PASTOR'S MESSAGE
We are already halfway through June, and I have many reasons to rejoice. My greatest joy is witnessing our vibrant Hungarian community as we gather for worship and fellowship every Sunday.
During the Easter Season, we celebrated the greatest Mystery of our Faith, the suffering, death and glorious Resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As He appeared for his disciples after His Resurrection, He greeted them: “Peace be with you! Do not be afraid.” At His Ascension, just before He returned to His Father, He gathered his friends, saying: “Peace I give you, my peace I leave with you. Go forth and proclaim the Gospel to the furthest end of the World.” Just as Jesus did, I ask you to foster peace and witness the message of the Gospel.
One way you can live the word of Jesus is by volunteering at the Hungarian Catholic Mission. In today’s world, the work hours are not getting shorter, but longer. We have volunteer programs from 5 hours per year to 100 hours per year. By helping in Christ, we are living His word. If you are interested in volunteering, please call either myself, or our Mission President, Ildiko Zentai. Even one hour of help can make a difference.
Below is our contact information if you are interested in volunteering:
Father Maurus Nemeth (OSB)
Pastor
Hungarian Catholic Mission
Work: 650-851-6109
Email: mnemeth@prioryca.org
ldiko Zentai
President of the Counsel
Hungarian Catholic Mission
Cell: 650-861-0001
Email: ildikoz@yahoo.com
I thank God for all of you and I pray that He reward you for all the hard work and love you give to our Mission. I wish you all a restful and safe summer. May the love of God and the Peace of Christ be with you always.
Fr. Maurus Nemeth OSB
Pastor of the H.C.M.
FAITH
Liturgical/Sacramental events since our last Bulletin (Visszatekintes)
Baptism
June 22: Through the Sacrament of Baptism, we welcomed Presley Cullen Laszlo Horvath-Lewis, the son of Barry Alexander Lewis and Csilla Eva Horvath. The Lewis family lives in Pinole Valley. Presley is their second child whose Baptism we celebrated within the Mission community. The family and friends had a wonderful reception in the Priory’s Founders Hall in Presley’s honor.
Wedding
On May 25th, we celebrated the joyous union of Miklos Porkolab and Ann Trammel. We pray for God’s abounding blessings on them and wish them a very happy life together.
In Memoriam (Halottunk)
Erika DeBibo passed away on April 11 in Canada. Erika was a faithful, active member of the Hungarian Catholic Mission for many decades, and was an active participant in the hospitality committee. A Memorial Service was held at the Hungarian Catholic Mission on June 22, 2013. Many of her family, friends and members of the Mission were present in the Memorial Mass.
Special Welcome to Father Christian!
Fr. Maurus will be gone from July 9 to July 31. Fr. Christian Vornicus from Transylvania will take care of the Mission’s Liturgical and Sacramental needs. He will stay in the Benedictine Monastery. We welcome Fr. Christian into our community.
Calendar of Events
March 31: We celebrated Easter Mass, followed by an Easter blessing in the Students Dining Room.
April 13: We hosted Pankotay Peter and Sapson Balint with their “Mama itt Holnap ott” musical program in the Founder Hall. The program was greatly received by all who attended.
May 11: The Mission participated in the Hungarian Heritage Foundation Festival at the Tween Pines Park in Belmont, California. Members of the Mission’s Council helped prepare over 400 servings of Hungarian Chicken Paprikas with nokedli, Paprikas Mushroom stew, Szekely kaposzta, pogacsa, and Hungarian pastries. In total, more than 2000 Hungarian and American visitors attended. Money raised went toward the support of our much needed foundations.
May 12: In Church, we celebrated the Ascension of the Lord and Mother’s Day Remembrance. After Mass, we had a special honorary Reception for the Mission. The children presented the mothers with red roses.
May 26: We celebrated Pentecost Mass.
June 2: Our Hungarian Scouts closed another productive year in the Priory’s Theater. This traditional performance accounts for their work over the past year, and was an outstanding testimony of the hard work of both the Scout Leaders and Scouts alike. The performance was followed by a very fine dinner (Csülkös Bableves) prepared by Eva Papai (Scout chef) and volunteers. It was served by the scouts in the Priory’s Student Dining Room. The day was filled with wonderful memories, happy conversation, and delicious Hungarian food.
Hungarian Saints of the Quarter
In our newsletter, we honor two Hungarian saints each quarter. These Hungarian saints demonstrate exemplary virtues and wonderful service to the Lord and His people, and their feast days fall within the time of that quarter. Read about the lives of these saints, and the inspirational lives that they led with the help of God’s grace.
St. Ladislaus (László) of the Árpád Dynasty
Lived: 1040 - 1095
Canonized: 1192
Feast Day: June 27
Biography:
László I, an early king of Hungary, was responsible for bringing peace and stability to his country in the eleventh century, laying the groundwork for Hungary's transformation to a great European power.
Assuming the throne in 1077, László attempted to restore order in the country, which had experienced political turmoil and economic chaos in previous decades, by instituting a strict code of law, consolidating royal power, and defending Hungary from invaders.
He also expanded the country's holdings by claiming the throne of Croatia in 1091.
One of his most notable accomplishments was providing political and financial support for the spread of Christianity in Hungary.
László was a legendary figure who was beloved by his subjects for his military prowess, diplomatic skill, religious devotion, and chivalric ideals.
He had three daughters with his wife, Princess Adelaide of Rheinfelden.
He ordered the canonization of King Stephen, Prince Emery and Bishop Gerard.
László was stricken with an illness and died on July 29, 1095.
In his nearly 20-year reign of Hungary, he had restored the political and economic integrity of the country, allowing the nation too not only survives, but launched a successful strategy of expansion.
His fabled exploits in battle as well as his firm guidance of his subjects through civil and religious reforms secured him an honored place in Hungarian history.
His coronation in 1092 demonstrated the importance of László's role not only as a political leader, but as a champion of the growth of the Christian religion in Europe.
St. Stephen of the Árpád Dynasty
Lived: 969 - 1038
Canonized: 1083
Feast Day: August 20
Biography:
He was born under the name of Vajk as the only son of Prince Geza and Sarolt, the daughter of Gyula of Transylvania.
After a childhood spent in paganism, he was baptised and took on the name of Stephen, the first Christian martyr.
Stephen was appointed to succeed Geza, but had to fight for power with one of his relatives, Koppany, after his father’s death.
Meanwhile, his advisor Saint Astrik became the archbishop of Kalocsa, and Stephen used his mediation to request a crown and blessing from Pope Sylvester II in 1000.
In all probability, he was crowned on 1 January 1001, in Esztergom.
His wife was Giselle, the daughter of the duke of Bavaria, and they had two sons, Otto and Imre.
After Otto’s early death, Imre became the successor to the throne.
He was educated by his father and St. Gellert from a very young age, learning the skills of politics and diplomacy.
He often participated in military campaigns as well.
However, Stephen’s wish was never fulfilled.
Before he could pass on the throne to his son, Imre was fatally wounded by a boar, and died.
Stephen created the sovereign Hungarian State, and his people adopted Christianity under his leadership.
On 20 August 1083 Stephen became one of the most popular saints in Hungary, and 20 August, which is also his feast day, is celebrated as a state holiday commemorating the foundation of the nation.
Foundations
The focus of our fundraising is to primarily support our five foundations. During last quarter, we donated money for:
- Hungarians in the Carpathian Basin
- Franciscan Bethania Home (Caring for the elderly in Hungary)
- Good-Will Preschool Foundation
Hungarian Students in the Priory
On June 2nd, our Hungarian students, Soma Fuller and Levente Lovasz, returned to Hungary. They were exemplary young men, as well as outstanding members of the Priory School and Hungarian Catholic Mission. They actively participated in Hungarian Liturgy by serving as lectors every Sunday at Mass. They also participated in all Hungarian cultural and social events in the Bay Area. These students were loved by their teachers, classmates, and members of the Mission Community. We will miss them dearly. While we say goodbye to these two students, we wish to extend a warm welcome to our two new students, Viktoria Néma from the Benedictine School from Gyor and Ambrus Tamas from Pannonhalma.
Upcoming Events
August 17th : Saturday Traditional Picnic. The Picnic will be held this year on Fr. Egon Plaza and the Pool area. See Invitation in this Bulletin.
August 18th : Sunday is our traditional St. Steven celebration held at the Golden Gate Park Amphitheater. Mass will begin 10:30AM this Sunday.
October 20th : Rajko Gypsy Band from Hungary. See: Invitation in this Bulletin.
November 9th : Save the Date: The famous Hungarian “Disznotoros” Dinner will be held in the Priory’s Student Dining Room. See Invitation.
CULTURE
This year, about two thousand people visited the 2nd Annual Hungarian Heritage Festival in Belmont, California.
Belmont, a beautiful part of San-Francisco, hosted this exciting cultural event on May 11th.
The festival was collaboratively organized by several local Hungarian organizations and churches.
Guests were given access to cultural activities on three stages.
Some of the highlights of the festival included; the San Francisco-based Eszterlánc dance performance, the 4-9 year old "Mazsolák" show, and also a wonderful performance by visiting Canadian dancers.
In addition to the historic Hungarian folk costume exhibition, the First Californian Hungarian Hussar Regiment also participated.
Aside from the cultural festivities, the Hungarians and Americans who attended also had the opportunity to enjoy incredible Hungarian cuisine, and highly prized wines as well.
Dr. László Kálmán, Consul of Hungary in Los Angeles, served as the festival’s guest of honor, who warmly opened the Second Hungarian Heritage Festival.
Said Ildiko Zentai, President of the San Francisco-based Hungarian Catholic Mission, “The festival demonstrated the importance and power of unity—whether Hungarian heritage organizations or churches, we all represent Hungary.”
Smithsonian 2013 Folk Festival in Washington, DC
The Smithsonian annually sponsors a Folk Festival featuring a different country every year. This year, the Smithsonian Institute has selected Hungary as the country that they would like to honor. Hundreds of craftsman, musicians, dancers, chefs, and architects have flown in from varying cities throughout Hungary to demonstrate wonderful aspects of the culture and history. The Festival is being held from June 26-30, July 3-9. This festival is a wonderful opportunity to show Americans a culture that they are not familiar with, and to bring more attention to the present situation in Hungary today. Both Arpad Szoboszlay and his daughter, Katalin Szoboszlay, will be in attendance of this exciting festival event and we look forward to hearing their comments in the next issue.
Special Thanks to:
- Tomas Horvath for managing our Website and editing the Hungarian version of our Bulletin.
- Fr. Pius for creating the hard copy Hungarian version of the Bulletin.
- Katalin Szoboszlay for the English version of our Bulletin.
- Arpad Szoboszlay for his continuous support of our Mission.
Please visit our Website: www.hungariancatholicmission.com
You can now find our Summer Bulletin in English and Hungarian. Please remember to send in your yearly contribution for your Membership to the Hungarian Catholic Mission.
Father Pius’ Diamond Jubilee of ordination to the priesthood.
On June 23rd, the Hungarian Catholic Mission Community celebrated Father Pius' 60th Anniversary of his ordination. We held a Jubilee Mass followed by a reception. Thank God for Father Pius' 60 years of selfless service.
Father Pius was born in 1930 in Izsa, a Hungarian village in the South of Slovakia near the town of Komárom (formerly part of Hungary). In 1945, Father Pius returned to Slovakia and finished high school. With his great academic standing, Father Pius was accepted by the Arch Abbey of Pannonhalma. After finishing his studies in Philosophy and Theology in Pannonhalma and Györ, Father Pius was ordained a priest in 1953.
Father Pius attended the University of Fribourg, Switzerland on scholarship where he studied German and French languages. He also studied literature and medieval history. During his four years Father Pius served as a pastor in the Hungarian Mission, visiting refugee camps and small groups of Hungarians.
Father Pius was transferred by his Order to California to the newly established Priory in Portola Valley in 1960. He continued his graduate studies at Stanford University, earning a masters degree in German. At the same time, just as in Switzerland, he contributed to weekend parish work and participated more and more in the school's work. In the last ten days just before his retirement from teaching, he taught Latin in the middle school of the Priory. Although not a Latin teacher by training, he is certainly one for enthusiasm of the language and its cultural and historical appreciation. Father Pius taught German and Latin until his retirement.
Father Pius had many responsibilities in the Priory Community and School. He served the Monastic Community as a Subprior during the difficult years of the 1970s and a Prior-administrator in 1974-75, being appointed to help communicate between Woodside Priory and Saint Anselm Abbey about their planned merger. He had seen the Priory and school through great changes. Even in his retirement, his care for the students is evident every day. He is frequently seen on the campus surrounded by students who are enjoying his “grandfatherly” wit and love.
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