ŽENSKÁ JEDNOTA

First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association

41st National ConventionMarriott Louisville DowntownLouisville, KYOctober 3 - 8, 2015

Happy New Year!

JANUARY 2015VOL. 101, NO. 4

2 ŽENSKÁJEDNOTA

ŽENSKÁ JEDNOTA

Fraternally Yours™

5 23 1 ISSN 0897-2958

Fraternally Yours,ZENSKA JEDNOTA,

is a monthly magazine published by the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association.

National Headquarters at 24950 Chagrin Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio 44122EDITOR: Carolyn Bazik

P.O. Box 1617, Reading, PA 19603E-mail: zjbazik@comcast.net

Phone (610) 373-2743 • Fax (610) 375-8333Periodical Postage Paid at

Cleveland, OH 44101 and additional entriesSubscription Rate, Non-Members: $6.00 — 1 Yr.

Printed at Triangle Press6720 Allentown Blvd., Harrisburg, PA 17112

Postmaster: Send address changes to Zenska Jednota,

First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association 24950 Chagrin Boulevard, Cleveland, OH 44122

Deadline for all articles is the 15th of the month, 1½ months prior to the issue date.

OFFICE HOURS — HOME OFFICEMonday through Friday — 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Phone: (216) 464-8015 • Toll Free: 800-464-4642Fax: (216) 464-9260 • Website: www.fcsla.com

BOARD OF DIRECTORSCHAPLAIN:

Very Reverend Monsignor Peter M. Polando, The Cathedral of Saint Columba, 154 West Wood St., Youngstown, OH 44503. Residence: (330) 744-5233. Email ppolando@youngstowndiocese.orgPRESIDENT:

Cynthia M. Maleski, Esq., 24950 Chagrin Bou-levard, Beachwood, OH 44122. (800) 464-4642. Ext. 1011. Email: Cynthia@fcsla.com.VICE-PRESIDENTS:

Irene J. Drotleff, 17807 Nottingham Road, Cleveland, OH 44122. (216) 486-6950. Email: rene@apk.net.

Larry M. Golofski, 1114 Surrey Lane, Vandergrift, PA 15690. Residence: (724) 845-8078. Email: Lar-ryGolofski@windstream.net.

Barbara Novotny Waller, 24950 Chagrin Bou-levard, Beachwood, OH 44122. Residence: (610) 207-0747. Email: bnwaller@comcast.net.SECRETARY:

Sue Ann M. Seich, 24950 Chagrin Boulevard, Beachwood, OH 44122. (800) 464-4642. Ext. 1012. Email: sueann@fcsla.com.TREASURER:

Stephen C. Hudak, 24950 Chagrin Boulevard, Beachwood, OH 44122. (800) 464-4642. Ext. 1016. Email: steve@fcsla.com. TRUSTEES:

John M. Janovec, 24950 Chagrin Boulevard, Beachwood, OH 44122. (800) 464-4642.

Virginia A. Holmes, 1625 Vermont Avenue, White Oak, PA 15131. Residence: (412) 672-1565.AUDITORS:

Katie A. Esterle, 24950 Chagrin Boulevard, Beachwood, OH 44122. Residence: (262) 720-7190. Email: katie.esterle@gmail.com.

Barbara A. Sekerak, 6312 Elmdale Road, Brook Park, OH 44142. (216) 676-9332. Email: bas7535@gmail.com.

Dorothy L. Urbanowicz, 27 Crescent Drive, Mones-sen, PA 15062. Residence: (724) 684-8243. Email: doty8613@gmail.com.EDITOR:

Carolyn M. Bazik, P.O. Box 1617, Reading, PA 19603 (610) 373-2743.

COURT OF APPEALS:Mary Angeloff Jeanette PalancaBarb Shedlock Ralph SzubskiJoseph L. Szumski Carol YurechkoRon Sestak Joyce KellyRonald Paseka Ann SedlockBernard Drahozal Dawn LaBuda

Convention 2015Marriott Louisville Downtown

It is hard to believe, but the time is fast approaching for delegates to gather fortheorganization’s41stNationalConventiontobeheldOctober3-8th,2015,at theMarriottLouisvilleDowntown,280WestJeffersonStreet,Louisville,KY.ThenewlyrenovatedhotelisconnectedviaskywalktotheKentuckyInternationalConventionCenter,isideallysuitedforbusinessconventions.DelegateswillenjoyproximitytotheKFCYum!Center,theLouisvilleSluggerMuseum,4thStreetLive,historicMainStreet,andtheNuLuDistrict.Located15minutesfromtheKentuckyExpositionCenter, thehotel featuresChampionsSportsBar,BLUItalianGrilleandStarbucks®onsite.

Whiletheconventionsiteisappealing,eachdelegateshouldkeepinmindthattheywillberesponsibleformakingcriticalbusinessdecisionsforourAssociation.ItisVITALthatbranchessendmembersthatarewillingtolisten,learn,discussanddebatemattersofgreatimportance.Thewelfareofourorganizatuionrestsinthehandsofourdelegates,thereforeitisimperativethatthedelegatesyouelectarewillingtoattendthedailybusinesssessions,andareknowledgableaboutthevision,mission,goalsandobjectivesoftheFCSLA.

Moredetailswillbeforthcoming—includinginformtionaboutdelegateselec-tion, timelinesbasedontheassociationsnewbylaws,committee,andspecifichotelaccommodations.Itisnottooearlytosavethedatesandbegintodiscusstravelplansforthisimportantevent.

A New Year’s PrayerMay God make your year a happy one!Not by shielding you from all sorrows and pain,But by strengthening you to bear it, as it comes;Not by making your path easy,But by making you sturdy to travel any path;Not by taking hardships from you,But by taking fear from your heart;Not by granting you unbroken sunshine,But by keeping your face bright, even in the shadows;Not by making your life always pleasant,But by showing you when people and their causes need you most, and by making you anxious to be there to help.God’s love, peace, hope, and joy to you for the year ahead.

UntilNextMonth....HappyNewYear! Warmly, Carolyn

The AdvenT And ChrisTmAs seAson 2014

JANUARY2015 3

very reverend monsignor Peter m. Polando, d. min., J.C.L., national Chaplain

My dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,I hope that all of you have had a very beautiful Christmas celebration and now that we are entering in the New

Year, may the blessings of Almighty God be upon you and your families with good health and grace. As I was reflecting upon the scriptural readings in the seasons of Advent and of Christmas, I was reminded of how many personalities that are brought to our attention during these celebrations of the liturgical year. In the first readings of the Sundays of Advent, the Prophet Isaiah were proclaimed. They were always good to listen to him because Isaiah is coming from of the tradition in which the people have been led from Jerusalem which was destroyed completely decimated and were led into Babylonian captivity for the next fifty years or so. Isaiah was trying to give the people a message of hope. Because this period of exile was not going to last forever and they yearned to go back to their city of Jerusalem, the city that they were to encounter was a dismal site compared to what they left it and so they had to build up the city again. But Isaiah gives them the sense of hope.

When we look at the person of John the Baptist and the person heralding the coming of Jesus Christ, his cousin, he was giving the people of Jerusalem and the surrounding area a sense of hope, a sense of forgiveness, for they were coming to John for a newness of renewal as people knowing that they were a people of God, who would forgive them of sins. John told them that there was someone better to look forward to that even he was not able to unstrap the thongs of his sandals.

Here we are in a new year where we have a sense of hope and forgiveness. We are like Isaiah and John the Baptist looking forward to something that may give us a better understanding of who we are as followers of Jesus Christ. As I said we can align ourselves with the various personalities as scripture has illustrated for us. We can be like Isaiah and we can be like John the Baptist; we can be like the great warriors of who we are in the eyes of Jesus Christ. We must try to bring forth witnesses to the holy gospel.

My hope is that during this New Year, you may take on that hope in your lives, and an understanding of who Jesus is, so that we can live Jesus, and can be Jesus to one another, because Christ is our life. He is the newness of life that brings us to a sense of who we should be as followers of His being people of forgiveness and hope. In this whole New Year may our lives be aligned with him and always go forth and witness the love that he has given us by his birth his preachings his passion death resurrection and ascension into heaven. God bless you.

He is the newness of life that brings us to a sense of who we should be as followers of His being people of forgiveness and hope.

Message from our National President Cynthia M. Maleski

4 ŽENSKÁJEDNOTA

2015 promises to be anexciting year aswemove for-wardonthestepsnecessarytoimplementournewbylawsandprepareforthe2015Quadren-nialConvention scheduled forLouisville,Kentucky fromSat-urday,October3,2015throughThursday,October8,2015.

Our 2014National Presi-dent’sAppeal “ToProtectThe

Children”hasjustbeencompleted.Asthis issueofthe magazine goes to print, a total of one hundred and eight districts, branches and individuals have reported atotalof$43,370.00thathasbeendonatedtovariouscharitiesandagenciesaround the country toassistatriskchildreninhonorofournewSaintsPopeJohnXXIIIandJohnPaulII.Onbehalfofthechildren,thankyoutoallwhodonatedgenerouslytothisnoblecause!

In2015,theNationalPresident’sAppealwillbe“FCSLAUnites toFightHunger.”Ourbranchesanddistrictswillreceiveinformationaboutthiscausesoon!

OurGuaranteed IssueProgramoffering isnowineffectforeligiblemembers.Pleaseconsidertakingadvantageofthisofferforaneasy,affordablewaytomeettherisingcostsoffinalexpenses.Ifyoucompare

theserateswithothersimilarguaranteed issuepro-gramsyouwillseethatourprogramisareasonablecost,qualitylifeinsuranceproduct.

Thebeginningofthenewyearisagoodtimetoplantotakeadvantageofcertainfinancialvehiclestosaveforretirement.Forthoseofyouoryourchildrenwhoareemployed,theuseofeitheraTraditionalorRothIRAmakesalotofsense.Yougettaxsavingsanddeferraladvantagesthatcannotbeignored.Thisisextremely important forworkerswhodonothavecompanypaidpensionplansand/oryoungerpeoplewhomayfeelthattheycannotrelyontoday’sSocialSecuritybenefitsuponretirement.

TheFirstCatholicSlovakLadiesAssociationhasexceptional IRA (bothRothandTraditional) annuityplansavailable.Checkoutournoticesinourmonthlymagazineorcontactyourbranchofficer,agentorthehomeofficeformoreinformation.

Januaryisaperfecttimetomakeresolutions,soletusresolvetolookintothesegreatopportunitiestoeitherplanforfinalexpensesbypurchasingadditionalinsurance,ORtoputawayfundsforretirementbypur-chasinganannuityfromFirstCatholicSlovakLadiesAssociation!

HappyNewYear! Cynthia M. Maleski

THANK YOU!The 2014 PresidenT’s AnnuAl APPeAl, “To ProTeCT The Children”

rAised $43,370.00 As of deCeMber 10, 2015.Thank you to the individual members, districts and branches for this outstanding response.

AnnounCinG ThAT The 2015 PresidenT’s AnnuAl APPeAl Will be “fCslA uniTes To fiGhT hunGer.”

Please give generously throughout the year to support causes that help to address the hunger issues in your local communities.

MoredetailsabouthowtoreportyourdonationstotheHomeOfficewillbeforthcoming!

ThiscauseisinkeepingwithanaddressbyPopeFrancisatarecentU.N.conferenceinRomeonnutri-tion,wherethepopeurgedtheworld’swealthiestnationstodomoretohelpthoseinneed.“Perhapswehavepaidtoolittleheedtothosewhoarehungry,”thepopetolddelegatesfrommorethan170countriesattend-ingtheglobalgatheringattheU.N.’sFoodandAgricultureOrganization.“Thehungryremain,atthestreetcorner,andasktoberecognizedascitizens,toreceiveahealthydiet.Weaskfordignity,notforcharity.”

JANUARY2015 5

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!

We are proud to announce the FCSLA Guaranteed Issue Life

Insurance Program now through April 30, 2015.

so WhY is GuArAnTeed issue

life insurAnCe ATTrACTiVe?WhAT is iT?

ANNOUNCING THE BOARDING

OF FLIGHT 2015! Carry on baggage only!

Leave the bad times behind ~Include only 2014’s

best memories.Your flight will be 12 months long

with layovers for:

Good Health, Love, Joy,

Harmony, Prosperity,Laughter and Peace.

Your menu also includes: Cocktail of FriendshipSupreme Good Health

Gratin of ProsperitySalad of Success

Dessert of Happiness

Bubbles of Champagne Laughter.

Have a Happy and Prosperous 2015!

FCSLAAnnuity Rates

RatesforourEliteAnnuities:silVer eliTe (5 YeAr)

3.00% APY*Gold eliTe (7 YeAr)

3.25% APY*PlATinuM eliTe (10 YeAr)

3.50% APY**Thisrateisineffect1/1/2015thru12/31/2015.

AdditionallytheguaranteedminimumrateforEliteSilverandGoldcontractsissuedin2015willbeincreasedto2%.

5 Year Annuities issued prior to 2/1/2014 will earn their guaranteed minimum rate

from 1/1/2015 thru 3/31/2015.

Firstofall,youcanapplybysimplycompletingtheapplicationyouwillreceiveorhavealreadyreceivedbymail.Simplyindicateyourchoiceofthe amount of life insurance, and return it in the envelopewithyourcheck.That’sit!Therearenomedicalquestionsandnodoctor’svisits.It isaguaranteethatyoucannotbeturneddownforanymedicalreason.

Thisofferismadeusingourstandardrates.ThismeansthatyouarebuyinglifeinsurancewithNOEXTRAPREMIUMdue tomedicalcondition.Thereareno futurepremiumsandyourlifeinsurancewillneverdecreaseinvalue.If youcompare these rateswithothersimilarguaranteed issueprograms, youwill seeourprogramisareasonablecost,qualitylifeinsur-anceproduct.

FirstCatholicSlovakLadiesAssociation,afraternalbenefitsocietywithanA-Excellentrat-ingfromA.M.Bestandanoutstandingfinancialposition,offersthisprogramtoYOU,aloyalanddedicatedmember, to sayTHANKYOUandprovideyouwithawaytobettermeettheris-ingcostsoffinalexpenses.Itisanopportunityforyoutopurchaselife insuranceinaneasy,affordableway.

Questions regarding this offer should bedirected to theNewBusinessDepartment atextension1062orbyemailingNewBusiness@fcsla.com.

6 ŽENSKÁJEDNOTA

FCSLA Connects . . .

Patrick braun

Patrick F. Braun, FICF, CLU, LUTCF, National Sales Manager

new Year’s resolution!

Honoring Our MilitaryWewould like to feature a new “corner” in our

Fraternally YoursMagazine thathonorsourFCSLAmembersthatarecurrentlyservingourcountry.“Honor-ingOurMilitaryCorner”willletFCSLAmemberssay“thankyou”toourbravemenandwomenmembersinuniformandshowthemwecare,howproudweareoftheirservice,andthatweareallprayingfortheirsafety.

If your son, daughter, niece, nephew, brother,sister,grandson,granddaughter,orfriendiscurrentlyservingintheArmedForcespleaseprovideFraternalDirectorKellyM.Shedlock,viaemailatkelly@fcsla.orgorregularmail,24950ChagrinBlvd.,Beachwood,OH44122 the following information: (theymust beaFCSLAmember)Name,Rank,FCSLABranch#,City,State,BranchofMilitary,aphotoifpossibleandwheretheyarestationedandwewillfeaturetheminan upcoming issue of Fraternally Yours.

FCSLA Accepting Applications for National Sales ManagerDuetothefutureretirementofnationalsalesmanager

PatrickBraun, FICF,CLU, LUTCF,TheFirstCatholicSlovakLadiesAssociationisacceptingapplicationsfromqualifiedindividualstoprepareforsuccession.Interestedpartiesshouldsubmita full resumealongwithacoverlettertoPresidentCynthiaMaleskiattheFCSLAHomeOffice.Previouslifeinsurancesalesandsalesmanage-mentsuccessandappropriateindustrydesignationsarepreferred.Knowledgeoflifeinsuranceproducts,recruitingexpertise, and leadership positions in the life insurance industrywillalsobehelpful.

If you’re likeme, the number oneNewYear’sresolutionrevolvesaroundthefactthatmypantsallshrunkinthepast month and I better do something about it or I’ll have to get to the clothing storeforsomenew,unshrinkablesuits!Anotherresolution is tostopprocrasti-natingandstartonprojectsthefirstdayinsteadofatthelastminute.OfcourseNewYear’sresolutionsdon’tgenerallyhaveanymeaningfullongtermeffect.Iloseafewpounds,cleanuptheimmedi-

ateprojectsandthenslidebacktoreality.There is oneNewYear’s resolutionwhich everyone

shouldactonearlyintheyear.YouknowwhereI’mgoingbutpleasereadon.

TheresolutionwhichI’mtalkingaboutistohaveacom-prehensivereviewwithaprofessionallifeinsuranceadvisor.ItisafactthatlifeinsuranceownershipbyAmericanshasbeendecreasing.Thirty-five percent of American house-holds own no life insurance at all! Whyisthishappening?Icanpointtoseveraldirectcauses.Firstofall,themajorlifeinsurance companies abandoned people in the middle and lowerincomeclasses,yearsago.Theirsalesforcesweredecreaseddrasticallyandtheagentswhoremainedmostlyworkedwithupperincomeclients.Withfeweragentsactu-allytalkingtothecommonmanaboutbuyinglifeinsurance,thecommonmanstoppedbuyingit.Anothercausewasthemorphingofthesurvivinglifeinsuranceagentsinto“financialadvisors”.Theproblemwiththisisthat,inasurveyofpeoplewhohadrecentlyvisitedwitha“financialadvisor”,seventypercentsaidthatlifeinsurancewasneverevenmentionedinthemeeting!Inotherwords,theverypersonwhocouldhavehelpedhis/herclientspurchaseaproperamountoflifeinsuranceinsteadchosetosellannuities,stocks,bondsormutualfunds.

It has always been the philosophy of good advisorstoput thepurchaseof life insurancefirstandthen invest

whatfundsareleft.Itwouldseemthatmanyadvisorshavereversedtheprocess.

So,gettingbacktotheNewYear’sresolution;agreatonewouldbetocallalicensedagentorfullylicensedrec-ommenderwhorepresentsFCSLAandaskthatpersonforacomprehensivelifeinsurancereview.Askhim/hertodoaneedsanalysisforyoursituation.He/shemayuncoverprob-lemsorholesinyourcoverage.Maybeyouhavethewrongkindoflifeinsurance.Maybeyoudon’thaveenough.Maybeyouhavetoomuch.(I’llbelievethatwhenIseeit!)Then,asktheagentorrecommendertoadviseasolution.Evenifyourbudget can’t afford the entire solution, doing something is betterthandoingnothingonthetheorythatlightingacandleinadarkroomisbetterthansittinginthedark.

LikeallNewYear’sresolutions,noonecanmakeyoukeepthem.But,unlikelosingafewpounds,orcleaningupsomelanguishingprojects,takingactiononalifeinsurancereviewand allocating some funds to solve the uncovered problems willhavelongterm, lastingeffects.Itcouldmeanthediffer-encebetweenyourfamilybeingabletocontinuetheircurrentstandardoflivingbecauseofanuntimelydeathinyourfamily!

Now,maybeifIcouldjustmoderatemyeatinginad-vanceoftheNewYear,Iwouldn’thavesomanyhoursonthetreadmillinJanuary!

JANUARY2015 7

National Secretary

WOWcan youbelieve it is 2015?Thisyear isgoingtoflybywithall theexcitingeventsandactivitiesFCSLAhasplannedonall levels.OurQuadrennialConvention is scheduled forOctober3-8,2015. If youareplanning tobeadelegatemarkyourcalendarstotraveltoLouisville,KYonOctober3andreturnhomeonOctober8,2015.Pleasemakesureyouopeninformationsentfromthehomeoffice immediately and read yourmonthlyBranchNewsletterassoonasitarrives.YoushouldhavereceiveddelegateformslateinDecemberorearlyJanuary.ThisNewYearisanewbeginningformanyofusandweallneedtomakeitthebestthatitcanbe.

IambeginningmyfourthyearasyourNationalSecretaryandthisyearwillbethebestyearever.Iwilltrytoaccomplishwithyourhelpchangesthatwillimproveoperationsatourhomeoffice.Ilookforwardtothechallengesofthisyearandalsothepossibilityofmeetingmoreofyou.

IhadtheprivilegealongwithourNationalPresidenttoconducttheleadershiptrainingfortheWIDistrict.Theat-tendancewasgreatwithrepresentationfromthebranchesin that area.A big thank you toMary JoNoyes,DistrictPresidentandalldistrictofficersforplanningthedayandall the arrangements theymade.The following dayweattendedBranch23’sSeniorParty.Thepartywaswellat-tendedbyoverahundredmembers.ThebranchisledbyBranchPresident, KathyMueller andBranchSecretary,KatieEsterlewhoalsoservesonourBoardofDirectorsasaNationalAuditor.Theymadeanexcellentchoice in themenuselection.Itwasawesometohavesomanyyoungermembersassistwiththeprogram.

InDecember,IalongwithourNationalPresidenthadthe privilege of attending the IllinoisDistrict ChristmasParty.Ihadtheirinvitationonmycalendarforoverayear.DistrictPresident,MaryThereseTyluswouldn’ttakenoforananswer.Therewerecloseto400inattendanceandthatincludedmanyyoungermemberswhoassistedwithhand-ingoutalltheprizestorafflewinners.Itwaswonderfultosharetheafternoonwithsomanywarmandcaringfraternalmembers.

ThankyoutoeveryonewhosharedapartoftheirbusyschedulewithmethispastyearandIlookforwardtomeetingmoreofyouthisyearandsharingyouractivities.

Maytheentireyearof2015,befilledwithhappiness,goodhealthandmanyblessings.FrommyfamilytoyoursIwishyouavery“HappyNewYear”...

Untilnextissue,mayGodkeepyouhappy,healthyandloved.

sue Ann

FCSLA 2015-16 Annual Scholarship Program

More than $248,250 in Scholarship Awards!The First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association (FCSLA) is pleased to

announce its 2015-16 Scholarship Program, which is in fulfillment of one of the objectives of the organization. This year, more than $248,250 will be awarded to young members of the Association, which includes $42,000 being awarded to elementary school applicants.

The elementary school awards are a benefit, recently passed by the FCSLA Board of Directors. In this day of promoting education, one of the best means of offering assistance is by the Scholarship Program. Each category will be awarded as follows:

COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS - $1,250 EACH58 Freshmen ● 27 Sophomores ● 16 Juniors ● 16 Seniors

GRADUATE AWARDS - $1,750 EACH16 Full-Time Graduate Awards

32 HIGH SCHOOL AWARDS - $1,000 EACH8 Freshmen ● 8 Sophomores ● 8 Juniors ● 8 Seniors

28 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AWARDS - $750 EACH7 for Grade 5 ● 7 for Grade 6 ● 7 for Grade 7 ● 7 for Grade 8

28 EARLY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AWARDS - $750 EACH7 for Grade 1 ● 7 for Grade 2 ● 7 for Grade 3 ● 7 for Grade 4

In addition, two (2) Theresa Sajan Scholarships are awarded to graduate students

An eligible candidate for a FCSLA Fraternal Scholarship Award shall be a member of good standing for at least three years prior to date of application and hold a $1,000 legal reserve certificate, a $5,000 term certificate or a $100 annuity certificate. If applying for a Seminary or Deacon Scholarship, it is necessary to complete all documents.

Winners will be chosen by a committee of impartial judges from the educational field, based on the following: Academic Standing - 40%; Church/Community Service Value – 30%; and School Involvement/Essay – 30%.

Applications and supporting documents must be completed and submitted to the Home Office and received at the Home Office on or before February 20, 2015. No applications will be eligible after that date. Applications and further details for this program may be obtained by calling the Home Office, your local Branch Officer, or by visiting our website at www.fcsla.com or by completing the form on this page and mailing it to:

FIRST CATHOLIC SLOvAk LADIES ASSOCIATIONScholarship Department

24950 Chagrin Boulevard ● Beachwood, OH 44122-5634

2015-2016 sCholArshiP APPliCATion reQuesTPlease send me a scholarship application form

(PLEASEPRINT)

BranchNo.___________

Name_______________________________________________

Address_____________________________________________

City ________________________ State______Zip___________

Phone ______________________________________________

E-mail ______________________________________________Applicationrequestedforfollowingaward:

College Graduate HighSchool SeminaryorDeacon Grades1-4 Grades5-8

8 ŽENSKÁJEDNOTA

Atthe11thhourofthe11thdayofthe11thmonthof1918GermanysignedtheArmistice.WithvariousVeteransDayactivitiesstretchingfromSEATOSHININGSEA,theSt.LouisBranchesofS101andJ011heldatSt.MaryMagdalen,ourownspecial“SalutetotheVeterans”andtheirfamiliesofSouthCitySt.Louis.Weoptedto‘serve’thosewhohave‘served’usaswasthethemeofthegospelafewweeksago.

Theservingof‘brunch’wasatestamenttoourfaithanda message of appreciation directed to the members of the armedserviceswhosacrificedsomuchforus.Theirfamilieswerealsoaskedto“sacrifice”by‘lending’theirlovedonesinservice toourcountry. It’s important to remembernotonlythepricethatispaidbysomanyveteranstomaintainourfreedom—butthepricepaidbytheirfamiliesaswell.

Communitiesacrossthenationcelebrateandpaytrib-ute tohometownheroes, toomanyofwhomhavemadetheultimatesacrifice inservice toourcountry.Thanks tothesonsanddaughterswhoputtheirbootsonthegroundonthebattlefield,Americansfromallwalksoflifeenjoytheblessingsoffreedommorethantwocenturiesafterthebirthofanewnation.

Veteran members from Branch S101 — Jacob Miklovic USMC, Joshua Miklovic USMC, Leah Duffie, her husband, Jonathan, presently deployed, serving in the US NAVY.

Members from branch J011 enjoying fellowship.

Branches 101 and 11 Organizes “Salute to Veterans” Brunch

ThomasPainehassaid,“Thosewhoexpecttoreaptheblessings of freedom must undergo the fatigue of support-ingit.”ManyoftheVetsinattendanceatourluncheonhavebornethatburdenandexperiencedthefatigueofwagingwarinordertobringaboutpeace.Tothemwesaid,“Thankyouforyourserviceandyoursacrificeandforsettingtheexample that inspiredus to raiseour hands in voluntaryservicetothisgreatnation.”

AsThomas Jefferson said, “Theprice of freedom iseternalvigilance.”Onthisday,wegavethanksthatweliveinacountrywherecitizensfromeverygenerationwillinglyandcourageouslyraisetheirhandstostandthewatch.

TheSt.LouisBranchesofS101andJ011utilizedthegrant fundsapprovedby theFCSLAOfficersof the201140thNationalConventiontofundtheluncheon,providingSt.MichaelMedalsandASoldier’sPrayerCard.TheofficersofourBranchesthanktheofficersofFCSLAfortheirsupportandconfidenceinourBranchactivities.

AbbeySitko, (J157)wasoneof the100high schoolstudentsfromtheU.S.andbeyondwhoattendeda10-dayNationalStudent LeadershipConferenceonMedicine&HealthCareatHarvardUniversityinBoston,MA,July20-29.

ThemissionoftheConferenceistoprovideasafeandsupportiveenvironmentinwhichstudentscanexploretheiracademicandcareerinterestswhichdevelopingleadershipskills.Themedicalconference,whichbeginsat7a.m.andendsat11p.m.eachday,usesaninteractiveapproachtolearning, exposing students to the techniques of doctors and nurses.The studentswere housed in the dormsatEmanuelCollege.

Studentshad2-3lecturesadayontopicsasmedicalethics,emergencymedicineandpediatrics,adayinasur-geon’sshoes,anddiagnosingpatients.Thelectureswerecombinedwith hands-on-learning under the direction ofseveraldifferentphysicians.Thisincludedclinicalrounds,medical examinations and surgical techniques, and diagno-sisandtreatmentwiththedoctors.

Priortoattendingtheconferencehergoalwastobe-comeaphysician’sassistant.Today,sheaspirestobecomeapediatricdoctorwhospecializesinemergencymedicineoranOBGYN.Whatshetookhomefromtheconferencewas“moreconfidenceinwhatshecando”.Abbeysaid,Idohavetheabilitytogointothisfield,andIhavetheabil-itytosucceed,butitisgoingtotakealotofhardworkandperseverancetogetthere”.

WhileattheconferencethestudentswerealsoCPRCertifiedbyTheAmericanRedCross.Theyparticipatedinmany leadership courses includingaTeamChallengeCourse, located off the campus.The students attendedseveralfieldtrips.

SheisamemberofSt.Stephen’sByzantineCatholicChurch.SheisalsoanaltarserverandcantoratSt.John’sChurchinConnellsville,PA.SheisthedaughterofLindaSitko,SheisthegranddaughterofSylviaSitko.Abbeyalsohasasister,Hailey.AbbeyisasophomoreatGeibelCatholicJunior-SeniorHighSchool.

Geibel Catholic High School Student Experiences Harvard Medicine

JANUARY2015 9

Rev. Vincent Paul Velas Celebrates 50th Priestly Anniversary

TheRev.VincentPaulVelas,sonofthe lateMichaelVelasand the lateMaryGreshVelas, is the fourth child of eightchildren.HewasbornonJanuary23,1938,raisedinBethlehem,PA,andattendedSS.Cyril andMethodiusGradeSchool.Thebeginningofhisvocationtookrootwithhisparents,theSacredHeartSistersofRead-ingandtheSchoolSistersofSt.FrancisfromBellevue,especiallySr.PaulaBichey,Sr.TeresitaChurilla, and particularlySr.BernadineSpisak.

Fr.VincecompletedhissecondaryeducationatBenedictineHighSchoolinCleveland,OH,in1955.Duringhisschoolyears,hehelpedwithschoolexpensesbyworkingasanewspaperboy,acaddy(wherehedevelopedakeeninterestingolf),andbrieflyonesummerinBethlehemSteelMill.Atschoolhealsohelpedwithwashingdishesandworkingintheprintery.

HeenteredtheNovitiateofSt.Andrew’sBenedictineAbbey,Cleveland,OH,inJuly,1957.AsaBenedictine,hefinishedcollegestudiesatSt.John’sUniversity,Collegeville,MN.Academically,hemanagedtocompletehissenioryearwithastraight“A”aver-ageandwithaB.A.degree inPhilosophy. In1960, theologicalstudies beganatSt. JosephSeminary,Cleveland,OH.Finally,onMay23,1964,herealizedalifelongdreamcometrue.HewasordainedapriestbyBishopFloydBegininSt.John’sCathedral,Cleveland.MasterProgramstudiesinGermanwerethenpursuedandcompletedatJohnCarrollUniversity,Case-WesternReserveandGeorgetownUniversity.

DuringhiseightyearsatBenedictineHighSchool,histeachingresponsibilitiesincludedReligion,LatinandGerman,buteventuallywerelimitedtoGerman.Inadditiontohisteachingresponsibilities,hewasBandModeratorandSchoolChaplain.Hewontheadmira-tionofhisstudents,andhisGermanclasseswereverypopular.

InSeptemberof1973,Fr.VincecametothePittsburghDio-ceseasaparishpriest.From1973,tothepresent,hehasservedinmanyparishesthroughoutthePittsburghDiocese.Currently,heisthepastorofSt.Patrick’sChurchinMcKeesport,PA.Hetouchedtheseparisheswithhisinfectioussmile,enthusiasm,priestlyloveanddedication.AsafaithfulservantofChrist,Fatherjoyfullycele-brates theHolySacrificeof theMass, lovingly administers theSacraments,eloquentlypreachesthegoodnews,visitsthesickinhospitals,andconsolesthebereaved.Giftedwithendlessvitality,acharismaticpersonality,areadysmile,andacharmingfriendliness,hehaswontheheartsofhisparishionersnotonlyastheirPastorbutastheirfriendandconfidant.

Heisasportsenthusiastandanavidgolferwithanaveragehandicapof20.FatherenjoysfollowingtheSteelers,NotreDameandthePirates,andheisafrequentwalkeratthelocalpark.

Whenaskedtoshareaspecialhighlightofhisfiftyyearsofpriesthood,heshared the following fondmemory: “Thespecialfeelingwhen Igavemyfirstpriestlyblessing tomymom,dad,family,friends,neighborsandparishionersandthenofferingmyfirstMassforthem.”

FatherVinceisalsoproudofhisSlovakheritageandcherishesthebeautifulSlovakcustoms.HehasbeenalifelongmemberoftheZenskaJednotaandisamemberofMcKeesportBranch77.ThemembersofBranch77takeprideinourSlovaksonswholaborinthevineyardoftheLord.WecomplimentFr.Vinceonhisachieve-ments.MayGodgranthimmanymorerewardingandproductiveyears.“AdMultosAnnos”.

J339 Hosts Its First Annual PicnicOnanovercast,yetcomfortableandbeautifulSunday

afternoon,themembersofJ339ofChicagoenjoyedtheen-tertainmentofWolfWildlifeParkfortheirfirstannualpicnic.Thenewlyrenovatedplayground,waterspouts,androcksforclimbingwereenjoyedbyallasparentsandgrandpar-entssatunderthepavilionenjoyingeachothers’company.UndertheleadershipofthenewlyelectedJ339President,SherryEbenau,thefamilieswereservedold-fashionedhotdogs, chips, popand ice pops.Thegames included thetraditionaleggtoss,marshmallowrunandwaterballoons.Thefinalpicnicgameconsistedofacupcake-eatingcontest.ThehomemadecupcakeswerefromSherry’sownkitchenandmadeintheformoficecreamcones.Thechildrenweredelightedwiththisnoveldessert!ThehighlightofthedayweretheteninchhighFCSLAinitialsmadeofcornflakesand rice crispy treatsmadeby JoriKnizner-Gillen, J339Secretary.Attheendoftheday,FCSLAgoodiebagsweredistributedtothemembersofJ339.

St. Anne’s Day Pilgrimage HeldOnJuly25,2014theCleveland,OhioDistrictheldtheir

annualSt.Anne’sDayPilgrimageatOurLadyofLourdesShrineonChardonRoadinEuclid,OH.AftertheMass,lun-cheonandraffle,allFCSLA2014ClevelandDistrictSchol-arshipWinnerswhowerepresentwereaskedtostandupand be recognized.District PresidentJoyce Lechman,thanked each stu-dent for taking thetime to apply for ascholarship and then presentedeachwin-nerwithaFCSLApinand theFCSLAyel-lowduckandwishedthem much success in their studies.Theafternoon services of rosary andbenedic-tionconcludedtheday’sevents.TheDistrictwishestothankeveryonewhoattendedwithspecialthanksgoingtoBishopRogerGriesandDistrictChaplainFatherGerardGondaforthebeautifulliturgy.

Cleveland District 2014 scholarship winners present at the Annual St. Anne’s activities.

J380 bedford, ohio scholarship win-ner Aaron Kukucka is presented with a branch gift from J380 President hel-en basa (seated) and Vice-President Kathy sejba (standing).

10 ŽENSKÁJEDNOTA

Announcing the opening of not one but two newbranchesintheSpringville,NYarea(justoutsideofBuffalo)Sr.Branch638andJr.Branch535!Icoveredthreestatesdrivingthere—Ohio,PennsylvaniaandNewYork.Ispentaboutanhourineachstate–onlyathreehourtripbycar.

CongratulationstoStephanieandDanielPulinskionbecomingtheveryfirstbranchofficers!TheyarenowpartofFCSLAhistory.

Itwasapleasure tomeeteveryonethatcameto theGrandOpeningDinner!MyfinalRSVPcountwas60!AgentJamesJozwiakdidagreatjobtogetthesenewbranchesstarted.Hewasarealpleasuretoworkwithasweplannedthe dinner.We choseSaturday, September 20 at PottsBanquetHall,whatagreatchoicethatwas!Thefoodwasdelicious,Mr.Pottsandhisstaffweregreat, thehallwas

New Branches Open in Springville, New York

reallyniceanditwaseasytofind.Inadditiontodinner,mypresentationandraffle,wehadatableofladiesthathadacolorthemegoingonwiththeiroutfitsanditwasn’tplanned.

TherewasanicegroupofJuniormembers inatten-dance.Andoneinparticularwascelebratingherbirthdaythatnight–sowesang“HappyBirthday”toLexiGajkowski–granddaughterofJamesandChristineJozwiak.

Luckily these openings took place in September…beforethe6FEET(yesIsaid6feet)ofsnowarrivedinNo-vember.Theyreceivedallthatsnowinafewdays.Therewasasnowstormthatjustsatoverthem.Thephotoswereincredible.

ToallourmembersstaywarmandsafethiswinterandwelcometotheFCSLAFamily!Formorephoto’spleasevisitourwebsiteatwww.fcsla.org.

Branchactivitieswillbelimitedto4picturesperstoryandDistrictactivitieswillbelimitedto10.Additionalpho-tos(upto50)canbesenttotheHomeOfficeforuploadingtoyourDistrictwebpage.IfyoudonothaveanactivewebpagepleasecontacttheHomeOfficetofindouthow

youmayusethisvaluabletooltoreachyourmembersandshareyourgoodnews!

Memorialsreceivedwillbelimitedto125-150wordsandasmallphoto.Atthediscretionoftheeditorsomeexceptionsmaybemade!

Photo Limits FoR PUBLiCAtioN

TheChicagoAnnaHurbanDistrict hosted its annualscholarshipawardsluncheonforitseighteenChicagoDistrictScholarshipwinnersandtheirguestsonSaturday,June28,2014attheEuropeanChaletinChicago,IL.TheDistrictandBranchOfficersandmemberscongratulatedthescholarshipwinnersontheirscholasticachievements.MaryThereseTy-lus,AnnaHurbanDistrictofChicagoPresident,reportedthatforthe2014-2015ScholarshipProgram,theFirstCatholicSlovakLadiesAssociationawardedtoitsmembersfromfirstgrade through and including graduate school the amount of $254,500ofwhich$19,500wenttoeighteenChicagoDistrictmemberscomprisingoffourelementary,fourhighschool,andtencollegestudentswiththecollegestudentsrangingfromfreshmantosenioryear.Theeighteenscholarshipwin-nersare:EvanJ.Jurcenko(J96),NathanielA.Anglin(J106),SarahI.Braun(J106),NoahP.Clements(J106),WilliamJ.

Anna Hurban District of Chicago Holds Annual Scholarship Awards Luncheon

Chicago district scholarship Winners — l-r: hunter T. Priesol (s258), richard l. strache (s421), Jessica l. Kudia (s485), Maryssa l. Gosnell (s181) and emily Ann sliazas (s421).

District Officers and Scholarship Winners: Back Row, L-R: richard l. strache (s421), hunter T. Priesol (s258), Jessica l. Kudia (s485) and Maryssa l. Gosnell (s181); front row, l-r: Judy Tybor-Knizner - dist. VP, Carol rosenthal - dist. Treasurer, emily Ann sliazas (s421), Mary Therese Tylus - dist. President, Jarmila hlubocky - dist. financial secretary, lorraine Gibas - district recording secretary and dr. fay hlubocky - dist. Auditor.

Rome(J308),HannahEliseBrannigan(J339),RebeccaA.Valek(J382),MartinA.Szuck(S46),JenniferA.Michuda(S180),Maryssa L.Gosnell (S181),AlbertMartinez, Jr.(S181),JessicaM.Miksanek(S181),ThomasE.Kucinsky(S225),HunterT.Priesol(S258),JustinR.Lizalek(S287),EmilyAnnSliazas(S421),RichardL.Strache(S421),andJessicaL.Kudia(S485)

AstheawardeesinattendancewerecalleduptoreceivetheircertificatefromtheDistrict,ashortfamilyandscholasticbiography informing theattendeesof theirschool,grade/year,favoritesubjectsandotherinformationofinterestwasreadaloud.

TheChicagoDistrictisproudofallourscholarshipwin-nersandwishesthemcontinuedsuccessintheirstudies.(Toseeadditionalphotosfromthiseventgoto:http://www.fcsla.org/district/chicago/gallery.php)

JANUARY2015 11

12 ŽENSKÁJEDNOTA

TheHelenKocanDistrictofIndianahostedaSt.Ann’sDayCelebrationalongwithmembersof theChicagoandMilwaukeeDistrictsatSt.MichaeltheArchangelChurchinSchererville,IN.

Guestswerewelcomedat10:00a.m.withaMeetandGreethourintheparishbanquethall,enjoyinganassort-mentofrollsandcoffeeastheyrenewedoldfriendships,bringingeveryoneuptodatesincethelastSt.Ann’sDayayearago.Thishour,washighlightedbythearrivaloftheNationalOfficers,PresidentCynthiaMaleski,SecretarySueAnnSeich,ChaplainMonsignorPeterPolandoandAuditorKatieEsterle.

At11:00a.m.MonsignorPolandoconcelebratedMasswithFatherMartinDobrzynski,Pastorofthisparish.Achoirmadeup ofmembers of FCSLABranches 452, 81, 389and409 sangSlovak andEnglish songsappropriate fortheMass.TheyouthofFCSLAwerealsorepresentedbyBriannaScivinsky(S81),whoservedasCantorandElliottBebat(J452),whobeautifullysangthe“AveMaria”atthe

Helen Kocan District Hosts St. Ann’s Day CelebrationendofMass.MichaelMarkovich(J58)servedasaltarboy.ThegiftswerepresentedbyPresidentMaleski,SecretarySeich andHelen KocanDistrict Vice-President JoAnnSkvarek-Banvich.

AfterMass,theguestsretiredbacktotheBanquetHallwhereHelenKocanDistrictPresident,MargaretAbilduaaskedMonsignorPolandotosaytheInvocationbeforeenjoy-ingadeliciousluncheon,servedbythecatereroftheparish.Afterlunchtheguestsenjoyedtheeloquentpresentationof“wordsofwisdom”fromPresidentMaleski,SecretarySeichandMonsignorPolando,allofwhomansweredquestionspertainingtothepresentandfutureofourorganization.Afterafewhoursofentertainingexchangesofexperiences,hu-morousandotherwise,betweentheofficersandmembers,manyraffleprizeswereawardedbyDorothyHoover.

AllattendingmembersofIndiana,ChicagoandMilwaukeeDistrictsagreedthatthisSt.Ann’sDayCelebrationwasmostsuccessfulandenjoyablebecauseoftheattendanceofourNationalOfficers.

Members of the special choir for the Mass.

Brianna Scivinsky (S81), can-tor at Mass.

elliott bebat (J452), soloist at Mass.

JANUARY2015 13

Outdoor Prayer Gardens Provide Peaceful Place to Focus on God

AtOurLadyofProvidenceinCrestwood,17-year-oldparishionerandVian-neyHighSchoolsenior—FCSLASt.LouisSr.Branch101—NickUxadesignedaRosarygardentohonorOurLady.HegottheideafromafriendwhotoldhimaboutanoutdoorRosaryshehadseenatanotherparish.

“WehavealittleforestbehindtheplaygroundthatI’vebeeninvolvedintry-ingtofixupforanumberofyears,”Nicksaid.“IthoughtwecouldhaveaRosarygardenrighttherewithastatueinthemiddleofit.”

Nickgotapprovalforthegardenintheearlymonthsof2014andhasworkedonthegardenthroughouttheyear.

Nowitwillservetheparishasaplaceforteacherstotakestudentsonnicedays,forlivingrosaries—orjustaquietplacetopraybeforethestatueofOurLadyofFatimathatstandsinthecenterofthegarden.

Thegardenisitselfarosary,witheachbeadmadeoutofapieceofhardenedandsealedtreetrunk.Thedecadebeadsareconcrete,eachwithadifferentsym-bol,onebeingtheSacredHeart,andanother,thelogoofOurLadyofProvidenceparish.FourmumssurroundthestatueofOurLadyofFatima,adifferentcolorrepresentingfourmysteriesoftherosary.

Nickrecommendsbuildingthegardenaroundatheme.“Incorporatesymbolismasmuchasyoucan,”hesaid.“Builditwhereyouknowotherpeoplearegoingtobeabletouseit.”

national Chaplain Monsignor Peter Polando, helen Kocan district Vice-President JoAnn Skvarek-Banvich.

national President Cynthia Maleski and national President sue Ann seich.

national Auditor Katie esterle with her family.

FCSLAS44andJ112ofMt.Pleasant,PAansweredthe2014AppealofNationalPresident,CynthiaMaleskitohonorSaintPopeJohnPaul II andSaintPopeJohnXXIIIwithsupportfororganizationsthatassistwomentochooselifeandsupportdisadvantagedchildren.ThegroupdonatedtoAlternativesYes,agroupthatempowerswomentochooselife.Theirmissionstatement istohelpthosefacingpreg-nancyandtoprovidelifeaffirmingservicesthatprotectandenhance their loves, their children, and their families through pregnancyandbeyond.

AlternativesYes is located inConnellsville, PA andservesFayetteandWestmorelandCounties.

l-r: elizabeth butler, recording secretary; Agnes farcosky, Financial Secretary; Andrea Pritts, Manager for Alternatives Yes; and loretta hunker, Treasurer.

Branches 44 and 112 Makes Donation to Alternatives Yes Organization

14 ŽENSKÁJEDNOTA

Matching Funds activities

branch W016Autumn brunch

BranchW016 fromBrainard,NE held a successfulmatching fundactivity, anAutumnBrunchonAugust 26,2014intheBrainardLegionHallforthebenefitoftheBrain-ardAreaCommunityClub.BranchW016andCommunityClubmembersenjoyedworkingtogethertoserve123peopleadeliciousbreakfastofsoufflés,hashbrowns,fruitcup,freshbakery,anddrinks.

W016 members Tom Pesek and Jerry Meister unload supplies for the brunch.

W016 treasurer, Carolyn Dvorak, and Brainard Community Club members Gretchen Pesek and Mary Ann Kubic are ready to serve.

People enjoying the August 26, 2014 brunch sponsored by FCSLA Branch W016 for the benefit of the Brainard Area Community Club.

fCslA branch W016 members Jerry Meister, Tom Pesek and Mary Lou Meister and Community Club officers Joyce Novak and Vern Dvorak prepare the “Split the Pot” raffle. A separate raffle prize, a quilt was donated by the Brainard Holy Trinity Quilters.

branch W016fresh bakery and Garden Produce sale

BranchW016heldasuccessfulmatchingfundsactiv-ityforthebenefitofHolyTrinityParishCouncilofCatholicWomenonOctober12,2014.BranchW016andthePCCWmembersprovidedanexcellentvarietyoffreshbakeryand

gardenproduce.Pictured are

Mary LouMeis-ter,BranchW016President, Eliza-bethPelanandJillReinsch, PCCWPresident.

T h e B a k eSale was wel lreceived by the

Brainard,NEarea residentsandwasheld inconjunctionwithanotherparishevent.

  

JANUARY2015 15

Matching Funds activities

sr. branch 65bon-Ton Community day

OnFebruary28-March1,2014,Sr.Branch65sponsoredaBon-TonCommunityDayMatchingFundsProjectfortheMagdalenI.IskraDistrictEducationalFund.

sr. branch 65st. nicholas Parish bazaar

Sr.Branch65held aMatchingFundsevent on July17-18,2014bysettingupadisplayfortheBountifulBasketBoothfortheSt.NicholasParishBazaar.Thebasketwasahugesuccessandwasthesecondlargestmoneymakerforthisparishevent.

Shownsettingup thedisplay fromL-R:JoAnnKline-smith,Branch065PresidentandAnnDougher,Branch065Secretary/Treasurer.

l-r: Magdalen iskra, district President; Martha iskra, district Treasurer; Renata Evans and her sons Philip and Alek.

l-r: nancy balent, s065; Ann dougher, district Auditor, sec-retary/Treasurer, s065; Anna hudock, district secretary; and Mary Migatulski, district Trustee.

  

branch W080fall fest Country store

BranchW080(Clarkson,NE)waspleasedtohelpoutattheirparish’sannualFallFestonSeptember28,2014bysponsoringtheCountryStore,wheremembersandparish-ionersdonatedgardenproduce,bakeditemsandcannedgoods.The store took in over $1,200, so the successfulmatchingfundsprojectenabledthebranchtomakeasize-abledonationtotheFallFestAccount.

Marie and Bill Gall oversee some of the bounty of delicious food at the Country store of the Parish fall fest.

  

16 ŽENSKÁJEDNOTA

PAULINE T. JOHNSTON, S9Paulinewas born in Cleveland,OH on

October5,1925andwenthometotheLordonAugust6,2014.ShemovedtoSt.JoeBeach,FLin1994tobewithhertwodaughters.PaulinewasprecededindeathbyherparentsJohnandJohannaMacik,nieceKimberlyRace(Beaulieu),ex-husbandHowardL. Johnston,andson-in-lawDennisD.Calvarese.She is survivedbyherdaughtersDeborahArmstrong (Rick)and

JanetCalvarese;sisterDottieRace(Richard)andnephewMarkRace (June) fromTempe,AZ; threegrandchildren; threegreat-grandchildren;onegreat-nieceandonegreat-nephew;fourgreat-greatniecesandonegreat-greatnephew.Hergreat-grandkidskeptheryoung,shesaid,thatandcookingforeveryone!Shewasanavidreaderandyouwouldalwaysfindabookinherhand,purse,andbedsidetable!

THEODORE C. STEPANSKI, S522TheodorepassedawayonDecember26,

2013.Lovinghusbandfor57yearstoMaryJo(neePaul);devotedfatherofDr.Gregory(Sue),Douglas andTimothy; dear grandfather of 5;and kind uncle tomany.Tedgraduated fromCathedralLatinHighSchoolwhereheletteredinbaseballandthenwentontoWesternReserveUniversity and graduatedwith a Bachelor’s

degree.HewasaWWIINavyVeteranandheworkedinsalesfor40yearswiththeBissettSteelCo.HewasalsoamemberofPineRidgeCountryClub.Tedenjoyedgolf,socialbridgegamesandmusic.MemorialcontributionsmaybeforwardedtotheNationalMultipleSclerosisSociety,OhioBuckeyeChapter,6155RocksideRoad,Independence,OH44131.

AGNES M. KERESTAN, S464AgnesM.Kerestan,87,ofCreighton,PA,passedawaySep-

tember26,2014.ShewasbornMarch25,1927, inCreighton,daughterofthelatePaulandAgnes(Chus)Suschak.AgneslivedherentirelifeinCreighton.ShewasamemberofHolyFamilyRo-manCatholicChurch,Creighton,andCatholicDaughtersoftheAmericas,TarentumCourt,whereshewasapastRegent.ShewasalsoamemberofChristianMothersLadiesGuildofherchurchandCatholicDaughtersoftheAmericas,NatronaCourtPrice.ShegraduatedfromEastDeerHighSchoolin1944andwasanavidcardplayer.Survivorsincludeherchildren,GloriaJ.(Gabriel)KisselJr.,LowerBurrell,JosephKerestan,Huntingdon,Lorraine(John)LewisandAudrey(Steven)Czwalga,bothofLowerBurrell,andDiana(David)Dvorabic,Monroeville;10grandchildrenandonegreat-grandchild.Alsosurvivingisabrother,Paul(Flora)Suschak,Birmingham,AL.Besidesherparents,shewasprecededindeathbyherhusbandof67years,JosephKerestan;onebrother,andfivesisters.

LINDA M. BROOKS, W086LindaMarieBrooks,61,thedaughterofHarveyHenryZach

andMaryRosalie (Sterba)Zach,wasbornOctober 8, 1952 in

Belleville,KSandpassedawayAugust18,2014inTopeka,KS.LindagrewupinMundenandattendedthelocalpublicschools,graduatingfromBellevilleHighSchoolin1970.ShethenattendedMarymountCollege inSalina,KS.ShebeganemploymentwithSouthwesternBell,laterA.T.&T.,atSalina,KS,transferringtotheTopekaofficesin1987.Shestartedasanoperatorandwaslateran internet communication consultant, retiring in 2009after 31yearsofservice.OnJuly2,1994atTopeka,KS,shewasunitedinmarriagetoCraigBrooks.ThecouplemadetheirhomeinAuburn,KS.Lindawasprecededindeathbyherparents,HarveyandMaryZach.Sheissurvivedbyherhusband,CraigBrooksofAuburn,KS;fourbrothers:onesister;numerousniecesandnephews,otherrelativesandmanyfriends.

JOHN J. BALOGA, S157John J. Baloga, 57,Wilkes-Barre, PA

passed intoeternal lifeunexpectedlyJuly17,2014,athisresidence.BornOctober11,1956,inWilkes-Barre,hewasasonofthelateJohnT.andHelenNehrebeckiBaloga.EducatedinthecityschoolsJohnfurtheredhiseducationbyattainingaBAdegreeincommunicationsfromKing’sCollege.Heearnedhismaster’sdegreeincityplanningfromtheUniversityofColorado.HeservedtwoyearsintheU.S.PeaceCorps

inTogo,WestAfrica.HepreviouslyworkedasaplannerfortheBoroughofFortyFortandtheCommonwealthofPennsylvania.CurrentlyhewasemployedasaneducatorbytheWilkes-BarreAreaSchoolDistrict.HeattendedSt.AndreBessetteParish.Inadditiontohisparents,Johnwasprecededindeathbyabrotherin1984.Survivingarehissister,Mrs.MargueriteM.Ryanandherhusband,Dr.WilliamJ.Ryan,Jr.,Conshohocken;twonephews,oneniece;threegrandnephews;severalcousinsandfriends.

JUDY NEDVED, W051JudyA.Nedved,66,ofGarner,IA,passed

awayonNovember2,2014.ThedaughterofClifford andDeloris (Paul) Nelson, shewasbornJanuary18,1948inRushCity,MN.SheattendedschoolatNorthBranch,MNwhereshegraduatedfromhighschoolin1966.Afterhighschool,shemovedtoCaliforniawhereshemetherfirsthusband.Tothisunionthreedaughterswereborn.ShewasamemberofSt.Boniface

CatholicChurchwhereshewasanorganistformanyyears.JudyalsowasamemberandpastofficeroftheGarnerWomen’sGolfAs-sociation.Judyissurvivedbyherhusband,Jerry,ofGarner;threedaughters,Molly (Chad)SchaefferofFortDodge,Katie (Chad)PetersonofAnkenyandAnnie(Chris)GreensladeofAdel;elevengrandchildren,twobrothers,hermother-in-law,DorothyNedvedofGarner;threebrothers-in-law;andmanyniecesandnephews.Shewasprecededindeathbyherparents;andaninfantson,Brian.

JOSEPH A. MARTONIK, S90JosephA.Martonik,95,ofMcKeesRocks,PA,diedonAugust

21,2014.Belovedhusbandof the lateMary “Renee”Martonik;loving father ofSandra (Richard)Sebulakand Joseph (Kathie)

JANUARY2015 17

Email your Wedding, Anniversary and Birthday Announcements! zjbazik@comcast.net

Martonik;proudgrandfatheroffive;adoringgreat-grandfatherofeleven;brotherofAlbert,HelenandJosephine;alsosurvivedbyniecesandnephews.JoewasemployedbyGordonTerminalSer-viceforover35yearsasasupervisor.HewasoneofthefoundingmembersofSt.Mark’sChurchinMcKeesRocks.HewasamemberofMcKeesRocksVFWPost418andalsoaproudveteranofWWIIservingintheSouthPacificasaStaffSergeant.

JOSEPH OROS, S553JosephOros,Sr.,87,ofParma,OH,born

inKosickaNovaVes,Slovakia,passedawayonAugust22,2014.BelovedhusbandofJohanna(neeVihonsky);lovingfatherofDonna,Joseph,ThomasandthelateMark;dearestgrandfatherofMatthewandVictoria;dearbrotherofMargitaJanockova,AlzbetaPonevskyandthelateMar-chaLengyelova.Survivedbymanyniecesand

nephewsbothhereandinSlovakia.HewasaretiredU.S.PostalServiceemployee;aVeteranU.S.ArmyKoreanConflict.AmemberofCatholicWarVeteransPost1812,AmericanLegionPost559,theFirstCatholicSlovakLadiesAssociationandFirstCatholicSlovakUnion.Hewaswillingtohelpanyoneatanytime.HeplayedbingowiththeveteransattheVAhospitalalongwithhiswife;placedover200flagsonveteransgravesatCalvaryCemetery;helpedwithJoinHandsDayatLightofHeartsVilla,andattendedtheirannualChristmasPartyforresidents.JoehadabeautifulsingingvoiceandlovedtosinginbothItalianandSlovak.

ANDREW “A.J.” T. JANOSKO, S153Andrew “A.J.”T. Janosko, passed away

unexpectedlyonJune23,2014, from injuriessustainedinaterriblefallwhilevacationingwithhisfamilyinSeaside,FL.Hewas45.A.J.wasraisedinFarrell,PAandwasa1986graduateofFarrellHighSchool,wherehewasafour-yearlettermanfortheFarrellSteelersvolleyballteam.Hegraduated fromGeorgeMasonUniversitywherehestillholdstherecordformostindividual

assistsandattendedonavolleyballscholarship.HewasemployedatPMMI,Reston,VA,astheirDirectorofExposition.Inthewakeofhisuntimelydeath,A.J.wasanorgandonor.Hisgenerosityandselflessnesshashelped tosavefiveothers’ lives.HebelongedtoSt.JamesCatholicChurchinFallsChurch.Heissurvivedbyhiswifeof11years,theformerTracyBarrett,twosons,Andrew(9)andJackson (7);hisparents,AndrewandDoloresJanoskoofFarrell;abrotherand twosisters. In lieuofflowers,memo-rialcontributionsinhismemory,totheA.J.JanoskoEducationTrust,tobenefitthefutureeducationofhissons,onlineatwww.ajjanoskoeducationtrust.org.

RAYMOND M. KOSTAL, W093Raymond“Ray”Kostal,86ofTabor,SDpassedawayAugust

30,2014inYankton,SD.RaywasborntoFrankandMarie(Bys-tricky)KostalonSeptember29,1927.HegraduatedfromTyndallHighSchool.Heservedinthe16thSignalBattalionoftheU.S.ArmyinKoreawherehewasawardedtwobronzeservicestarsandaUnitedNationsServicemedal.HemarriedMarleneBenesonJune

22,1953.Togethertheyraisedthreechildren.Heenjoyedplayingtrumpetandwasinvolvedwithseverallocalbands.HewasproudofhisCzechheritageandamemberofSt.WenceslausParish.Rayissurvivedbyhiswifeof61years,Marlene(Benes)Kostal,daughter,Kay(Jim)FillausofLesterville,SD,son,Jerry(Elaine)KostalofTyndall,SD,daughter,Ann(Todd)ChurchofGrants,NM;sister,FlorenceSuteraofTyndall,SD,and9grandchildren;sevengreat-grandchildrenandsixniecesandnephews.Raywaspre-cededindeathbyhisparents,FrankandMarie(Bystricky)Kostal.

EUGENE E. “GENE” DONNELLY, S7EugeneE. “Gene”Donnelly, 90, passed

awayAugust 19, 2014 in Streator, IL. BornJune15,1924inOttumwa,IA,hewasthesonofVanandDora(Sprain)Donnelly.HemarriedMargaretMarySoltisonAugust22,1951atSt.Stephen’sChurch,Streator.SheprecededhimindeathonMarch4,2007.Heissurvivedbyadaughter,Kathleen (Tim)SullivanofStreator;sons,Michael(Mary)DonnellyofBloomington

andRichard(Christine)DonnellyofNormal;sevengrandchildren,asister-in-law;brother-in-law;manynieces,nephewsandgreat-niecesandnephews.Hewasprecededindeathbyhisparents;sisters,FrancesHill,AnnaHill,DorothyBrewerandasister,Marieininfancy;andbrothers,George,RobertandRichardDonnelly.HeservedintheUnitedStatesArmyduringWWIIfrom1943until1946.HeworkedasameatcutterforBuehler’sMarketforover40years.HewasamemberoftheMeatCutter’sUnion.HewasamemberoftheformerSt.Stephen’sChurchandcurrentlybelongedtoSt.MichaeltheArchangelParish.Memorialsmaybedirectedtothecharityofthedonor’schoice.

MILO JEDLICKA, W040MiloJedlickawasbornFebruary11,1924,

andpassedawayinDecember2013.Hegradu-ated fromSchuylerHighSchool in 1943.HevoluntarilydraftedintotheNavyinMarch1945.Miloserved in thePacificTheateronseveralsupplyshipslandinginTokyoBay,Japan.Fol-lowinghismilitaryservice,Milofarmedwithhisfather.OnSeptember12,1950,MilomarriedDonnette Tuma at Presentation Church in

Marietta(Bellwood).Thecouplelivedonthefarmofhisparentsfor50years,retiringtoSchuyler,NEin2000.Helovedfarming,hisanimals,especiallyhisdogSandy,planting treesandespe-ciallyhispolkamusic.MilowasamemberofSt.Mary’sCatholicChurch.MiloissurvivedbyhiswifeDonnette,sonsMiloJ.,DanielandMelvin(Kris);daughtersJoAnn(Jim)OgierandShirley(Tim)Vrana;threegrandchildren;twostep-grandchildren;twostep-great-grandchildren;sisterMarieKraclofO’Neill;niecesandnephews.Milowasprecededindeathbyhisparents,brother-in-lawNormanKraclandnephewSteveKracl.

18 ŽENSKÁJEDNOTA

FCSLA EXECUTIVE FINANCE COMMITTEE second Quarterly Meeting — August 20, 2014

CAll To order/PrAYerPresidentCynthiaM.Maleski called themeeting to order

at10:00a.m.at theHomeOffice,Beachwood,Ohio.PresidentMaleskicalleduponourNationalChaplain,Msgr.PeterM.Polandotoopenthemeetingwithprayerandrememberalldeceasedbranchofficersinourprayer.

oPeninG businessroll Call

SecretarySueAnnM.Seichwasaskedtocalltheroll.Mem-berspresentwere:

Msgr.PeterM.Polando Chaplain(ConferenceCall)CynthiaM.Maleski PresidentIreneJ.Drotleff VicePresidentSueAnnM.Seich SecretaryStephenC.Hudak TreasurerJohnM.Janovec Trustee VirginiaA.Holmes Trustee

Approval of AgendaPresidentMaleskiaskedtoincludeanagendaitem.Shewould

liketodiscusstheroleofthevariouscommittees,boardofdirectorsandmanagingofficersregardingdonations.ItwasdecidedtoadditunderUnfinishedBusiness.

VicePresidentIreneJ.DrotleffmovedanditwassecondedbyTrusteeVirginiaA.Holmes toapprove theagendawithoneadditionalitem.

MoTion AdoPTedApproval of Minutes – May 28, 2014

Msgr. Polandomoved and itwas seconded byTreasurerStephenC.Hudak toaccept theminutesaspresented forMay28,2014.

VicePresidentDrotleffmadeacommentthatthenamesoftheofficersshouldbeconsistentthroughtheminutes.SecretarySeichrespondedthatthecommentwasmadeanddiscussedpreviously.Themembersofthecommitteeagreedthatthefirsttimeacommentormotionismadebyacommitteemembertheircompletenamewillbewritten.Subsequentusageofaperson’snameasrecordedintheminuteswillincludetitleandlastnameonly.

MoTion AdoPTed

PresidenT’s CoMMenTsPresidentMaleskireportedonthefollowing:

Bylaws Revision CommitteePresidentMaleski reported that after our boardmeeting in

Junewhentheproposalwashandedoutvariouscommentsweremadeneedingclarification.PresidentMaleskiconductedseveralconferencecallswiththechairoftheBylawsRevisionCommitteeand legalcounsel.These three individualsdecided toscheduleaconferencecall includingthechairof thefivesub-committeesonJuly29,2014.Uponconclusionofthisconferencecallitwasdecided to schedule a full committee meeting to discuss several importantitemsandissuesonAugust14,2014.Thecommitteemetanddiscussedimplementationdates.ThesedatesalongthatwithotherpertinentinformationwillbesentoutbytheNationalSecretarythirtydayspriortotheSpecialConvention.Thedistrictrepresen-tativessharedwhattheyreportedattheirdistrictmeetings.Theyalsosharedfeedbacktheyreceivedfromtheirdistrictmembers. Special Convention

PresidentMaleskireportedthattheconventioncallhasgone

outandseveralmeetingshavetakenplacewiththeparliamentar-ian.Shediscussedthescheduleforthedaysoftheconvention.Aonepageblockedschedulewillbemailedineachofthedelegate’spacketalongwithotherpertinentinformation.PresidentMaleskistated that time has been set aside on the schedule for a parlia-mentaryproceduresessionandaninstructionsessiononhowtousetheelectronicdevicesforvoting.Msgr.Polandoreportedonthereligiousschedule.hr Consulting firm

PresidentMaleski reported that twohuman resource firmswereinterviewedinJune.TheManagingOfficershavedecidedtocontractZieleniecConsulting,LLCtoperformtheinitialevaluation.NanZieleniecownsthefirmandhas30yearsofcorporatehumanresourceleadershipexperience.sales Agent

PresidentMaleskidiscussedthepossibilityofhiringacaptiveagentfortheAssociation.Committeememberscommentedanddis-cussedthepossibilities.Wewillaccesstheprosandconsafteraskingtheboardmembersandotherpertinentindividualstheircomments.Office Personnel

Adiscussionconcerningpositionsthatarecurrentlyopenatthehomeofficetookplace.Committeemembersaskedseveralquestionsof how theworkwasbeinghandledwith the currentstaff.TreasurerHudakandSecretarySeichansweredtheirques-tionsanddiscussedthecurrentsituation.SeveralquestionswillbediscussedwiththeHRconsultant.sales department

PresidentMaleskiaddressedthecurrentsalesreports.Shereported on results of several of the completed campaigns and discussedthecampaignsforthedurationoftheyear.Shestatedseveral trainingsessionshavebeencompletedandanannuitytrainingpackethasbeenmailedoutorpresentedtoallagentsandlicensedrecommenders.Agency sales force

PresidentMaleskireportedthatwearebeginningtoevaluateouragencysalesforce,anditwilltakesometimetocompletethisevaluation.OurnationalSalesManager,PatrickBraunwillbeattheHomeOfficenextweektodiscussthepossibilities.new branches

PresidentMaleskistatedthatweareontargettoopenfournewbranchesthisyear.WehavetwonewbranchesscheduledtobeopeninSeptember.WeopenedanewbranchinFreemont,NEearlierthisyear.Wehavethreeotherareasofpossibilitiesofopeninganewbranch,KansasCity,RhodeIslandandNebraska.KellyShedlock,Fraternal&YouthDirector, and several agentshavebeenworkingveryhard.Anotherareaofourstrategicplanisbeing representedatethnicand religious festivals.PresidentMaleskihandedoutanexcerptfromourFraternal&YouthDirec-tor’sweeklyreportstatingwherewewillhaverepresentationatupcomingevents.

Supplement #1 strategic Plan update

PresidentMaleskireportedthatwehavedevelopedareportingprocessthatMarieGolias,ExecutiveAssistant,andJayneNeelon,ExecutiveSecretary,willupdatefortheboardmembers,informingthemwhereweareintheprocessateveryboardmeeting.Thisprocesswilleliminatelengthydiscussionsandallowmoretimeforimportantdecisions.

JANUARY2015 19

national President’s Annual AppealLetterswentouttoallthebrancheswiththecause,“Protect-

ingOurChildren”, for this year.This year’s appealwill identifyandsupportcentersandsocialservicesworkingwithlowincomefamilieswhoarestartingoutandneedassistancewithbasicdailyneedsastheymoveforwardintheirlives.ThedeadlineformakingdonationsisOctober31,2014.

items of interestPresidentMaleskireportedthatGailNaughton,Directorofthe

NationalCzechandSlovakMuseuminCedarRapids,IAvisitedthehomeoffice.AnothervisitorwasCliffCross,oneofoursalesagentsfromKansas.

AllthreemanagingofficersrepresentedourAssociationattheNationalSlovakSocietyConvention.

Msgr.Polando,SecretarySeich andPresidentMaleski at-tendedtheSt.Anne’sDaycelebrationinIndiana.

PresidentMaleskishared thatseveralboardmembersandemployeesattendedthe91stSlovakDaycelebrationatKennywoodParkinPittsburgh,PA.Thisyear’scelebrationhonoredthepriestsandsisterscelebratingtheirjubilees.Therewere22priestsinat-tendanceandtwobishops.

2014 Independent Comparative ReportPresidentMaleski discussed this comparative report and

pointed out information of FCSLA’s strength and stability.ThisreportcontainskeyfinancialratiosderivedfromannualstatementsasofDecember31,2013andwaspreparedbyanindependentcompany,StandardAnalyticalService.

Ashortrecesswastaken.

seCond session exeCuTiVe finAnCe CoMMiTTee

August 20th, 2014

Meeting was reconvened at 12:15 p.m.

PresidenT’s CoMMenTsohio department of insurance

PresidentMaleskiinformedthecommitteemembersthatthemanagingofficershavemadecontactwithindividualsattheOhioDepartmentof Insurance.Ameetandgreet isbeingscheduledduringtheweekofSeptember9th,2014toestablishcontactandintroducethemanagingofficers.

TreAsurer’s rePorT

reports PresentedTreasurerHudakpresentedadetailedFinancialStatement

Overview,an IncomeStatementAnalysisandaBalanceSheetAnalysisforthesecondquarterof2014.Heansweredquestionsfromcommitteemembers.

Supplement #2

Annuity Reserves by ProductTreasurerHudakdiscussedareportonourannuityreserves

byproduct.Hestatedthatthereportwasasummaryofthepastthreeyearsincludingthepasttwoquartersof2014.Heexplainedindetailsomeofthestatisticsonthereport.Hewillpresentthisreport at our committee meetings and also at the board of direc-torsmeeting.

Supplement #3

InvestmentsTreasurerHudakpresentedareportonAcquiredSecurities

throughthesecondquarterof2014.Severalquestionsweread-dressed.

Supplement #4

Second Quarter Budget vs. Actual 2014TreasurerHudakpresentedadetailedoverviewofthesecond

quarterof2014budgetvs.actual.Hediscussedandexplainedseveralbudgetedlineitems.

Supplement #5

2014 life and Annuity salesTreasurerHudakdiscussedseparatereportsonthelifeand

annuitysalesforthisyear.Committeemembersquestioned,dis-cussedandmadesuggestionsonlifeandannuitysales.

Supplement # 6 and #7

Peer Group ComparisonAfinancialcomparativereportwithstatisticsandratiosfrom

ourpeerfraternalsocietieswaspresentedanddiscussedbyTrea-surerHudak.Membersofthecommitteehadseveralquestionsoncertainstatistics.

FCSLA 2015 Budget vs. Actual as of 6/30/2014TreasurerHudakdiscussedindetailseveralsignificantfigures

inthisreport.Severalquestionsbroughtonahealthydiscussion.CommitteemembersdiscussedthepossibilitiesofthemembershipchangeattheSpecialConvention.

Supplement #8

Dividend for 2015 TreasurerHudakdiscussedthedividendfor2015.Treasurer

HudakmovedandVicePresidentDrotleffsecondedthattheEx-ecutiveFinanceCommitteerecommendtotheboardofdirectorsthattheAssociationpay50%ofthedividendbaseforthe2015dividendsonalleligiblecertificatesthathavebeeninforcefortwoyearsormoreprovidedallduepremiumshavebeenpaidtothecertificateanniversaryofthedividendpayment.

MoTion AdoPTed

neW businessAnnuity Interest Yield – October 1, 2014 – December 31, 2014

TreasurerHudakmovedandTrusteeJanovecsecondedthattheExecutiveFinanceCommittee recommend to theBoard ofDirectors that for the3.5%and4.5%guaranteedannuities, theannualyieldremaintheminimumguaranteedrateofeachannuitycontract,forthefourthquarter,effectiveOctober1,2014throughDecember31,2014.

MoTion AdoPTeddonations

PresidentMaleskibroughtupfordiscussionthevariousrolesofallcommitteeswithregardstoprocessingdonations.ItwasdecidedthattheExecutiveFinanceCommitteetablethediscussionuntilthePhilanthropic&ScholarshipCommitteemetlaterthisafternoon.

Meeting dates for 20144thQuarterlyMeeting–November19,2014

Adjournment Msgr.PolandomovedanditwassecondedbyTrusteeHolmes

toadjournthemeeting.Meetingadjournedwithaprayer ledbyMsgr.Polando.

MoTion AdoPTed

ATTEST:Cynthia M. Maleski, Presidentsue Ann M. seich, secretary Msgr. Peter M. Polando, Chaplainstephen C. hudak, Treasurerirene J. drotleff, Vice PresidentJohn M. JanovecVirginia A. holmes

20 ŽENSKÁJEDNOTA

We Want to Hear From You!• Did your children, grandchildren receive special

awards or achievements in school?• Baptisms? Confirmations? New Members?• Participated in Volunteer and Community

Projects?

If they are members of the FCSLA please send us a photo and short article

about their special achievements!

OnNovember2,2014,fourmembersoftheRoccofamilytookpartinthe24thannualSlovakHeritageFestivalattheUniversityofPittsburgh.doMiniC, AnTonin and ChiArA roCCodancedandsangasmembersof thePittsburghAreaSlovaks(PAS)alongwithbigsister,silVAnA,whoalsoplayedhercello.Silvana,Dominic,AntoninandChiaraareallmembersofJr.Branch126.

KYlie JeAn VilCeK (J11) celebrated her FirstHolyCommuniononMay3,2104 at St. Dominic SavioParish in St. Louis, MO.FatherPaulRothschild andDeacon John Beckmanncelebrated the special Mass withthechildren.AfterMass,Kylie and her family andfriends gathered at her home for brunch and to celebrate herspecialday.KylieattendsGatewayScienceAcademyandisinvolvedinGirlScouts,soccer,basketball,andsoft-ball. She is a big sister toherbrotherDanielandhelpsMomaroundthehousewithdifferenttasks.

Branch W001 Bowling PartyBranchW001inNewPrague,MNheldabowling

partyfortheirmembersonSunday,November2ndatStrikeForceBowlinNewPrague.Youthmembersandtheirfamiliesenjoyedtheafternoonbowlingandweretreatedtopizzaandpop.

  

JANUARY2015 21

Branch W137 Halloween PartyFCSLABranchW137(CedarRapids,IA)heldafamily

HalloweenPartyonSunday,October19,2014from4to6p.m.intheSt.LudmilaGym.Prizesandcandyweregiventoallincostume.Dinnerfollowed.

The scholarshipwinners of Sr. Branch 161 and Jr.Branch192werehonoredatadinnerinAugustatTheGal-leryCateringCenter,Hubbard,OH.SixoftheBranches’eightwinnerswerepresent.BranchPresidentVirginiaDeLucaintroducedthewinnerswhospokebrieflyabouttheschooltheywereattending,extracurricularactivitiesandgoalstheyhadsetforthemselves.

L-R Melanie Leonard, Treasurer; Ryan Gavalier, Virginia De-luca, President; Joel Zaluski, Kyle bahmer, leanne Chandler, Magen Petty, bernadette demechko, financial secretary; nancy Clausen and loretta ekoniak, Auditors.

Scholarship Winners Honored by Sr. Branch 61 and Jr. Branch 192

United Slovak Fraternals4th Annual Bowling Tournament

May 1-3, 2015 ~ Eastway Lanes, Erie, PAenTries Close MArCh 6, 2015

enTrY fees oPTionAl eVenTsPrizeFee.......................$ 7.00 AllEvents......................$ 3.00BowlingFee(3games)..$ 8.00 TournamentFee............$ 3.00 bAnQueT feeTotal Each Event ......... $18.00 Member........................ $25.00

fridAY: Teams Event—OpeningCeremoniestobeginat5:45pmwithteameventsstartingat6:00pmand8:30pmatEastwayLanesinErie,PA.Hospitality Night — HospitalityNightbeginningat6:00pmatEast-wayLanesinErie,PA.Enjoyfood,refreshments,andsocializing.Hotel — HiltonGardenInnandCourtyardbyMarriottofErie,PAwillbehousingourguestsfortheweekend.Thephonenumberstothehotelareprovidedbelow.Thehotelsareconnectedbyaconventioncenter.YoumustidentifyyourselfasamemberofUnited Slovak fraternalstoreceivethegrouprate:$119/night(plustax)

Deadline for hotel reservations is April 1. hilton Garden inn Courtyard by Mariott (50rooms) (25rooms) 2225DownsDr. 7792PeachSt. Erie,PA16509 Erie,PA16509 814-866-1390 814-860-8300

sATurdAY:Doubles/Singles Event —Tobeginat8:30and12:30pmMass—willbeheldat5:00pmatthehotel.Banquet—willbeheld intheGardenAtrium.Cocktailsat6pmandDinnerat7pm.

Eastway Lanes: 4110 Buffalo Rd., Erie, PA – (814) 899-9855ToobtainOfficalRulesandEntryFormpleasegotowww.fcsla.org–FraternalActivities—OR—tohavetheRulesandEntryformmailedtoyoucontactKellyShedlock,FraternalDirector800.464.4642EXT.1051orkelly@fcsla.org.

ShepresentedeachwinnerwithaFCSLAcookbookandamonetarygiftfromtheBranch.WinnersattendingwereLe-anneChandler,NewMiddleton;MagenPetty,Youngstown;IsabellaRoseWhite,Cranberry,PA;KyleBahmer,CuyahogaFalls;RyanGavalier,Erie,PA,andJoelZaluskiCanfield,OH.DeannaDemechko,Copley,OH,wasalreadyatcol-legeandwasrepresentedbyherfather,MarkDemechko.LoganKaplan,residinginAustin,TX,wasrepresentedbyhisgrandmother,DistrictPresident,BernadetteDemechko.

  

22 ŽENSKÁJEDNOTA

Use This Form For Change oF address and magazine CanCellaTions

CHANGE THE ADDRESS ON ALL FCSLAPOLICIES AND COMMUNICATIONS FOR:

 INDIVIDUAL — NAME

________________________________________________

 ENTIRE FAMILY — LIST NAMES

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

Old Mailing Address ___________________________________________________

City _______________________________________________

State ________________________ Zip __________________

New Mailing Address____________________________________________________

City _______________________________________________

State ________________________ Zip __________________

Phone # ___________________________________________

____________________________________________________Signature Required (Insured, Annuitant, Owner)

Date of Birth _______________________________________(for ID purposes)

____________________________________________________Today’s Date

 CANCEL MAGAZINE

MAIl OR FAx tO:First Catholic Slovak ladies Association

24950 Chagrin Blvd., Beachwood, OH 44122FAx: (216) 464-9260

bAlAnCe sheeT As of AuGusT 31, 2014AsseTs Cash&ShortTermInvestments $ 12,511,625 Bonds 731,278,763 PreferredStock 2,130,553 CommonStock 5,435,211 InvestmentIncomeDue&Accrued 11,179,932 PropertyPlant&Equipment,Net 5,901,848 CertificateLoans&AccruedInterest 2,790,527 OtherAssets 131,699 TOTALASSETS $ 771,360,158liAbiliTies LifeReserves $ 247,329,615 AnnuityReserves 409,707,288 DeathClaimsPayable 1,461,693 UnearnedPremiums 508,427 MaturedEndowments 336,624 ProvisionforDividendsPayable 1,385,599 AccumulatedDividends&Interest 4,126,335 AccruedConventionDonations 645,000 ProvisionforFutureConventions 557,800 AssetValuationReserve 7,949,181 InterestMaintenanceReserve 1,508,977 OtherLiabilities 1,238,171 TOTALLIABILITIES $ 676,754,710 Surplus $ 94,605,448 TOTALLIABILITIESANDSURPLUS $ 771,360,158

inCoMe sTATeMenT for the eight Months ending August 31, 2014

reVenue InsurancePremiums $ 2,870,813 AnnuityPremiums 19,622,390 InvestmentIncome 26,373,422 AmortizationofInterestMaintenanceReserve 101,648 RentalIncome 254,154 OtherRevenue 9,279 TOTALREVENUE $ 49,231,706exPense IncreaseinReserves—Life $ (2,759,385) IncreaseinReserves—Annuity 13,824,288 InsuranceBenefits 3,924,056 AnnuityBenefits 17,237,724 CommissionExpense 612,071 SurrenderBenefits 6,296,163 PostMortemBenefits 856,082 MiscellaneousMemberBenefits 40,829 MaturedEndowments 9,036 DonationExpenses 43,691 ChangeinAccruedConventionDonations 152,000 ConventionExpenses 152,000 BankServiceCharges 11,107 DataProcessingServiceFees 176,220 AccountingFees 72,800 ActuarialFees 132,364 LegalFees 24,359 ConsultingFees 86,640 BonustoBranches 596,154 FraternalActivities 85,461 OfficialPublications 306,472 ScholarshipAwards 169,086 MiscellaneousEmployeeBenefits 270,267 Fees—Directors 87,514 Salaries—Employees 867,780 Salaries—Officers 303,624 InterestExpense 191,700 TaxExpense 174,369 DepreciationExpense 185,624 UtilityExpense 43,514 PostageandPrinting 116,584 Advertising 61,495 TravelExpense 56,094 InsuranceDepartmentFees 82,571 SalesPromotion 86,357 RentalExpense 254,154 OtherExpense 356,820 TOTALEXPENSE $ 45,187,685

income (loss) from operations $ 4,044,021 DividendstoMembers 996,007 SubtotalINCOME(LOSS) $ 3,048,015 CapitalGains(Loss) $ (44) NETINCOME(Loss) $ 3,047,971

Attention!If you would like to receive Fraternally Yours by email instead of through the mail please return this form to the attention of Marie Golias at the Home Office.

name: ___________________________________

Address: _________________________________

City: _______________ state_____ Zip _______

email Address: ___________________________

You will begin to receive Fraternally Yours by email as soon as the changes can be made.

JANUARY2015 23

SLOW COOKER PULLED PORK BARBEQUE

1 cup finely chopped onion2 cups cider vinegar6 ounces tomato juice½ tablespoon pepper1 teaspoon garlic powderPinch cayenneDash hot sauce, such as Tabasco1 teaspoon sugarRoast:2 medium sweet Vidalia onions, quartered2 teaspoons light brown sugar1 teaspoon smoked paprika2 teaspoons saltPinch black pepperOne 4- to 6-pound Boston butt pork roast, bone-inBuns, for serving

For the sauce: Puree the onion in a blender with ¼ cup water. Place the pureed onion in a 2-quart saucepan with additional water to cover. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat. Cook, stirring constantly until the water has almost evaporated. Add the vin-egar, tomato juice, pepper, garlic powder, cayenne and hot sauce and mix well. Bring to a boil, and then stir in the sugar. Immedi-ately remove from the heat. Set 1 cup aside for the roast. Let the remaining sauce cool completely, then refrigerate for later use.

For the roast: Put the quartered onions in the bottom of a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker. Mix the brown sugar, paprika, salt and pepper and rub it over the pork roast. Then place in the slow cooker on top of the onions. Drizzle the reserved 1 cup of sauce over the roast. Cook the roast in the slow cooker on low for 10 to 12 hours, checking after 10 hours for tenderness.

Remove the meat and onions from the slow cooker. Discard the onions and finely shred the pork. Reserve the juices from the slow cooker to add to the meat for desired juiciness. Serve on a bun with the juice.

WARM BRIE WITH FUJI APPLE, PEAR

AND MELBA TOASTS1 large Fugi apple1 large red or brown skinned pear, slightly under-ripeA lemon wedge1 pound individual wheel brie cheese24 sesame Melba toast rounds, any brand

Quarter apple and pear lengthwise and cut into each quarter on an angle to remove the core. Slice apple and pear into ¼-inch thick slices. Squeeze a little lemon juice over the fruit to slow browning.

Cut the top rind off the brie and place in the microwave on high for 60 seconds. Depending on the ripeness of the cheese, it will take 60 to 90 seconds on high to heat and melt. If brie is not yet soft and hot after 1 minute, place it back in microwave for another 30 seconds on high.

Serve the softened, warm brie with a platter of fruit and Melba toasts for dipping and spreading. Reheat brie if it tightens up for 20 to 30 seconds at a time on high.

PIGS IN A BLANKET 1 (8-ounce) can original crescent dough¼ cup Dijon mustard20 mini hot dogs or cocktail franks1 egg, lightly beatenPoppy seeds or sesame seedsTangy Dipping Sauce, recipe followsTangy Dipping Sauce:½ cup sour cream½ cup mayonnaise3 tablespoons Dijon mustard1 tablespoon whole-grain mustard

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Cut each triangle of crescent roll dough into thirds lengthwise, making 3 small strips from each roll.

Brush the dough strips lightly with Dijon mustard. Put the mini hot dogs on 1 end of the dough and roll up.

Arrange them, seam side down, on a greased cookie sheet. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with poppy seeds or sesame seeds. Bake until golden brown, about 12 to 15 minutes. Serve warm with the dipping sauce.

Tangy Dipping Sauce: Mix all of the ingredients in a bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until serving. Can be made a day ahead.

PULL-APART PIZZA BREAD

3 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushingKosher salt2 pounds store-bought pizza dough, at room temperature²/3 cup pizza sauce, plus more for dipping

24 pepperoni slices, quartered1 cup shredded mozzarella (4 ounces)¼ cup grated Parmesan (1 ounce), plus more for sprinkling

Position an oven rack in the center of the oven, and preheat to 400 degrees. Brush the bottom and sides of a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan with oil.

Pour the 3 tablespoons oil onto a large dinner plate, and sprinkle with ½ teaspoon salt. Pinch off pieces of dough the size of Ping-Pong balls, and roll them into rough balls. Roll each dough ball around in the salted oil until all sides are coated.

Put half the balls in the prepared pan, slightly squishing them together. Spread half the sauce over the balls, then sprinkle with half the pepperoni, mozzarella and Parme-san. Repeat with the remaining dough balls, sauce, pepperoni and cheeses.

Put the loaf pan on a rimmed baking sheet (to catch any drips), and bake until the bread is puffed up and golden brown, about 25 minutes. Cover loosely with foil, and continue to bake until the bread is cooked through in the middle, about 25 minutes. Let it rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then use dry oven mitts or kitchen towels to carefully unmold. Sprinkle generously with Parmesan cheese, and serve hot. (Let your guests pull the bread apart)

MINI MEATBALL SLIDERS¼ cup finely crushed corn cereal (such as Corn Flakes)1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley1 large egg, lightly beaten½ tablespoon olive oil1 tablespoon ketchup, plus more for serving2 tablespoons grated Romano cheese¼ teaspoon kosher salt¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper8 ounces 96-percent lean ground beefTwelve 2½-inch diameter sweet dinner rolls, halved, (such as King’s Hawaiian)

Put an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

In a medium bowl, stir together the ce-real, parsley, egg, oil, 1 tablespoon ketchup, cheese, salt, and pepper. Add the ground beef and gently stir to combine. With damp hands, roll the mixture into 12 mini meat-balls. Arrange the meatballs on the prepared baking sheet and bake until cooked through, about 15 minutes Cool for 10 minutes.

Make an indentation in the center of the bottom half of a roll. Slice a meatball in half and put in the indentation. Add about 1 teaspoon of ketchup to the meatballs and cover with the top half of the roll. Repeat with the remaining rolls and filling. Arrange the sliders on a platter and serve.

HalftimeWinners!

ŽENSKÁ JEDNOTA

1/15

PERIODICAL

The FCSLA Mission StatementWe provide financial security to our members

while embracing our Catholic values and Slavic traditions.

The FCSLA Vision is to:Be a Premier Fraternal Benefit Society

that offers quality financial products and benefits.