assembly and Wreath functions as well as city and state activities. As always, I welcomed the opportunity to represent the Slovak Catholic Sokol at all the events that my schedule allows. Also, while attending our organization’s events, I look forward to meeting and sharing with our members and always encourage them to promote the continued devel-opment and growth of our organization. I continue to attend the monthly meetings of the Passaic-Bergen-Hudson Associa-tion of Insurance and Financial Advisors and benefi t from the continuing education classes that are provided which enable me to keep current with the insurance industry changes and are mandatory in order for me to maintain my life insurance license. At the Home Offi ce, I have met several times with the representatives from PNC Investment Bank, CPS Actuar-ies and the Sokol Accountant when necessary to discuss our operations. In addition, I have also met with the Supreme President and our General Counsel and Director of Sales and Marketing to discuss organizational matters as needed. I also attended the quarterly meet-ings of the N.J. Association of Fraternal Insurance Counselors and, as a Past President, the quarterly meetings and Annual Convention of the New Jersey-New York Fraternal Alliance in Atlantic City, NJ. When my schedule allowed, I also attended the Slovak Catholic Federa-tion Executive Board Meetings, and the Slovak League of America meetings. As required by my offi ce, I have recorded the minutes of the four Quarterly Board of Directors meetings and the 32nd Quadrennial Convention. The detailed minutes of our meetings are published in a timely manner as well as the monthly fi nancial reports for our membership to review. I continue to submit monthly articles to the Slovak Catholic Falcon to keep the membership informed and up to date with relevant information. I continue to serve on the Scholarship Advisory and Selection Committee, as appointed by our Supreme President, and assisted our Supreme Auditors during their two audits. On March 7, 2015 along with other members of our organization we attended the 125th Anniversary Gala Banquet of the National Slovak Society in Canonsburg, PA. Several planning meetings took place in Pittsburgh, PA with representatives of the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in preparation of our 32nd Quadrennial Convention to be held from August 1-5, 2015. Regarding the 32nd Convention, delegate forms were mailed to all Honorary and Supreme Offi cers, Groups, Assemblies and Wreaths for their completion at the end of 2014. The Verifi cation Committee met on April 6, 2015 to confi rm and verify the eligible dele-gates. Confi rmations and reservation information was mailed to all delegates who qualifi ed. A tremendous amount of time was dedicated to this event and eventually the results proved to be a success. On May 18 the Supreme President and I assisted the two Pre-Convention Com-mittees, namely the New Motions Committee and the Bylaws Committee. Upon comple-tion of these two meetings all their recommendations were mailed to each delegate. On June 17 all the delegate’s names and their lodges were published in the Slovak Catholic Falcon. The Petitions and Donations Committee consisting of the Supreme Chaplain, Supreme President and the Supreme Secretary met on July 7 to discuss and review all the donation requests which were received at the Home Offi ce for consideration. We mutually

agreed on the report which would be presented to the Convention delegates. July 16-18, attended the highly successful 47th International Slet held at Slippery Rock University in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania. Thank you to the members of the Su-preme Physical Fitness Board for a job well done and to the Slet participants for their at-tendance and participation. August 1-5, the 32nd Quadrennial Convention was held at the DoubleTree by Hil-ton Pittsburgh Green Tree in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. A total of 189 delegates of the origi-nal 226 attended. August 14-16, attended the 60th International Golf Tournament held in Barnesville, PA at the Mountain Valley Golf Course. A wonderful time was enjoyed by all in attendance. September 10-12, attended the Fall Executive Board Meeting of the Slovak Cath-olic Federation and the 50th Anniversary of the Dedication of the Chapel in Honor of Our Lady of Sorrows at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. This event was in conjunction with the First Catholic Slovak Union and a Pilgrimage held by the Slovak Catholic Federation. September 16, met with the Bylaws Committee to fi nalize the new Bylaw Book approved by the Convention delegates and on September 22 met with the committee ap-proving the fi nal minutes of the 32nd Quadrennial Convention. October 18, attended the conclusion of the 75th Anniversary Year of the Basilica of Saints Cyril and Methodius by the Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius with a Eucharistic Liturgy in Danville, PA.

COMMENTS During the year 2015 several events took place which should be noted. Slovakia celebrated its 22nd Anniversary as a free and independent nation and is a member of NATO. Our beloved Slovak Catholic Sokol organization reached a milestone year and celebrated its 110th Anniversary. Many successful activities were presented and conducted on the local, group, and national levels. The 47th International Slet was conducted by the members of the Supreme Physical Fitness Board in Slippery Rock, PA. All of the other Slovak Catholic Sokol International Sports and Athletic Tournaments were very successful events conducted under the direction of our Supreme Director of Sports and Athletics, Edward D. Moeller and assisted by the members of the Supreme Physical Fitness Board. Our 32nd Quadrennial Convention was held in Pittsburgh, PA. New Supreme Of-fi cers were elected and some were reelected. Six new Honorary Supreme Offi cers were also elected. During the year of 2015, a total of 880 new members were enrolled in our organi-zation, 727 for life insurance and 153 for annuities. In addition to the 880 new members, 69 members increased their life insurance with the organization and 25 made additional annu-ity deposits. A total of 51 Sokol members and 78 agents submitted business throughout the year to the Home Offi ce and the organization appreciates their efforts.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT At this time, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks, gratitude and appreciation to our Directors, Honorary Supreme Offi cers and all the members of the Supreme Assem-bly for their cooperation and teamwork over the past year. To all our Group, Assembly and Wreath Offi cers, I thank you for your dedication and support, especially the delegates at the 32nd Quadrennial Convention held in Pittsburgh, PA. To all our loyal and supportive members and their families “thank you” for all that you do for the Slovak Catholic Sokol. To the wonderful and committed Home Offi ce Staff, my heartfelt thanks and may God bless each one of you and your families for all of your loyalty, dedication, understanding and cooperation throughout the year and the past years which is very much appreciated and forever remembered.

CONCLUSION As the organization celebrates its 111th year as a Fraternal Life Insurance and Ben-efi t Society, it will continue to be confronted with the life insurance industry challenges and changes due to regulatory requirements and various other federal, state and city mandates. These insurance changes and the resulting actions the administration decides to take will dictate the way that our Society can conduct and operate its day to day business. I am con-fi dent that working with a professional sales force along with our recommenders, we can look forward to the continued growth and success of the Slovak Catholic Sokol Fraternal Life Insurance and Benefi t Society. I would like to express my thanks to former Supreme President, Larry M. Glu-gosh, former Supreme Vice-President, Julie Ann Dobbs and former General Counsel, and my brother, John D. Pogorelec, Esq. for their service, leadership and friendship during our terms in offi ce. Brother Larry for 32 years, Sister Julie for 24 years, Brother John for 44 years and yours truly for 40 years as Supreme Offi cers. Your service to the organization has enabled us to achieve many successful highlights and will be remembered and admired by those who will follow in our footsteps. Once again I offer my congratulations to the newly elected Board of Directors and wish you all continued success in all our organization’s future endeavors and I offer my as-sistance and experience to all of you as needed. I know you will do a great job. In closing, it is most important that I express my thanks, appreciation and gratitude to the Slovak Catholic Sokol for the opportunity to have served as your Supreme Secretary for the past 24 years. To my wonderful wife, Annie, and our family, thank you for your love, encouragement and for always being supportive of me as I performed my duties on a daily basis. I know it required many sacrifi ces and I appreciate your understanding. I especially thank the good Lord for all of his many blessings bestowed upon me and my family as well as to all of the members of the Slovak Catholic Sokol and their families. You all have a special place in my heart. Thank you. God Bless You, God Bless America and God Bless the Slovak Catholic Sokol! Zdar Boh! Respectfully submitted,

Steven M. Pogorelec, F.I.C. Supreme Secretary


Obituaries...

YOUR BENEFICIARIES

When was the last time you looked at your des ig nat ed ben e fi cia ries on your valu able Sokol insurance pol i cy? How im por tant is it? Just think about how much your life has changed. Have you mar ried, divorced, had chil dren, may be you lost a loved one? This is an item you should con sid er an nu al ly. If you do need to make chang es to any of your pol i cies, con tact the Home Of fi ce at 800-886-7656.

In MemoriamSlovak Catholic Sokol extends sincere sympathy to

the bereaved families of deceased members

JANUARY 2016

Assembly/Wreath Member Age Date of DeathAssembly 10 Joseph M. Marshall, Farrell, PA 91 November 24, 2015Assembly 11 Richard Leo Kudia, Chicago, IL 70 December 20, 2015Assembly 24 Phyllis B. Remisky, Boonton, NJ 87 November 12, 2015Assembly 25 Jerome Edward Tucker, Perryopolis, PA 77 January 11, 2016Assembly 36 Mildred Emily Bishop, Detroit, MI 69 January 1, 2016Assembly 59 Cecilia Young, Wilkes-Barre, PA 78 April 30, 2014 Assembly 59 Rita R. Rauss, Wilkes-Barre, PA 65 November 1, 2015 Assembly 69 Martha A. Ponzurick, Smock, PA 86 January 2, 2016Assembly 78 William P. Polak, Bethlehem, PA 82 January 2, 2016Assembly 78 Rosemarie Wentzel, Bethlehem, PA 77 December 8, 2015Assembly 78 Joseph J. Kach, Bethlehem, PA 89 December 25, 2015 Assembly 78 Helen Shivok, Bethlehem, PA 98 September 23, 2015 Assembly 82 Margaret Glavinic , Dunlo, PA 92 November 25, 2015Assembly 104 Alice L. Karlik, Pittsburgh, PA 85 December 17, 2015Assembly 108 John Novotny, Youngstown, OH 77 August 28, 2007Assembly 127 Dorothy Mikula, Monessen, PA 92 December 30, 2015 Assembly 136 Anna M. Crepack, Nanticoke, PA 97 January 18, 2016Assembly 162 Rosemarie B. Dluhy, Clifton, NJ 78 January 23, 2016Assembly 162 Joseph Louis Kabatyr, Clifton, NJ 77 January 20, 2016Assembly 162 Helena Lichak, Clifton, NJ 98 November 17, 2015 Assembly 163 Marlene Hanna, Donora, PA 77 January 7, 2016Assembly 176 John Terlesky, New Brighton, PA 93 January 8, 2016 Assembly 182 Joan H. Brown, New York, NY 68 October 19, 2016Assembly 182 Michael Cupak, New York, NY 96 December 31, 2015 Assembly 182 Rosemary Hopps, New York, NY 85 January 3, 2016 Assembly 188 Mary J. Soltis, Lansford, PA 50 December 25, 2015Assembly 214 Andrew S. Gocsik, Rossford, OH 80 January 19, 2016 Assembly 255 Eleanor Berner, Egypt, PA 84 December 20,2015 Assembly 257 Joseph G. Vokum, Chicago, IL 72 December 21, 2015 Assembly 299 Laszlo Salamon, Brooklyn, NY 63 January 12, 2016Wreath 1 Gertrude Mason, Bridgeport, CT 99 January 4, 2016 Wreath 1 Janet A. Boyko, Bridgeport, CT 64 January 12, 2016Wreath 2 Margaret Puzio, Passaic NJ 99 December 17, 2015Wreath 21 Betty J. Leszcynski, Superior, WI 90 December 23, 2015Wreath 22 Donna D. Amey, Pittsburgh, PA 77 November 22, 2015Wreath 34 Elizabeth Maxim, Cleveland, OH 85 January 4, 2004Wreath 34 Elsie M. Bernat, Cleveland, OH 85 October 18, 2014Wreath 34 Steve Dill III, Cleveland, OH 65 November 25, 2015Wreath 54 Rita M. Mrosko, Youngstown, OH 63 January 16, 2016Wreath 54 Donna Marie Novotny, Youngstown, OH 75 May 9, 2007Wreath 81 Margaret Mandula, Whiting, IN 92 December 30, 2015Wreath 85 Joseph S. Meshanko, Mc Kees Rocks, PA 92 January 4, 2016Wreath 85 Mary Shanholtz, Mc Kees Rocks, PA 90 January 4, 2016Wreath 103 Louise E. Pasternak , Barberton, OH 83 December 16, 2015 Wreath 111 Christine Ann Walton Siley, Lorain, OH 41 December 11, 2015Wreath 153 Agnes Yurkovich, Parma, OH 85 October 21, 201Wreath 155 Margaret Maslar, Reading, PA 95 November 28, 2015

Ann T. Filo passed away peace-fully on February 23 in Milwaukee, Wis. She was 92. She was a life-long advocate of physical fi tness and was

a star gymnast and fraternalist. She shared her philosophy of life with gen-erations of So-kolky during the many years she served as the Physical Directress of

her local Wreath 93 as well as Group 4. Beginning in 1963, she was elect-ed as a Member of the Supreme Physical Fitness Board. A native of Milwaukee, Ann The-resa was born there April 3, 1923, daughter of Slovak immigrants Jo-seph Mikulec and the former Mary Glocka. Her father was a native of Trstie and her mother was born in Slopna. She was raised in the for-mer St. Stephen the Martyr Slovak parish and was graduated from its parochial school. She was graduated from Girls Trade and Technical High School in Milwaukee. After gradua-tion, she went to work for the Aetna Life Insurance Company as an exec-utive secretary. She was a long-time employee, retiring in 1991 after 50 years with the company. As a child, she was enrolled in our former Junior Wreath 110 and began her gymnastic activities in the Slovak Catholic Sokol. She be-came a star gymnast and competed at numerous local, Group 4 and national Slets and competitions, earning numerous medals and acco-lades. At several national Slets, she won championships in gymnastics and drilling. Under her direction, Group 4 volleyball teams took home numerous trophies at Group 4 and national Slets. She has been active in Wreath 93 for most of her life. In 1969, Ann was honored by the Wreath at its annual Mother-Daugh-ter Communion Breakfast as an out-standing fraternalist. She was active at the former St. Stephen the Martyr Slovak Parish before its closing sev-eral years ago. She met her husband, Stephen A. Filo within Sokol circles. Ann and Stephen exchanged marriage vows a St.Stephen the Martyr Church on October 23, 1943. Witnessing their marriage was the late Rev. Casimir Cvercko, O.F.M., Conv., pastor of the parish and then Supreme Chap-

Outstanding Milwaukee gymnast

Ann T. Filo, 92, was former Supreme Physical Fitness Board Member

lain of the Slovak Catholic Sokol. They enjoyed 45 years of bliss-ful marriage until Steve’s death on October 24, 1988. He too was an active Sokol and served as presi-dent of both our former Assembly 147 in Milwaukee and of Group 4 of Chicago. The two were regulars at numerous Slovak Catholic Sokol activities over the years including our national conventions. Anne and Steve were a long-admired Sokol couple who beautifully mirrored the high ideals of Sokol fraternalism. The 20th national convention in Chicago in 1967 fi rst elected Ann to serve as a Member of the Supreme Physical Fitness Board. She was subsequently reelected to this posi-tion at the 21st national convention in 1971 in Bethlehem, Pa. and the 22nd national convention in 1975 in Youngstown, Oh. She served on the local Group 4 committee in prepa-ration for the 26th Slet held in Mil-waukee in 1973. In 2008, Ann moved to an assist-ed living facility in Hartford, Wis. and several years later to a facility in Slinger, Wis., where the staff took good care of her. Ann was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and her sister, the late Mary Ann(the late Edward) McCarthy. She is survived by her brother, Frank(Joan) Mikulec and her sister, Emily(the late Erwin)Pinkowski, and many nieces, neph-ews and other relatives. Her sister Emily served as a member and later as secretary of the Supreme Court of the Slovak Catholic Sokol. She was the great-aunt of our former Supreme Physical Directress Julie Ann Dobbs, who also served our organization as Supreme Vice Presi-dent and is currently an Honorary Supreme Offi cer. A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated on Friday, February 26 at St. Margaret Mary Church in Mil-waukee. At the prayer service at Holy Cross Cemetery, the Prayer for a Departed Sokol Member was of-fered for Ann. Sister Filo was an outstanding Sokolka who beautifully mirrored the highest ideals of our organiza-tion’s slogan of “A Sound Mind in a Sound Body.” She shared her enthusiasm and expertise for Sokol ideals with generations of Sokolky and Sokols in Milwaukee. May our departed Sister Ann, whose love for her faith and heritage was an inspi-ration to all, now rest in peace. She will be sorely missed.

Bratislava in July 1992, the Slovaks and Czechs agreed to peacefully split. What began as the “Velvet Revolution” became known as the “Velvet Divorce,” led to the decla-ration of independence of Slovakia on Jan. 1, 1993. During the past 23 years, tre-mendous progress has been made by Slovakia. Slovakia was wel-comed as a member of the United Nations and is now a member of

NATO and is a close collaborator with the United States. On July 1, 2016, another important facet of Slovak history will be made when Slovakia begins its six-month pres-idency of the 28-member European Union which represents more than 500 million people in Europe. This is an outstanding achievement - something which all of us can cele-brate and be very proud of. Verny sebe, svorne napred!

Celebrating Slovak Independence at New York’s St. John Nepomucene Parish


Keep Your Slovak Catholic Sokol

Home Offi ce Numbers HandyTOLL FREE NUMBER – 1-800-886-7656

HOME OFFICE – (973) 777-2605 or 777-2606

DIRECTOR OF SALES – 1-855-874-9179 or (412) 381-5431

UNDERWRITING – (973) 777-4704

EDITOR – (973) 777-4010

FAX NUMBER – (973) 779-8245

E-MAIL – [email protected]

WEB SITE –www.slovakcatholicsokol.org

Newly updated resourcefor Slovak-related topics

Interested in reading more about Slovakia? Now, thanks to the Rev. Gerald J. Sabo, S.J. of John Carroll University, a central list of publica-tions with Slovak-related topics has been newly updated for 2016. This handy list includes ISBN numbers for those books published in Slovakia - which makes for easi-er identifi cation when searching for them at the library or online. Web-sites for locating remaindered and uses books, and where to purchase them, are included at the end of the fi le as well. Go to www.fcsu.com and click on Slovakia & The World tab to access this list or for more infor-mation contact Father Gerald Sabo at [email protected]. Father Sabo,’s relatives in his native of Bridge-port, Conn. are active members of the Slovak Catholic Sokol, includ-ing his sister, Anne Marie Neudeck who serves as vice president of Group 2. - Editor’s note: Our thanks to Jednota for sharing this informa-tion with our readers.


Report of the Supreme Secretary for the Month of January 2016ASSETS

YEAR TO DATE

Cash - Senior Account $ 470,050.96 Cash - Bank of Montreal 12,066.68 Cash - Payroll Account 40,000.00 Petty Cash 267.14 Investments - Bonds & Bills 60,152,111.46 Investments - Stocks 9,037,340.83 Capital Reserve 799,895.85 Stock Adj. to Book Value 2,014,937.27 First Mortgage Loans 767,332.21 Loans on Certifi cates 152,820.68 Accrued Interest Receivable 730,733.00 Prepaid Expenses 44,924.10 Sokol Building 2,707,974.61 Land 204,108.00 Furniture & Fixtures 159,232.34 Computer 96,637.86 Sokol Baby Spoons 10,075.00 Due From Groups 6,506.42 Accounts Receivable 17,090.21 Non-Admitted Assets -157,661.00 TOTAL ASSETS $77,266,443.62

LIABILITIES AND RESERVES

YEAR TO DATE

Life Reserves $ 56,823,255.00 Reserve Dep. Furn. & Fixtures 153,208.34 Reserve Dep. Sokol Building 2,634,001.20 Asset Valuation Reserve 1,219,414.00 Interest Maintenance Reserve 130,923.00 Reserve for Supplemental Contracts 1,661,514.03 Reserve Emp. Retirement Plan 4,761,658.00 Reserve for Convention 6,250.00 Matured Endowments 88,542.24 Claims Payable 266,000.00 IBNR Payable 30,000.00 Conversion - Canadian Currency 3,348.33 Accounts Payable 97,329.94 Sokol Secure Fund 547,845.92 Mary Jane Rich Scholarship Fund 85,000.00 Emil Slavik Scholarship Fund 100,000.00 Dr’s Lesko Medical Scholarship Fund 20,000.00 Krista L Glugosh Memorial Scholarship Fund 24,000.00 Dividend Accum. At Interest 320,432.92 Dividend Payable 50,000.00 Advance Premiums 36,777.00 Premium Load 2,400.00 TOTAL LIABILITIES $ 69,061,899.92 Undistributed Funds - Sokol 8,204,543.70 TOTAL LIABILITIES & SURPLUS $ 77,266,443.62

INCOME

JANUARY YEAR TO DATE Interest on Bonds and Bills $ 187,153.79 $ 187,153.79 Dividends on Stocks 23,252.45 23,252.45 Interest on Mortgages 5,693.52 5,693.52 Sale of Cookbooks 77.50 77.50 Rent Received - Sokol Building 3,125.00 3,125.00 Premium Income 107,686.98 107,686.98 Annuities 777,854.40 777,854.40 Miscellaneous Income 25,025.11 25,025.11 Sale of Securities/Amortization -50,762.43 -50,762.43 TOTAL INCOME $ 1,079,106.32 $ 1,079,106.32

EXPENSES JANUARY YEAR TO DATE

Operating Expense - Sokol Building $ 2,484.40 $ 2,484.40 Rental Area Expenses 142.01 142.01 Property Taxes - Sokol Building 27,583.44 27,583.44 Depreciation Sokol Building 311.52 311.52 Rent for Space 1,250.00 1,250.00 Pension Plan - Print 563.14 563.14 Salaries - Offi ce Employees 35,251.00 35,251.00 Salaries - Editorial Employees 6,744.00 6,744.00 P/R - Taxes Employer 3,952.17 3,952.17 Hospitalization 6,225.25 6,225.25 Pension Plan - Offi ce/Offi cers 22,621.40 22,621.40 Offi ce Expense 1,528.07 1,528.07 Computer Expense 1,800.00 1,800.00 Actuarial Expenses 85.00 85.00 Accountant Expenses 2,600.00 2,600.00 Telephone - Offi ce 420.00 420.00 Telephone - Editorial 64.41 64.41 Printing - Katolicky Sokol 3,100.00 3,100.00 Postage - Sokol Paper 5,275.00 5,275.00 Misc. Publication Expense 26.75 26.75 Other Printing 2,571.94 2,571.94 Death Benefi t Claims Paid 105,589.00 105,589.00 Cash Surrender Values Paid 19,244.83 19,244.83 Annuity Surrenders 107,085.70 107,085.70 Matured Endowments Paid 15,198.00 15,198.00 State Insurance Dept. Lic./Fee 200.00 200.00 Bank Charges - Bond Account 11,625.06 11,625.06 Dues & Subscription 583.85 583.85 Clinic (Kurz) 587.28 587.28 Convention Expenses 6,250.00 6,250.00 Commission Expense 32,285.04 32,285.04 Annuity Commissions 18,275.14 18,275.14 Advertising/Promotions 985.04 985.04 Agency Expense 1,326.00 1,326.00 Physical Fitness Board Expense 12,143.32 12,143.32 Local Fees/ Rebates -691.67 -691.67 TOTAL EXPENSES $ 455,286.09 $ 455,286.09 TOTAL INCOME (LOSS) $ 623,820.23 $ 623,820.23 ZDAR BOH! Scott T. Pogorelec, FIC Supreme Secretary Slovak Catholic Sokol

CHANGE OF AD DRESS OR REQUEST

FOR SLOVAK CATH O LIC FALCON

P.O.BOX 899 • 205 MADISON STREET

PASSAIC, N.J. 07055

NEW CHANGE CAN CEL LA TION

Certifi cate No. _______________________________________

Name______________________________________________

New Ad dress ________________________________________

City________________State_____________ Zip____________

Old Ad dress_________________________________________

City________________State_____________Zip____________

(Editor’s note: We have noticed a number of returned copies of our Falcon due to incorrect ad dress es of our members. We ask that when individuals move, that they com plete the form below for a change of address or call the home offi ce. We thank you for your continued co op er a tion)


Many of our assemblies, wreaths and groups today have their funds in checking accounts, money mar-ket accounts, bank certifi cate of de-posit (cd) and/or savings accounts which are currently earning little or no interest. For the past sev-eral years and into the near future these fi nancial vehicles have and will continue earn very low interest rates. Within the last couple of years the Slovak Catholic Sokol (Sokol) created the SOKOL SECURE FUND as a benefi t program that offers groups, assemblies, wreaths, churches or associations that are non-for-profi t and affi liated with the Slovak Catholic Sokol. The SOKOL SECURE FUND that is combination of a CD, money market fund and saving fund. The major difference that separates our fund from what banks and other fi nancial institutions offer is the fl exibility to add funds at any time, withdrawal funds without penalty and earn an outstanding and hard to beat 2.5% APY. In the event that interest rate should rise the SOKOL

SECURE FUND can increase per the approval by the Board of Di-rectors, whereas with a Bank CD the interest rate remains the same through the term of the CD contract period.

SOKOL SECURE FUND out performs Bank CD’s

Bank CD interest rates obvi-ously range differently between banking institutions and regions of the country. Recent rate numbers in the Pittsburgh region show that a 1-year CD earns .05%, a 2-year earns 1%. To earn an interest rate anywhere near 2% fi nancial insti-tutions will require you to tie your money up for at least 4 years. If an emergency occurs and the need to access these funds prior to the end of your CD term, be prepared to pay an early withdrawal fee. With a Sokol Secure Fund there is not a withdrawal fee. The only require-ment is to maintain a balance of $4,000. Following are two charts that compare the growing power of the SOKOL SECURE FUND as compared to a Bank CD and Mon-ey Market Account:

The SOKOL SECURE FUND This benefi t is titled SOKOL SECURE FUND, it is designed specifi cally for Not-For-Profi t Cor-porations with an Internal Revenue Service designation of 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(8) and cannot be used as an individual account. Currently this benefi t is only available to Groups, Assemblies and Wreaths, churches or associations that are non-for-profi t and affi liated with the Slovak Catholic Sokol.

How to open a SOKOL SECURE FUND

All that is required is to complete an application (SS0911 Application for Sokol Secure Fund) and a mini-mum deposit of $5,000.

Flexibility of Fund Since this benefi t is structured to be fl exible, additional deposits can be made at any time providing the minimum deposit is at least $100. The SOKOL SECURE FUND in-cludes the following features: No Loading Fees, No Withdrawal Pen-alties, High Liquidity and a Com-petitive Interest Rate of 2.5% APY.

SOKOL SECURE FUND – Bank CD:

Plan Features o No Loading Fees o No Withdrawal Penalties o High Liquidity o Competitive Interest Rate o FlexibilityMinimum Withdrawn - $250.00 Premium Deposit Options - FlexibleMinimum Initial Deposit - $5,000Minimum Balance - $4,000Guaranteed Minimum Interest Rate - 1% APYSurrender Period & Charges – NoneUnderwriting – Slovak Catholic Sokol Group, Assembly, Wreath, churches or associates with an affi liation with the Slo- vak Catholic Sokol that are Internal Revenue Service designation of 501(c) (3) or 501(c). For additional information or for SOKOL SECURE FUND Applica-tion and SOKOL SECURE FUND Withdrawal Form, please contact the Home Offi ce at 800-886-7656 or the Sales and Marketing Offi ce at 855-874-9179.

For administrative purposes, fund withdrawals are restricted to no more than four times a year, howev-er, remember there are no penalties on any withdrawal of funds. The minimum amount for a withdrawal is $250.00. Once the fund is es-tablished, a minimum balance of $4,000 must be maintained The interest rate is determined

on a quarterly basis by the Slovak Catholic Sokol Board of Direc-tors. They at that time consider the market and fi nancial conditions and may adjust the rate accordingly. The Slovak Catholic Sokol does not invest in “junk or low-grade securi-ties”. Over 85% of our portfolio is in high investment grade corporate bonds and government securities.

GROUPS – ASSEMBLIES - WREATHS

*Rise earlier than usu-al to watch the sun come up. * Make a

date to meet a friend for lunch. * Clean up the mess in the ga-

rage. Then clean the house or offi ce or cup-board or room or the trunk of the car.

* Explore some little out-of-the way place and try to understand its mysteries. * Do something nice, something unexpected for a member of your family. * Make a happy face and smile a greet-ing to friends and neighbors as well as to new people you meet. * Write a note of appreciation

to a relative or express your regard to an older person or shut-in. * Hike

through a nearby woods with someone to share your thoughts. * Think of the joy in

seeing, hearing, think-ing, believing. * Believe in the promise of tomorrow,

but live this day to its fullest.

PLANT BULBS Fresh paint adds a colorful new dimension to home interiors and exteriors. But what about home landscapes? Can they be trans-formed into vi-brant colors just as easily as with a painter’s stroke? The answer is a convincing yes, says the Netherlands Flowerbulb Information Center. Dutch bulbs, it explained, are one of nature’s most clever miracles and they are avail-able in a rainbow of colors. It’s hard to believe that a coun-try barely the size of Connecticut produces 86 percent of the world’s fl owerbulbs. But Holland does just that and it does so beautifully. During a year, more than 3 bil-lion bulbs are shipped from Hol-land to gardeners around the world. About 600 million of these are sold and planted in the United States, some in the fall that will bloom in the spring, and some in the spring that will bloom in the summer and fall. Nature has made it easy for new and experienced gardeners to plant them.

Bratislava Airport introduces special detectors and

security measures Passengers who are set to trav-el via Bratislava should be pre-pared for new security measures that were introduced on March 24 due to the terrorist attacks in Brussels on March 22. Travelers will be checked upon arrival at the main airport hall via special detectors. Airport repre-sentatives can’t rule out the pos-sibility that passengers may have to come to the airport earlier than normal because the new security measures might hold them up. The new measures will be valid until further notice, but they could be put in place perma-nently, said M.R.Stefanik Airport general director Ivan Trhlik at a briefi ng in Bratislava on March 24. “Bratislava airport is one of the fi rst EU airports to introduce a whole set of security measures, most of which will remain secret from the traveling public. Such measures have never been acti-vated at this airport before, but the current security situation re-quires it,” said Trhlik. There are now only single routes for entering and exiting the airport. “That means one way in and one way out,” stated Trh-lik, adding that these measures were prepared long ago and that the airport pondered putting them into practice after the terror at-tacks that took place in Paris on November 13 of last year. Trhlik added that the airport is quite capable of managing incoming and outgoing fl ows of passengers when compared to other larger EU airports.

Despite the boosting of secu-rity measures, the airport isn’t considering raising its charges. “It(security) is one of the basic duties of any airport,” empha-sized Trhlik. People not traveling via Bratislava airport should think twice about visiting it however,

said Trhlik. The Belgian capital was hit by several explosions on March 22. The blasts targeted Zaventem airport and Maelbeek metro sta-tion, which is located near EU in-stitutions. These attacks claimed 35 people and over 300 were in-jured.

SLOVENSKÝ KATOLÍCKY SOKOL, 6. APRÍLA 2016 PAGE 19

ISSN: 0897-8107

Úradn¥ ™asopisSLOVENSKÉHO KATOLÍCKEHO SOKOLA

Zalo¢en¥ 15. apríla 1911 – Vychádza ka¢dú druhú stredu

Majitel« a vydavatel«:SLOVAK CATHOLIC SOKOL

Daniel F. Tanzone, redaktor Telefónne ™íslo: (973) 777-4010

V£etky ™lánky, príspevky a správy treba posielat« na adresu:Editor, Slovak Catholic Sokol, P.O. Box 899

205 Madison Street, Passaic, New Jersey 07055

ACH, TÁ NAŠA SLOVENČINA!

Jednoduchý nadýchaný cheese-cake len z troch ingrediencií:

- zoznam.sk

Fitness cheesecake bez peče-nia - dobrejedlo.sk

Za prácu dostanú penzisti dávky i benefi ty - pravda.sk

Parmazánové chipsy- varecha.sk

...rozdáva rady pre single ženy - pluska.sk

...v Prešove mávajú standing ovation - korzar.sk

...ktorý je s biznisom priamo prepojený. - sme.sk

Ženy zarábajú menej najmä v bi-znise - pravda.sk

V štýle black&white: Poradíme vám, ako kombinovať klasiku, ktorá je chic! ... Pruhovaná sukňa aj top...je ideálnou variá-ciou strohého biznis looku...čierne legínsy... - glanc.sk

MUST HAVE kúsok každej ženy: Viete si vybrať dobre pad-núci trenčkot? - glanc.sk

Slovensko sa minulý rok za-pojilo do 14 medzinárodných misií medzinárodného krízové-ho manažmentu (MKM). Išlo o aktivity Európskej únie, OBSE, NATO a OSN. Najviac vojakov, a to 159, malo koncom roka v mierovej misii OSN na Cypre (UNFIC-YP). Pôsobili v Kosove, Mol-davsku či v Afganistane Slováci pôsobili tiež vo vo-jenskej operácii EUFOR AL-THEA v Bosne a Hercegov-ine, v Kosove, v misii OBSE v Macedónsku, na Ukrajine, v Moldavsku, v Gruzínsku, v misii OBSE v Tadžikistane, v Afgani-stane a v pozorovateľskej misii OSN na Blízkom východe (UN-TSO). Vlani SR po prvý raz koo-perovala na stabilizačnej misii OSN na Haiti (MINUSTAH), v ktorej bolo šesť policajtov. Funguje tam od roku 2004 a jej hlavná činnosť spočíva v pomoci a stabilizácii verejnej správy a re-forme práce policajných zložiek. Na zabezpečenie účasti v jed-notlivých operáciách vynaložilo Slovensko vyše 18 miliónov eur,

Na Slovensku majú 700-ročný podnik, ktorý sa radí za najstarší podnik na svete. Kremnická mincovňa totiž pracuje už od roku 1328, a to z nej robí najstarší podnik na svete, ktorý funguje (takmer) nepretržite. Razia sa tam tiež slovenské euromince a podnik je aj zná-mym fenoménom v oblasti nu-mizmatiky, histórie umenia a techniky. Produkcia je okrem výroby mincí a medailí zamera-ná aj na výrobu plakiet, žetónov, odznakov, vyznamenaní, primá-torských reťazí, rádov a mnoho ďalších. Podnik založil 17. novembra 1328 kráľ Karol I. Kremnicu povýšil z osady na mesto a udelil jej privilégium na prevádzku mincovne. Historická krem-nická mincovňa pôvodne po-zostávala z viacerých gotických domov z 15. storočia, neskôr sa budovy prestavali a dostali vlast-né opevnenie a zásobu zbraní. Najstaršou časťou dnešnej min-covne je jej juhovýchodné kríd-lo, kde sa zachovala pôvodná miestnosť bývalej pokladnice. Kremnica je nie len historic-kým centrom ťažby zlata na Slovensku, ale aj celého sloven-ského mincovníctva. Za vlády Anjouovcov sa tu razili zlaté 23-karátové dukáty, ktoré boli presnými napodobeninami zlatých fl orentských mincí – fl o-rén. Taliansku symboliku počas vládnutia Ľudovíta I. vystriedali domáce motívy s uhorským svätcom Ladislavom na reverze a uhorským kráľom na prednej strane mince. Slovo dukát je odvodené od latinského nápisu na benátskej minci, ktorý sa končil slovami „iste ducatus“ (vojvoda). Kremnické dukáty sa v stre-doveku považovali za najtvrdšiu menu Európy vďaka ich vysokej rýdzosti zlata. Podľa dobových záznamov sa v meste vyrazilo okolo 21,5 milióna dukátov. Od 16. storočia sa v Kremnici razili veľké strieborné toliare, dovtedy odtiaľ vychádzali len poltoliare. Najväčšiu produkciu zazna-

menala Kremnická mincovňa v 18. storočí za panovania Má-rie Terézie. Toto obdobie prin-ieslo mincovni technologické novinky, do výroby sa zaviedol vretenový raziaci lis, takzvaný balanciér. Po vzore Kremnice sa rovnaké stroje zaviedli aj do mincovní v Prahe a Viedni. Od začiatku 20. storočia bola v Kremnici jediná česko-slovenská mincovňa a nezme-nilo sa to počas celého obdobia trvania spoločného štátu. Po 1. svetovej vojne z min-covne vyniesli všetko zariadenie a stroje, raziareň zasiahla aj 2. svetová vojna. Obe katastro-fy, ktoré by mohli znamenať koniec razenia, sa však podarilo zažehnať a podnik zachrániť. Koncom 20. storočia sa dokončil nový závod za mes-tom, kam sa výroba presunula. V októbri 1992 sa začala prípra-va na razenie nových korún, prvé mince zo strojov vyšli 23. januára 1993 po vzniku Sloven-skej republiky. Kremnickej mincovni sa v roku 1989 podarilo preraziť aj na nových trhoch v Indii, Bangladéši a v Južnej Amerike. Neskôr získala tiež certifi kát na výrobu euromincí, ktoré sa začali vyrábať v novej raziarni v centre mesta. S razením prvých slovenských eurových mincí sa začalo 19. augusta 2008. Zlaté mesto Kremnica láka množstvom zachovaných kultúrnych a technických pami-atok. Zlaté mesto Kremnica láka množstvom zachovaných kultúrnych a technických pami-atok. V roku 2006 prešli historické budovy mincovne v Kremnici veľkou rekonštrukciou. Vznikla podniková predajňa, súčasťou ktorej je aj expozícia mincovníc-tva s historickými strojmi. Mincovňa Kremnica od roku 2011 patrí medzi pami-atky Európskeho kultúrneho dedičstva. V súčasnosti sa môžete pozrieť aj do novej ražebne, kde sa vyrábajú sloven-ské euromince.

- Pravda.sk., skrátené

Kremnická mincovňa je najstarším podnikom na svete

Slovensko vlani pôsobilo v štrnástich medzinárodných misiách

a to predovšetkým z rozpočtu ministerstva obrany. Vyplýva to zo správy o pôsobení SR v ak-tivitách MKM, ktorú v stredu schválila vláda.Plánuje rozšíriť pôsobnosť Tento rok by malo Sloven-sko zostať až na dve misie vo všetkých ostatných. Policajtov už nevyšle do civilnej misie EUPOL v Afganistane ani do EUPOL COPPS, ktorá pôsobí na palestínskych územiach. Obe vedie EÚ. Okrem toho plánuje SR rozšíriť svoju pôsobnosť do nových misií, vrátane tých, ktoré pôsobia na území Ukrajiny, ale aj v iných častiach sveta. Tohtoročnou prioritou je civilná misia Európskej únie na Ukrajine (EUAM). Svoje per-sonálne zastúpenie chce tiež udržať v monitorovacej misii únie v Gruzínsku (EUMM) a v civilnej misii EÚ v Kosove (EU-LEX). Okrem toho sa bude polica-jný zbor usilovať prispievať k re-forme bezpečnostného sektora účasťou v misii OSN na Haiti.

- SITA

Krátke správy zo Slovenska

Slovenský trh práce zapla-via stovky nových pracovných ponúk. Na rozdiel od minulosti najviac pracovných miest bude vznikať na východnom Sloven-sku, a nie v Bratislave. Hlavným dôvodom sú veľké medzinárod-né fi rmy v automobilovom sek-tore, ktoré vytvárajú miesta vo vlastných podnikoch, alebo u svojich subdodávateľov.

Vo februári totho roku bolo na Slovensku zaregistrovaných 6 728 nových osobných automobilov, čo predstavuje v medziročnom porovnaní nárast o takmer 27 percent. Február bol už druhým mesiacom v tomto roku, v kto-rom registrácie nových osob-ných automobilov zaznamenali najvyššie počty od roku 1995.

V januári medziročne narás-tol počet návštevníkov Sloven-ska o 31 % na 320 tisíc turis-tov. Ide o najlepší januárový výsledok v histórii. Ako ďalej informovala Slovenská agentúra pre cestovný ruch (SACR), na zvyšovaní návštevnosti sa rovnomerne podieľali domáci aj zahraniční dovolenkári. Pre domácu dovolenku sa rozhodlo 198 tisíc návštevníkov, čo bol nárast o 31%. Zo zahraničia prišlo 122 tisíc turistov, čo pred-stavuje nárast o 30 %.

Deti kresťanských utečencov z Iraku by mali nastúpiť do škôl a škôlok v Nitre a okolí už v apríli. Ministerstvo školstva v súčasnosti rieši koordináciu začleňovania detí do jednot-livých ročníkov. Kľúčová bude dosiahnutá úroveň vzdelania, v niektorých prípadoch však deti zaradia do ročníkov podľa veku. “V súlade s platnými, všeobecne záväznými právny-mi predpismi zaradí riaditeľ základnej školy dieťa po zistení doterajšieho vzdelania, ako aj jeho ovládania štátneho ja-zyka do príslušného ročníka. V prípade nedostatočného ovlá-dania štátneho jazyka možno dieťa podmienečne zaradiť do príslušného ročníka podľa veku, a to najviac na jeden školský rok,“ informoval komunikačný

Deti migrantov nastúpia do škôl v Nitre a okolíodbor rezortu školstva. Následne riaditeľ školy v prí-pade potreby zabezpečí dieťaťu pedagogického zamestnanca na doučovanie slovenského jazyka. Do Nitry a okolia sa v marci presunulo 149 Iračanov, ktorým udelili azyl na Slovensku. Ide o 25 kresťanských rodín z Iraku, ktoré hovoria aramejsky. Sú medzi nimi umelci, lekári či programátori. Zhruba tretinu zo 149 imigrantov tvoria deti do 15 rokov. Najprv všetci absol-vovali dôkladné bezpečnostné previerky a prešli zdravotnými vyšetreniami, v azylovom tábore v Humennom sa dozvedali in-formácie o živote na Slovensku a chodili na kurzy slovenského jazyka. Deti irackých kresťanov nastúpia aj do cirkevných škôl a škôlok.

ÚRADNÝ ČASOPIS SLOVENSKÉHO KATOLÍCKEHO SOKOLA - 28 000 ČLENOV - HLAVNÁ ÚRADOVŇA: 205 MADISON STREET, PASSAIC, NJ 07055 – www.slovakcatholicsokol.org

VOLUME CV PASSAIC, N.J., 6. APRÍLA 2016 ČÍSLO 5066

SLOVAK CATHOLIC FALCON

Za Boha a národ For God and Nation

Robert Fico je tretíkrát premiérom. Potom, čo prezi-dentovi Andrejovi Kiskovi v utorok 22. marca odovzdal de-misiu vlády, na čele ktorej stál od roku 2012, ho prezident opä-tovne vymenovala za premiéra. Premiér Fico bude tentokrát stáť na čele koaličnej vlády zloženej zo Smeru, SNS, Mosta-Híd a Siete. Fico zároveň pre-zidentovi odovzdal návrhy na menovanie nových ministrov. Prezident Andrej Kiska následne vymenoval ministrov. Podľa koaličných dohôd patrí osem postov víťaznej strane Smer, tri posty v kabinete patria Slovenskej národnej strane, dve kreslá Mostu-Híd a jedno pri-padlo strane Sieť. Vo funkcii ministra vnútra ostáva Robert Kaliňák, ktorý je zároveň podpredsedom vlády SR, ministrom fi nancií sa opä-tovne stal Peter Kažimír, post ministra zahraničných vecí aj tentokrát pripadol Miroslavovi Lajčákovi. Ministrom práce sa stal opäť Ján Richter a ministrom kultúry ostal Marek Maďarič. Doterajší minister životného prostredia Peter Žiga si pre-sadol na stoličku ministra ho-

Prezident Andrej Kiska vymenoval novú vládu

spodárstva. Funkcia podpredse-du vlády pre investície pripadla doterajšiemu šéfovi parlamentu Petrovi Pellegrinimu. Rezortu zdravotníctva, ktorý pripadol Smeru, šéfuje Tomáš Drucker. Druhá najsilnejšia koaličná strana SNS má vo vláde ministra obrany, doterajšieho zástupcu náčelníka generálneho štábu, Petra Gajdoša. Ministerkou pôdohospodárstva a rozvoja vidieka sa stala bývalá gen-erálna riaditeľka Slovenského pozemkového fondu Gabri-ela Matečná a rezort školstva povedie profesor Peter Plavčan. Most-Híd vo vláde zastúpi ako podpredsedníčka vlády a min-

isterka spravodlivosti Lucia Žitňanská a minister životného prostredia László Solymos. Sieť má v kabinete jedného zástupcu. Ministrom dopravy je Roman Brecely. Podľa dohôd štyroch strán Smeru patrí v novom kabinete osem miest, SNS tri, Mostu-Híd dve a Sieti jedno. Predstavite-lia štyroch strán sa dohodli na jedenástich programových pri-oritách na roky 2016 – 2020. V zahraničnej a európskej politike je to jednoznačná kontinuita pro-európskej a proatlantickej orien-tácie SR. Zhodli sa aj na aktual-izácii bezpečnostnej a obrannej stratégie SR a posilnení starostli-vosti o zahraničných Slovákov. Nová koalícia bude presadzovať spoločný protikorupčný pro-gram. Strany sa zhodli na prijatí účinného protischránkového zákona vzťahujúceho sa na všetky verejné zdroje. Nová vlá-da bude podľa dohôd dôsledne uplatňovať princípy otvoreného vládnutia a zaväzuje sa presadiť ústavný zákon o preukazovaní pôvodu majetku. Zákonom by malo byť tiež upravené posky-tovanie a prijímanie neetických výhod.

Členovia novej vlády počas vymenovania v Prezidentskom paláci. - Autor: Pravda, Ľuboš Pilc

Prezident Andrej Kiska (vpra-vo) vymenoval Roberta Fica za predsedu vlády.

Minister zahraničných vecí USA John Kerry 29. marca vo Washingtone odovzdal Zuzane Števulovej ocenenie Internation-al Women of Courage za jej veľké osobné nasadenie v odvážnom boji za práva utečencov a mi-grantov aj počas migračnej krízy v Európe. Zuzana Števulová bola jednou zo štrnástich ocenených žien z celého sveta. International Women of Courage Award sa udeľuje ženám za výnimočnú odvahu pri obhajovaní ľudských práv, zrovnoprávnenia žien či za prínos k sociálnemu pok-roku, pričom sú často vystavené vážnym bezpečnostným rizikám. Minister John Kerry vo svojom príhovore o Zuzane povedal: “Ako my všetci, aj Zuzana Števulová bola sved-kom rozvíjajúcej sa katastrofy v Sýrií a ťažkej situácii miliónov utečencov, ktorí boli nútení opustiť svoje domovy. Ale ona o tejto kríze nielen rozprávala, ale konkretnými činmi sa snažila pomôcť najlepšie, ako vedela. Zuzana ako riaditeľka Ligy za ľudské práva poskytuje právnu pomoc a služby pre migrantov a utečencov v administratívnom zaistení a azylovom konaní. Pri-

Minister Kerry ocenil Slovenku za nasadenie v boji za práva utečencov

pomína nám tak všetkým, že skutočným testom spravodlivo-sti je, či férovosť stojí na strane tých najviac ohrozených”. “Úprimne verím, že je našou morálnou povinnosťou zabezpečiť, aby sa s utečencami a migrantmi zaobchádzalo s rešpektom a úctou a aby mohli užívať svoje práva, nájsť bezpečie a čo najskôr pokračovať vo svo-jom bežnom živote. Nepotrebu-jeme na to veľa. Všetky nástroje a prostriedky máme k dispozícii a niekedy stačí len malá sku-pina pozorných a odhodlaných občanov na to, aby sme dosiahli zmenu,” uviedla Števulová pri preberaní ceny. Podľa Chargé d’Aff aires Veľvyslanectva USA v Bratislave Liama Wasleyho Zuzana Števulová ako riaditeľka Ligy za ľudské práva vynakladá veľké úsilie na zvýšenie povedomia o právach utečencov a venuje veľa svojho osobného času po-moci migrantom a cudzincom v núdzi. Ministerstvo zahraničných vecí USA ju ocenilo za to, že neustále upozorňovala na nutnosť väčšej pomoci a súcitu s utečencami a ľuďmi v núdzi.

Zuzana Števulová s ministrom Johnom Kerrym počas prebera-nia ocenenia. - Foto: Slovak v Amerike

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