Inside - First Catholic Slovak Union

FOR GOD AND NATION - ZA BOHA A NÁROD 

Jednota 

Catholic Fraternal Bi -Weekly 

THE UNION 

USPA#273500 ISSN1087-3392 

Fr. Stephen Furdek 

Our Founder 

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK UNION OF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA 

Volumne 119 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 2010 NUMBER 5818 

PRESIDENT’S ANNUAL REPORT 

FOR THE YEAR 2009 

PRESENTED MARCH 20, 2010 

Fellow Officers, Members of the Board of Directors and Members of the First 

Catholic Slovak Union. 

“Happy Days Here Again”. Some of you may remember this as the title of a 

1930’s song that was used by Franklin D. Roosevelt as his campaign song in the 

1932 presidential elections. While that may be an over-statement, the global financial 

outlook is looking brighter these days. 

Looking back you may recall that in my 2007 Annual Report I noted the subprime 

mortgage crisis and surging mortgage foreclosures. In response to those 

issues, the Society took a very defensive investment strategy. We put much of our 

new money in Government backed securities that paid a good rate of return and 

were extremely safe. 

As the year 2008 unfolded our Executive Committee, composed of myself, 

George Matta, Ken Arendt and Andy Harcar, became even more concerned. We 

kept more of our funds in liquid cash investments. Perilous times required prompt 

and bold decisions. 

You many remember that in my 2008 Report I outlined the seriousness of the 

economic situation. You don’t need to be reminded that most economic advisors 

and analysts reported that, especially after large bank failures in September 2008, the world was 

facing the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression of 1929, eighty years ago. 

The failure of AIG, CITI Group, GM, Chrysler, Lehman Brothers, and the uncertain future of many 

others, including Ford, CIT etc., prompted the U.S. government, still under President George W. 

Annual Report 

From Our Chaplain 

Dear Board of Directors and Members of the F.C.S.U.: 

continued on page 3 

It is an honor to be your National Chaplain. I was happy to be 

present for and to participate in several events during the past 

year. 

In January I joined others from across the country in Washington, 

DC and participated in the annual March for Life. 

I was present for all four Board of Directors meetings that were 

held in 2008. I traveled to the two meetings held at the Home Office 

in Independence, OH and attended the other two by means 

of teleconference. I 

opened and closed 

Rev. Thomas Nasta 

each session with 

prayer. Mass was offered at the Board meeting 

held at the Home Office. 

In April I drove to Belle Vernon, PA to participate 

in the annual Bowling Tournament 

and offered Mass for all who attended. 

In July I traveled to Clarion, PA for the joint 


Inside 

Editorial/Commentary........................... 2 

Branch/District Announcements....... 14-15-16 

Minutes..................................................10-11 

Obituaries................................................... 16 

Slovak....................................... 21-24 

FROM THE ANNUAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING 

MARCH 20 & 21, 2010 

RENAISSANCE CLEVELAND HOTEL 

CLEVELAND, OHIO 

WELCOME – PRIVITANIE 

Welcome to the 2010 Annual meeting. 

This is the fourth annual meeting I will chair and also the fourth some of 

you are attending. The financial tsunami the United States of America and 

the world experienced still surrounds and influences our deliberations at 

this meeting. 

The Jednota has survived and emerged stronger as we work together 

and combine our talents for the good of the Society. 

Throughout the last year we have again lost a good number of our 

local Branch Officers who have dedicated their efforts, in many cases a 

near life time, to the Church and our Society. In their memory and in the 

Andrew M. Rajec 

memory of all deceased Members let us observe a moment of silence. 

Our Mass on Saturday will be dedicated to the memory of all our deceased 

Members. 

May our deliberations be conducted with respect for each other and with an eye toward 

the future. Let’s imagine that our founder, Father Furdek, is silently sitting at this table observing 

our actions. Let’s give him a reason to be proud. 

Again Welcome. 


President 

vvv 

vvv 

REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY 

PRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING, 

MARCH 20 – 21, 2010 

Reverend Father, Mr. President and Members of the Board of Directors of the First Catholic 

Slovak Union of the United States and Canada: 

It is my pleasure to present this report to you, the Board of Directors 

of the FCSU. 

The Society’s operating results for the year 2009 reflect partial recovery 

from the economic turmoil which gripped the nation in the last third of 

2008. Operating results were higher than the past few years as net gain 

from operations before capital gains amounted to $4,309,466 (+201.88%). 

The Society’s 2009 gain was the continuation of a long string of profitable 

operating years and an improvement on the five year average of 

$2,096,758. Total asset value increased 16.8% (+$33,758,387) with no 

realized capital losses and $2,193,793 of unrealized capital gains. Liabilities 

increased $29,648,967 (15.4%) and surplus increased 45.4%, 

reversing the 2008 reduction in surplus. 

Kenneth A. Arendt 

The increase in surplus resulted from the larger operating gains, no 

realized capital losses, and unrealized gains that reversed the 2008 losses and in spite of crediting 

$2,278,782 into restoring the AVR. The AVR balance at the end of 2008 was only $235,339. The 

AVR now stands at $2,514,121. 

The Bond Unrealized gains were Ford Motor $1,115,786; General Motors $173,701; GMAC 

$747,883; Lehman Brothers $155,556 and miscellaneous $34,934. In addition, a GMAC Preferred 

Stock had an unrealized gain of $56,160. New unrealized losses of $430,020 were experienced, while 

Schedule BA Surplus Notes gained $506,279. Preferred Stock owned were reduced by $2,029,490 

and showed unrealized losses of $253,246. Common Stocks showed unrealized gains of $142,905. 

The Society emphasizes Bonds and Stocks (87.3%) as its main investments. The Society had over 

$4,400,000 of short term investments on hand at the end of the year. 

continued on page 6

PAGE JEDNOTA, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 2010 

Insights and Viewpoints 

St. Vincent Archabbey ––– Homilies 

Father Campion P. Gavaler; Father Demetrius R. Dumm O.S.B. 

Second Sunday of Easter 

John 20:19-31 

Gospel Summary 

It is surely an understatement to say that 

the disciples were filled with joy as Jesus 

appeared to them, alive and well, on that 

first Easter day. It will take years for them 

to draw out all the wonderful implications of 

this dramatic moment in their lives but for 

now it is sheer joy. Jesus then gives them 

a mandate to bring peace to the world by 

translating their happiness into the difficult but rewarding gift of forgiveness. 

The story of “doubting Thomas” is presented as a warning to 

those of us who have trouble trusting the spiritual side of life. Thomas 

is called the “twin,” possibly because he had a striking physical 

Demetrius R. Dumm 

O.S.B. 

resemblance to Jesus, but he discovers that this does not give him any advantage at all. 

What counts now is a spiritual relationship. We often assume that those who knew Jesus 

in the flesh had a great advantage over the rest of us and we may even envy them. In fact, 

however, the risen Lord is far more present to us now in the Spirit than he ever was in the 

flesh. 

Finally, the author of the gospel reminds us that everything he has written is intended, not 

primarily to give us information about Jesus, but rather to bring us to faith in him and thereby 

to lead us to real “life in his name.” 

Life Implications 

The last verses of this gospel passage are among the most challenging passages in the 

entire gospel. In the first place, we are told that the whole gospel of John is intended to bring 

us to “believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God.” This does not mean simply that 

we accept the fact that Jesus is the fulfillment of Israel’s hopes and, much more than that, 

the very Son of God, equal to the Father and the Holy Spirit. To believe in Jesus means also 

that we accept the message, found in his words and in his example, of total self-giving for 

the sake of others. When we truly accept this message, we pledge ourselves to live and love 

as much as possible Jesus did. 

What is the consequence of such a radical way of living It enables us to participate in the 

very life of Jesus. As the gospel puts it, the whole purpose of believing is that “you may have 

life in his name.” This statement is far more daring and revolutionary than we may think. For 

it means that, through love of others, we begin to participate in the love and life of God. To 

love unselfishly is to love as God loves, and that means sharing in God’s life, insofar as mere 

creatures can do so. 

In other words, we are invited to share in a life that is far superior to the fragile, uncertain 

life of our mortal existence. This new life is given in baptism but it must be nourished by our 

commitment to loving service and by our participation in the Eucharist, the ultimate sacrament 

of love and concern for others. 

St. Paul expresses the same conviction when he writes those wonderfully consoling 

Reflections on Our Christianity Msgr. Edward V. Rosack 

Humanity of Jesus Christ 

The first gospel written was Mark, c.70 A.D. Matthew followed 

post 70 A.D., and Luke, c. 75 A.D. The gospel of John is dated 

between 90 and 100 A.D. 

Mark served as an interpreter for Peter and he is identified with 

that Mark in 1 Peter 5:13, “The church that is in Babylon, chosen 

together with you, sends you greeting, as does Mark my son.” See 

also Acts 12:12, “After coming to realize this, he went to the house 

of Mary the mother of John (also known as Mark), where many others 

were gathered in prayer.” 

In this gospel of Mark, we come to know Jesus in his humanity. 

Msgr. Edward V. Rosack 

After his cure of the leper, “Jesus gave him stern warning and 

sent him on his way. ‘Not a word to anyone, now,’ he said. ‘Go 

off and present yourself to the priest and offer for your cure what Moses prescribed. That 

should be proof for them’,” (Mark 1:43-44) 

“He looked around at them with anger, for he was deeply grieved that they had closed their 

minds against him.” (Mark 2:5) 

“Then he said to them, ‘Why are you so terrified Why are you lacking in faith’ A great 

awe overcame them with this. They kept saying to one another, ‘Who can this be that the 

wind and sea obey him’.” (Mark 4:40 – 41) 

In Mark 5:21-43, he writes about the daughter of Jairus and as you read this, reflect upon 

these verses: “Fear is useless. What is needed is trust.” (vs. 36) “Why do you make this din 

with your wailing The child is not dead. She is asleep. At this they began to ridicule him. 


words: “Therefore, we are not discouraged; although our outer self is wasting away, our 

inner self is being renewed day by day” (2 Cor 4:16). This inner renewal is nothing less than 

the growth of God’s life within us. 

April 18, 2010 

Third Sunday of Easter John 21:1-19 

Gospel Summary 

Simon Peter and his companions after fishing all night catch nothing. 

At dawn as they approach shore, someone on the shore whom 

they do not recognize directs them to cast out their net. When the 

net is filled with a large catch, the beloved disciple recognizes Jesus, 

now risen from death, and says to Peter, “It is the Lord.” When 

they reach shore, they see a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread. 

Jesus invites them to eat with him. He takes bread and gives it to 

them and in like manner the fish. Jesus then asks Peter three times 

if he loves him, and says to him in turn, “Feed my lambs…Tend my 

sheep…Feed my sheep.” Jesus then speaks of the kind of death 

Simon Peter will undergo, and says to him, “Follow me.” 

Life Implications 

Friendship with Jesus is the one essential thing of life, regardless 

JEDNOTA 

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FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK UNION of the United States of America and Canada 

FCSU Corporate Center 

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Teresa Ivanec, Editor; fcsulifeeditor@gmail.com 

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POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to: 

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O.S.B. 

of any other circumstance--sickness or health, poverty or wealth, low or high position in society 

or church. That is the supreme truth John wants to tell us in his gospel. The good news 

is that Jesus desires our friendship, and offers it to all who welcome him in faith. We can 

identify with many of the persons Jesus encounters in the gospel—the Samaritan woman, 

Martha and Mary, Lazarus (at whose death Jesus wept), Peter, Mary Magdalene, the beloved 

disciple. The gospel also warns us not to identify with those who reject friendship, and 

even betray friendship with Jesus. Jesus can also call us his friends because he has told us 

everything he has heard from his Father (Jn 15:15). The titles that we use to address Jesus 

(Messiah, Lord, Son of God), however orthodox and exalted they may be, are inadequate to 

express the full meaning of Jesus for us unless they include “Beloved Friend.” 

A personal, loving relationship with the Risen Lord clearly was a distinguishing characteristic 

of John’s community. Sad experience, however, soon revealed that individual relationships 

with Jesus were not sufficient to hold the community together. We can see from the 

First Letter of John that various individuals, claiming to speak with the Spirit of Jesus, began 

to teach false doctrines. Eventually they formed splinter groups that separated people from 

the community. In our gospel passage today, John shows us that individual friendships with 

Jesus must be complemented by authority within the community. The Risen Lord commissions 

Peter to serve that function. 

That authority that Jesus gives, however, must be exercised out of deep friendship with 

him. “Do you love me” Jesus asks Peter the crucial question three times as he commissions 

him to tend and to feed his sheep. The principle, of course, applies not only to the 

successor of Peter, but to everyone who exercises authority in the church, from the family to 

the chancery. Only in this way does human authority becomes an expression of the authority 

of Jesus, the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep. 

In today’s gospel passage, John also links friendship with Jesus with his real presence at 

our Eucharistic meal. The meal Jesus shares with his disciples together with the feeding of 

the large crowd (John 6) and the Last Supper Discourse reveal the meaning of the Eucharist 

for us. Jesus, the Risen Lord, truly is with us at our sacred meal— speaks to us, prays with 

us, leads us in self-giving to the Father, gives himself to us as our bread and wine. He calls 

us his disciples and his friends: the life implications remain the same. Jesus also says to 

us: “If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one 

another’s feet” (John 13:14). The way we will fulfill his request to follow him as disciples in 

service of others is unique and particular for each of us. We can count on the Spirit of Jesus 

to guide us in discerning what that service will be.

JEDNOTA, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 2010 PAGE 

PRESIDENT’S ANNUAL REPORT 

FOR THE YEAR 2009 PRESENTED MARCH 20, 2010 

continued from page 1 

Bush, to pass the so-called TARP money “bailouts”. However, there was no one to bail out the First 

Catholic Slovak Union except ourselves. I can tell you I spent many sleepless nights worrying about 

what we could and had to do. 

The Society was the holder of Lehman Brothers, Ford Motor and Ford Credit, and General Motors 

and GMAC bonds and preferred stock most of it purchased in the late 90s and early 2000s when they 

were highly rated securities. We had a net realized capital loss of over $1.1 million and an unrealized 

capital loss of $6.7 million in 2008 and a decline in our surplus of $4 million. 

However we continued to show a net gain from operations of over $1.4 million in 2008. 

Many of you and members of your family are still living with this near world- wide financial meltdown. 

How much is your house or real estate worth today How many of you or your family members 

are still unemployed, or what about your 401 (K) or your investments The U.S. and the world 

economy are not out of the woods yet. 

My 2009 President’s Report said this: 

“What has the FCSU done to meet these unprecedented financial times First, in late 2007 we 

saw an emerging problem regarding the sub-prime loan situation. We immediately scanned our 

portfolio for risks and determined not to invest new money into bonds that had a sub-prime mortgage 

exposure. In addition, during late 2007 and through 2008 we placed much of our new money into U.S. 

government backed agency bonds. These provided safety and a very competitive rate of return. In 

addition we kept a large cash position to enable flexibility.” 

“For the past 15 + years our investment portfolio under the direction of our Treasurer has provided 

an interest yield as good as or better than most fraternal societies, and competitive with most investment 

managers. The Society’s investment strategy had been to “buy and hold” for the long term. 

The Society also had, and continues to have, an investment policy that calls for investments only 

in top-graded bonds with very little common stock exposure. Remember that fraternals like the First 

Catholic Slovak Union are restricted by the State Insurance Departments as to where they can invest 

their funds, with valid reasons.” 

“However, the world changed in 2008. The preservation of capital became as important, or more 

important than, investment yield. It turned out that the bond ratings from bond rating firms like Standard 

and Poor’s, Moody’s and Fitch could not be necessarily trusted. I became convinced that we 

did not have the resources to adequately research and make fully informed decisions on our investment 

portfolio. In addition, the Society had been for many years using retail brokers in its security 

purchases.” 

“At the December 13, 2008 Board of Directors Meeting I recommended to the Board that the 

Society contact several investment management companies to review and analyze our investment 

portfolio. With the Board’s approval, I, with the other Executive Committee members, interviewed, 

in person, at our offices, four investment management firms. They ranged from a New York based 

international firm to smaller firms located in Ohio, Illinois and Indiana. All four firms came to Cleveland 

and made presentations to our Executive Committee. 

In a lengthy December 26, 2008 letter to the Board of Directors I gave the Board the results and 

analysis of our meeting with the four investment management firms and sent the Board information 

about all four, and a notice for a special Board of Directors meeting via conference call for December 

30, 2008. I said in that notice: “After their presentation and they (the asset firms) are disconnected, 

we (the Board of Directors) will discuss the issues and decide on a course of action. Inaction is not 

an option.” 

At that special meeting of the Board of Directors on December 30, 2008, the Board heard a presentation 

and analysis from one of the investment firms (not the one we ultimately chose for our 

account). Based on this in-depth meeting the Board authorized the Executive Committee to contract 

with an asset manager. After extensive analysis, negotiation and final review of the contract by our 

General Counsel, the Society contracted with AQS Management as our investment manager effective 

January 19, 2009. 

In March 2010 I can proudly report that: 

Our actions taken in 2008 and 2009 have proved very positive. Our 2009 financial report filed 

as required to the State of Ohio, our state of Domicile, as confirmed by our outside Actuary, 

Bruce & Bruce and audited by the outside Auditors, Hosack, Specht, Muetzel & Wood LLP 

shows the Society has reached records in total assets of $234,294,912 and a record surplus 

of $13,169,012. Net income for 2009 was $4,309,466 after paying a $359,336 dividend to our 

Members. The Actuary and Auditors will be present at this March 20, 2010 Board meeting to 

present their reports and answer any questions. 

Our premiums increased from $8,025,584 in 2008 to $17,676,121 in 2009. At the same time 

our general insurance and fraternal expenses increased by only $18,644. 

Clearly the actions we took in 2008 and 2009 were bold, innovative and very beneficial for 

the Society and its Members. We did not have to assess our Members policies or sell any 

blocks of our insurance portfolio like several other fraternals did. 

The challenge however, continues for us to not only continue our excellent financial results 

but also address the issues of membership. 

Addressing the world financial situation in 2008 and 2009 took an inordinate amount of my 

time as well as that of the other members of the Executive Committee. Survival and strength 

was the # 1 issue. 

Membership and Marketing 

Now with the worst behind us we can concentrate on the other issues that must be addressed. 

Honestly, almost every fraternal society or organization is facing membership issues, whether it be 

as Slovak fraternal, a Polish, Slovenian, Ukrainian, etc. fraternal; or the Am vets, American Legion, 

VFW, etc. I have talked about this issue many times in the Jednota and in my visits to Branches and 

Districts. 

Frankly, this has been a continuing issue ever since the Society reached its highest level of membership 

in the mid 1960s. 

Contrary to some peoples’ idea, a slick advertising slogan just won’t do it. You need at least three 

factors: 

1) good, competitive products 

2) competent sales people, either agents and/or recommenders and 

3) a method to get your product message across to the public. 

First, our FCSU life products are competitive in the market, especially in the under $100,000.00 

face value. We introduced in August 2009 a new ground-breaking Park Free Plus annuity product. In 

late 2009 we introduced a new 8-year product with a 1st year bonus. These have proven very successful. 

In fact, so successful we had to put a dollar limit on the Park Free Plus. 

Secondly, you need competent sales people, either recommenders and/or agents. Recommenders 

have been the backbone of our Society for many years, but as products become more complex and 

licensing requirements become more demanding, most fraternal societies are using independent 

agents, some exclusively. We have no choice because of the declining number of licensed recommenders. 

Thus far we have 35 independent agents representing us. They are paid the same commission 

rates as our recommenders. Many of our Members still contact us directly at the Home Office 

for product information. 

Thirdly, you need to promote your product. We do this through our Jednota newspaper, word of 

mouth, and also recommenders and agents. Believe me, if you have a competitive product, agents 

will find you, as we have experienced. Our longer term project is to hire an Agency Manager, i.e. 

someone who travels the country to meet, sign up and interact with agents and recommenders to 

introduce the FCSU and service them. As you can imagine the cost of an agency is not cheap. Generally, 

experienced agency managers can earn $100,000.00 - $200,000.00 per year plus expenses. We 

are considering this and various alternatives including mass marketing. 

In addition, in early 2009 we started the process to be licensed as to sell insurance in 15 additional 

States, primarily in the South and West. This time consuming process is well under way. 

The use of independent agents, whose primary purpose is to make money for themselves, introduces 

another dilemma. Agents want to sell to anyone who can pay the premium. They don’t care 

if they are Slovak, Slavic or whatever. The issue becomes, what are the purposes and goals of the 

Society Does it care about preserving a Slovak, Catholic heritage or is making money the prime 

objective. Every ethnic fraternal eventually must confront that issue. 

Our Society has clearly said we want to preserve Slovak heritage. We show that by the continued 

publishing and improving the contents of our newspaper, the Jednota, as well as our 

continued support of various Slovak and Catholic organizations and causes. 

I pledge to continue our support of our Slovak heritage and Slovak and Catholic organizations 

and causes. For example, the main speaker at the 2010 Convention will be Mr. Peter 

Burian, the Slovak Ambassador to the United States. Plus we are planning displays of “kroj” 

(Slovak costumes) and a Slovak folk dance spectacular. 

Mergers or Consolidations 

As you have heard from me previously, I believe that the Slovak Catholic fraternals should combine 

their finances and individual strengths to form one large Slovak, fraternal preserving the best attribute 

of each. The issue of getting together with another Slovak fraternal is high on our priority list. 

We had several meetings in 2008 and 2009 with a Board committee of the First Catholic Slovak 

Ladies Association. We exchanged ideas and tried to find common ground for a joint venture or 

possible consolidation. Because of the differences in size this would require some negotiation. The 

FCSLA “offer” was presented to our Board and our Board unanimously rejected the proposal as completely 

one-sided. I and our Executive Committee agreed. No further discussions have been held at 

this time. This does not preclude discussions in the future. 

However, as you know, the FCSU and the Slovak Catholic Sokol had a ground-breaking event. In 

2009 our Societies held the first joint Golf Tournament. The golf event and banquet was extremely 

successful and comments from Members of both the FCSU and the Sokols were extremely positive. 

Future events are planned. In fact we expect to hold discussions in the very near future to determine 

how we could further both of our Societies interests via joint venture, etc. 

Personally, 2009 has been a very busy year. I have attended Branch and District meetings, anniversaries, 

picnics, Vilijas and other events in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, New Jersey, 

New York and Canada. I have participated in several seminars with our Vice President. I attended 

Slovak picnics in Pittsburgh and Cleveland and the Slovak Festival in New Jersey, where Slovak appeared 

to be the primary language (six thousand attended). 

Mr. Harcar, Mr. Arendt and myself manned a booth at the Annual Family Fest in Wickliffe, Ohio 

(30,000 attendees). We co-sponsored a national genealogical conference in Independence. (You saw 

colored pictures in the Jednota of our “open house” and kroj exhibit. In addition I attended the meeting 

of the Slovak Catholic Federation, the Slovak League of America meeting and a special meeting of 

Slovak fraternals in Washington, D.C. at the invitation of the Slovak Embassy. 

Some people may question the need for making personal visits and seminars. I believe that the 

Society and myself need to be visible to our Members and potential members. Members want to know 

the Home Office is interested in them and their activities. We are interested and supportive. 

In addition I made several visits to our properties in Middletown, PA to meet with our Editor, Anthony 

Sutherland, and our maintenance personnel to monitor the condition and maintenance of our land and 

properties. As you know, we had an unsolicited Offer to purchase the entire land and buildings from 

a regional developer in 2008. I appointed a committee composed of members of the Boards of the 

FCSU, Jednota, Inc. and Jednota Properties, Inc. to examine the Offer. We also had an independent 

appraisal of the property. Due to the complexity of the transaction and the sudden change in the real 

estate market the Board decided not to accept that Offer. There are no ongoing discussions. 

In January 2010 Mr. Arendt and I went to United, Pennsylvania to attend the wake and funeral 

Mass for Mr. Thomas Hricik, recent past President of the FCSU. Despite the heavy snow storm there 

was a large attendance at both. I delivered the eulogy at the Mass. 

I thank Dr. Anthony Sutherland, who retired as Editor of the Jednota newspaper on December 31, 

2009 for his many years of excellent work. Mrs. Sutherland continues as our Slovak Editor. Our new 

Editor, Mrs. Terri Ivanec, will personally meet the Board at the March meeting. 

I would like to personally thank the Executive Committee members and the Board for their 

help and cooperation. 2009 was a very challenging year. Our Home Office, the Executive 

Committee and all our Officers worked together as a team to accomplish outstanding results. 

Also, I want to thank our Members and especially our Branch and District officers for their 

support and commitment to our Society. 

Ďakujem. Thank you. Pán Boh Žehnaj. God Bless. 


President


Insights and Viewpoints 

Should the Slovak Nation Honour Tomáš G. Masaryk 

By Stanislav J. Kirschbaum, FRSC 

The Canadian-Slovak weekly, Kanadský Slovák, recently published a letter expressing 

opposition to the decision by the mayor of Bratislava to erect a statue in front of the Slovak 

National Museum in Bratislava commemorating Tomáš G. Masaryk, the first President 

of Czecho-Slovakia. It is one of many open protests published in Slovakia. The decision 

launched a debate that centers on the question whether Masaryk should be recognized 

as a major personality in Slovak history that deserves to be thus commemorated. It is a 

question worth closer examination. 

There are two issues at stake: First of all, whether any official personality from the 

defunct Czecho-Slovak Republic should be commemorated in this way in Slovakia Secondly, 

whether Tomáš G. Masaryk, as its founder, has in fact played a role significant 

enough in Slovak history to entitle him to more than an appropriate mention in history 

books 

The answer to the first question is best given from a comparative point of view. Until the 

twentieth century and even for the better part of it, the Slovak nation lived in cohabitation 

with one or more nations in one state. The Slovaks lived in the Hungarian Kingdom for 

over a thousand years, contributed to its development, but were also subjected to assimilatory 

policies that in the end pushed them to leave the kingdom and find a way to govern 

themselves. The Magyarization of the Slovaks marked the nineteenth century but up to 

that point, although there were clashes, Slovak–Hungarian relations were such that both 

nations benefited from them. Apart from the castles and residences throughout Slovakia 

that the Hungarian magnates built, there is only one statue that bespeaks of the Slovak- 

Hungarian period, the one in Košice of František Rakoci (Ferenc Rakoczi) II, župan of 

Šariš county, leader of the last of the magnate rebellions. There is no existing statue of 

St. Stephen, the first Hungarian King and founder of the kingdom. However, since 2009, 

Slovakia’s Hungarians in Komárno have been collecting funds to erect one there. It will be 

interesting to see whether this happens. 

Czechoslovakia – the other state in which the Slovaks cohabited with another nation, 

the Czechs – broke up on 31 December 1992. It had existed for a total of 68 years (1918- 

1939 and 1945-1992). It was a country that, like Hungary, gave much to the Slovaks, yet 

they never became the equal partners they had hoped to be when they joined. In 1918, 

Andrej Hlinka spoke of the Slovak-Hungarian relationship as a “thousand year marriage;” 

the Czech-Slovak one was a 74-year marriage with a 6-year separation. There are vestiges 

of the Czechoslovak past in Slovakia, for example the former presidential summer 

residence in Topoľčianky and the column with the Czech lion on top in front of the Slovak 

National Museum in Bratislava. The statue to Masaryk is to replace it. 

Slovakia has erected over the years statues to honour historical personalities, but generally 

Slovak ones. Trnava has a statue of General Milan Rastislav Štefánik and one of 

Anton Bernolák. The city of Žilina has a number of statues in its main square and Nitra 

has one of SS Cyril and Methodius. There are many more examples throughout Slovakia. 

And they all point to the fact that the Slovaks prefer to celebrate their own personalities, 

rather than those who were not Slovak, however important their role in Slovak history. It 

vvv vvv vvv 

Reflections on Our Christianity 


Then he put them all out.” (vss. 39 – 40). He said to the twelve year old, “Little girl, get up.” 

(vs. 41) “He enjoined them strictly not to let anyone know about it, and told them to give her 

something to eat.” (vs. 43) 

“Who touched my clothing” (Mark 5:30) 

“Please, Lord,” she replied. “even the dogs under the table eat the family’s leavings. 

Then he said to her, “For such a reply, be off now! The demon has already left your daughter.” 

(Mark 7:28-29) 

“Then he began to be filled with fear and distress. He said to them, ‘My heart is filled with 

sorrow to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake.’ He advanced a little and fell to 

the ground….” (Mark 14:34-35) 

His disciples were critical of him. 

“They finally woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, does it not matter to you that we are 

going to drown’.” (Mark 4:38) 

“Are we to go and spend two hundred days’ wages for bread to feed them” (Mark 6:37) 

“His disciples said to him, ‘You can se how this crowd hems you in, yet you ask, ‘Who 

touched me’” (Mark 5:31) 

“Hear me, all of you, and try to understand. Nothing that enters a man from the outside 

can make him impure; that which comes out of him, and only that, constitutes impurity. Let 

everyone heed what he hears.” (Mark 7:14-16) 

“His disciples replied, ‘How can anyone give these people sufficient bread in his deserted 

spot” (Mark 8:4) Then, Jesus asked them how many loaves they had and they replied, 

“seven.” (Mark 8:5) 

“Peter then took him aside and began to remonstrate with him. At this, he turned around 

and, eyeing the disciples reprimanded Peter: ‘Get out of my sight, you Satan! You are not 

judging by God’s standards but by man’s’!” (Mark 8:32-33) 

For your meditation, place yourselves personally in each of these scenes. 

is also interesting to note that statues imposed on them were destroyed: in 1921 that of 

Empress Maria Theresa and in 1990 that of Klement Gottwald, both in Bratislava. One 

exception is the statue of Masaryk that once stood in Nitra; it is found today in the former 

presidential residence in Topoľčianky. Clearly, the Slovaks have a tradition of choosing 

only Slovak personalities. 

Did Masaryk play a role in Slovak history that warrants honouring him in the same way 

as Slovak personalities It is said that he was half Slovak (his mother) and yet his entire 

political life was devoted to the Czech nation. He was indeed the founder of the common 

state of the Czechs and Slovaks, but he also believed that this state would forge in time 

one nation, the Czechoslovak nation, essentially bringing about the assimilation of the 

Slovak nation into the Czech. It is, therefore, very difficult to conclude anything other than 

that he did not have an appropriate appreciation of the Slovaks and their history. Had he 

had a realistic picture and, above all, acted accordingly, the Slovaks would not have twice 

left the state that he founded, in March 1939 and again in December 1992 St. Stephen’s 

kingdom existed for a thousand years: Masaryk’s state first broke up within one generation. 

Such a record hardly warrants a statue in Slovakia. 

Slovakia faces in the next few decades many challenges of an economic, social, and 

political nature. To understand their past is one of them, given the repeated distortions of 

history to which the Slovaks were subjected throughout the twentieth century. Slovakia’s 

political elite and, indeed, its population, will not be served by a focus on a state that no 

longer exists and by analyses that fail to explain what brought the Slovaks to point where 

they are today. The fate of the Slovaks has always been in their own hands, however 

much or little others helped. Now, it is more so that ever before. I do not think that a statue 

commemorating Masaryk would bring that point home. 

vvv vvv vvv 

Branch 89 Museum Outing in 

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 

The Knights of St. Mary & Joseph Branch 89 will have an outing to the Milwaukee Public Museum 

on Sunday, April 18, 2010 at 1:00PM sharp to see the Dead Sea Scrolls and The Bible Exhibition. 

This is a timed entry, so attendees need to be there at 12:30 so the group can go into the exhibit at 

the scheduled hour (1:00PM). 

Tickets must be purchased in advance for groups, so you must make an advanced reservation to 

attend this event by April 7, 2010. Please call President Michael Novak at 414-445-5382 to reserve 

your spot. 

Tickets for members are free; guests are welcome but must pay the face value of the ticket, or $26 

per attendee. Make checks payable to: Knights of St. Mary & Joseph Branch 89. Mail checks to: Mike 

Novak, 3237 N. 93rd Street, Milwaukee, WI 53222. 

Mike Novak, President 

NEWSPAPER DEADLINES 

All copy is due by 4:30 P.M., THE MONDAY BEFORE THE ISSUE DATE, unless 

otherwise stated below because of special holiday scheduling. Copy that is 

not received by this deadline will not necessarily appear in the following 

Wednesday’s issue. 

Issue Date 

Copy Date 

WEDNESDAY, APR 14 MONDAY, APR 5 

WEDNESDAY, APR 28 MONDAY, APR 19 

WEDNESDAY, MAY 12 MONDAY, MAY 3 

Correspondents who are announcing upcomoing events should remember 

that the JEDNOTA is printed EVERY OTHER WEDNESDAY, and should 

take into account the extra time lost in the postal system. Therefore, 

please plan to have your announcements to us in ample time for them to 

be printed and received by the readership. 

Send all copy (English AND Slovak) to: 

Teresa Ivanec, Editor; fcsulifeeditor@gmail.com 

First Catholic Slovak Union, Attention “JEDNOTA” 

6611 Rockside Road, Suite 300, Independence, OH 44131-2398 

FAX: 216-642-4310

MONEY MANAGEMENT 

& TAX TIPS 

By Joseph T. Senko 

Certified Public Accountant 

Certified Finanical Planner 

Personal Financial Specialsit 

(AICPA) 

Planning an Affordable 

Family Vacation 

During breaks in the school year, or as the school year comes to a close, many families 

begin planning their vacations. Travel expenses can take a big bite out of your budget, but 

there are many ways to make your vacation dollar go further. 

SEARCH FOR DEALS 

Don’t miss out on many online opportunities to find great bargains. You can use online 

travel sites to search for the lowest airfare, hotel rates, and car rental, as well as entertainment 

deals. It’s a good idea to check specific airline sites, too, because they may be advertising 

specials that aren’t included on the bargain sites. 

PICK THE PACKAGE 

Before booking any segment of your trip, check out packages available from airlines or 

hotel chains. It’s often possible to find low-priced packages that include hotel, airfare, and 

admission to local attractions. However, remember that packages may not always be the 

cheapest deals. Examine the details and make sure that what you’re getting is worth what 

you’re paying. 

BE FLEXIBLE 

If you are uncertain as to where you’d like to go, plan your trip around the best deals available. 

Sites that specialize in low-cost travel usually advertise specials to certain locations, 

as do many airlines. If the location sounds like somewhere you’d enjoy exploring, you could 

save a lot on your trip. 

CHOOSE A DESTINATION LOCATION 

Want to save money during your vacation on gasoline and admission costs for various 

attractions Pick a hotel that has a pool, playground, nearby hiking, or other on-property 

activities. In addition, many hotels offer suites with their own kitchens. While these may cost 

more than regular rooms, the savings from not dining out may more than offset the higher 

price. In addition, you should always consider the exchange rate when traveling outside the 

United States. 

EXPLORE THE GREAT OUTDOORS 

Camping is not only a fun family activity; it’s also a cheaper way to travel. There are campgrounds 

and cabins at national and state parks that offer an inexpensive way to explore 

these locations. Outdoor vacations are a great departure from the usual routine and make 

it possible to get away from the television and computers. In many cases, they are much 

less rustic than you might imagine. There may be cabins available at some sites, as well as 

water and electricity hookups. 

Getting in touch with nature may not be your only option when you camp. Disney World, 

for example, has camp grounds that can lower the price of what might otherwise be a fairly 

pricey vacation. You may find camp grounds near other theme parks or attractions, so don’t 

limit your search to hotels when looking for accommodations 

HEAD SOUTH 

If you’ve dreamed of taking a vacation in the Caribbean or Mexico, consider going in the 

summer months as these are considered the off season. Many resorts offer promotions 

that feature great rates. If you’ve assumed you couldn’t afford a sunny resort locale, double 

check to see if prices are lower than you thought at this time of year. 

IRS Circular Disclosure: In order to ensure compliance with IRS Circular 230, I must 

inform you that any U.S. tax advice contained in this transmission and attachments hereto is 

not intended or written to be used and may not be used by any person for the purpose of (1) 

avoiding any penalty that may be imposed by the Internal Revenue Code or (2) promoting, 

marketing, 

IMPORTANT 

NOTICE 

All English and Slovak articles should be sent directly to the new editor 

Teresa Ivanec, First Catholic Slovak Union, 6611 Rockside Road, Suite 300, 

Independence, OH 44131-2398. The new E-Mail Address for the articles will 

be fcsulifeeditor@gmail.com. Articles may also be sent by Fax at 216/642- 

4310. Teresa Ivanec can be reached by phone at 216/642-9406 or 1/800- 

533-6682. 


EASTER MESSAGE FROM 

THE TREASURER 

Ash Wednesday is the beginning of one of the holiest of all Holidays 

in the church calendar. The Lenten Season represents a time 

in which we, as Christians, spend time in fasting and prayers – and 

recall the Lords’ Forty Days in the desert. 

As a young boy in one of the Catholic schools, we seldom even 

played the radio in our homes during the Lenten Season. 

As we approach Holy Week, we enter a period of time in which 

we will be reminded of the suffering, crucifixion and death of our 

Lord Jesus Christ, a price that our Lord paid for us Christians for 

the remission of our sins. 

Although we are saddened by the crucifixion of our Lord, we 

George F. Matta 

rejoice of His resurrection from the dead on Easter Sunday. 

And so, let us conclude the Lenten Season by attending Holy Mass on Easter morning, 

and giving thanks to the risen Lord. 

On behalf of my wife Florence and my family, we extend our prayers and thanksgiving, 

along with the blessings of the Easter Season, to you and all your loved ones. 

George F. Matta, National Treasurer 

vvv vvv vvv 

Rev. Joseph Murgas Day 

Announced in Wilkes-Barre 

Noreen Foti, President of The Sacred Heart Wilkes-Barre Foundation, received a proclamation 

from Thomas Leighton, Mayor of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, designating November 

23, 2009 as Reverend Joseph Murgas Day in the city. The date is the anniversary of 

Murgas’ transmission of sound, the first ever over land. 

Murgas’ transmission proceeded the work claimed by “radio inventor” Guglielmo Marconi. 

A Pennsylvania Historical Marker designates the laboratory of Murgas at Sacred Heart 

Church, 601 North Main Street in the city. The Foundation – through its member, Dr. Joseph 

Weber – presented documents to Mayor Leighton illustrating the historic significance of 

Murgas. In Volume VI of “The History of Wilkes-Barre,” Oscar Harvey and Ernest Smith 

wrote in 1930: “A leader in the religious life of Northeastern Pennsylvania, an artist and 

scientist of distinguished attainments, Rev. Joseph Murgas is one of Wilkes-Barre’s outstanding 

citizens, and is beloved and esteemed as pastor of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic 

Slovak Church.” 

The Sacred Heart Wilkes-Barre Foundation thanks Mayor Leighton and the city of Wilkes-Barre 

for their recognition of Father Murgas and his accomplishments. This represents 

the fourth time his memory has been civically honored with a day. Pennsylvania Governor 

Edward Martin in 1944 and Governor Fine in 1951 proclaimed Pennsylvania Days in his 

honor; in 1981 Mayor Thomas V. McLaughlin proclaimed a Wilkes-Barre Day to honor Rev. 

Murgas, as well. 

FROM THE DESK OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY 

FIRSTCATHOLICSLOVAKUNIONANNUITY&IRA 

INTERESTRATESEFFECTIVEMARCH1,2010 

SixYearFlexiblePremiumDeferredAnnuityorIRA’s 4.40%(4.306%apr) 

withthe“CashInterest”Option 4.15%(4.066%apr) 

EightYearFlexiblePremiumDeferredAnnuityorIRA 

Singledepositof$10,000.00ormore—1styrguarantee 5.60%(5.449%apr) 

Singledepositoflessthan$10,000.00—1styrguarantee 4.65%(4.545%apr) 

new“Park2Annuity” 3.75%(3.682%apr) 

newParkFreePlusAnnuityorIRA—1styrguarantee 3.50%(3.440%apr) 

newsixyearfixedrateDeferredAnnuityorIRA 4.00%(3.922%apr) 

NewSettlementOptionsarebasedonaninterestrateof 3.90%(3.826%apr) 

IfyouhaveanyquestionsaboutourannuitiesorIRA’s, 

pleasecontactyourlocalbranchofficerortheHomeOffice! 

 

KennethA.Arendt,ExecutiveSecretary



PRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING, 

MARCH 20 – 21, 2010 


The Society used funds available from the Federal Home Loan Bank at very favorable interest 

rates to generate interest income for 2009. The funds acquired through the FHLB were managed 

by an investment management company which is a subsidiary of Key Bank in Cleveland, Ohio. 

Two other significant changes made in the investment area was the Society employing the services 

of AQS, an experienced asset management firm to assist in guiding our investment activities 

and acquiring Key Bank as our new investment custodian. 

Our 2009 premium income is broken down as follows: 

Life Insurance $ 1,327,244 

Annuities 16,348,878 

Total $ 17,676,121 

Investment income for 2009 is broken down as follows. 

Investment Income for 2009: 

Government Bonds $ 1,868,360 

Bonds 9,554,133 

Preferred Stock 512,467 

Common Stock 50,022 

Common Stock Affiliates 150,000 

Mortgage Loans 149,773 

Real Estate 305,554 

Certificate Loans 45,903 

Short-Term Investments 3,445,116 

Other Investment Assets 167,075 

Write-ins for Investment Income (469,188) 

Total Investment Income $ 15,779,215 

Investment Expenses: 

Depreciation on Real Estate and Other 

Investment Expenses (Investment Taxes, 

License Fees, etc.) $ 835,376 

Net Investment Income $14,943,839 

Listed below is a five-year comparison of assets, premium income and net income. 

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 

Assets $195,540,901 $197,310,824 $203,610,335 $201,036,525 $234,794,912 

Prem. Income 7,596,237 4,725,837 5,693,973 8,025,584 17,676,121 

Invest. Income 11,764,645 11,746,690 12,064,200 12,053,864 14,943,839 

Net Gain 1,342,404 1,489,106 1,915,292 1,427,520 4,309,466 

Bonds constitute 83.0% (+3.3%) of the Society’s assets, and have an average maturity of 15 

years. The Organization enjoys excellent bond quality, with 89.7 (-1.4%) of the bonds in the two 

highest NAIC rating classes. Preferred Stocks now make up only 2.8% (-1.5%) of invested assets. 

Common Stocks are 1.4% in an effort to diversify the portfolio and increase investment return. 

Other assets consist of mortgages (0.9%); real estate (1.4%); and all others (8.4%). The Society 

owns $2,019,070 of surplus notes which are listed on Schedule BA and shown as other invested 

vvv vvv vvv 

Annual Report from Our Chaplain 


Golf Tournament that was held with the Slovak Catholic Sokol. I played in the tournament 

and celebrated Mass for those who attended. 

As a member of the Executive Board of the Slovak Catholic Federation, I traveled to Bethlehem, 

PA in September for a Board meeting. I also was a delegate at the Slovak Catholic 

Federation convention held last April in Bethlehem and served on the communication committee. 

Throughout the year I have written articles that were published in our fraternal’s newspaper 

and have answered correspondence that was sent to me. 

The year 2009 was a special year of grace for all of us. May our Lord continue to bless us 

in our journey to Him. 

Fraternally, 

Fr. Thomas A. Nasta 

National Chaplain 

assets on the asset page. Other Invested Assets also included $17,323,391 obtained through the 

FHLB for reinvestment purposes. The Society’s new investment rate of return was 7.1%, which is 

higher than the five-year average of 6.5% and excellent in the current market. 

The most significant increases in liabilities were: life policy reserves increased 1.1%; annuity reserves 

increased 14.9%; deposit type accounts by $10,868,626 (reflects FHLB funds) and Funds 

held as trustee 7.5% (Trustee funds represent idle Branch funds deposited for safekeeping with 

the Society). AVR increased from $235,339 to $2,514,121 to restore the safety reserve, and the 

IMR decreased 47%. Unpaid expenses showed a significant increase as the Convention reserve 

($700,000) was properly listed as unpaid instead of as part of a 2008 liability write in item on the 

Annual Statement. Average lapse ratio remains at a very favorable 2.26% over the past 5 years. 

The society has no Foreign Investments payable in foreign currency. The Foreign Exchange Reserve 

was maintained at $10,000. 

Surplus increased 45.4% to exceed the 2008 level of $9,059,592. Surplus is at its highest 

point, in the history of the Society and currently stands at $13,169.012. 

Total life premium income showed a decrease, while annuity premiums increased 149.2%. Overall 

premium income increased 120.02%. Investment income increased a very favorable 24.0% 

despite the low interest rates currently available and the continuing economic turmoil. Much of the 

increase resulted from favorable reinvestment of funds obtained from the FHLB. Overall, total income 

for the year increased 60.0%, which will be among the highest increase among fraternals. 

Total member benefits were 33.5% lower. Total life benefits were 6% lower; annuity benefits 

decreased by 45%. Annuity reserves were considerably higher (+$13,694,000) reflecting the increase 

in premium income and decrease in annuity benefits. Commissions were 56.6% higher 

reflecting larger production; operation expenses were a modest 3.3% higher, led by General Expenses 

which were only 0.7% higher, and taxes were 29.6% higher. Management continues to 

control expenses. Dividends to members were 9.8% lower. The Society enjoyed a gain from 

operations for the 15th year in a row. 

Bond and Preferred Stock capital losses, both realized and unrealized, were reviewed earlier 

in this Report. 

There are no known trends which will cause future operation results to deviate materially from 

2009 results. 

The AVR increased by $2,278,782, reversing the large 2008 decrease in this reserve. The increase 

in AVR was also detailed earlier in this Report. The IMR decreased 47.0% and now stands 

at $1,399,337. 

The combination of surplus, AVR and IMR total $17,082.472, an increase of 43% over the same 

items in 2008. This amount represents stable funds available for member safety. 

The items which provide liquidity are $4,417,205 of cash/short term funds, $3,318,652 of Common 

Stock, over $4,200,000 of bonds maturing in less than one year, $17,000,000 of premium 

income and almost $15,000,000 of investment income. Expected outgo for benefit payments, 

commissions, dividends and expenses is about $12,000,000. The society has more than adequate 

liquidity as reflected by the $18,000,000 of cash from operations in 2009. 

The Risk Based surplus calculations indicate that total adjusted surplus is $15,883,133, which 

is above actual surplus. This does not include the IMR. The total for 50% of the calculated RBC 

was $3,359,003 (after RBC Cash Flow Scenario testing which did not require an adjustment entry), 

which is substantially lower than actual surplus. The Society’s RBS ratio of 473 is safely above 

regulatory action levels. 

The Society has only two IRIS Ratios outside the NAIC designated ranges. Both unusual ratios 

result from the large increase in premium income. 

The Society recorded a decrease of $579,000 for insurance in force. This represents a departure 

from other years. Insurance in force has increased 1.8% since 2005. 

Our 2009 financial statements, quarterly and year-end were compiled and completed on a timely 

basis and filed with the various states in which we are licensed to do business. We are continually 

in contact with the regulatory agencies of the various states regarding their requirements, which 

are constantly changing. We are in compliance with all of the states’ and NAIC accounting regulations. 

In 2009 we had a loss in insurance membership (death claims, cash withdrawals, expels, etc.) 

of 1,097members compared to a loss of 1,152 in 2008. We had a decrease in the number of life 

insurance certificates of 1,475 in 2009 compared to a loss of 1,269 in 2008. 

As of December 31, 2009, the Society had 4,267 annuity certificates. As of December 31, 2009, 

annuitant membership totals 1,387 annuitant members (this total does not reflect members who 

have both insurance and annuity contracts). The total cash value of our annuity accounts for 2009 

continued on page 7

was $113,055,636 compared to $102,402,227 in 2008. Our annuity products continue to be the 

bright spot in our portfolio, bringing in over $36,800,000 in the last five years alone. This represents 

great confidence in our Society and its continued growth. 

The First Catholic Slovak Union’s insurance and annuity portfolio contains many products, which 

suit all insurance and annuity needs. The Membership and Marketing Committee, along with our 

actuarial firm, Bruce and Bruce Company, and our Financial Consulting Firm, Bruce and DePersis, 

continues to explore avenues to improve and enhance our existing products and develop new 

products such as the new 8 Year Flexible Premium Deferred Annuity and the new Park Free Plus 

Annuity for our members. We have expanded our marketing advertisements in our Jednota newspaper 

and in our mailings to our members. 

In 2009 we continued to offer training seminars to our branches and districts. These seminars 

are designed to educate our branch officers, district officers and recommenders not only about 

our existing products but also our new products and ways to present them. We believe these 

seminars will help stimulate the growth of our Society, develop motivation and strengthen the 

relationship between the home office, our branches and recommenders. Our goal is to keep the 

lines of communication open among our branches, districts, recommenders and the home office. 

We encourage our district officers, branch officers and recommenders to personally discuss their 

thoughts and ideas with us. 

We are further expanding our search for new independent insurance agents to sell our products. 

The agents that have signed contracts with our Society are eager and very interested in making 

our products available to their clients. They have been especially enthusiastic about our annuity 

products and insurance rates. 

The home office maintains a supply of sales tools, which aid our officers, recommenders and 

independent agents with their presentation of our products. Some of these tools are sales kits, 

which contain information regarding our products (rates, application forms, etc.) and sales brochures 

describing our products. The 2001 Mortality Tables have also been incorporated into the 

sales kits. We now have available our new updated version of the pamphlet: What is the Jednota. 

This pamphlet gives a brief history of our Society. Our highly qualified home office staff is also 

available during normal business hours to answer any questions concerning rates, completing 

applications, etc. To better serve our members and to increase efficiency, we offer an automatic 

premium payment service, which enables our members to have their premium payments automatically 

deducted from their bank accounts. Automatic deposit for annuity checks is also available 

to our annuity holders. For the convenience of our members, we are now accepting Visa and 

Master Card credit cards which may be used for premium payments, annuity deposits and loan 

payments. 

We are continually updating our computer system to ensure that it meets and exceeds all state 

and NAIC requirements and customizing and updating it to be more efficient and cost saving is an 

ongoing process. 

We continue to use, direct mail as a means of contacting our branches and our members, giving 

them information about our existing and new products. Direct mail is a necessary tool in marketing 

our products as we can reach a vast majority of our members in a short time. Our official organ, 

Jednota, is also a very useful vehicle for advertising our products. In 2009 we met our goal of 

sending the newspaper to every household to better inform our members about our products. 

Anthony Sutherland, editor of Jednota newspaper, retired as of January 2010. We appreciate 

and thank Anthony for his many years of service to the Society. We have appointed Teresa Ivanec 

as our new editor and she will be working out of our home office in Independence, Ohio. All articles 

should be sent to the home office or they may be emailed to fcsulifeeditor@gmail.com. 

The FCSU maintains its own web site (www.fcsu,.com), which contains the history of our Society 

and information about our products. We are continuing to update our website so that when you 

visit it you will not only have the latest information regarding our insurance and annuity products 

but also information about what is going on in the FCSU (branch meetings, district meetings, 

etc.). The Jednota newspaper (English and Slovak sections) is now on our web page and for our 

member’s convenience four back issues and the current issue are maintained on the web page 

at all times. The site contains links to Slovak news agencies, the Slovak Embassy and also to our 

Fraternal Activities Director’s website. We continue to offer insurance quotes on our website for the 

convenience of all our members. 

We have the capability of sending and receiving information from our members through our 

e-mail address, fcsu@aol.com. We encourage our members and officers to use e-mail when corresponding 

with the home office. In 2009 our annual statement was filed electronically with the 

NAIC. We have been filing electronically financial and various reports required by the states in 

which we are licensed. 



PRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING, 

MARCH 20 – 21, 2010 


We are continually looking for ways to improve our home office operations. We believe a strong 

communication and working relationship between the home office, branches and recommenders 

is vital. Input from our members is necessary and very important to us. The home office always 

welcomes suggestions about ways to improve service to our members. 

In 2009 our internal auditors and outside auditors, Hosack, Specht, Muetzel & Wood, conducted 

their audits for the period ending December 31, 2009. Their audits consisted of a complete review 

of our quarterly and year-end financial statements and our home office operations. As a result of 

these audits our Society received an excellent review. 

During 2009, we continued merging inactive branches with active branches. This process will 

continue through 2010. This is an ongoing problem for our home office since many of our branch 

officers are unable to continue to service the members in their branches and not only is it difficult 

to find replacements for them within their branches, but it is also difficult to find other branches to 

merge them with. We have hired an individual to work closely with our branches and independent 

agents and to provide support, information and generally to be available and answer questions. 

The year 2009 was the eleventh year that our branches had to meet the requirements set forth 

by the 46th and 48th Convention to qualify for the branch stipend. We encourage our branch officers 

that if they are unable to perform their duties and cannot find anyone in their branches to 

take over their duties, to call the home office. We will try to merge them with an active branch. 

For those branches that do not wish to merge, the home office can offer you guidelines as to how 

you can meet the requirements and receive the stipend. Throughout 2009 the requirements for the 

financial obligations (bylaw section 4.05) has been mailed to all branch officers as a reminder of 

the expectations for each branch. 

The FCSU has an outstanding scholarship program, which is available to our members who 

meet the requirements. Members may contact the home office for information concerning the 

scholarship program. We continue to award 75 one-time scholarships each year to the highest 

ranking applicants. 

The Jednota Benevolent Foundation, which is separate from the Society’s scholarship program, 

is available to any person pursuing post-secondary education. To be eligible for this one-time 

scholarship, the applicant must be of Slovak descent and Catholic faith. At this time, ten non-renewable 

scholarships in the amount of $500.00 each are expected to be awarded. 

Our Society is very active in fraternal activities. We sponsor bowling and golf tournaments each 

year. In 2009 we held a very successful joint Golf Tournament with the Slovak Catholic Sokols 

and hope to plan another event in the near future. A coloring contest for the younger members of 

our Society is held each December. Family picnics are now held on the District level and are more 

centrally located for our members. There were activities for the young and older members of the 

FCSU at the picnics. We hope to continue this practice annually. One of the activities that the 

FCSU takes part in each year is the March for Life, which is held in Washington, D.C. in January. 

Members of our Society join with all others who respect the rights of the unborn. We continue to 

explore joint adventures with other fraternals for the future. 

As I have stated in the past, the economic success of our Society hinges on four factors: the effective 

sale and promoting of our insurance and annuity products to increase premium income; the 

effective management of our investment portfolio to increase our investment income; continuing 

to control our operating expenses; and also investigate new ways to attract new members. New 

members are vital to our growth. 

As your Executive Secretary, I represent the FCSU on the Board of Directors of the Slovak 

Catholic Federation and the Slovak League. I have attended and represented the Society at fraternal 

functions not only within our FCSU but also other fraternal societies. I represent the society at 

various branch and district meetings throughout the year. Each year I attend the National Fraternal 

Congress of America’s Annual Meeting. I also attend many seminars, including the Bruce and 

Bruce Seminars, which are always very informative regarding current insurance trends and pending 

state and NAIC regulations that might affect the FCSU. 

My family and I appreciate your trust and support as your Executive Secretary and I will continue 

to work and do my very best for our society. As we prepare for our 49th Quadrennial Convention 

to be held in Cleveland, Ohio and work toward a stronger society we need to respect each other 

and at all times to address all issues with honesty and integrity. This year our society will celebrate 

its 120th anniversary. We are the First Catholic Slovak Union and I pray that our Society continues 

to grow. We have outstanding products with competitive rates and we all need to be involved in 

reaching new members and promote our society. 

In conclusion, I would like to thank all of my fellow officers and board members who assisted me 

throughout the year. A special thank you goes to our home office staff, a very hard-working entity 

of our Society. 

We use the Internet daily to communicate with our members and to receive information from the 

Slovak Embassy and the Slovak News Agency. This information is used by our Slovak Editor to 

write articles about current events in Slovakia. 

Fraternally, 

Kenneth A. Arendt 

Executive Secretary


FROM THE DESK OF THE VICE PRESIDENT 

NAMING AND CHANGING 

THE BENEFICIARY 

PART II 

As I stated in the first article…the most important right the policy 

owner has in a life insurance policy is the right to designate the 

beneficiary. Let’s look at naming a minor as beneficiary. 

A minor does not usually have the legal capacity to provide a 

valid receipt for the proceeds of a life insurance policy. If a company 

were to pay policy proceeds to a minor without obtaining a 

valid receipt, the minor, upon attaining the legal age of majority, 

has the legal right to demand payment of the proceeds a second 

time. 

To avoid this problem, it is often necessary for the insurance 

company to ask a court to appoint a financial guardian for the 

National Vice President 

Andrew R. Harcar, Sr. 

minor. However, such a procedure is an expense to the minorbeneficiary, 

and the appointed guardian may make decisions of 

which the insured would not have approved. 

Some states permit the insurance company to make limited payments for the benefit of 

a minor-beneficiary when these payments are made to an adult who is entitled to receive 

these payments are made to an adult who is supporting the minor. 

If the insurance proceeds are not needed for the minor’s immediate support, insurance 

companies may retain the proceeds at interest and make settlement of the proceeds and 

interest at a future date. This may be either the date when the minor reaches the age of 

majority or the date when a trustee or guardian is appointed who can give the insurer a valid 

receipt for the proceeds. 

Life insurance contracts usually give the policy owner the right to change the beneficiary 

designation as many times as desired over the life of the policy. This right to change the 

beneficiary designation is known as the right of revocation. A beneficiary designation is said 

to be a revocable beneficiary designation if there are no restrictions on the policy owner’s 

right to change the designation. If the policy owner waives the right to change the beneficiary 

designation, then the designation is known as an irrevocable beneficiary designation. 

Revocable Beneficiary: Unless the policy owner indicates to the contrary, the beneficiary 

is revocable. A revocable beneficiary generally has no legal interest in the proceeds or 

involvement with the policy until the instant the insured person dies. 

Irrevocable Beneficiary: A policy owner may, at any time, designate the beneficiary as an 

irrevocable beneficiary. The policy owner then gives up the right to change the beneficiary. 

The irrevocable beneficiary has a vested interest in the proceeds of the life insurance policy 

even during the life time of the insured. An interest is said to be vested if a person cannot 

be deprived of that interest without giving consent. 

Because an irrevocable beneficiary has a vested interest in the policy proceeds, most 

insurers will not permit the policy owner who has designated an irrevocable beneficiary to 

exercise all the usual ownership rights under the contract without that irrevocable beneficiary’s 

consent. For example, the policy owner cannot obtain a loan on the policy or surrender 

the policy for cash without the consent of the irrevocable beneficiary. 

Did you check your policy to make sure the beneficiary doesn’t need to be changed... 

if not, do it today. 

Until next time, 

Good Luck and God Bless, 



Chairman, Membership and Marketing Committee 

Celebrating Our 

SLOVAK CATHOLIC 

CULTURE 

Celebrating Our 

St. Andrew Svorad Abbey is hosting another event in our series: 

“Celebrating Our Slovak Catholic Culture”. 

Cosponsors are: the Slovak Catholic Federation, Cleveland Chapter; St. Andrew Svorad, 

Br. #24, and St. Joseph, Br. #1 of the FCSU, Jednota; The Slovak Institute of Cleveland. 

The theme of this celebration is: “To remember, honor and pray to the martyrs and confessors 

of our Catholic faith and for all who sacrificed and suffered during the godless Communist 

rule of our beloved homeland of Slovakia”. 

The date is Sunday, May 23 with Mass at 1:00 PM at St. Andrew Svorad Abbey Church, 

2900 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Cleveland OH 44104. A bountiful lunch follows immediately 

at the Abbey, of favorite Slovak food prepared by Bill Hricovic of Tom’s Country Place and 

bakery provided by Lucy’s Sweet Surrender of Buckeye Road at 2:45 PM. A presentation 

and discussion on the event’s theme will be given. 

The cost will be $12.00 to be paid before the event. Information and reservations can be 

made by contacting Marie Golias 216-228-8179, Susan Lang 216-896-0957 after 6:00 PM, 

Sean Koltiska 440-666-9046, Joseph Hornack 216-721-5300 ext. 294, or Fr. Albert Marflak, 

OSB 216-721-5300 ext.209. Reservations are due by May 18th. 

Checks are to be made out to St. Andrew Abbey and may be sent to Fr. Albert, OSB or 

given to any of the above contacts. 

SLOVAK CATHOLIC CULTURE 

St. Andrew Svorad Abbey is hosting another event in our series: 

“Celebrating Our Slovak Catholic Culture”. 

Cosponsors are: the Slovak Catholic Federation, Cleveland Chapter; St. 

Andrew Svorad, Br. #24, and St. Joseph, Br. #1 of the FCSU, Jednota; The 

Slovak Institute of Cleveland. 

The theme of this celebration is: “To remember, honor and pray to the 

martyrs and confessors of our Catholic faith and for all who sacrificed and 

suffered during the godless Communist rule of our beloved homeland of 

Slovakia”. 

The date is Sunday, May 23 with Mass at 1:00 PM at St. Andrew Svorad 

Abbey Church, 2900 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Cleveland OH 44104. A 

bountiful lunch follows immediately at the Abbey, of favorite Slovak food 

prepared by Bill Hricovic of Tom’s Country Place and bakery provided by 

Lucy’s Sweet Surrender of Buckeye Road at 2:45 PM. A presentation and 

discussion on the event’s theme will be given. 

vvv vvv vvv 

The cost will be $12.00 to be paid before the event. Information and 

reservations can be made by contacting Marie Golias 216-228-8179, 

Susan Lang 216-896-0957 after 6:00 PM, Sean Koltiska 440-666-9046, 

Joseph Hornack 216-721-5300 ext. 294, or Fr. Albert Marflak, OSB 216- 

721-5300 ext.209. Reservations are due by May 18 th . 

Frank T. Holly District 

Elects Officers 

Checks are to be made out to St. Andrew Abbey and may be sent to Fr. 

Albert, OSB or given to any of the above contacts. 

Karen Hunka, Chairwoman of Auditors, swears in the officers at the district 

meeting. 

 

BeneficiaryChanges 

Pleasekeepyourpoliciesuptodate! 

Tochangeyourbeneficiariesyoucandownloadthe 

memberservicerequestformfromourwebsiteat 

www.fcsu.comthenmailtotheHomeOfficeat 

6611RocksideRd, Suite 300,IndependenceOH44131 

Frank T. Holly, Jr. District Officers were elected at a district meeting held on Sunday 

March 14, 2010. They are (L – R): Dolores Marmol, treasurer; James Marmol, 

president; Geraldine Buchheit, vice president; Barbara Holly, secretary; Thomas 

Kocis, auditor and Audrey Balazik, auditor.

Scholarships Available For 

Study in Slovakia 

The Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic has announced the 2010 Government Scholarship 

Program. The Scholarship Program provides for University study in the Slovak Republic in the 

Slovak language (both graduate and undergraduate), including one year preparatory language training 

at Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia. 

The Government Scholarship Program is specifically intended to provide university education opportunities 

for Slovaks living abroad. As a result of that, Slovak organizations in the United States 

have a unique opportunity to influence candidate selection because the Ministry of Education requires 

any candidate to be endorsed by the local Slovak organization. Scholarships are available only to 

non-Slovak citizens under 26 years of age. 

Candidates may select any study program of their interest at any accredited university in Slovakia; 

however, a list of preferred study programs has been compiled and is available by request. Please 

be advised that medical sciences, dentistry, and pharmacy are not recommended in 2010 by the 

Ministry of Education. 

Candidates must submit their applications to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic 

by May 30, 2010. Applications received after May 30, 2010 will not be accepted. Candidates may 

also apply individually and directly to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – OKUD, Hlboka, cesta 2, 833 36 

Bratislava. 

The Slovak Embassy is willing to provide assistance in submitting applications; however, be advised 

that the deadline to submit applications at the Embassy is May 1, 2010. The Slovak Embassy 

is located at 3523 International Court, NW, Washington, DC 20008. 

For more information, contact Ms. Terezia Sajgalikova, e-mail: terezia.sajgalikova@mzv.sk, tel. 

202-237-1054 ext. 223 or visit the website of the Slovak Ministry of Education at www.minedu.sk. 

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Studia Academica Slovaca 

The prestigious “Studia Academica Slovaca” (SAS) has been an educational program organized 

by Comenius University in Bratislava for the past 46 years. This year, SAS will run from August 1st to 

August 21st 2010, with a curriculum aimed at all those studying the Slovak language and culture, and 

all Slavists in general. This intensive program is especially geared toward university or college professors, 

experienced teachers, postgraduates and advanced undergraduates of Slovak and Slavonic 

studies, as well as writers, translators and all others interested in the Slovak language and culture. 

The program also offers the opportunity to study the basics of the Slovak language at any level of 

proficiency, including beginners, with the goal of helping students improve and extend their Slovak 

language competence, as well as increase their level of expertise in Slovak literature and culture. 

More information about SAS is available at www.fphil.uniba.sk/sas 

Application for the course should be submitted online at “www.e-slovak.sk/apply/”, by May 15, 

2010. 

To promote participation from the U.S., the Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic offers 3 

scholarships for participants from the U.S. to the SAS program. (Scholarship does not cover travel 

and insurance) 

Scholarship application 

Applications for the SAS scholarship should be submitted to the Embassy of the Slovak Republic, 

3524 International Court, NW, 20008 Washington, DC. Deadline for the scholarship applications is 

the April 15th, 2010. Application may have a form of a general letter, fax (202-237-6438) or email 

(terezia.sajgalikova@mzv.sk – please use as a subject code Studia Academica Slovaca) expressing 

interest to receive scholarship for the Studia Academica Slovaca that includes applicant’s: 

Date of Birth, Address of Permanent Residence, Address of Temporary Residence, Nationality, 

Citizenship, Current Employment, Telephone contact, Fax (if available), E-mail contact, Indication 

whether candidate received SAS scholarship in the past, Current skills in Slovak language (proficiency, 

intermediate, beginner), character of use of Slovak language - including indication to which of 

the priority groups (explained further) applicant belongs. 

Properly submitted applications will be confirmed by the Embassy. If your application has not been 

confirmed within 3 days following submission, please contact the Embassy without delay. 

Applicants for SAS scholarships will be selected according to following priorities (Priority Groups). 

1. University or college professors, experienced teacher, postgraduate and advanced undergraduate 

of Slovak and Slavonic studies in the U.S, 

2. Writers, translators, journalists, artists using Slovak language in the U.S., 

3. U.S. Businessmen and employees of the U.S. based companies active in the Slovak Republic, 

3. Members of the Slovak American organizations and families, 

4. All other with interested in Slovak language and culture. 

Within the same group, priority will be given to those: 

1. whose work is perceived as most beneficial for promotion of the Slovak language and culture in 

the U.S. or for the promotion of strong Slovak-U.S relations, 

2. who are in the most need of financial assistance (i.e., students, postgraduates, etc.) 

3. who haven’t received a SAS scholarship in the past. 

Previous application for scholarship has no positive or negative influence on the decision making 

process. 

All applicants will be informed about a decision on their application by April 25, 2010. Successful 

candidates will then individually apply online using a special scholarship code provided by the Embassy. 

Candidates who do not qualify for a SAS scholarship will still have the opportunity to apply as a 

self-paying participant in the program. Note: if you are applying for a scholarship, please do not apply 

online prior to a decision being rendered on your eligibility. An applicant who applies online without an 

assigned special scholarship code will be automatically processed as a self-paying applicant. 


St. Clement’s Society Branch 

40 Scholarship for 2010 

Attention all students: the St. Clement’s Society Branch 40 is once again offering scholarships to 

its youth members. You may be eligible to win a one-time scholarship if: 

• You are a member of the FCSU St. Clement’s Society Branch 40 

• You are in high school and have applied for a fall term at a qualifying institute, OR 

• You are attending a private grade school. 

The available scholarships – a one-time award of $500 for college and a one-time award of $250 

for private grade school – are solely funded by your local lodge (Branch 40), and not by the FCSU 

National Office. 

For more criteria and an application, please call Theresa at (815) 672-6142, and leave a message. 

Or you can email her at ttegraves@mchsi.com to receive information electronically, including an application. 

All applications must be postmarked by April 15, 2010. 

Theresa Graves, Scholarship Committee 

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Slovak Alliance of Greater Bridgeport 

College 2010 Scholarship 

The Slovak Alliance of Greater Bridgeport, Connecticut is now accepting applications for its 

$1,000.00 2010 Scholarship for students entering their sophomore, junior or senior year of college or 

graduate school. Applications, procedures and guideline forms are available by sending a stamped, 

self-addressed envelope to Chairperson Eileen S. Wilson, 395 Pilgrim Lane, Stratford, Connecticut 

06614, by the deadline of May 11, 2010. 

Among the requirements for scholarship: Applicant, grandparent(s), parent(s) must be a member 

of the Slovak Alliance for a minimum of three years and of Slovak descent. 

vvv vvv vvv 

The Follow Your Fates Trilogy 

Concludes with the Exile of Aeneas 

In 2009, Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers introduced The Wrath of Achilles, the first interactive fiction 

title ever based on the Iliad, and the first book in the Follow Your Fates trilogy written by Latin teacher 

Ed DeHoratius and illustrated by award-winning comic book artist Brian Delandro Hardison. The 

Journey of Odysseus was released later that year, following quickly on the success of its predecessor. 

Both books are now in their second printing. 

In The Exile of Aeneas, the reader assumes the role of Aeneas, Troy’s preeminent hero whose 

loyalty and integrity are legendary. The book challenges its readers at every turn to see if Aeneas’ 

values hold firm after the destruction of his city, a grueling exile, and yet another war. 

In The Exile of Aeneas, readers face the same decisions as Aeneas in Vergil’s Aeneid, but they control 

the outcome. Only one path leads to destiny. Thirty-one others lead to death, defeat, or shame. 

Readers aged eight and up will experience Aeneas’ exile and travels firsthand in this dramatic, 

dynamically illustrated text. 

To learn more about the Follow Your Fates series, and to order The Exile of Aeneas or the entire 

FYF trilogy, visit www.bolchazy.com/followyourfates. The site includes free, downloadable desktop 

wallpaper for your computer based on the covers of the three books, links to the bolchazy.com shopping 

cart, and a rock video featuring images from inside the books.

PAGE 10 JEDNOTA, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 2010 

MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER QUARTERLY BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

MEETING OF THE FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK UNION 

OF THE USA AND CANADA 

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2009 HOME OFFICE INDEPENDENCE, OHIO 

Saturday, December 19, 2009 – meeting via conference call 

OPEN MEETING 

President Andrew Rajec called the meeting to order at 9:30 A.M. and asked Reverend 

Thomas A. Nasta, Chaplain, to offer the opening prayer. 

ROLL CALL 

The AT & T operator read the roll call with the following members present at the Home Office: 

Andrew M. Rajec, National President; 

Kenneth A. Arendt, Executive Secretary; 

and the following members were present over the phone: 

Rev. Thomas Nasta, National Chaplain; 

Andrew R. Harcar, Sr., National Vice President; 

George F. Matta, National Treasurer 

Karen M. Hunka, Chairman of Auditors; 

Susan M. Ondrejco, Fraternal Activities Director; 

Gary J. Matta, General Counsel; 

Joseph F. Minarovich, Regional Director, Region 1 

Damian Nasta, Regional Director, Region 2; 

Carl Ungvarsky, Regional Director, Region 3; 

George Sprock, Regional Director, Region 4; 

Regis P. Brekosky, Regional Director, Region 5; 

Henry Hassay, Regional Director, Region 6; 

Rudolph Glogovsky, Regional Director, Region 7; 

Milos Mitro, Regional Director, Regions 8 & 9. 

READING OF THE CALL 

The Executive Secretary then read the Call to the December Quarterly Meeting. 

ACCEPTANCE OF THE MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 2009 QUARTERLY BOARD OF 

DIRECTORS MEETING 

The President asked the Members of the Board of Directors to read the minutes before 

accepting them. 

PRESENTATION OF THE AGENDA 

The President presented the agenda for the December Meeting and asked for its acceptance. 

A motion was made by Damian Nasta and seconded by Milos Mitro to accept the agenda 

and allow the President to change the order of the agenda. Motion carried. 

AQS – ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC. REPORT 

Larry White from AQS joined the Board of Directors meeting via telephone and 

presented the following agenda: 

- Portfolio metrics and distribution 

- Transactions 

- Projected Portfolio Cash Flows 

- Market Data 

Fed Fund Futures/FOMC 

Market Levels 

10 year corporate bond spreads vs. treasuries 

- Corporate Bond Spreads 1yr and 10yr historical 

- The CIT Exchange – Impact and Results 

- Commentary 

A copy of his report was mailed to the Board of Directors prior to the meeting for review. 

Mr. White stated that any Board of Directors Member can join his Web-ex presentation. 

When Mr. White completed his presentation, he answered the questions of the Board of 

Directors. 

PRESIDENT’S REPORT 

Branches 

President Rajec stated that the Home Office employees are in the process of trying to get 

new Officers for Branches in need of them. He further stated that a few inactive Branches 

have been merged with active Branches. Branch mergers have been published in the Jednota. 

Editor 

The President noted that he appointed a new Editor for the Jednota newspaper effective 

January 2010. He stated that a ratification of this appointment from the Board of Directors 

will take place at the March 2010 Board of Directors Meeting. The President also stated that 

he and the newly appointed Editor visited the Printery in Middletown, PA. The new editor will 

spend a few days at the Printery meeting with our retiring editor, Mr. Anthony Sutherland, in 

order to have a smooth transition. Anna Sutherland agreed to stay as Editor for the Slovak 

section of the Jednota newspaper. 

Estates 

The President presented an update on the progress of painting, cleaning and fixup 

repairs of the Printery building in Middletown, PA. He stated that the jobs are almost 

completed and he was informed by the real-estate agent that he showed the Printery twice 

to potential lessees. 

Jednota Newspaper 

The President informed the Board of Directors that during his visit with Mr. Anthony 

Sutherland in Middletown, PA, he along with Mr. & Mrs. Sutherland and the newly appointed 

Editor, Mrs. Theresa Ivanec, visited the Susquehanna Printery in Ephrata, PA. Susquehanna 

Printery prints the Jednota newspaper. 

FINANCIAL REPORTS FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 2009 

Executive Secretary’s Report 

Kenneth A. Arendt presented the Financial Report for the third quarter of 2009 and 

answered the Board Members’ questions. He stated that the Financial Report will be published 

in the Jednota newspaper. 

Key Bank Investments 

The Executive Secretary updated the Board of Directors on the Society’s investments with 

Key Bank. He stated that our rate of return exceeded our expectations. The Executive Secretary 

also reported on the activity we have with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati 

and answered the Board’s questions. 

The Executive Secretary presented the 2010 Budget proposal. He stated that the 2010 

Budget proposal was mailed to the Members of the Board of Directors prior to this meeting. 

A motion was made by Carl Ungvarsky and seconded by Rudolph Glogovsky to approve the 

proposed 2010 Budget as presented. Motion carried. 

MEMBERSHIP AND MARKETING 

The Vice President reviewed the Production Report by Districts for the third quarter 

of 2009 and the production to the date and answered the Board’s questions. He stated that 

we are in process of signing up more independent agents. 

Seminars 

The Vice President reported on seminars we had this year and stated that he is planning 

to set dates for seminars in 2010 within Branches and Districts. 

New Annuity Products 

The Vice President reported on our new Park Free Annuity product and also on the 

new Eight Year Annuity. The Eight Year Annuity will be introduced after the 1st of January 

2010 with a bonus rate which will be determined at that time. The new Park Free Annuity is 

doing well and he will have a final report at the March 2010 Board of Directors Meeting. 

PRESENTATION OF STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS 

Executive Committee The Executive Secretary gave a report on the Executive Committee. 

He stated that the Executive Committee met in accordance with the Bylaws and took 

whatever action necessary to take care of the Society’s business. 

Scholarship Committee The Executive Secretary gave a report on Scholarships. The 

applications for the FCSU scholarships were available to all eligible members and, once 

completed, will be presented to the Scholarship Committee. 

DIRECTOR OF FRATERNAL ACTIVIES REPORT 

Susan Ondrejco presented her written report. She updated the Board of Directors 

on the Bowling Tournament which will be held at Eastway Lanes, Erie, PA on April 30-May 02, 

2010. The Fraternal Director also updated the Board on upcoming Golf tournament to be held 

on July 24 & 25, 2010 at Cedarbrook, Belle Vernon, PA. She further stated that she will be 

working on a package deal for both tournaments. She reported that there will be no joint events 

with the Sokols in 2010 because of scheduling problems. Joint events in 2011 are being considered. 

Susan Ondrejco also updated the Board of Directors on an upcoming Coloring Contest. 

continued on page 11

Minutes of the December 

Quarterly Board Jednota of 3/31/10 Directors 

Crossword 


JEDNOTA, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 2010 PAGE 11 

Jednota Crossword 

Puzzle 

PuzzleJunction 

CHAIRMAN OF AUDITORS REPORT 

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Chairman of Auditors, Karen Hunka, presented Jednota her oral report 3/31/10 and Crossword 

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SUBSIDIARIES REPORT 

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George Matta, President of the Jednota, Inc., gave a report on Building No. 1 2 Indonesian and stated island 

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Regis Brekosky, President of Jednota Properties, Inc., presented 17 Calcedony 

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Board of Directors Meeting. 

38 39 40 41 

21 Editor 17 Calcedony 17 Calcedony 

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23 Whirlpool 

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Regis Brekosky informed the Board of Directors about the Jednota Properties, 19 Earlier Inc. teleconference 

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The President reported to the Board of Directors that we secured 34 Extra the large dates 31 Pinch August 14 31 Pinch 

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Public Square, Cleveland, Ohio, 44113. As soon as more detailed 

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MISCLELLANEOUS 

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Father Nasta suggested a review by the Bylaw Committee for the 2010 Convention 

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Under the “Park 2 Annuity”, you make a one-time deposit of at least $1,000.00 into an annuity fund that 

accumulates interest at a guaranteed rate for two years. Additional deposits are not allowed. 

Features of the “Park 2 Annuity” include: 

The FCSU guarantees your initial interest rate for two years. After two years, your funds will 

continue to accumulate interest at no less than 3.0%. 

The “Park 2 Annuity” can be converted to any of the FCSU Annuity Plans at any time. 

The “Park 2 Annuity” is not applicable to any settlement option or interest option. 

Withdrawal Privileges-Funds withdrawn during the first two years are subject to an FCSU Early 

Withdrawal Charge. The charge is 6% the first year and 5% the second year. You may, however, 

withdraw up to 10% of your ‘Beginning of the year balance’ with no FCSU Early Withdrawal 

Charge. 

Even though you may not incur an FCSU Early Withdrawal Charge, withdrawals before age 

59 ½ may be subject to a federal tax penalty. 

Tax on the interest earned is deferred until the annuity funds are drawn. 

The minimum deposit is $1,000.00. 

Please contact your Branch Officer or the Home Office for applications 

Visit our web site at FCSU.com 

See Solution on Page 18 

Solution on next page


March: Significant for Slovaks as Saint Joseph’s Month 

By Sister Maria Theresa Hronec, SS C.M. 

The month of March has always been significant for Slovaks as St. Joseph’s month. I 

fondly recall my mother’s unique devotion as she claimed St. Joseph to be in charge of the 

keys to her home. Special hymns reechoed often, along with prayers and my own favorite 

– the blue chaplet of St. Joseph. 

Mom’s reverence was highlighted with a climactic pilgrimage to St. Joseph’s Basilica in 

Montreal, Canada. I’m sure he honored her dedication when, at the end of her life, she was 

buried on the first of March. 

I now present a favorite hymn, Tisíc ráz pozdravujeme Teba. I hope to capture it’s profound 

meaning in English here and share its joy with you. Pray it with me. 

Blessed Joseph (Tisíc ráz pozdravujeme Teba) 

1. Thousand fold we greet you, Blessed Joseph, 

Favored Guardian of the Child Jesus; 

Faith and trust in God you lived profoundly; 

Help us daily follow you completely. 

Now rejoicing, loved, esteemed with Mary, 

Heaven magnifies your life in glory; 

Angels join in praise for all you’ve done, 

Cherished Foster Father of God’s Son. 

2. Caring Joseph, gifted with compassion, 

Hear, accept, embrace our prayer-petition; 

Gentle parent, powerful protector, 

Named with Mary, faithful intercessor, 

Be our precious friend, a steadfast guide, 

Walk as life’s companion by our side; 

Songs and hopeful prayers we bring to you, 

Filled with gratitude for all you do. 

3. Listen to each poor and needy fam’ly, 

When they call to you in poverty. 

Hear the orphaned, lost, abandoned children, 

As they cry in fear, abuse and pain. 

While on earth, we need you, Intercessor, 

After Mary, advocate to treasure. 

Gen’rous Joseph, dutiful and kind, 

Father of Christ’s Church our humankind. 

4. Intercede for us, O good St. Joseph, 

As we honor and revere your name. 

Turn away all war, floods, plagues and hunger, 

Shield us from such violence and danger. 

When at last our time of death is come, 

Help us join you in our heav’nly home. 

May our final words of prayer request 

Jesus, Joseph, Mother Mary, bless. 

Translated by Sr. Maria Theresa Hronec, SS C.M. 

A Powerful Tribute 

This hymn is such a powerful tribute to St. Joseph. In St. Matthew’s Gospel, we meet 

him as a righteous man, unwilling to disgrace Mary. God saw the anxiety in Joseph’s heart 

and sent an angel to both approve the marriage and announce the birth of their son. The 

directive to name the child Jesus also serves to rightfully establish Joseph as the father of 

the child, the Savior of all. Joseph realized the meaning and power of the title, Emmanuel 

– God’s presence in their lives. Immediately, dutifully, he took charge as head of the family. 

Joseph managed the trip to Bethlehem, the escape to Egypt and the return to Nazareth in 

Galilee (Mt 1,2). 

So obvious and filial was Jesus’ own devotedness to his foster father that the villagers 

referred to him as “the son of Joseph” (Lk4;22). 

We venerate you, St. Joseph, not only as the Protector of Christ in his childhood, but also 

as the Guardian of his Mystical Body now, the Church. This devotion was promulgated by 

Pope John Paul II. 

 

 

ThemonthofMarchhasalwaysbeensignificantforSlovaksasSt. 

Tisíc ráz pozdravujeme Teba 

TheresaHronec,SSC.M,remindsusonpage12. 

 

1. Tisíc raz pozdravujeme Teba, - šťastný Pestún Krista Ježiša! 

Ty si druhá jasnosť v sláve neba, teba zvelebuje duša naša. 

Ty si po Márii najprvnejší, tvoj trón pred svätými najslávnejší, 

Anjeli ti chválu vzdávajú, Pestúnom teba nazývajú. 

2. Zhliadni na nás, ó blažený Jozef, srdcom vrúcnym teba žiadame. 

Tys’ bezpečné útočište naše, po Márii teba len máme. 

Chválospev ti chceme prespevovať, meno tvoje chceme zvelebovať, 

najkrásnejšie po Božej Matke, spievame ti piesne presladké. 

3. Zhliadni na rodiny ubiedené, ktoré v núdzi k tebe volajú. 

Pohľad na siroty opustené, ktoré s plačom k tebe vzdychajú. 

Lebo v svete nemáme žiadneho: po Márii zástupcu iného, 

krome teba, Otče, Ochranca, svätej Cirkvi mocný Obranca! 

4. Primlúvaj sa, dobrý, svätý Jozef, za každého svojho ctiteľa. 

Odvráť od nás mor, hlad a vojnu, chráň od škody duše i telá. 

Keď budeme konečne umierať, k tebe zrak svoj budeme upierať. 

Nech sú naše posledné slová: Ježiš, Jozef, Matka Mária! 

The month of 

March has always 

been significant 

for Slovaks as St. 

Joseph’s month, 

as Sister Maria 

Theresa Hronec, SS 

C.M, reminds us 

on page 12. 

vvv 

vvv 

vvv 

Slovak Defense Minister Honors FCSU WWII Vets Karch and Matula 

At the March 15, 2010 Slovak Embassy 

Reception, hosted by Ambassador Peter 

Burian and Defense Attache COL Jaroslav 

Gofjar, Slovak Minister of Defense Jaroslav 

Baska honored FCSU World War II Veterans 

John J. Karch and Stephen C. Matula, 

pinning on them his Commemorative Medal 

and giving each a Certificate. This was for 

their faithful and honorable service while 

defending freedom and democracy during 

WW II and for their exceptional and lifelong 

contribution to the mutual relations between 

the Slovak Republic and the U.S.A. 

Also, honors were bestowed, in memoriam, 

on WW II veterans BG Koloman Skalina 

(CzechoSlovak Army) and Sgt Michael 

Strank (U.S. Marine Corps) for their military 

gallantry during their faithful and honorable 

service during WW II. 

This ceremony took place during Minister 

Baska’s official visit to the nation’s capital, 

following his visits to Ottawa, Canada and 

the Indiana National Guard (ING), the latter 

having a “Partnership” with Slovakia. ING 

is headed by MG R. Martin Umbarger who 

presented his medal to John and Steve. 

The highlight of the Minister’s March 9-17 

U.S. visit was his March 17 meeting with 

U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. 

EDITOR’s NOTE: Dr. Karch is preparing 

an article on the Minister’s visit for an early 

JEDNOTA issue. 

L-R: Ambassador Peter Burian, 

COL Steve Matula, Minister 

Jaroslav Baska, LTC John Karch, 

MG R. Martin Umbarger, and 

GEN Lubomir Bulik, Chief of 

the General Staff of the Slovak 

Armed Forces. 

Photo by Pavol Vitko


Treasure Tours Now Forming For Summer 2010 

Jednota member Helene Cincebeaux will lead 

four summer tours of Slovakia and neighboring 

countries for Treasures Tours. Helene is Editor 

of Slovakia magazine and Slovak Pride and Director 

of the Slovak Heritage & Folklore Society 

International, 

The trips feature cultural immersion in Slovak 

history, village life and folklore and have a 98% 

success rate in reuniting travelers with long-lost 

family. Visits to ancestral villages can be arranged 

with a car, translator and advance genealogical 

services. People from 47 states and 10 countries 

have traveled with Helene over the past 21 years; 

many come back, over and over. 

Trips include hotels with private bath in room, 

two large meals a day, bus transport, castle and 

museum visits, historic towns, quaint villages, 

crafts people’s homes and festive gatherings. It’s 

a chance to step back in time and glimpse the 

life of your ancestors. All trips are “land only” but 

round trip airfare can be arranged. Also a Prague 

addition is available. 

Immersion in Slovak Villages & Castles - 

June 25 - July 4 $1,999 (leave US on June 24) 

Meet at Vienna airport, on to fairy-tale Bojnice 

Castle and Folk Festival in Helpa; village visits 

to a bell collector, a doll maker, sheepskin coat 

maker. Marvel at an ancient wooden church that 

is a UNESCO Treasure; dine in a medieval castle; 

visit a lace-making village and a 3 generation 

lace-making family’s home; immerse in a remote 

village with home/farm visits and a party with the 

mayor. Climb Spis Castle and feast at a Pirohy 

Party. Two nights stay in a historic Curia next to 

a castle. Tour Tokaj wine caves; open a dower 

chest in a Liptov village; feast on pampusky; see 

a 400 year old painted wooden church and majestic 

Orava Castle. Marvel at treasures in the 

Slovak Ethnographic Museum in Martin. Photo 

beautiful Beckov Castle atop a volcanic rock and 

tour medieval Cerveny Kamen Castle for beautiful 

furniture and legends. 

Treasures of Slovakia Trip - July 9 - 18 

$1,999 with glimpses of Poland and Austria 

(leave US on July 8) 

Our 22nd year in a row for this popular trip. 

vvv 

Begin with medieval Cerveny Kamen Castle and 

on to central Slovakia. Tour Banska Bystrica, visit 

Detva Folk Festival with rousing performances 

and over 100 crafts people. Historic Kezmarok 

comes alive for the International Crafts Festival 

as the streets are filled with ceramic, glass, textile, 

wood, leather and metal artists and naive painters. 

Visit an alpine resort in the High Tatras, meet 

a sheepskin coat maker and his 4 generation family; 

ride a raft in Pieniny Park; enjoy a Goral dinner 

in charming Zakopane, Poland. Immerse in 

the Zdiar Museum and Stara Lubovna’s outdoor 

skansen; have a Rusyn feast and see a private 

museum; learn about Spis and Rusyn village life. 

Visit UNESCO Treasure Bardejov, its famed icon 

museum and a 200 year-old icon-filled wooden 

church. Touch the heart of Spis, Saris and Abov 

in Levoca, Presov and Kosice. Explore dramatic 

Spis Castle, dance at a village party. Feast in 

a family vineyard. Tour a Celtic castle ruin, and 

take a guided tour of Bratislava’s Old Town; on 

to Vienna to stroll the lanes and dine on wiener 

schnitzel. 

Five Countries - Five Cultures - July 18 - 26 

$1,999 Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Czech Republic 

& Austria (leave US on July 17) 

Meet at Vienna airport, on to Budapest and a 

guided tour of the city; next day to Miskolc to swim 

in the unique cave pools at Tapolca, night lights 

tour to admire the waterfall in the heart of town 

and enjoy the outdoor cafes. Tour UNESCO treasure 

Aggtelek Cave, on to dramatic Krasna Horka 

Castle and charming Kosice. Enjoy Michalovce 

famed museum, Humenne’s Castle and a pottery 

workshop, pick your plate off the wall! Stroll 

Presov’s historic square and on to Poland, thru 

the dramatic Tatra Mts. to Krakow; option to tour 

Wieliczka Royal Salt Mine and Auschwitz Camp. 

Continue on to Czech Republic’s Straznice, heart 

of folk culture, sample wines and meet an egg 

decorator. Then on to Austria where you’ll cruise 

the castle-studded Wachau River Valley. Charming 

Melk Monastery and Durnstein with its ancient 

ruins and apricot specialties. 

Romantic Central European Castles - July 

26 - Aug. 3 $1,999 Slovakia, Hungary, Czech 

vvv 

Republic and Austria ( leave US on July 25) 

Motor through the scenic countryside to Budapest; 

guided tour to Heroes Square, Castle 

Hill and Old Town, admiring the magnificent architecture; 

find treasures at the historic market 

and enjoy a special dinner spotlighting Hungarian 

foods, folk music and dance. To Bratislava to 

stroll the Old Town and visit Devin Castle and a 

ceramic artist’s workshop with dinner in a quaint 

inn. Then Prague, the City of 1,000 Spires, beckons. 

Guided tour of the Old Town, Jewish Quarter, 

Prague Castle & Gardens and famed Charles 

Bridge. Dine in a historic wine cellar and another 

evening on a dinner cruise on the Vltava River. 

To Vienna, the heart of world music, feast on traditional 

schnitzel on a flower-filled terrace under 

the vineyards. See the historic sites in Old Vienna, 

enjoy a concert and marvel at the dramatic 

night lights tour. 

vvv 

The younger 

generation takes 

part in the Helpa 

Folk Festival, 

photo by Helene 

Cincebeaux at the 

Helpa Festival, June 

2009 

For a colorful trip flyer with day by day itineraries, 

call Helene Cincebeaux toll free at 888/529- 

7150 or 585 342-9383 or write to 151 Colebrook 

Dr, Rochester NY 14617 or e-mail helenezx@aol. 

com. You can also check out the web site www. 

Our-Slovakia.com or www.Treasurestours.com. 

If you would like a sample copy of the Slovakia 

magazine published by the Slovak Heritage 

& Folklore Society International for the past 24 

years, send $2 to Helene at the address above. 

To list your surnames in the Slovak Pride data 

base (now more than 28,500 listings) send your 

info to Helene at the address above. You can access 

the Slovak Pride list at www.SlovakPride. 

homestead.com or buy it in a book “Slovak Pride” 

which has all the listings and 40 additional pages 

of maps and articles; cost is $20 plus $3 postage. 

You are welcome to submit your Slovak surnames 

too! 

49th International Convention Preview: Things To Do While In Cleveland 

Cleveland Botanical Garden Glasshouse includes two breathtakingly distinct ecosystems 

for visitors to explore. The desert from Madagascar pictured here, as well as the misty cloud 

forest of Costa Rica. The Botanical Garden is located in the University Circle area, east of 

downtown Cleveland. 

Long acclaimed for excellent acoustics that helped define and develop “the Cleveland 

sound,” Severance Hall is home to The Cleveland Orchestra and is considered one of the 

world’s greatest concert halls. Located in the University Circle area east of downtown Cleveland.


Branch 1 - 

Cleveland, Ohio 

The Saint Joseph Society, Branch 1, will 

have their election of delegates for the 49th 

Convention of the FCSU at the meeting of 

April 13, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. in the St. Cyril & 

Methodius School Hall located at 12608 Madison 

Avenue, Lakewood, Ohio. If you have 

any questions, please call 216.338.8179. All 

members are encouraged to attend. 

Marie A. Golias, Secretary 

Branch 3 – 

Minneapolis, Minnesota 

Branch 3, SS Cyril and Methodius Society, 

will hold a meeting to elect delegates to the 

Convention on Sunday May 2, 2010. The 

meeting will be at 1:00PM at the home of the 

financial secretary at 1001 – 42 ½ Ave, N.E., 

Minneapolis, MN. All members are invited. 

James T. Genosky, Financial Secretary 

Branch 5 – 

Pittston, Pennsylvania 

St. John the Evangelist Society Branch 

005P will hold a special meeting on Sunday, 

April 11, 2010, at 1:00PM at the home 

of President Leonard Zavada, 141 Second 

Street, Wyoming, PA. Among the items on the 

agenda will be the election of delegates to the 

convention that will be held in Cleveland, OH, 

August 14 – 18, 2010. All branch members 

are invited and encouraged to attend. 

Leonard Zavada, President 

Branch 6 – 

Streator, IlLinois 

St. Stephens Branch 06KJ will have a special 

meeting on April 11, 2010 at 10:00 AM at 

1406 N. Baker St., Streator, IL for the nomination 

and election of any member of Branch 

06KJ who desires to attend the 49th FCSU 

National Convention in Cleveland, OH from 

August 14 – 18 as a delegate. You will have to 

attend this special meeting and meet requirements 

established in the bylaws. Call 815- 

672-1764 if you plan to attend. Thank you. 

Robert W. Elias, Sr., President 

Branch 23 – 

JOHNSTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA 

The St. Joseph Society, Branch 23, will 

hold a semi-annual meeting on April 11, 

2010. This meeting, at Our Son’s Restaurant 

on Broad Street, Johnstown, will begin at 

2:00PM. Among the items on the agenda will 

be an election of delegates to the convention 

that will be held in Cleveland, Ohio, Aug 14 

– 18, 2010. All branch members are invited 

and encouraged to attend. 

Elaine Capretti, Recording Secretary 

Branch 24 – 


St. Andrew Svorad, Branch 24, will hold a 

short meeting on Sunday, May 23, 2010, at 

St. Andrew Abbey following the 1:00PM Mass/ 

luncheon (for details on this event, see “Celebrating 

Our Slovak Catholic Culture” article 

in this edition of the Jednota). The Branch 24 

agenda will include a discussion about our upcoming 

convention. Lunch will be complimentary 

for our members, but reservations are still 

required. To make a reservation, or for more 

information, contact Branch 24 Activities Director 

Susan Lang at 216-896-0957. 

Veselú VeĬkú Noc ! 

Bob Kopco, President 

Branch 41 – 

Yonkers, New York 

The Holy Trinity Society, Branch 41 KJ, will 

hold its semi-annual meeting on Saturday 

May 1, 2010, in the Parish Hall of Most Holy 

Trinity, Trinity and Walnut Streets, Yonkers, 

NY, at 6:00PM, after the 5:00PM Mass. On 

the agenda will be: our Trinity Sunday Communion 

Breakfast to be held June 6, 2010, 

and the 100th Anniversary of Most Holy Trinity 

BRANCH ANNOUNCEMENTS 

Church. Most important will be the election 

of delegates from Branch 41KJ to the 49th 

International Convention of the First Catholic 

Slovak Union of the United States and Canada. 

We urge all members of Branch 41 KJ 

to attend this meeting. Refreshments will be 

served. 

Robert J. Lutz, Recording Secretary 

Branch 45 – 

New York, New York 

The St. Matthew’s Evangelist Society, 

Branch 45, will hold a meeting on Sunday, 

April 11, 2010, at 12:30PM, after the Slovak 

Mass at St. John Nepomucene Church, 411 

East 66th Street at First Avenue, New York 

City. We urge all members to attend this 

meeting. 

Maria Jurasi, Financial Secretary 

Branch 55 – 

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania 

A special meeting of Branch 55 K.J. is 

scheduled to be held on Sunday, April 18, 

2010 at 2:00p.m. at the home of Vice President, 

Steven J. Gerba, 188 DiMarco Drive, 

Philadelphia, PA, for the election of Delegates 

and Alternates to serve for the 49th Convention 

of the First Catholic Slovak Union to be 

held August 14 – 18, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. 

Refreshments will be served. All members are 

cordially invited to attend. Please call the Vice 

President at (215) 637-6530 or the President 

at (610) 356-7956 for directions. 

Josephine E. Gerba, Secretary-Treasurer, 

Branch 75 – 

Shamokin, Pennsylvania 

The Assumption of the B.V.M. Society, 

Branch 75, will hold its regular monthly meeting 

on Sunday, May 2, 2010 at 10:30AM at the 

residence of the President and Financial Secretary, 

Ronald M. Anderson, 8 South Shamokin 

St., Shamokin, PA 17872. The election 

of two (2) delegates and one (1) alternate 

delegate will take place to represent Branch 

75 at the 49th Convention of the First Catholic 

Slovak Union to be held at the Renaissance 

Hotel in Cleveland, OH, from Saturday August 

14, 2010 – Wednesday August 18, 2010. The 

regular monthly meeting agenda items also 

will be taken up. Other non-agenda items 

may be discussed. All members are required 

to attend this regular monthly meeting. 

Ronald M. Anderson, 

President and Financial Secretary 

Branch 85 – 

Jessup, Pennsylvania 

St. Florian Society Branch 85 will hold an 

emergency meeting for election of officers on 

Monday, April 5, 2010, at 7:00PM at the Jessup 

American Legion Post 411, Church Street, 

Jessup, PA. 

Branch 85 will hold a special meeting on 

Tuesday, April 20 at 7:00PM at the Jessup 

American Legion Post 411, Church Street, 

Jessup, PA for the election of delegates to the 

Convention that will be held in Cleveland, OH, 

August 14 – 18, 2010. All branch members 

are encouraged to attend. 

B. Skovira 

Branch 96 – 

Carrolltown, Pennsylvania 

St John The Baptist Society, Branch 96, 

Carrolltown, PA will hold its special meeting 

to elect delegates to the 49th Convention on 

Sunday April 11 at 2:00pm at the residence 

of Stella Papson, 138 Sunset Rd, Carrolltown, 

814-344-8964. 

Stella Papson, Financial Secretary 

Branch 108 – 

Connellsville, Pennsylvania 

Branch 108K will hold a meeting for the election 

of delegates to the Convention and any 

new business on April 17, 2010 at 11:00AM 

at 1916 Second Street, S. Connellsville, PA 

15425. 

Thomas E. Kocis, Financial Secretary 


Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania 

The St. John the Baptist Society, Branch 

112, will hold a meeting on Saturday, May 1, 

2010 at 1PM at 86 Spring Street, Pottsville, 

PA. The meeting will be for the election of officers 

for 2010. Please call 570-544-6694 for 

directions. 

Karen Engle Sterling 


North Catasauqua, PA 

The St. Andrew Society Branch 157 will 

hold a meeting on Sunday April 11, 2010 at 

1:00PM in the social hall of the Slovak Center 

North Catasauqua, PA. The agenda will 

cover upcoming activities including the election 

of delegates for the 49th Convention to 

be held in Cleveland this August. The annual 

Easter egg hunt will be held March 27, 2010 

at 2:00PM on the grounds of the Slovak Club. 

Please register your children ages 2 to 10 by 

calling the club at 610-264 0740. Please make 

every effort to attend this important meeting. 

Wishing all a Holy and Happy Easter. 

Gregory Harakal, Financial Secretary 


Binghamton, New York 

The St. Joseph The Guardian Society, 

Branch 166K, will hold its semi-annual meeting 

and dinner on Sunday, April 18, 2010, at 

1:15PM at the Country Buffet, Town Square 

Mall, Vestal Parkway, Vestal, NY. The agenda 

will consist of branch business and the selection 

of delegates to the National Convention, 

Saturday, August 14, 2010 – Wednesday, 

August 18. 2010, at the Renaissance Hotel 

in Cleveland, OH. We hope to see all members 

at the meeting. Please call Sue Gabriel 

at 607-729-8034 or Arlo Meeker at 607-775- 

4896 by April 14, 2010. 

Arlo Meeker, President 


Renfrew, Pennsylvania 

The St. Michael Society Branch 213 will 

hold a special meeting for the election of 

delegates to the 49th National Convention in 

Cleveland, OH on April 11, 2010 at 1:30PM 

at 3061 Kensington Court. All members are 

invited to attend. 

Joe Belechak, Secretary 


Brockport, Pennsylvania 

The St. George Society, Branch 233, will 

hold its next meeting on Sunday, May 16, 

2010, at 2PM at the residence of Irene Halko, 

5119 R 219 (by the Brockport Post Office) in 

Brockport, PA 15823. 

Irene Halko 


Duryea, Pennsylvania 

There has been a merger between Branch 

240K Duryea, PA and Branch 419K Duryea, 

PA. 

All members of Branch 240K will now hold 

membership in Branch 419K. This merger has 

taken place as of February 23, 2010. If you 

should need any service on your policy, or 

new or additional insurance, please contact: 

Marie A. Gryczko, 81 Kado St, Wilkes Barre, 

PA 18705-3612 (570) 824-4125. We wish to 

thank all the past officers for their dedication 

and efforts through the years performed in the 

spirit of fraternalism. 

Kenneth A. Arendt, 

National Secretary 


Duryea, Pennsylvania 

There has been a merger between Branch 

263K Duryea, PA and Branch 419K Duryea, 

PA. All members of Branch 263K will now hold 

membership in Branch 419K. This merger has 

taken place as of February 23, 2010. If you 

should need any service on your policy, or 

new or additional insurance, please contact: 

Marie A. Gryczko, 81 Kado St., Wilkes Barre, 

PA 18705-3612, (570) 824-4125. We wish to 

thank all the past officers for their dedication 

and efforts through the years performed in the 

spirit of fraternalism. 

Kenneth A. Arendt, 

National Secretary 


McKeesport, Pennsylvania 

Branch 276 will hold an additional meeting 

on May 2, 2010, at 1:00 PM at the school hall 

at St Martin de Porres parish in McKeesport, 

PA. The purpose of the meeting is to elect 

delegates from Branch 276 to the 49th FCSU 

Convention to be held in Cleveland, Ohio, on 

August 14-18, 2010. 

Margaret Nasta, President 


Bridgewater, New Jersey 

A meeting of Branch 290 St. John the Baptist 

will be held on April 21, 2010, at 7:30PM. 

Election of delegates will be held. Please try 

to attend. Call Joe after 6PM at (732) 469- 

5256 to get details. 

Joe Minarovich 


Windber, Pennsylvania 

St. John the Baptist Society Branch 292 

FCSU will hold a special meeting for election 

of delegates to the National Convention on 

April 7, 2010, at 1:00PM at 808 Graham Ave, 

Windber, PA. 

Ed T. Surkoksky, FIC 


Lansford, Pennsylvania 

The St. Joseph Society, Branch 293KJ, will 

hold a special meeting on Monday, April 5, 

2010, for the purpose of electing delegates to 

the National Convention. The meeting will be 

held at 7PM at St. Katharine Drexel Church 

Social Hall, 124 East Abbott, Lansford, PA 

18232. Anyone needing more insurance or 

information should contact the financial secretary 

at 1-570-645-4872. 

Robert Lakata, Financial Secretary 


Chicago, Illinois 

The St. John the Baptist Society will hold 

a meeting at Our Lady of Sorrows Convent, 

5900 147th St, Oak Forest, IL 60452 on April 

10, 2010 at 11:00AM. On the agenda: discussion 

of new business for the Society and election 

of delegates for the National Convention. 

Joseph Bugel, President 


Stockdale, Pennsylvania 

SS Peter & Paul Society Branch 320 will 

hold a meeting on April 28, 2010, at the home 

of Frances Tarquinio, 209 Sylvan Drive, 

Belle Vernon, PA 15012. The purpose of the 

meeting is the election of delegates to the 

49th FCSU Convention in Cleveland. Refer 

to qualifications of delegates in the Bylaws 

Section 11.03. Anyone interested in being a 

delegate and/or to make a reservation for the 

meeting, contact Fran Tarquinio at (724) 929- 

9788. 

Frances Tarquinio, Secretary 


ST. Clairsville, OH 

The Our Lady Of Angels Branch 362 will 

hold a annual meeting on Sunday April 18, 

2010 at 1:00 P.M. at 70820 Crescent Rd . St. 

Clairsville’ Ohio. The election of officers will be 

held at that time. 

John Wodarcyk President 


Canonsburg, PA 

The St. Ignatius Society, Branch 380, 

will hold a meeting on April 25, 2010 at the


Wendy’s in Canonsburg at 2:00PM. On the 

agenda: the election of delegates to the National 

Convention. 

Margaret Graytok 


Barberton, OH 

St. Marks Society Branch 425, Barberton, 

OH, will hold a special meeting on Friday April 

9, 2010 at 7:00PM at the Slovak Society of 

Barberton to elect possible delegates to the 

49th FCSU Convention in Cleveland, OH. 

Paul J. Slota, Financial Secretary 

Branch 450- 


St. Joseph the Guardian Society, Branch 

450, will hold a meeting at the home of Jozef 

Valencik on Monday, May 3, 2010 at 7:00 PM. 

The address is 13501 Park Drive, Brook Park, 

OH. All members are encouraged to attend. 

We plan to elect the delegates for the 49th 

Quadrennial Convention, which is being held 

in Cleveland, Ohio this year. Please contact 

Jozef or Margaret Valencik at 216-676-0497 if 

you have any questions. Thank you. 

Margaret Valencik , Financial Secretary 


Coral, Pennsylvania 

The St. Joseph’s Society Branch 484 will 

hold a Special Meeting April 30, 2010 at 7:00 

P.M. at the home of Financial Secretary, Joseph 

E. Rura, 43 Rugh Road, Coral, Pa. On 

the agenda is the election of officers and 

delegates to the FCSU 49th Convention. All 

members are welcome. 

Joseph E, Rura, Financial Secretary 


AKRON, OHIO 

St. John the Baptist, Branch 553, will hold 

a lodge meeting on Sunday, April 18, 2010 at 

the Slovak J Club, 485 Morgan Avenue, Akron, 

Ohio 44311. The meeting will begin promptly 

at 12:30 pm. This meeting is being held to 

confirm delegates to the FCSU Convention. 

Please take an active roll in your lodge and 

attend this meeting. 

Linda M. Hanko, 

Recording Secretary 


Allentown, Pennsylvania 

The most Sacred Heart of Jesus Branch 

567 KJ will have a regular meeting on Thursday, 

April 29, 2010, at 1:00PM in the church 

social hall, 924 N. Front St., Allentown, PA. 

The meeting will be held to elect our delegates 

for the FCSU Convention, which will be held in 

August 2010. We thank all those who supported 

us in our nut and poppy seed rolls sale. 

We wish everyone a Blessed Easter. 

Rosalie Favere, Recording Secretary 


Muskegon, Michigan 

The election of officers was held on December 

20, 2009, for Branch 595, Muskegon 

Heights, MI, and was officiated by Pat Kelley. 

The 2010 officers are: 

President: Frank McCarthy 

Vice President: Rose Paparrarella 

Recording Secretary: Donna Stone 

Financial Secretary: Louis Kollar 

Hall Manager: Sandy McCarthy 

Sick Committee: Joyce Kelley 

Trustees: Dave Cooper, George Korr, Fran 

Kolenic 

Branch 595 will continue to have a monthly 

breakfast on the fourth Sunday of every month 

through May. Breakfast features 11 hot items, 

coffee, milk, juices and a sweets table to top 

off the meal. The cost is $6.50 for adults and 

$3.25 for children, and is offered from 8:30 

a.m. until noon. It is “all you can eat,” and the 

best breakfast in town! 

BRANCH ANNOUNCEMENTS 

The polka parties are held the first Sunday 

of each month (except Easter) through May. 

There is a free will offering at the door and 

food and beverages for purchase. Please 

join us for these events! We are located at 

the corner of Sixth St. and Sherman Blvd., 

in Muskegon Hts. For more information call: 

231-733-7525. 

Donna Stone, 



MUNHALL, PENNSYLVANIA 

A meeting of Branch 628, St. Michael Archangel 

will be held on Sunday, April 11, 2010, at 

1:00 PM at the Eat ‘N Park Restaurant in the 

Waterfront. The agenda will include the finalization 

of delegates to the 49th Convention in 

Cleveland, Ohio in August. 

Sylvia J. Vehec, 



Flint, Michigan 

The Sacred Heart of Jesus, Branch 633, 

will hold its first meeting of this year on Saturday 

April 17, 2010, at 1PM at Old Country 

Buffet, Courtland Mall, in Burton, MI. On the 

agenda: election of delegates to the 49th Convention 

in August. All members are asked to 

attend. 

Eva Craine, Secretary 


Donora, Pennsylvania 

Branch 670 will hold a meeting on April 28, 

2010 at the home of Dorothy Petrus, 545 Castner 

Avenue, Donora, PA 15033. The purpose 

of the meeting is the election of delegates to 

the 49th FCSU Convention in Cleveland. Refer 

to qualifications of delegates in the Bylaws 

Section 11.03. Anyone interested in being a 

delegate and/or to make a reservation for the 

meeting, contact Dorothy Petrus at (724) 379- 

5881. 

Dorothy Petrus, President 


Youngstown, Ohio 

Branch 682 will hold a special meeting for 

the election of delegates to the National Convention 

in Cleveland at 2:00PM on April 18, 

2010 at Material Research Lab, 290 North 

Bridge Street, Struthers, Ohio. 

Andrew J. Hirt, President 


New York, New York 

The Stephen the Martyr Society, Branch 

716, will hold its membership meeting on Sunday, 

April 18, 2010 at 1:00PM in the Parish 

Hall, St. John Nepomucene Church, 411 East, 

66th Street, New York City. On the agenda 

will be election of delegates to the 49th Convention 

in Cleveland, OH from August 14 – 18, 

2010. All members are urged to attend this 

meeting. 

Henrieta H. Daitova, Secretary 


Munhall, Pennsylvania 

Branch 738 will be holding a special meeting 

for elections of an additional delegate and 

an alternative delegate to the next convention. 

This meeting will be held Tuesday April 20th, 

2010 at 6:30 pm at the VFW Hall Whitaker 

Way Munhall, Pa. All members are invited to 

attend. 

Pat Guidish, Secretary 


Mississauga, Ontario 

Will hold a semi annual meeting to elect delegates 

for the Convention. This meeting will 

be held on Wednesday May 5, 2010 at 7pm, 

located at Sts Cyril and Methodius Slovak 

Church hall in Mississauga. 

Anne Mitro, Recording Secretary 


Tarentum, Pennsylvania 

The next regular meeting of Br. 831 will 

be held on May 3 at 7:00 P.M. at the home of 

Kathleen Persun, 158 Davidson St., Tarentum, 

Pa. The election of delegates will be held at 

this meeting. The Officers for 2010 are: Matthew 

Kuniak, President; Melvin Persun, Vice 

President; Kathleen Persun, Secretary; Rose 

Kuniak, Treasurer. 

Kathleen Persun, Secretary 


Charleroi, Pennsylvania 

The next meeting of Branch 853 will be held 

on Saturday May 1 at 9:00am at the McDonald 

in Charleroi, PA. The election of delegates for 

the Convention will take place at this meeting. 

All branch members are urged to attend. 


Washington, dc 

Our Mother of Sorrows Society, Branch 

856 will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, 

April 6, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. at Tysons-Pimmit 

FCSU LIFE 

Regional Library, 7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls 

Church, Virginia. The purpose of the meeting 

is to nominate and elect a delegate to the 

49th FCSU Convention to be held in Cleveland, 

Ohio August 14-18, 2010 and to conduct 

any other fraternal matters which might be 

brought before the meeting. For more information, 

please contact Katherine Nowatkoski 

at 703 860 1693 or Stephen Matula at 703 

671 3013. 

Stephen C. Matula President 


Levittown, Pennsylvania 

There will be a special meeting of the St. Michael 

the Archangel Branch 857 in Levittown, 

PA on Wednesday April 7, 2010. The meeting 

will be held at 7:30PM at 15 Kraft Lane, Levittown, 

PA. This will be an important meeting 

as we need to elect our branch delegates to 

the convention. 

Happy Easter to one and all! 

Damian D Nasta, Recording Secretary 

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6611 Rockside Road 

Independence, OH 44131-2398


DISTRICT ANNOUNCEMENTS 

MSGR JOSEF TISO DISTRICT - Ford City, Pennsylvania 

The Semi-Annual Meeting of the Msgr. Josef Tiso District will be on Sunday, April 25, 2010, at the 

C.U. Club, 912 Sixth Avenue, Ford City, Pennsylvania, at 2:00 PM. 

Delegates from all branches should call okres Secretary Grace Charney at (724) 763-1104 to 

confirm their attendance. 

This notice is also a reminder to Branches that representation at District meetings and up-to-date 

payment of District dues are requirements for eligibility for your annual membership reimburse-ments 

from Headquarters and to send delegates to this year’s Quadrennial FCSU Convention. 

Grace M. Charney, Secretary 

District 14 - Rev. Joseph L. Kostik District 

The Rev. Joseph L. Kostik District will hold its next meeting Tuesday April 20, 2010. 7:00 PM at 

the St. Matthias church rectory. On the agenda will be discussions concerning the convention and 

summer activities. All Branches are urged to attend. 

Carla Peshek, President 

District 6 - Pittsburgh District 

Local Branch 580 will host the semi-annual meeting of the Pittsburgh District of the F.C.S.U. on 

Sunday, April 18, 2010. The meeting will begin promptly at 1:00 p.m. in the Holy Trinity Parish Hall, 

529 Grant Avenue Extension, West Mifflin, PA 15122. All branches are expected send representatives. 

The meeting will include officers’ reports and discussion of F.C.S.U. business, including the 

upcoming national convention. We need to select dates for the district delegates meeting as well as 

the Annual District Meeting in November. 

A Family Easter Party will be included with the Spring meeting. This is a new event for the district 

and members are encouraged to bring their children and grandchildren. Please RSVP to Flo Matta at 

412-466-7460 or George Matta at 412-672-5330. 

The district Father’s Day brunch on Sunday, June 20, will be hosted by Branch 628 while Branch 2 

will handle the ad booklet. Further details will be announced. 

The officers of the Pittsburgh District wish all members a happy and holy Easter Season. 

Margaret A. Nasta, Secretary 

msgr. Andrew Hlinka District – monongahela valley, pennsylvania 

A meeting of the Andrew Hlinka District is to be held on April 28, 2010, at the home of Dorothy Petrus, 

545 Castner Avenue, Donora, PA 15033. The purpose of the meeting is the election of delegates 

to the 49th FCSU Convention in Cleveland. Refer to qualifications of delegates in the Bylaws Section 

11.03. Anyone interested in being a delegate and/or to make a reservation for the meeting, contact 

Dorothy Petrus at (724) 379-5881. 

Frances Tarquinio, Secretary 

Rev. John Martvon District – Blair, Cambria, Indiana, Somerset and Bedford Counties, 

Pennsylvania 

The Rev. John Martvon District will hold its semiannual meeting on Sunday, April 18, 2010 at St. 

Rest In 

Peace, 

Ed Jursa 

Member, FCSU 

Supreme Court 

Obituaries 

Ed Jursa was a 

man of many interests 

and talents and one 

fiercely committed to 

his principles and beliefs. On March 3, 2010, 

Ed Jursa, after many months of suffering poor 

health, was called to his eternal reward. He died 

peacefully, surrounded by his family. 

Ed was born in Sudbury, Ontario, on April 20, 

1933. He was the son of Paul and Susan Jursa, 

staunch members of the Jednota. The Jursa 

family decided to relocate and moved to Toronto 

in 1936. As a child, Ed attended St. Mary’s 

Catholic School and then progressed to Central 

Technical High School, where he studied tailoring 

and clothing design. Some of his creations, 

which appeared in the Toronto newspapers, 

earned him high commendations from the high 

school faculty. After graduating from Central 

Tech, he was employed for a number of years in 

the clothing industry, where he worked in design 

and sales. 

In the early 60’s, Ed, seeking new challenges, 

decided on a career change. He attended the 

Toronto Police College and subsequently became 

a police constable with the Metro Toronto 

Police Force. After a few years on the force, the 

lure of the clothing industry drew him back into 

that field of work. 

In 1975, Ed accepted a position as a quality 

control inspector with the Canadian Department 

of National Defence, where he worked until his 

retirement in 1998. Wherever Ed came into con- 

tact with others, his commitment to tasks, his diligence, 

his good-natured outlook and his clever 

sense of humour were admired and respected 

by both his colleagues and superiors. 

Ed was a man of many interests – among these 

was a love for music. He lead a polka band for 

a number of years during which it entertained at 

numerous dances, anniversaries and weddings 

in the Slovak, Polish and Ukrainian communities 

in and around Toronto. He had a special love 

for Slovak music and knew the lyrics to countless 

Slovak folk songs. He was also an avid coin 

and stamp collector. Over the years he amassed 

huge collections in both areas. 

Ed was a lifelong member of the Jednota of 

the United States and Canada. His passion for, 

and commitment to this respected fraternal organization 

were evident in his enthusiastic leadership 

when he served as president of Branch 785 

Okres. After several years in this capacity, he 

was elected to the Supreme Court of the First 

Catholic Slovak Union of the United States and 

Canada. 

Ed was an active parishioner of Sts. Cyril and 

Methodius Church in Toronto and later in Mississauga. 

He was involved in numerous parish 

activities and served as an usher, parish council 

member and a member of the Rosary Society. 

He also regularly co-ordinated the planning for 

the Jednota-Parish picnics. 

Ed had a quick wit and cheery approach in his 

interactions with others, as well as great competence 

and dedication in carrying out his responsibilities. 

He will be greatly missed by his family 

and countless friends. 

Ed is survived by his four children, Theresa 

(Joe), Lori (Ian), Edward (Doreen), and Michael 

(Donna), and by his five grandchildren. His wife 

Pauline predeceased him in December, 2008. 

Rest in peace, Ed. You will be truly missed. 

Benedict’s Church Hall, Main Street, Carrolltown, PA, beginning at 2:00PM. St. John the Baptist 

Society Branch 96 will be the host. Please note the date change. Mass will be held earlier in the day 

for the living and deceased members of the district. 

Dues for 2010 will be accepted from branches that have not paid previously. Let’s have a good 

turnout and enjoy the Spring drive to the meeting after a snowy winter. 

Joseph E. Rura, Recording Secretary 

Msgr. Stephen Krasula District 16 – New York City 

The Msgr. Stephen Krasula District 16 will hold its Membership Meeting on Sunday, May 2, 2010, 

at 1:00PM in the Parish Hall, St. John Nepomucene Church, 411 66th Street, New York City. On 

the agenda will be the election of delegates for the 49th Convention in Cleveland, OH, from August 

14 – 18, 2010 as well as the financial report and discussion of next activities. We urge all District 

branches to send their representatives to this meeting. All members of the FCSU are welcome. Refreshments 

will be served after the meeting. 

Henrieta H. Daitova, Secretary 

rev. stephen furdek – District 10 

Rev. Stephen Furdek, District 10, will be meeting at 1:30 pm, on Sunday, April 18, 2010 

at the Slovak J Club, 485 Morgan Avenue, Akron, Ohio 44311. This meeting is being held to discuss 

convention delegates. 

If you have any questions or concerns please call Linda Hanko @ 330.706.0151 or via email at 

lhanko@neo.rr.com. 

Please take an active roll in your district and attend this meeting. 

Linda M. Hanko, Recording Secretary/Treasurer 

SS. CYRIL AND METHODIUS DISTRICT – Luzerne and Lackawanna Counties, Pennsylvania 

and Broome County, New York 

The SS. Cyril and Methodius District will hold its semi-annual meeting Sunday, April 25, 2010 at 

Holy Family Church, Gibson & Washington Streets, Scranton, PA. Auditors will meet at 12:30PM, 

followed by the meeting at 1:00PM. 

All members of the various branches are invited to attend. All Branches are requested to bring their 

District dues up-to-date at this meeting. Choosing of a delegate to represent the District at the 49th 

International Convention in Cleveland will take place. Refreshments will be served. 

Questions or concerns may be directed to President Michael Slovenkai, 342-7562; Vice President 

Marie Gryczko, 824-4125; or Treasurer/Financial Secretary 403-2067. 

Theresa Chupka, Recording Secretary 

GEORGE ONDA DISTRICT – Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania 

The George Onda District will hold its Semi-Annual Meeting on Saturday, April 17, 2010 following 

the 5 PM Mass at St. Florian Roman Catholic Church, 4261 Route 981, P.O. Box 187, United, PA 

15689. We will meet in the Formation Room. We ask for your attendance as we will be discussing the 

upcoming convention, district business and updates on the branches. Refreshments will be served. 

Linda L. Gonta, Secretary 

Michigan District – michigan 

District 5, The Michigan District, will hold its semi-annual meeting on Sunday, April 25, 2010. The 

place of the meeting will be at SS. Cyril & Methodius Church located at 41233 Ryan Road, Sterling 

Heights, Michigan. 

Our day will begin with a Slovak Mass at 11:30 AM, followed by refreshments served in the Fr. 

Mikus Hall. Our meeting will begin at 1:00 PM. In the Heritage Room, a luncheon will be served after 

the meeting. Branch 743 will host this meeting. Please call Joseph Rimarcik at (586) 254-0225 by 

April 21, 2010 with the number of delegates attending from your branch. 

On the agenda: important information about the convention (delegates should attend), and also 

district business. We hope many of you will join us for the day. 

Anna Magusin, Secretary 

Rev. JOHN J. SPITKOVSKY DISTRICT II – ILLINOIS, INDIANA, AND WISCONSIN 

The Rev. John J. Spitkovsky District II will hold its Semi-Annual Meeting on Sunday, April 11, 2010, 

at Our Lady of Sorrows Benedictine Convent, 5900 W. 147th Street, in Oak Forest, Illinois. A period 

of refreshments and fraternal fellowship will begin at 1:30 p.m., with the meeting starting promptly 

at 2:00 p.m. All branches are requested to send delegates. Individual Jednota members who wish 

to learn more about becoming active in District 2 are also welcome to attend. Attendees will enjoy a 

delicious meal. If you plan to attend, please call District 2 Spiritual Adviser Dorothy Jurcenko at (773) 

763-0810 to let her know, so adequate food and beverages will be available. 

Robert Tapak Magruder, District II Recording Secretary 

vvv vvv vvv 

SLOVAK EASTER CARDS 

Jankola Library has Slovak Easter Cards available. The assorted religious cards are distributed 

eight to a packet for $5.00. An additional minimum charge of $3.00 covers postage 

and handling. These may be ordered by mail, phone, or e-mail. 

For more information, please call: 570-275-5606 and speak with 

Sister M. John Vianney Vranak, SSCM or Sister M. Catherine Laboure Bresnock, SSCM. 

JANKOLA LIBRARY 

Villa Sacred Heart 

Danville, PA 17821-1698 

jankolalib@jlink.net


PÁS – Shining Brightly in the Sunshine State 

By Michael J. Kopanic, Jr., Ph.D. 

Editorial assistance from Milenka Melanie Feighner and Angie Lipchick 

The year 2010 will be remembered for its record snowfalls and chilly temperatures. Even Florida 

experienced several frosts during the frigid winter which threatened orange groves and cooled the 

usually warm southern state. 

The Pittsburgh Area Slovak Folk Ensemble (PÁS) brought a ray of sunshine to Florida and warmed 

its audiences with two lively musical performances – one at Disney World on March 5, and another at 

the Slovak Garden on March 7. Perhaps it was no coincidence that temperatures rose steadily day 

by day after the troupe touched ground in Orlando! 

Magic at Disney World 

At “Downtown Disney,” PÁS put on a dazzling display in front of a large audience at the Waterside 

Stage, Walt Disney World’s premiere venue for entertainers. Invited to perform as part of the 25th anniversary 

of Disney’s Magic Music Days, PÁS presented a rousing program including elements of the 

one the troupe presented at the 44th Annual Folk Festival in Detva, Slovakia during July 2009. Opening 

with Vyhadzovaná, or the tossing dance from Myjava, the repertoire included a mazurka from the 

western region near the town of Kubra, a waltz, a medley of songs, a couples’ dance from the central 

Liptov region, and the Zbojničký taniec, or the Dance of Jánošik, the Slovak Robin Hood, with axes. 

PÁS’s performance proved a real crowd pleaser. In consideration of the audience’s probable unfamiliarity 

with the Slovak traditions, the group presented a short speech about PÁS and its mission 

to continue the traditions of Slovak folk song and dance in America. This was quite useful for the 

audience; one person in attendance initially thought the group was Spanish! 

The Slovak Cultural Garden 

Founded in 1952, the Slovak Cultural Garden is a retirement community for Slovak Americans 

in Winter Park, northeast of Orlando. The Cultural Garden features a banquet hall for dining and 

entertainment in addition to an extensive library and museum, which opened to the public after the 

meal and performance. 

At the Slovak Garden, there was no confusion about who were the Slovaks. The audience consisted 

mainly of ethnic Slovaks from Florida, other parts of the USA, and even Canada. As all gathered 

for the celebration of their 58th Annual Slovak Day, most were quite familiar with PÁS from their 

celebrated performances of recent years. 

The activities commenced with the Liturgy celebrated by the Reverend Louis P. Lulijak, recited and 

sung in Slovak, with only the sermon given in English. As part of the Mass, following the Eucharist, 

the PÁS women performed a solemn liturgical dance to the hymn “I Am the Living Bread.” 

After the Liturgy, guests enjoyed a banquet including traditional Slovak foods such as schnitzel 

(rezeň in Slovak), pirohy and halubky (stuffed cabbage), with kolače for dessert. 

Following the meal, U.S. Representative John Mica, of Florida’s 7th District, delivered a short 

speech about how proud he is that Slovak Americans continue the traditions and religious faith of 

their immigrant ancestors. 

Then PÁS awed the audience with a startling array of folk dances and songs from both eastern 

and western Slovakia. In addition to the dances performed in the shorter program at Disney, PÁS 

incorporated a suite of dances, including the women’s karička (circle dance) to Dajce nam Pal’enky 

(Give us some brandy), the men’s military recruitment slapping dance, Verbunk, Šarišska Polka, the 

Eastern Čsárdáš and Karčmár, Karčmár (the Innkeeper’s Song). The show concluded with valašky 

(long handled axes) brandished for the ever-popular Zbojničký taniec. The audience applauded with 

resounding approval. 

Returning to Florida in 2011 

Both events proved to be a great success and both Disney World and the Slovak Garden have 

asked the ensemble to return again for performances in 2011. 

Credit for PÁS’s success belongs to director and choreographer Angie Lipchick, who also meticulously 

scrutinizes the singing and music with musical director John Lipchick, who provides the group 

with accompaniment as well as coaching all aspects of their musical interpretation. 

PÁS’ next public performance will be at the Kent/Dudince Sister Cities’ Association Anniversary 

Banquet on May 16, 2010 in Kent, Ohio at the Kent Elks’ Lodge Hall (see article below). 

For more information about the Pittsburgh Area Slovak Folk Ensemble, visit the group’s website at 

www.pasfolkensemble.com or contact them via regular mail at PÁS Folk Ensemble, 1254 Old Concord 

Road, Monroeville, Pennsylvania 15146. You may also call (412) 373-3873. 

The entirely-volunteer members of PÁS are both proud and grateful to continue the historic traditions 

of our Slovak forebears both in the United States and throughout the world, and would like to 

express their thanks to all of those whose support makes their efforts possible. 

vvv vvv vvv 

Seventh Annual Anniversary 

Banquet in Kent, Ohio 

The Kent-Dudince Sister City Association will hold its Seventh Annual Anniversary Banquet on 

Sunday, May 16, 2010 (originally scheduled for May 2, 2010). The Banquet will be in the Kent Elks 

Lodge Hall, Elks Lane, State Route 59, which is located behind the Twin Star Bowling Lanes at 

2245 State Route 59. Doors open at 1:00PM for a Social Hour, followed by dinner at 2:00PM and a 

program at 3:00PM. Music will be provided during the social hour and dinner by the Johnny Pastirik 

Band featuring orchestra members Johnny Pastirik, Len Jacko and Ken Javor. The program includes 

a performance by the PAS Folk Ensemble of Pittsburgh, PA and the Slovenske Mamicky of Greater 

Cleveland Vocal Ensemble with members Milka Anderko, Maria Cvicela, and Monica Smid. Dancing 

will follow the program. 

Tickets are $15.00 per person, and are sold in advance only. Ticket orders with directions will be 

mailed. Please be sure to include names of all guests. Make checks payable to: 

Kent-Dudince Sister City Association 

1544 Vine Street 

Kent, OH 44240 

For more information, call President Rudy Bachna at (330) 673-3255. 

PAS group 

photo at 

Slovak 

Cultural 

Garden 

vvv vvv vvv 

Trip To Slovakia and Poland 

A 10-day trip to Slovakia and Poland in the footsteps of SS. Cyril & Methodius is planned 

for October 4 – 13, 2010, leaving from Kennedy Airport in NY. Some of the sites we will 

visit are: Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa and the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Poland. 

In Slovakia we will tour the city of Bratislava and the Devin Castle. There will be sightseeing 

at the Cathedrals and historical sites and entertainment in the following cities: Kosice, 

Presov, Spa District of Bardejov, Nitra, Trnava, Levoca, Sastin and the Slovak National 

Literary Museum in Martin. 

For further information about this trip or to request a brochure of this trip, please contact 

Sr. Carol Marie at the following email address carolmariesscm@yahoo.com or by phone 

at 717-766-6221. 

IRA REMINDER 

APRIL 2010 

SUN MON TUES WED THUR FRI SAT 

1 2 3 

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 

25 26 27 28 29 30 

Don’t Delay! 

Make your contribution today! 

You have until April 15, 2010 

to contribute for 2009 

INTEREST RATE EFFECTIVE 3/1/2010 - 4.40% (4.306% APR) 

PASs Mike 

Pacacha leaps 

during Outlaw 

Dance at Disney 

World


Easter Cards Available From 

The Slovak Institute 

Since 1952, the Slovak Institute in North America has been a dedicated source of knowledge 

about Slovakia with material in the Slovak language. Over the years, it also has published 

books in Slovak that are offered for sale, along with packets of greeting cards, a large 

black and white map of Slovakia, flags of the Slovak Republic, and other popular items. 

Easter greeting cards – in Slovak and English –are among the seasonal items it has for 

sale. Specifically, the following are available for purchase from the Slovak Institute: 

• SLOVAK Easter Cards (10/pkg) - $10.00 

• SLOVAK Easter Cards to CANADA (10/pkg) - $12.00 (USD) 

• ENGLISH Easter Cards (10/pkg) - $10.00 

• SLOVAK Easter Cards to CANADA (10/pkg) - $12.00 (USD) 

Please note: your need to include an additional $3.00 charge with each order to cover 

postage and handling. 

Go to www.slovakinstitute.com and click on the Books link for more information; or email 

slovakinstitute@cbhs.net 

Jednota 3/31/10 Crossword 

JEDNOTA GOLF LEAGUE 

NOTICES 

TThursday Jednota Golf League, Bedford Trails Golf Course. The season 

begins on April 29, 2010, with available start times: 8:00 - 8:30 AM and/or 

2:00 -2:30 PM. New members are still welcome to join by calling Paul Ritz at 

330-744-2377. (Look for new scoring system this season) 

Friday Jednota Golf League, Knoll Run Golf Course. The season starts 

April 30, 2010, 4:30-5:30 PM. New members are still welcome to join by 

calling Paul Ritz at 330-744-2377. 

Paul Ritz, Secretary 

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Branch 45 Spring Dance 

Party in NYC 

St. Matthew’s Evangelist Society, Branch 45, kindly extends an invitation to its Spring Dance Party on 

Sunday, April 25, 2010. The dance will be held after the Slovak Mass at 12:30PM in the church hall of St. 

John Nepomucene on East 66th Street, New York City. Admission is $25.00 and includes: lunch, coffee, 

and Slovak-style homemade cookies. During the dance party, a raffle will be drawn and children from 

the Slovak school will have a special performance. Music will be provided by the well-known Slovak band 

Kontakty, under the leadership of Joseph Jurasi. We are looking forward to your attendance. 

Maria Jurasi, Financial Secretary 

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U.S. Commercial Service 

Helps American Companies 

with Slovak Roots 

The U.S. Commercial Service is an agency of U.S. Department of Commerce. The office, 

which is part of the U.S. Embassy in Bratislava, Slovakia, was created to provide an excellent 

source of customized services for U.S. companies that seek new customers for their 

products and services in Slovakia. The U.S. Commercial Service offers a variety of very free 

and low-fee services that help U.S. companies expand into the Slovak marketplace. 

For more, go towww.buyusa.gov/slovakia/en 

vvv vvv vvv 

Solution 

Answer to Puzzle 

Solution to Puzzle from page 11 

**SpecialIntroductoryOffer** 

New8YearFlexiblePremiumDeferredAnnuity 

TO INTRODUCE THE NEW “8 Year Flexible Premium Deferred Annuity”, AND CONTINUE 

EXCEPTIONAL FRATERNAL BENEFITS, FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK UNION ANNOUNCES A 5.60% 

(5.449% apr) FIRST YEAR INTEREST RATE ON ALL “8 Year Flexible Premium Deferred Annuity” 

FUNDS DEPOSITED WITH THE FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK UNION. (MINIMUM $10,000.) 

Here’sHowItWorks: 

DEPOSIT A MINIMUMOF$10,000.00 INTO THE FPDA8YR ANNUITY AND YOU WILL RECEIVE 

5.60% (5.449% apr) INTEREST GUARANTEED FOR THE FIRST YEAR. NO ADDITIONAL 

DEPOSITS WILL BE ACCEPTED DURING THE FIRST YEAR. 

MEMBERS WHO TRANSFER AN EXISTING FCSU ANNUITY ($10,000.00 MINIMUM) INTO THE 

FPDA8YRANNUITY (new contract early withdrawal penalties apply), WILL RECEIVE 5.60%(5.449% 

apr)INTEREST GUARANTEED FOR THE FIRST YEAR. NO ADDITIONAL DEPOSITS WILL 

BE ACCEPTED DURING THE FIRST YEAR. (NOT APPLICABLE TO ANNUITIES ON A SETTLEMENT OPTION 

OR CASH INTERST OPTION) 

NEW ANNUITY DEPOSIT AND TRANSFER REQUESTS MUSTBERECEIVEDPRIORTOJULY31,2010. 

THIS ANNUITY/IRA PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE TO EXISTINGMEMBERSANDNEWAPPLICANTS 

AFTER THE FIRST CONTRACT YEAR, FPDA 8 YR ANNUITY FUNDS RECEIVE A .25% HIGHER 

INTERESTRATE THAN THE RATE PAYABLE ON FPDA 6 YR ANNUITY. 

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS SPLENDID OPPORTUNITY TO EARN EXTRA INTEREST ON YOUR LONG- 

TERM ANNUITY FUNDS. REMEMBER, WHEN YOU DEPOSIT ANNUITY/IRA FUNDS WITH FCSU, 100% 

OFYOURMONEYEARNSINTEREST.THEREARENOADMINISTRATIONCHARGESOROTHERFEES. 

YOUR INTEREST RATE BEGINS ON THE DAY WE RECEIVE YOUR FUNDS OR CONVERSION REQUEST. 

DON’TWAIT! THISISALIMITEDTIMEOFFERAND ENDSJULY31,2010. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR ASSISTANCE, CONTACT YOUR LOCAL BRANCH OFFICE OR THE FIRST 

CATHOLIC SLOVAK UNION HOME OFFICE. 

FCSU – 6611 ROCKSIDE RD – INDEPENDENCE OH 44131 

PHONE 1-800-533-6682 • FAX 1-216-642-4310 • WEBSITE FCSU. COM 

B A L I S L A W P A T 

I R O N M A I N E E N O S 

A L G A A G A T E A I D E 

S O O N E R R E D A C T O R 

E D D Y D I S E A S E 

S H E D I O R N I P 

A O R T A K I N G S I Z E 

L O G E E G O P E A L 

P O L Y G L O T B E R R Y 

E A R R E A L O N E 

A L I G N E D D R A Y 

D O O R K N O B O B E Y E D 

D A N A A L A R M A U R A 

S N I P D O R I A S L O B 

S C H A R E O T E S S 

Address Changes 

Readers are reminded that all address changes for the JEDNOTA newspaper must be done at 

the Home Office in Independence, Ohio. If you have an address change, cancellation, or wish to 

receive the paper, write to: First Catholic Slovak Union, FCSU Corporate Center, 6611 Rockside 

Road, Suite 300, Independence, OH 44131-2398; Phone: 1/800-JEDNOTA (1/800-533-6682); 

Fax: 1-216-642-4310; or E-mail: FCSU@aol.com.


News From Slovakia 

Hungary Should Re-create Fertile 

Ground for Ethnic Minorities 

Bratislava, March 12 (TASR) - Slovakia is disquieted by the conclusions concerning Hungary in the 

Council of Europe’s latest evaluation report focused on the application of the European Charter of 

Regional and Minority Languages. 

The Council’s committee of ministers earlier this week discussed the report which, among other 

things, assesses Hungary’s attitude towards maintaining bilingual education in Slovak language in 

schools. 

“We expect that Budapest, in cooperation with the Council of Europe, will do its best to carry out 

what it was recommended, in order to prevent the currently unfortunate state from worsening, when 

it comes to minority language use in Hungary,” said spokesman of the Slovak Foreign Affairs Ministry 

Peter Stano on Friday. He added that Hungary is expected to recreate favorable conditions to make 

way for national, cultural and linguistic diversity - so typical for this region of Europe in the past - to 

survive. 

The report, evaluating Hungary’s fulfillment of what the country is obliged to in the Charter, critically 

concluded that Hungary has taken a stance that will make it hard to save minority languages. In the 

past, the problem was also raised by Hungary’s ethnic minorities ombudsmen. 

Baska Discusses Joint US-Slovak 

Military Unit With Indiana Governor 

Bratislava/Indianapolis, March 12 (TASR) - Slovak Defence Minister Jaroslav Baska and 

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels have agreed that a joint Slovak-American military unit will take part 

in the training of the Afghan national army, TASR learned from Defence Ministry spokesman Vladimir 

Gemela on Friday. 

At their meeting held in Indianapolis the day before, the two politicians appreciated the long-term 

and continual development of relations between Indiana and Slovakia, based on co-operation between 

the Slovak Armed Forces and National Guard of Indiana state. They also discussed the global 

economy crisis and its impact on defence budgets. 

The Defence Minister along with Chief of General Staff of Slovak Armed Forces Lubomir Bulik and 

Slovak Ambassador to the U.S. Peter Burian paid a visit to Indiana’s National Guard headquarters. 

“Nobody wants the NATO forces to stay in Afghanistan forever. This policy represents a way how 

to reinforce the army of Afghanistan, while gradually handing the security control over the country to 

Afghans,” said Baska. 

He also added that Slovakia plans to strengthen its participation in the ISAF Operation to 400 

persons in 2010-2011. 

Eighteen Parties Submit Their 

Election Slates to UVK 

Bratislava, March 15 (TASR) - A total of 18 political parties have submitted their slates for the June 

parliamentary elections, Central Election Committee (UVK) records clerk Livia Skultetyova told TASR 

on Monday. 

According to Skultetyova, the parties will be registered only after UVK checks whether all the 

requirements have been met. 

Candidate lists were submitted by the Alliance for the Europe of Nations (AZEN), the European 

Democratic Party (EDS), the Slovak Communist Party (KSS), the Christian Democratic Movement 

(KDH), LS-HZDS, People’s Party-Our Slovakia, Most-Hid, New Democracy, Paliho Kapurkova, Freedom 

and Solidarity (SaS), SDKU-DS, the Slovak National Party (SNS), Smer-SD, the Party of the 

Democratic Left (SDL), the ethnic-Hungarian SMK, the Party of the Roma Coalition (SRK), Union- 

Party for Slovakia, and the Slovak Workers’ Association (ZRS). 

A total of 21 parties ran in the last parliamentary elections four years ago. 

According to Skultetyova, apart from four exceptions, all the slates have 150 candidates listed, 

which is the maximum amount. The smallest number of candidates - only one - was submitted by 

Paliho Kapurkova - a light-hearted political party [founded by Pali Vass, a train driver from Humenne 

(Presov region), who claims that he didn’t take part in elections for 20 years as there was nobody to 

vote for, so founded his own party instead. - ed. note]. 

The total number of candidates is 2,401. “The slates are better prepared and elaborated than in 

past years,” stated Skultetyova. “UVK still has to be created, and as soon as it holds a session I will 

submit all the slates for UVK to check. The final number of parties could be known by the end of 

March,” she said. 

One of the conditions for parties to register themselves was a deposit of €16,596. This will be 

returned to parties that gain at least 2 percent of all votes cast within 30 days of the announcement of 

the official election results. The non-returned deposits will be added to the state budget. 

Slovakia’s Foreign Trade Surplus 

Reached €1.19 billion in 2009 

Bratislava, March 12 (TASR) - Slovakia’s foreign trade reported a surplus of €1.19 billion for the 

year 2009, with the highest active balance with Germany, France and Poland and the highest trade 

deficit with South Korea, Russia and China, the Statistics Office reported on Friday. 

According to the Stats Office, Slovakia’s total exports reached €39.72 billion last year, which was a 

drop of almost 20 percent year-on-year. Imports were on €38.53 billion, a drop of almost 25 percent. 

When it comes to individual products, export of cars and other vehicles experienced the steepest 

decline - almost by €2 billion, followed by export of oils and bitumen minerals, down by €661 million. 

Export of plates and metal sheets and unalloyed steel dropped by €429.2 million. 

Import of medicinal drugs saw the largest increase - by €112.7 million, followed by import of TV 

sets, which rose by €85.6 million. 

Statistics concerning our main business partners show that Slovak exports to Germany dropped 

by 18.4 percent, to the Czech Republic by 23.5 percent and to France by almost 7 percent. Export to 

Poland also saw a y-o-y decrease by 11.6 percent and in the case of Hungary it was 24.1 percent. 

Within the EU-member states, exports were down by almost 20 percent and a similar drop was 

reported vis-a-vis OECD countries. 

When it comes to imports, a drop was seen in case of Germany - by 30.3 percent, the Czech 

Republic by 11.4 percent, and Russia by 36.3 percent. Imports from EU countries decreased by 23.4 

percent y-o-y and from OECD members by 16.4 percent. 

In December 2009 the overall trade deficit was on €67.1 million. 

Indian Firm Reva Probing Slovakia for 

Production of Electric Automobiles 

Bratislava, March 12 (TASR) - Reva Electric Car Company (India) is interested in having a factory 

in the European Union from which to launch its Reva electric car and the company is exploring Slovakia, 

the Economy Ministry reported on Friday following Reva’s representative Ravi K. Rishi’s meeting 

with Economy Minister Lubomir Jahnatek on Thursday. 

If it opts for Slovakia, Reva would prefer the area around Banovce nad Bebravou (Trencin region) 

as its mother company Vectra Group already has a production facility there that makes, among a host 

of other things, trucks. 

Vectra Group is the main shareholder in Banovce nad Bebravou-based company Tanax, which, 

together with Indian company Beml Limited, is a key business partner to Trencin-based firm called 

Konstrukta Defence. 

Jahnatek said that Slovakia is highly interested in value-added investment projects in which the 

so-called green technologies are involved. Rishi told Jahnatek that his company has had a positive 

experience doing business in Slovakia. 

Reva Electric Car Company, established in 1994 and headquartered in Bangalore, is one of the 

world leaders in production of environmentally friendly vehicles. As far back as 2001, the firm launched 

production of the first Indian electric car, which is fully-automatic, with zero emissions, designated 

mainly for urban traffic use. The vehicle is easy-to-use and known for economical performance, and 

is now being exported from India to 24 countries. 

Shopping in Neighboring Countries 

Not So Favourable Any More 

Bratislava, March 13 (TASR) - After the euro adoption in 2009, Slovaks went shopping to the neighboring 

countries to exploit the 10 to 30 percent lower prices than in their home country. “This was fully 

reflected in the retail sales, which slumped more than in surrounding countries,” said UniCredit Bank 

analyst David Derenik. 

More than a year later, however, currencies in surrounding countries have firmed up, with Poland’s 

cheapest zloty appreciating the most, by nearly 20 percent, and Hungary’s forint and the Czech 

Republic’s koruna by 13 percent and 8 percent respectively. 

With currencies firming, the shopping in surrounding countries ceased to be as favorable. “But it 

still holds true for food that we can buy the cheapest food in Poland, 12 percent less than in Slovakia. 

Hungary and the Czech Republic offer average savings by some 6 percent, which doesn’t necessarily 

offset the transportation cost and spell sufficient savings,” said the analyst. 

Slovaks may purchase cheaper clothing and footwear in Poland and Hungary with 16 percent lower 

prices than in Slovakia. The Czech Republic is less favorable in this respect. 

IT Fitness Test Shows That Average 

Slovak Is an “IT Apprentice” 

Bratislava, March 16 (TASR) - IT skills of more than 55.000 Slovaks have been tested this year 

within the so-called IT Fitness Test, the results of which have shown that the average Slovak is as IT 

skilled as an “apprentice”. However, Education Minister Jan Mikolaj said he was satisfied with both 

the project and the results. 

Organizers of the test program said on Tuesday that the tested Slovaks passed an IT test of 

advanced level only with 38.49 percent on average. “The results have revealed that the majority 

of Slovaks uses only the very basics of what information-communication technologies offer,” said 

Slovak IT Association President Juraj Sabaka. According to him, the participants have shown a good 

knowledge of computer software components, and they did well in searching information on the Internet. 

The most significant shortcomings have been identified when it comes to the Internet security 

awareness, however. 

Also, the test (running between February 1 and March 5) revealed that Internet banking represents 

the most commonly used online service among Slovak Internet population. 

The testing, which is part of the activities under the European Commission’s campaign called ‘e- 

Skills Week 2010’, was carried out on a sample of all age categories of Slovaks, with the youngest 

participant aged 9 and the oldest 76. 

Commenting on the conclusions, Mikolaj said his administration understands well that the 

students’ results have proven to be “slightly better” than those of teachers - although the test 

wasn’t focused on teachers as such. “We’re now concentrating on educating teachers to 

help them improve their IT skills,” said the minister.


Sarisan Slovak Folk Ensemble 

Performs For Michigan Senator 

The Sarisan Slovak Folk Ensemble from Sterling Heights, Michigan performed at Michigan 

Senator Mickey Switalski’s Annual Irish Party on March 20, 2010. The party was held at 

a VFW Hall in Roseville, Michigan, with several hundred people in attendance. 

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From the Desk of the 

Executive Secretary 

The following branches have not filed for their 2009 stipends: 

5K 

16P 

18K 

28K 

32K 

40P 

51P 

53P 

61K 

64K 

83K 

90K 

98K 

100K 

102K 

108K 

109K 

114P 

116P 

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128K 

131P 

132K 

136K 

144P 

152K 

156K 

157K 

163K 

164K 

165K 

169K 

198P 

211K 

215K 

221K 

224K 

226K 

226P 

237J 

238K 

240K 

240P 

259K 

263K 

278K 

293K 

294K 

296K 

299K 

315K 

321P 

322K 

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324K 

326K 

330K 

332K 

335K 

339K 

348K 

356P 

358K 

369K 

381K 

402K 

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404K 

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429K 

430K 

454K 

461K 

465K 

472K 

480K 

487K 

505K 

510K 

517K 

543K 

549K 

586K 

591K 

595K 

Senator Switalski, 

pictured 

with the Ensemble 

and Sarisan Director, 

Milan Straka, in the 

center (L - R). 

Dancers 

Lauren Wietchy 

(bottom left), and 

Jeff Rimarcik (top 

row second from the 

left) are members of 

Jednota Branch 743. 

600K 

604K 

615K 

618K 

624K 

635K 

638K 

644K 

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659K 

667K 

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821K 

835K 

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842K 

853K 

862K 

888K 

SEMINARS 

The following seminars are finalized. 

Sunday, April 25, 2010, Michigan District Slovak Mass 11:30 a.m. at SS Cyril and Methodius 

Church—District Meeting 1:00 p.m. seminar to follow in the Heritage Room. The address 

is 41233 Ryan Road, Sterling Heights, Michigan 48314. There will be a lunch after 

the seminar. 

Saturday, May 01, 2010, Rev. Joseph L. Kostik District and Akron Branch 533—Lunch 

12:00 p.m., seminar to follow. Place of seminar to be determined by Kostik District. 

More seminars are being scheduled! 

Branch Officers and Recommenders will be sent a schedule before the seminars. If you 

plan on attending, please contact the home office at least 3 days before your scheduled 

seminar so we can get an attendance count. 

The Membership and Marketing Committee would like to see a larger turnout from members 

interested in learning more about our insurance and annuity products. 

Please form a car pool and attend the seminars that will be scheduled in your area. 

Until Then, 

Good Luck and God Bless! 



Membership and Marketing Chairman 

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Calling All Slovak Cooks: 

Website Wants Contributors 

The recently launched website, www.slovakcooking.com, 

offers many illustrated recipes for traditional Slovak dishes 

in English. Founder Lubos Brieda tells the Jednota that 

he also is looking for more contributors, especially folks who 

know how to bake our delicious sweets (kolace, torty, etc.). 

Go to the website, and look around. He welcomes hearing 

from you. 

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(4.306% apr) 

FLEXIBLE PREMIUM DEFERRED ANNUITY 

FLEXIBLE PREMIUM DEFERRED ANNUITY/IRA 

Flexible Premium Deferred Annuity – Rate Effective March 1, 2010 ~ 4.40% (4.306% APR) 

Under the Flexible Premium Deferred Annuity, you may make periodic payments into an annuity fund that 

accumulates interest at, or greater than, the guaranteed rate. You can open the account with as little as $500.00 

and make additional deposits ($25.00 minimum) as your financial situation allows. Additional deposits are not 

mandatory. 

At the retirement age you choose, the funds accumulated in the Flexible Premium Deferred Annuity may be 

withdrawn using any of the FCSU’s lump sum or periodic income settlement options. 

Features of the Flexible Premium Deferred Annuity include: 

The FCSU guarantees your deposits will accumulate interest at no less than 3.0%. 

Your annuity continues to accumulate interest after you have stopped contributing and have begun to 

receive retirement income. The interest rate you receive on your annuity after settlement will never be 

less than 3.0%. 

Death Benefit-If you die prior to settlement, your beneficiary receives the full cash value of the annuity. 

If you die while receiving retirement benefits, the value of your remaining guaranteed benefits will be 

paid to your beneficiary. 

Withdrawal Privileges-Since annuities are meant to be long-term investments for providing retirement 

funds, funds withdrawn during the first six years of your contract are subject to an FCSU Early 

Withdrawal Charge. You may withdraw 10% of your ‘beginning of the year balance’ with no FCSU 

Early Withdrawal Charge. 

Your interest will be added to your account. You may, however, elect to have your interest paid directly 

to you on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually basis. This is called an Interest Option and 

the interest rate is slightly lower than if you left your interest to accumulate. 

Even though you may not incur an FCSU Early Withdrawal Charge, withdrawals before age 59 ½ may 

be subject to a federal tax penalty. 

Tax on the interest earned is deferred until the annuity funds are drawn. 

Also available in a Traditional IRA or Roth IRA (subject to IRA Guidelines) 

CONTACT THE HOME OFFICE OR YOUR LOCAL BRANCH FOR MORE INFORMATION. 

YOU CAN ALSO VISIT OUR WEB SITE AT FCSU.COM

Nová kniha v slovenčine 

Po stopách KOMUNIZMU 

a míľniky slovenskej krútňavy 

Zoltan G. Meško, MD 

„Po stopách komunizmu...“ je 

historickým prehľadom, či mozaikou 

kľukatých ciest, ktorými 

sa myšlienky socializmu („socios 

= druh“, heslo kolektívnej 

spolupatričnosti (druhov) predrali 

„domov“ ukryté v torbách učňov, 

remeselníkov i študentov vracajúcich 

sa zo „Západu“ po začiatku 

tzv. „industriálnej revolúcie“ v 18. 

storočí vo Veľkej Británii. Práca 

„stopuje“ v dobovom rozpätí takmer 

dvesto rokov prenikanie ideálov socializmu 

pozdĺž priemyselných centier 

a uhoľných revírov od Západu 

až po Východ (Ostravsko), ktoré 

vyprýštili ako následok obrovských 

ekonomických rozdielov a sociálnych 

dislokácií v novej priemyselnej 

spoločnosti. Od francúzskych utopistov 

spolu s politickými následkami 

Francúzskej revolúcie (1789) 

tieto revolučné ideály prenikli do 

priemyselného Nemecka, boli rozpracované 

K. Marxom a F. Engelsom 

a reformované ďalej na východ 

tzv. „austromarxistami“ na prahu 

tzv. „historických zemí“. A tak sa 

tieto ideály dostávajú koncom 19. 

storočia do Uhorska-Slovenska 

s jeho nesmelými začiatkami sociálneho hnutia. Politickým príspevkom českých socialistov 

a maďarských komunardov sú ideály socializmu importované a oktrojované na politicky 

takmer „panenskú“ pôdu Slovenska, kde myšlienky kryštalizácie národa hrali teraz 

primárnu úlohu... Po I. svetovej vojne a Októbrovej revolúcii (1917) idey komunizmu 

rázne klopú na „dvere Slovenska“, hlavne z Čiech, ale aj z juhu a dávajú vznik robotníckej 

i komunistickej inteligencii. Po II. svetovej vojne, keď Čs. republika spadá do politickej 

sféry sovietskeho systému, udalosti boľševizácie v celej republike nadobúdajú dramatický 

spád, keď po tzv. „Víťaznom februári 1948“, kocky pre republiku aj Slovensko sú hodené 

na nasledovné desaťročia s fundamentálnymi politickými i sociálnymi následkami a zmeny 

morálneho kódu občana. Dejiny sa na moment 14. februára 1956 zastavili, keď na 20. 

kongrese Komunistickej strany SSSR N. Chruščev odhalil a odsúdil obrovské zločiny J. V. 

Stalina, kedy sa aj stopy tejto práce končia. 

(Publikácia obsahuje 383 strán, je obohatená mnohými dokumentmi a fotografiami. 

Cena publikácie je 25.00 dolárov v čom je započítané i poštovné a možno si ju objednať 

priamo u autora na adrese: Z. George Mesko, MD , 8360 Greensboro Drive, Apt. 1003, 

McLean, VA, 22102 - 3543. 

Recept na Veľkonočnú babu 

Suroviny: 5 žemlí, 10 vajec, 100 g údenej slaniny, 500 g vareného údeného 

mäsa, 80 g polohrubej múky, 2 strúčky cesnaku, mleté čierne korenie, soľ, tuk na 

vymastenie pekáča. 

Postup: Žemle necháme rozmočiť vo vode. Do misky rozbijeme vajcia, dobre 

ich rozmiešame, pridáme vytlačené a nadrobno posekané žemle, na kocky pokrájanú 

údenú slaninu, zomleté alebo posekané údené mäso, múku, rozotreté strúčiky cesnaku, 

mleté čierne korenie, soľ a všetko spolu vymiešame. Zmes dáme do pekáča vymasteného 

tukom a pečieme. Namiesto údeného mäsa môžeme použiť aj pečené bravčové 

mäso alebo z každého druhu (údené, pečené) polovicu. 

Rozpočet Matice slovenskej 

na rok 2010 

Martin (TASR) – Rozpočet Matice Slovenskej (MS) na tento rok predstavuje 3.229 

milióna eur. V tejto výške ho v sobotu 6. marca 2010 na zasadnutí v Martine schválil 

Výbor MS. Podľa hovorcu MS Stanislava Bajaníka rozpočet sa skladá z príjmov zo 

štátnych i neštátnych prostriedkov. Je to dovedna o 62,000 eur viac ako táto národná 

kultúrna ustanovizeň hospodárila v roku 2009. Výbor konštatoval, že minulý rok napriek 

všeobecnému krízovému stavu možno považovať z celoslovenského matičného hľadiska 

ako úspešný. Poďakoval všetkým matičiarom na Slovensku i v zahraničí za ich ochotu, 

obety, čas a investície vložené do matičnej činnosti. 

Viacerí členovia výboru posúdili tohoročný rozpočet ako vyvážený, zohľadňujúci 

všeobecnú matičnú i celospoločenskú ekonomickú situáciu. Výbor sa oboznámil s významnými 

celoslovenskými i medzinárodnými aktivitami MS, ktoré sa uskutočnia v tomto 

roku na úseku vedy, kultúry, patriotizmu, výchovy a vzdelávania mládeže. 

Zobral na vedomie rámcový program Matičného svetového festivalu slovenskej mládeže, 

ktorý sa uskutoční v tomto roku v Nitre i jej okolí v dňoch 1. až 5. júla. Matica pripravuje 

aj II. kongres Matíc slovanských národov, tradičné Martinské matičné slávnosti a bude 

sa venovať pamiatke a dielu J. C. Hronského, M. Kukučína, podpore kultúrnych aktivít 

v Srbsku, Chorvátsku, Maďarsku, na Ukrajine, v Poľsku, Francúzsku a v ďalších lokalitách 

slovenského zahraničia, konštatoval Bajaník. Výbor schválil aj svojho kandidáta na 

predsedu MS na rok 2010 až 2013. Je ním súčasný predseda MS Jozef Markuš. 

JEDNOTA, STREDA, 31. MARCA, 2010 PAGE 21 

Každá krajina 

v slovenských komunitách 

má svoje špecifiká 

Bratislava (TASR) - Kultúrne aktivity a prezentácie v jednotlivých slovenských komunitách 

majú spoločné prvky, ale aj špecifické črty v závislosti od historického vývinu komunity, 

možností kontaktov s materskou krajinou v minulosti, sociálnej zostavy krajanov a 

zamerania spolkov a organizácií, ktoré sa venujú aj kultúrnej činnosti. Uviedla to nedávno 

riaditeľka odboru kultúry Úradu pre Slovákov žijúcich v zahraničí Ľubica Bartalská. 

V USA, kam odchádzali Slováci za prácou v prvej vysťahovaleckej vlne, hromadnejšie 

od roku 1870, majú dlhodobú tradíciu spolky, ktoré mali spočiatku sociálny a podporný 

charakter. “Keďže im zamestnávatelia nezabezpečovali žiadne sociálne istoty, suplovali 

ich podporné spolky tak, že z členského príspevku sa v spolku vytvoril fond na pomoc 

rodinám, ktorých živitelia utrpeli úraz alebo zomreli,” vysvetlila Bartalská. Úloha 

udržiavania národného povedomia podľa nej vyplynula z činnosti spolkov neskôr, a to 

najmä príchodom národnouvedomelej inteligencie zloženej prevažne z kňazov, ktorí sa 

okrem cirkevných či kňazských povinností venovali aj zakladaniu a redigovaniu slovenskej 

tlače v národnom duchu a viedli členov spolkov k vlasteneckej a kultúrnej činnosti. 

“Najväčšie organizácie, ako sú napríklad Prvá Katolícka Slovenská Jednota, Národný 

Slovenský Spolok, Telocvičná Jednota Sokol, Slovenský Katolícky Sokol mali a dodnes 

majú odbočky aj v Kanade, kam prichádzali za prácou Slováci hromadnejšie až v 30. rokoch 

20. storočia,” konkretizovala Bartalská. 

Ďalšie krajanské spolky zakladané v USA a Kanade a v medzivojnovom období aj v 

Južnej Amerike tiež organizovali pri príležitosti významných udalostí z histórie Slovenska 

pre svojich členov výročné spolkové podujatia, tzv. Slovenské dni, počas ktorých sa konali 

vystúpenia hudobníkov, folklórnych súborov, divadelné predstavenia či športové podujatia. 

Slovenské dni organizovali aj odbočky v jednotlivých amerických štátoch a viaceré sa 

konajú aj v súčasnosti. “Najväčšie spomedzi týchto podujatí v USA je Heritage festival 

(festival dedičstva) v štáte New Jersey, ktorý sa koná vyše 30 rokov pravidelne v septembri 

a zúčastňuje sa ňom 8,000 až 10,000 krajanov. Na festivaloch vystupujú krajanské 

folklórne súbory z USA i Kanady,” spresnila. 

Pozitívnu rolu v oblasti kultúry zohrávali podľa Bartalskej aj slovenské kostoly, ktoré 

mali priestory na spoločenské stretnutia a konali sa v nich aj kultúrne podujatia. V Kanade 

sa v súčasnosti obnovila tradícia divadelného ochotníctva. V Toronte a Montreale pôsobia 

štyri divadelné ochotnícke scény, ktoré uvádzajú hry svojich autorov z radov krajanov, 

ale aj autorov zo Slovenska. Zo Slovenska si dokonca pozývajú režisérov alebo hercov. 

“Kultúrne aktivity pri spolkoch vyvíjali vysťahovalci z čias sociálneho vysťahovalectva 

v medzivojnovom období aj v západnej Európe. Ich činnosť sa revitalizovala príchodom 

povojnových emigrantov,” konkretizovala Bartalská a dodala, že v škandinávskych krajinách, 

ale aj vo Švajčiarsku prichádzalo k zakladaniu spolkov až príchodom početnejšej 

skupiny emigrantov z roku 1968. 

“Predstavitelia tejto generácie sú dnes vo vedení spolkov a svoju kultúrnu činnosť zameriavajú 

na prezentáciu umenia Slovenska, pozývajú na svoje podujatia umelcov, folklórne 

súbory a osobnosti kultúrneho života. O podujatiach informujú v tlačových orgánoch 

spolkov a v elektronických médiách,” konštatovala. 

vvv 

Počet ľudí hrdých na 

úspechy Slovenska klesol 

Bratislava (TASR) - Na Slovensku klesol za posledný rok počet ľudí hrdých na to, čo 

krajina dokázala počas samostatnosti, zo 77 na 68 percent. Ukázal to prieskum Inštitútu pre 

verejné otázky (IVO). Ako však pri jeho prezentácii poznamenala analytička inštitútu Zora 

Bútorová, stále prevažujú občania, ktorí pocit hrdosti majú. Ten výrazne prevažuje medzi 

prívržencami vládnych strán, ale aj opozície s výnimkou voličov SMK. Zvýšil sa tiež počet 

tých, ktorí sú presvedčení, že sa naša spoločnosť neuberá správnym smerom (z 31 na 46 

percent). Tento negatívny pohľad majú väčšinou podporovatelia opozičných strán. 

Ako ďalej priblížila Bútorová, oproti vlaňajšku klesla dôvera voči všetkým kľúčovým 

politickým inštitúciám. V porovnaní so situáciou pred parlamentnými voľbami v roku 

2006 je však dôvera voči vláde, ako aj parlamentu vyššia. Pred štyrmi rokmi kabinetu 

dôverovalo 21 percent ľudí, dnes je to 42 percent ľudí, v prípade Národnej rady SR sa 

percento zvýšilo z 24 na 40. Naopak dôvera k prezidentovi a Ústavnému súdu SR klesla 

pod hladinu spred piatich rokov. 

Rebríčku najzávažnejších spoločenských problémov dominujú nezamestnanosť, ktorá 

trápi 66 percent Slovákov, ako aj životná úroveň a sociálne istoty (51 percent). Ľudia 

tiež kriticky vnímajú korupciu a klientelizmus (35 percent), zdravotníctvo i ekonomickú 

politiku a výkonnosť ekonomiky (24 percent). Medzi desať najpálčivejších problémov 

respondenti zaradili i kriminalitu, stav demokracie, etnické napätie, školstvo a výkonnosť 

súdnictva. 

Respondenti zároveň hodnotili aj vývoj jednotlivých oblastí spoločnosti počas tohto 

volebného obdobia. Zhoršenie konštatovali najmä v prípade vývoja pracovných príležitostí, 

zdravotníctva a rozšírenosti korupcie, klientelizmu a rodinkárstva, ako aj spravodlivosti 

v spoločnosti. Vyše tretina ľudí tiež kriticky hodnotila vývoj bezpečnosti občanov, 

dodržiavanie Ústavy SR a zákonov, vlastnej životnej úrovne a stav demokracie. Pätina 

až štvrtina opýtaných si myslí, že sa zhoršilo medzinárodné postavenie Slovenska, ako aj 

postavenie žien v spoločnosti. Za negatívum tiež označili postavenie maďarskej menšiny. 

V týchto troch oblastiach prevažoval najmä názor, že nedošlo k žiadnej zmene, zriedkavo 

ľudia konštatovali zlepšenie. 

Prieskum názorov na aktuálne spoločenské a politické otázky realizovala pre IVO 

agentúra Focus od 2. do 9. februára. Výskum prebehol na reprezentatívnej vzorke 1,301 

ľudí starších ako 18 rokov formou osobných rozhovorov.

PAGE 22 JEDNOTA, STREDA, 31 MARCA, 2010 

Oznámenia spolkov a okresov 

Členská schôdza Spolku sv. Matúša č. 45 IKSJ 

Oznamujeme všetkým členom Spolku sv. Matúša Prvej Katolíckej Slovenskej Jednoty 

v New Yorku, že členská schôdza sa uskutoční v nedeľu 11. apríla 2010 o 12:30 

hodine po slovenskej omši v osadnej hale Slovenského kostola sv. Jána Nepomuckého 

na 411 East 66th Street, New York City. Žiadame láskavo všetkých našich členov 

o hojnú účasť. 

Mária Jurášiová, pokladníčka 

Členská schôdza Spolku sv. Štefana 

č. 716 IKSJ v New York City 

Oznamujeme všetkým členom Spolku sv. Štefana č. 716 Prvej Katolíckej Slovenskej 

Jednoty, že v nedeľu dňa 18. apríla 2010 o 1:00 hodine odpoludnia sa uskutoční 

členská schôdza v osadnej hale Slovenského kostola sv. Jána Nepomuckého 411 East 

66 th Street v New York City. 

Na schôdzi bude prevedená voľba dalegátov na 49. Konvenciu IKSJ, ktorá sa uskutoční 

v dňoch 14. – 18. augusta 2010 v Clevelande, Ohio. 

Vyzývame všetkých členov, aby sa tejto dôležitej schôdzi zúčastnili 

Ostávam s kresťanským pozdravom 

Henrieta H. Daitová, tajomníčka 

Členská schôdza Okresu Štefana Krasuľu, č. 16 IKSJ 

Oznamujeme všetkým členom, že členská schôdza Okresu Štefana Krasuľu Spolok 

č. 16 Prvej Katolíckej Slovenskej Jednoty sa bude konať v nedeľu dňa 2. mája 2010 

o 1:00 hodine v osadnej hale Slovenského kostola sv. Jána Nepomuckého 411 East 

66 th Street v New York City. 

Prosíme predsedov všetkých spolkov, ktoré patria do nášho Okresu, aby poslali čo 

najviac delegátov. Upozorňujeme, že aj nedelegáti sú vítaní. 

Program schôdze bude zameraný na voľbu delegáta na 49. Konvenciu IKSJ v Clevelande, 

Ohio, ktorá sa uskutoční v dňoch 14. – 18. augusta 2010. Po schôdzi sa bude 

podávať občerstvenie. 

Ostávam s kresťanským pozdravom 

Henrieta H. Daitová, tajomníčka 

Jarná tanečná zábava v New York City 

Spolok sv. Matúša č. 45 Prvej Katolíckej Slovenskej Jednoty Vás pozýva na Jarnú 

tanečnú zábavu, ktorá sa uskutoční v nedeľu dňa 25. apríla 2010 po svätej omši o 12:30 

hodine v osadnej hale Slovenského kostola sv. Jána Nepomuckého 411 East 66 th Street, 

New York City. Vstupné je $ 25.00. V cene vstupenky je započítané hlavné jedlo, káva 

a koláč. V priebehu zábavy bude losovaná tombola a predstavia sa aj deti zo slovenskej 

školy. Zabávať Vás bude hudobná skupina Jozefa Jurášiho – Kontakty. Tešíme sa na Vašu 

účasť. 

Mária Jurášiová, pokladníčka 

Koncert spievajúcej 

rodiny Revilákovcov 

Spievajúca rodina Revilákovcov 

nepatrí medzi nováčikov 

na domácich i zahraničných 

pódiách. Repertoár sa skladá 

z ľudových, duchovných, 

moderných i country piesní, 

vrátane vlastnej tvorby. Ich 

piesne sú stále hrávané v slovenských 

rádiových programoch 

i televíznych reláciách. 

V svojej kolekcii majú nahratých 

7 CD. 

Do Pittsburghu pricestovali 

pred siedmymi rokmi, 

kde momentálne tvoria 

i účinkujú. Na hodinových 

koncertoch prevláda 4-hlasná 

harmónia a mnohorakosť 

žánrov, ktoré sú spestrené rozmanitými 

kostýmami i nástrojmi. 

Moderné piesne sú spievané 

za hudobného sprievodu 

(kareoke style) a ľudové piesne 

(ak vyžiadané) hudobnými 

nástrojmi (akordeóny, gitary 

a tamburína). Na koncertoch 

používajú vlastné ozvučenie 

pre zachovanie vysokej kvality a neopakovateľnosti zážitku. 

Nakoľko sú slovenského pôvodu a ich piesne sú blízke ľuďom i srdciam, s blížiacim 

sa sviatkom Dňa Matiek, prichádzajú pre záujemcov s ponukou uskutočniť „Koncert 

Spievajúcej Rodiny Revilákovcov“. O bližšie informácie ohľadom koncertu kontaktujte: 

Milana (412) 290-0890, Júliu ( (412) 726-1062 prípadne zanechajte odkaz na (412) 

461-2022. 

Zimná Olympiáda, Vancouver, 

Kanada 2010 

Zimná Olympiáda vo Vancouveri, Kanada, sa skončila, 

víťazi, aj porazení sa šťastne vrátili domov, 

len krásne spomienky im zostali, na veľa-veľa rokov. 

Aj naša slovenská zástava, tam majestátne viala 

a niekoľkokrát povýšená nad druhé, naše srdcia hriala, 

celé to malé Slovensko a slovenská diaspora im to priala. 

Áno, biela, modrá, červená, tri modré vrchy a biely dvojitý kríž, 

akoby hovoril, „Neboj sa Slovák, nikdy a pred nikým, sa neponíž!“ 

Ako ľúbezne, tisíckrát, bolo na éteri počuť „SLOVAKIA, SLOVÁK“. 

Nám od radosti plesali srdcia a zaslzili sa oči, 

tak, ako v roku 2002, keď ako Majster sveta, na slovenskú zem vkročí! 

Sláva a vďaka Vám, naši slovenskí športovci, veď ste si zmerali sily 

s gigantskými súpermi, ako sú Spojené štáty americké, Kanada, Rusko, 

a len šťastena, bola na ich strane. Čo sa stalo, už sa neodstane! 

Vďaka Vám, všetci ste víťazmi, lebo reprezentujete, našu krásnu zem, 

naše malé, ale krásne Slovensko, SLOVENSKÚ REPUBLIKU !!! 

Jozef Smák 

In Memoriam Štefan Blaho 

1920-2010 

I keď neskoro, naša rodová a spolkárska spolupatričnosť nám ukladajú zaznačiť, že pred 

troma mesiacmi navždy odišiel zo slovenského spoločenstva v Montreale náš kompatriót 

z prvej generácie slovenskej emigrácie do Kanady - Štefan (Steve) Blaho, skromný, 

nenáročný, vzorný a vždy ochotný účastník v slovenskom, spolkárskom, spoločenskom 

a ochotníckom podnikaní. Po dlhšej a trápnej nemoci umrel 18. januára 2010 v domove 

dôchodcov vo veku 90 rokov. 

Jeho otec, Pavol Blaho, radí sa medzi najvýznamnejšie a najrešpektovanejšie osobnosti 

slovenskej tvorivosti v Kanade. Bol podpredsedom Slovenskej vydavateľskej spoločnosti 

Slovákov v Kanade, hlavným funkcionárom Kanadskej Slovenskej Ligy, dlhoročným 

predsedom a potom čestným predsedom montrealského zboru Kanadskej Slovenskej 

Ligy počas druhej Svetovej vojny, politicky rozvrátenej pre Slovákov a prvým predsedom 

Tlačového výboru Kanadského Slováka. Mimo toho napísal súhrnnú históriu 2. 

zboru Kanadskej Slovenskej Ligy uverejnenú v knihe Kanadská Slovenská Liga 35-ročná 

(1967). Tiež prispel hodnotnými úvahami do Prvých kalendárov Kanadských Slovákov. 

Možno o ňom povedať, že bol svedomím slovenskej komunity v Montreale. 

Steve, ako sme ho volali, pochádza z povestného Považia. Svoje korene má v obci 

Sverepec pri Považskej Bystrici, kde sa narodil 7. októbra 1920. V roku 1937 odišiel 

s matkou do Kanady k otcovi v Montreale, kde prežil celý svoj život. Zamestnal sa ako 

vedúci mechanik v automobilovej predajni, odkiaľ po 34 rokoch statočnej služby odišiel 

na zaslúžený odpočinok. Oženil sa s Irenou Šavrnachovou, dcérou povedomej spolkárskej 

rodiny. Spolu vychovali štyri dcéry a jedného syna, ktorý tragicky zahynul v letnom kempingu 

pre deti. Dcéra Helena ho predišla do večnosti pred rokom. 

Pri príležitosti jeho 70-ročného životného jubilea, Vladimír Tomko o ňom napísal, že 

kráčal v šľapajoch práce svojho otca v dobe, keď nepriatelia útočili z každej strany proti 

národnému programu a identity Slovákov v Kanade. „Za vyše 50 rokov – píše Tomko – 

konal pri našich organizáciách tú potrebnú prácu, ktorú si naše spolky vyžadovali.“ 

Pohreb mal 22. januára 2010 v slovenskom kostole sv. Cyrila a Metoda, ktorý pravidelne 

navštevoval pokiaľ mu sily a jeho zdravie dovoľovali. Zádušnú sv. omšu odslúžil 

Rev. František Krušinský, správca farnosti. Jeho telesné pozostatky boli spopolnené a urna 

s popolom uložená do hrobu jeho manželky na cintoríne Notre Dame des Neiges, ktorá ho 

predišla do večnosti pred desať rokmi. 

Za dobrým a starostlivým otcom smútia dcéry Irena, Margita a Pavlína (Doucet) s rodinami, 

pozostalí na Slovensku i my, ktorí sme ho poznali a s ním v dávnej i nie tak dávnej 

minulosti zúrodňovali tú našu spoločnú slovenskú roľu v Kanade. 

Zbohom, starý priateľu a do videnia pred tvárou Otca všetkých nás. 

Štefan Hreha 

Montréal, QC. 

vvv 

Minister obrany SR 

na návšteve Kanady a USA 

Pokrac'ovanie zo str. 24 

Afganistane. Témou stretnutia bol aj výcvik príslušníkov Ozbrojených síl SR v oblasti 

likvidácie improvizovaných výbušných systémov, ktorý zabezpečí americká strana. Pre 

slovenských vojakov je to dôležité, pretože v Afganistane budú pôsobiť nielen na vojenských 

základniach. 

Slovenský minister obrany položil veniec k pamätníku Iwo Jima, pripomínajúcom boje 

amerických vojakov proti Japoncom v Tichomorí v období druhej svetovej vojny. Jedným 

z vojakov na súsoší, ktorí vztyčujú americkú vlajku, je seržant slovenského pôvodu Michal 

Strank z obce Jarabina. Padol počas pokračujúcich bojov o tichomorský ostrov. 

Vyvrcholením oficiálnej návštevy slovenského ministra obrany v USA bolo jeho stretnutie 

s americkým ministrom obrany Robertom Gatesom. Ako informoval hovorca ministerstva 

obrany Vladimír Gemela, súčasťou slovenskej delegácie bol aj náčelník generálneho 

štábu Ozbrojených síl SR generál Ľubomír Bulík a generálny riaditeľ Sekcie obrannej 

politiky, medzinárodných vzťahov a legislatívy Július Demetrian.

• Už mesiac majú možnosť obyvatelia Košíc zakúpiť si čerstvé mlieko z prvého mobilného 

mliečneho automatu. Spôsob nákupu je podobný ako pri iných automatoch. Zákazník 

si vyberie množstvo mlieka vhodí požadovanú sumu do automatu a ten do pripravenej 

nádoby vydá tovar. Cena mlieka z mliečneho automatu je v súčasnosti 0.60 eura za liter. 

Ako povedal prevádzkovateľ mliečneho automatu Ivan Tirpák, záujem kupujúcich ich 

prekvapil. Denne je automat v prevádzke desať až dvanásť hodín a tvoria sa pri ňom 

dlhé rady, povedal. Ako ďalej poznamenal, zariadenie spĺňa vysoký hygienický štandard. 

Mobilita automatu zabezpečuje vyššiu dostupnosť pre klientov. Zariadenie má vlastnú 

elektrocentrálu, takže nie je odkázané na elektrickú prípojku. Všetky použité materiály 

sú certifikované a môžu prichádzať do kontaktu s potravinami. Automat je vybavený tiež 

zariadením, ktoré informuje farmára o cene a množstve predaného mlieka, o stave nádrže, 

aby sa zabránilo časovým stratám pri výmene prázdnych nádrží za plné. Obsah nádrží je 

600 litrov. 

• Štát chce do roku 2012 použiť vyše 1.7 milióna eur na boj proti chorobám srdca či 

ciev, ktoré sú najčastejšou príčinou smrti Slovákov. Ďalšími vyše troma miliónmi eur by 

mali prispieť zdravotné poisťovne na zber údajov o rizikových faktoroch, diagnostike či 

liečbe srdcovo-cievnych chorôb. Program počíta s viacerými aktivitami ako napríklad celonárodná 

vzdelávacia kampaň, zriadenie registra osôb s vysokým krvným tlakom alebo 

kardiovaskulárnym rizikom či zoznamu pacientov s chronickým srdcovým zlyhávaním. 

Do roku 2012 by mali v každom krajskom meste vzniknúť takzvané ambulantné jednotky 

srdcového zlyhávania, naplánované sú tiež prieskumy a odborné správy. Cieľom aktivít 

je podľa predkladateľov znížiť počet úmrtí na choroby obehového systému. Na ochorenia 

obehovej sústavy ako sú napríklad infarkty, cievne choroby mozgu či choroby tepien 

zomrie každoročne zhruba 29,000 Slovákov. Najohrozenejšou skupinou sú dôchodcovia 

nad 65 rokov, k najväčším rizikám patrí nadváha alebo obezita, vysoký cholesterol a 

krvný tlak, fajčenie či nedostatok pohybu. Hrozba infarktu či mozgovej príhody je vyššia 

u mužov ako žien, obyvatelia veľkých miest sú na tom lepšie ako ľudia z malých obcí na 

juhu a východe krajiny. 

• Internetbanking sa na Slovensku teší stále väčšej obľube. Nečudo, veď cez web si 

klienti môžu mnohokrát vybaviť takmer všetko, čo na pobočke. Podľa prieskumu GfK 

využíva na Slovensku internet 56 percent obyvateľov. V porovnaní s januárom 2009 ide o 

trojpercentný nárast. Na internet sa Slováci najčastejšie pripájajú z domu. Asi 88 percent 

užívateľov internetu má doma zapojený internet, čo je o osem percent viac ako vlani, píše 

sa v analýze. 

• I keď kríza svetový rebríček vysokej dynamiky investícií do komerčných nehnuteľností 

za rok 2009 vyniesla Čínu do pozície lídra a predbehla tak Veľkú Britániu a USA, stredoeurópske 

krajiny zotrvali na nízkych priečkach. Posledný štvrťrok však Česko, Poľsko, 

SR a Maďarsko zaznamenali výrazný vzostup objemu investícií do tohto segmentu. Tento 

pozitívny trend sa preniesol aj do roku 2010. “Zaznamenávame zvýšený záujem investorov 

o Slovensko a očakávame, že sa premietne do ďalších transakcií v tomto roku,” 

uviedol Andrew Thompson z poradenskej kancelárie Cushman & Wakefield (C&W) v 

Bratislave. Podľa prieskumu z hľadiska investičnej aktivity sa predpokladá, že v roku 

2010 sa umiestnia krajiny V4 v tomto rebríčku vyššie. 

• Každoročnú správu o stave ľudských práv vo svete vydalo 11. marca americké ministerstvo 

zahraničných vecí. Chargé d’affaires amerického veľvyslanectva na Slovensku 

Keith Eddins už predtým avizoval, že jeho obsahom bude aj obava Američanov z vývoja 

slobody prejavu na Slovensku. Eddinsove slová pritom neboli jediné, počudovanie nad 

žalobami a vysokým odškodným už skôr vyjadril aj Glyn Davies, americký veľvyslanec 

pri OSN vo Viedni. Obaja diplomati sa vyjadrili, že ich prekvapuje množstvo žalôb, ktoré 

politici podávajú na médiá, ako aj obrovské odškodné, ktoré im súdy priznávajú. 

• Volkswagen Touareg, vyrobený v Bratislave dokáže jazdiť ako prvé slovenské auto na 

elektrickú energiu. Jeho výkon je 380 koní, ale vďaka hybridnému pohonu má priemernú 

spotrebu 8.2 l/100 km. Štandardná montáž tohto auta sa rozbehne v apríli. “Pretože výroba 

nového modelu nahradí prvú generáciu Volkswagenu Touareg, nevyžiada si nové pracovné 

miesta”, uviedol hovorca závodu Vladimír Machalík. Model, poháňala jednotka 

zložená z benzínového šesťvalca TSI a elektromotora. Ťah elektromotora pocíti vodič 

pri zrýchlení. Sila oboch motorov 279 kW/380 k stačí na to, aby sa takmer 5-metrový 

Touareg mohol rútiť stovkou za 6.5 sekundy. 

• Americké firmy sa chystajú bojovať proti korupcii pri verejných objednávkach na 

Slovensku a Česku. Neférovosť pri štátnych tendroch prekáža Američanom do takej 

miery, že plánujú pripraviť novelu zákona o verejnom obstarávaní. S iniciatívou prišla ako 

prvá Americká obchodná komora v Českej republike (ČR). Zámer venovať sa tendrom 

na Slovensku potvrdila aj Americká obchodná komora v SR. Výkonný riaditeľ Americkej 

obchodnej komory v SR Jake Slegers potvrdil, že “verejné obstarávanie je centrom aktivít 

a politiky Americkej obchodnej komory na Slovensku a máme dlhoročné skúsenosti 

s touto problematikou”. “Prideľovanie verejných tendrov považujú za netransparentné tri 

štvrtiny zahraničných investorov,” povedal Jake Slegers. 

• Na Slovensko majú namierené viacerí zahraniční investori, ktorí v rôznych regiónoch 

vytvoria stovky pracovných miest. O novej investícii uvažujú belgický koncern Bekaert 

Group, zaoberajúci sa výrobou drôtov a oceľových kordov, ktorý má na Slovensku už 

dva závody, ďalej je to taliansky výrobca bŕzd do áut Brembo a tretím potenciálnym 

investorom je oceliarska firma, ktorá by mala prísť do priemyselného parku v Tornali. 

Holding Bekaert, ktorý sa zaoberá výrobou drôtov, pôsobí už v Hlohovci a Sládkovičove. 

Na západnom Slovensku plánuje postaviť ešte jeden závod. Prácu by tu malo nájsť asi 

400 ľudí. 

• Vo Festivalom paláci v juhofrancúzskom meste Cannes sa nedávno skončil 21. 

ročník najväčšieho veľtrhu investičných príležitostí a nehnuteľností MIPIM 2010. Na 

veľtrhu sa už šiestykrát zúčastnilo aj hlavné mesto SR. Okrem Bratislavy po prvý raz 

zastupovalo Slovensko aj mesto Košice. Bratislava na veľtrhu prezentovala predovšetkým 

témy týkajúce sa verejnej infraštruktúry. Na veľtrhu sa v tomto roku zúčastnilo 5,000 

vystavovateľov, 100 primátorov z 80 krajín sveta, ako aj množstvo ďalších reprezentantov 

verejných štátnych, regionálnych či samosprávnych úradov. Veľtrh podľa odhadov 

navštívilo okolo 20,000 odborníkov z oblasti územného plánovania, architektúry, 

nehnuteľností, finančných a poisťovníckych firiem, správcovských spoločností, marketingových 

konzultantov, či medzinárodných médií. 

TASR a slovenské časopisy 

JEDNOTA, STREDA, 31. MARCA, 2010 PAGE 23 

Deň otvorených dverí sa skončil 

nečakaným úspechom 

Bratislava - Nečakaným úspechom 

sa v sobotu (20.marca) skončil Deň 

otvorených dverí na Ministerstve 

zahraničných vecí v Bratislave. Prehliadku 

priestorov sídla slovenskej 

diplomacie a stretnutie s ministrom 

zahraničných vecí Miroslavom 

Lajčákom a s ďalšími predstaviteľmi 

rezortu si nenechalo ujsť niekoľko 

tisíc ľudí nielen z Bratislavy a okolia 

ale aj zo stredného a východného 

Slovenska, dokonca aj zo zahraničia: 

Rakúska, Ukrajiny, Ruska, Indonézie, 

Nemecka, Talianska, USA, Vietnamu 

či ďalších krajín. Najmladšia 

návštevníčka mala tri mesiace, 

najstarší 92 rokov. Okrem účasti na 

atraktívnom zábavnom programe 

využívali návštevníci možnosť pýtať 

sa ministra a zamestnancov rezortu 

na aktuálne otázky zahraničnej politiky, 

histórie diplomacie, cestovné 

informácie, možnosti zamestnania 

či stáží na MZV, ale aj na slovensko-maďarské 

vzťahy či na úspechy 

slovenskej reprezentácie vo svete. 

O program sa počas dňa starali 

známi zabávači Andrej Bičan, Peter 

Sklár, víťazka Eurosongu Kristína 

Česko-Slovenská superstar Martin 

Chodúr, Sendreiovci, talentované 

deti zo súboru Divé maky či žiaci 

British School. Deň otvorených 

FOTO ARCHÍV TASR Svätopluk Písecký 

Ľudovo sa deň jarnej rovnodennosti označuje ako prvý jarný deň. Na Slovensku 

bol v minulosti spájaný s rôznymi slovanskými tradíciami a zvykmi. Jedným z 

nich, veľmi starým, ešte predkresťanským zvykom je vynášanie Moreny, kedy 

ľudia symbolicky vynášali z chotára zimu, ale aj nebezpečné choroby a tým i 

smrť. Na archívnej snímke je pohľad na sprievod smerujúci k mostu cez rieku v 

Moldave nad Bodvou 19. marca 2004. 

Medzi mnohými návštevníkmi priestorov slovenskej 

diplomacie boli aj manželia McCardle z USA. 

Na snímke zľava profesor Dr. Arthur McCardle 

s manželkou MUDr. Dagmar McCardle počas ich 

stretnutia s ministrom Miroslavom Lajčákom. Dr. 

McCardle je bývalým profesorom na Gettysburg 

College v Pennsylvánii a v súčasnosti vyučuje ako 

hosťujúci profesor na BISLA (Bratislava International 

School of Liberal Arts). 

dverí vyvrcholil ocenením troch osobností, ktoré žijú v zahraničí a svojou prácou pomáhajú šíriť 

dobré meno SR v zahraničí. Minister zahraničných vecí Miroslav Lajčák udelil titul „Vyslanec dobrej 

vôle“ uznávanému virológovi a imunológovi profesorovi Jánovi Vilčekovi, ktorý pôsobí v USA; 

najcitovanejšiemu slovenskému odborníkovi a poprednému fyzikovi profesorovi Jaroslavovi Fabiánovi 

z Univerzity v nemeckom Regensburgu a odborníkovi na zahraničnú a bezpečnostnú politiku z 

Centra pre európsku reformu v Londýne Tomášovi Valáškovi. 

Ministerstvo zahraničných vecí SR 

vvv 

Many Slovak 

customs on the first 

day of spring are 

connected with old 

Slavic traditions. 

One of these is the 

annual custom of 

carrying Morena 

through the village 

which symbolizes 

the end of winter and 

the elimination of 

disease and death. 

Nádvorie Bratislavského hradu 

bude zdobiť socha Svätopluka 

Bratislava (TASR) – Socha kráľa Svätopluka bude dotvárať priestor hlavného nádvoria Bratislavského 

hradu. To je hlavným cieľom občianskeho združenia Svätopluk, ktoré založili traja najvyšší 

ústavní činitelia, prezident Ivan Gašparovič, predseda Národnej rady SR Pavol Paška a predseda 

vlády Robert Fico. 

Autorom modelu sochy Svätopluka je akademický sochár Ján Kulich, ktorý ju aj s autorskými právami 

daroval Národnej rade SR. Socha samotná na žulovom podstavci bude vysoká 7.8 metra, odliata 

z bronzu. Umiestnená bude na hlavnom nádvorí pred vstupom do hradného objektu. Predpokladaný 

náklad na realizáciu podstavca a odliatie do bronzu je 270,000 eur. Občianske združenie si dáva za 

úlohu osloviť podnikateľské subjekty aj politikov s výzvou prispieť na realizáciu sochy. Na to bol 

založený osobitný účet číslo 4010797875/7500. Pavol Paška a Robert Fico prispeli ako prví na toto 

konto rovnakou sumou 1,000 eur. Podrobné informácie budú zverejnené na webovej stránke www. 

ozsvatopluk.sk, kde budú zverejnení aj všetci prispievatelia. Podľa slov predsedu vlády nechcú na 

realizáciu sochy Svätopluka použiť žiadne finančné prostriedky, určené na rekonštrukciu hradu či 

z inej položky štátneho rozpočtu. Hradné nádvorie a časť hradného paláca chcú pre návštevníkov 

sprístupniť už toto leto a v tomto termíne by chceli stihnúť aj odliatie a osadenie sochy. 

Kráľ Svätopluk pochádzal z dynastie Mojmírovcov, od 50. rokov 9. storočia bol knieža Nitrianskeho 

kniežatstva, v rokoch 871 až 894 tretím a najvýznamnejším panovníkom Veľkej Moravy. 

Zomrel v roku 894.

ZA BOHA A NÁROD 

Jednota 

Katolcky fraternalisticky y dvojtyzdennk 

otyennk 

otyennk 

 

 

URADNY ORGAN PRVEJ KATOLICKEJ SLOVENSKEJ JEDNOTY V SPOJENYCH STATOCH A V KANADE 

Rocnik 119 STREDA, 31. MARCA, 2010 Cislo 5818 

FOTO TK KBS/ Peter Zimen 

Primátor Andrej Ďurkovský odovzdáva čestné občianstvo kardinálovi Jozefovi Tomkovi. 

Čestné občianstvo mesta 

Bratislavy pre Jozefa 

kardinála Tomka 

Emeritný prefekt Kongregácie pre evanjelizáciu národov Jozef kardinál Tomko si 10. marca 

z rúk primátora hlavného mesta Slovenskej republiky Bratislavy Andreja Ďurkovského 

prevzal listinu o udelení Čestného občianstva za mimoriadny prínos a zásluhy v oblasti 

boja za slobodu, rozvoj demokracie a pomoc pri zapájaní Slovenska do Európy. Mestské 

zastupiteľstvo udelilo čestné občianstvo Jozefovi kardinálovi Tomkovi, Václavovi Havlovi 

a Maximilanovi Pammerovi – ešte 22. októbra minulého roku pri príležitosti 20. výročia 

pádu totality. Kardinál Tomko si v tom čase plnil povinnosti mimo Slovenskej republiky. 

Primátor Bratislavy Andrej Ďurkovský odovzdával listinu s myšlienkou nevyhnutnosti 

poukazovať na osobnosti nedávnej histórie, ktoré sú nositeľmi morálnych hodnôt. Ako 

uviedol kardinál Tomko, Bratislava je jeho citovou otázkou, pretože v nej počas vojny 

prežil dva roky. Následne si pripomenul aj totalitné časy neslobody a ako povedal na margo 

slobody „kto ju má, ten si ju neváži, pretože si neuvedomuje jej veľkosť“. Rovnako si 

kardinál Tomko zaspomínal aj na stretnutie s Jánom Pavlom II. a jeho prvú návštevu Slovenska. 

V závere vyzdvihol veľkú zmenu, ktorou Bratislava prešla v súvislosti s jej terajšou 

podobou, no pripomenul dôležitosť prehlbovať pokrok aj na poli ducha a hodnoty, aby 

„krása zvnútra prenikla von“ a „aby ľudia nachádzali šťastie tam, kde ho treba hľadať“. 

Jozef kardinál Tomko 11. marca oslávil svoje 86. narodeniny. Narodil sa v roku 1924 

v Udavskom, okres Humenné. 

TK KBS 

vvv 

Minister obrany SR 

na návšteve Kanady a USA 

Ottawa/Bratislava (TASR) - Minister obrany SR Jaroslav Baška začiatkom marca absolvoval 

oficiálnu návštevu Kanady a Spojených štátov. Baška po príchode do Ottawy si 

uctil položením kvetov pri pamätníku v centre hlavného kanadského mesta pamiatku obetí 

2. svetovej vojny. Absolvoval stretnutie za účasti slovenského veľvyslanca Stanislava 

Opiela so slovenskými podnikateľmi pôsobiacimi v Kanade. 

Slovenský minister navštívil viaceré spoločnosti pôsobiace vo vojenskom priemysle. 

Potom absolvoval bilaterálne rokovanie s kanadským ministrom obrany Petrom MacKayom. 

Predmetom rokovaní bola situácia v Afganistane, vzájomná spolupráca a úsporné 

opatrenia s cieľom naďalej zvyšovať vojenské spôsobilosti pri obrane krajín NATO. 

Do USA Bašku najprv cesta viedla do štátu Indiana, kde slovenské ozbrojené sily spolupracujú 

s tamojšou Národnou gardou. Partnerstvo slovenských a amerických vojakov v 

operácii ISAF v Afganistane vyzdvihli americký senátor Richard Lugar a kongresman Pete 

Visclosky na stretnutí s ministrom obrany SR Jaroslavom Baškom. Baška obom politickým 

predstaviteľom amerického štátu Indiana tiež predstavil zámer na vytvorenie spoločnej 

jednotky slovenských vojakov s príslušníkmi Národnej gardy Indiany v rámci misie v 

Pokrac'ovanie na str. 22 

Veľkonočný pozdrav 

predsedníčky ÚSŽZ 

Ctení krajania, 

po pôstnom období, ktoré má priniesť utíšenie, 

vhĺbenie sa do svojho vnútra i vonkajšie 

odriekanie, prichádza obdobie očisty, prebúdzania 

prírody, novej nádeje. Pre všetkých kresťanov 

je to však čas zasvätený pamiatke umučenia 

a vzkriesenia Ježiša Krista, uvedomenia si podstaty 

a zmyslu života, oslavy víťazstva života nad 

smrťou. 

Prajem Vám všetkým, naši drahí Slováci 

a Slovenky, aby Vás Veľkonočné sviatky 

naplnili vnútornou radosťou a aby spomienka na 

veľkonočné zvyky v našej milovanej vlasti vzbudila vo Vás ešte hlbšie puto k národu, 

z ktorého vzišli naši predkovia. 

Nech je teda Váš dom plný pokoja, nech stôl hýri hojnosťou a srdcia Vašich blízkych 

nech sú naplnené porozumením. Vo svetle tohto radostného sviatku nech Vám je slávenie 

Veľkej noci bohatým prameňom lásky a pokoja. 

Vilma Prívarová 

predsedníčka Úradu pre Slovákov žijúcich v zahraničí 

Rokovanie na Ministerstve 

zahraničia SR 

Dňa 11. 3. 2010 sa 

na pôde Ministerstva 

zahraničných vecí SR 

uskutočnilo rokovanie 

ministra zahraničných 

vecí Miroslava Lajčáka 

a predsedníčky Úradu 

pre Slovákov žijúcich 

v zahraničí Vilmy Prívarovej. 

Témou rozhovoru 

boli otázky súvisiace 

so zabezpečovaním 

starostlivosti Slovenskej 

republiky o svoje 

menšiny a komunity 

v zahraničí a úlohy vyplývajúce 

z vládou prijatej 

koncepcie v krajanskej 

oblasti do roku 

2015. Predsedníčka ÚSŽZ 

informovala ministra o pôsobnosti 

úradu vo veci vydávania 

osvedčenia Slováka 

žijúceho v zahraničí, 

o výške finančnej čiastky 

v rámci grantového systému 

úradu určenej na 

podporu aktivít Slovákov 

žijúcich v zahraničí v roku 

Vilma Prívarová a Miroslav Lajčák 

2010 i o predložených grantových žiadostiach, o súčasnom stave zabezpečovania účelových dotácií 

na výstavbu Slovenského domu v Mlynkoch, na rekonštrukciu 21. školy s vyučovacím jazykom 

slovenským v Užhorode, ako aj na opravu budovy Gymnázia J. Kollára v Báčskom Petrovci, 

ktoré po právnej a organizačnej stránke zabezpečuje ÚSŽZ. 

Minister Lajčák sa zaujímal aj o pripravované vysielanie pre Slovákov žijúcich v zahraničí 

a o akcie organizované úradom v roku 2010, ako aj o činnosť úradu v budúcom období. 

Predsedníčka úradu konštatovala, že Ministerstvo zahraničných vecí SR je prvoradým partnerom 

Úradu pre Slovákov žijúcich v zahraničí pri výkone štátnej politiky starostlivosti o Slovákov 

žijúcich v zahraničí a poďakovala ministrovi zahraničných vecí za súčinnosť a ústretovosť celého 

jeho rezortu pri plnení úloh úradu v oblasti krajanskej problematiky. Minister zahraničných vecí 

Miroslav Lajčák v závere rokovania ocenil prácu ÚSŽZ a vyjadril aj do budúcnosti plnú podporu 

rezortu zahraničia aktivitám úradu pri napĺňaní potrieb našich krajanov s cieľom uchovať ich 

národnú identitu.

Inside - First Catholic Slovak Union

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