VOL. 97, NO. 7 APRIL 2011
Wishing You a Glorious and Blessed Easter!
ŽenskÁ Jednota Z"ENSKA: JEDNOTA Fraternally Yours™
11 Fifty 9 ISSN 0897-2958
Fraternally Yours, ZENSKA JEDNOTA, Dollars is a monthly magazine published by the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association. National Headquarters at 24950 Chagrin Blvd., A well known speaker started Cleveland, Ohio 44122 off his seminar by holding up a EDITOR: Carolyn Bazik P.O. Box 1617, Reading, PA 19603 $50 bill. In the room of over 200, E-mail: [email protected] he asked. “Who would like this Phone (610) 373-2743 • Fax (610) 375-8333 Periodical Postage Paid at $50 bill?” Cleveland, OH 44101 and additional entries Subscription Rate, Non-Members: $6.00 — 1 Yr. Hands started going up. He said, Printed at Triangle Press “I am going to give this $50 to 6720 Allentown Blvd., Harrisburg, PA 17112 one of you — but first, let me do Postmaster: Send address changes to Zenska Jednota, this.” First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association 24950 Chagrin Boulevard, Cleveland, OH 44122 Deadline for all articles is the 15th He proceeded to crumple the 50 dollar note up. He then asked. of the month, 1½ months prior to the issue date. “Who still wants it?” Still the hands were up in the air. OFFICE HOURS — HOME OFFICE Monday through Friday — 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Phone: (216) 464-8015 • Toll Free: 800-464-4642 ”Well,” he replied, “what if I do this?” He dropped it on the ground Fax: (216) 464-9260 • Website: www.fcsla.com and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, BOARD OF DIRECTORS now crumpled and dirty. “Now, who still wants it?” CHAPLAIN: Rev. Msgr. Peter M. Polando, Saint Matthias Church, 915 Cornell St., Youngstown, OH 44502. Still the hands went into the air. Residence: (330) 788-5082. PRESIDENT: Mary Ann S. Johanek, 24950 Chagrin Boulevard, ”My friends, you have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter Beachwood, OH 44122. (800) 464-4642. Ext. 1011. VICE-PRESIDENTS: what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not Rosemary A. Mlinarich, 25726 State Line Road, decrease in value. It was still worth $50.” Crete, IL 60417. Residence: (708) 672-6275. Linda M. Killeen, 22947 Frederick, Farmington, MI 48336. Residence: (248) 379-2514. Bernadette J. Demechko, 2634 Taft Avenue, Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into Youngstown, OH 44502. Residence: (330) 782-8638. the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come E-mail: [email protected] SECRETARY: our way. We feel as though we are worthless; but no matter what Irene J. Drotleff, 24950 Chagrin Boulevard, happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value. Beachwood, OH 44122. (800) 464-4642. Ext. 1012. TREASURER: John M. Janovec, 24950 Chagrin Boulevard, Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to Beachwood, OH 44122. (800) 464-4642. Ext. 1016. TRUSTEES: the one who created you in his likeness and image and to those who Cynthia M. Maleski, Esq., 24950 Chagrin Boule- vard, Beachwood, OH 44122. (800) 464-4642. love you. The worth of our lives comes, not in what we do or who we Virginia Holmes, 1625 Vermont Avenue, White know, but by . . . WHO WE ARE. Oak, PA 15131. Residence: (412) 672-1565. AUDITORS: Dorothy Urbanowicz, 27 Crescent Drive, Mones- Dear Friends, I felt this story was most appropriate as we sen, PA 15062. Residence: (724) 684-8243. Barbara A. Sekerak, 6312 Elmdale Road, Brook celebrate the Easter Season. It is a most blessed time for us to Park, OH 44142. (216) 676-9332. Steve Hudak, 8057 Amber Lane, Brecksville, OH remember the life, death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior 44141. Residence: (440) 526-7530. Jesus Christ. He died so that we might live. . . . The resurrection EDITOR: Carolyn Bazik, P.O. Box 1617, Reading, PA 19603 gives our life meaning and direction and the opportunity to start (610) 373-2743. over no matter what our circumstances “You are special — don’t COURT OF APPEALS: ever forget it.” Barbara A. Shedlock Ken Dolezal Veronica Bazik Ron Sestak Mary Jo Noyes Rebecca Coleman Happy Easter! Mary Sirocky-Angeloff Monica Anthony Ralph Szubski Bernard Drahozal Until next Month, Lawrence Golofski Carol Yurechko Warmly, Carolyn 2 Z"ENSKA:Z"ENSKA: JEDNOTAJEDNOTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
REV. MSGR. PETER M. POLANDO CYNTHIA M. MALESKI, VIRGINIA A. HOLMES National Chaplain National Trustees MARY ANN S. JOHANEK DOROTHY L. URBANOWICZ, National President BARBARA A. SEKERAK, STEPHEN C. HUDAK National Auditors ROSEMARY A. MLINARICH, LINDA M. KILLEEN, CAROLYN M. BAZIK BERNADETTE J. DEMECHKO National Editor National Vice-Presidents COURT OF APPEALS: Barbara A. Shedlock, IRENE J. DROTLEFF Veronica A. Bazik, Mary Jo Noyes, Mary Sirocky-Angeloff, National Secretary Ralph Szubski, Lawrence Golofski, Ken Dolezal, Ron Sestak, Rebecca Coleman, Monica Anthony, JOHN M. JANOVEC Bernard Drahozal, Carol Yurechko National Treasurer
APRIL 2011 3 FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: GENEROSITYGENEROSITY
Reverend Monsignor Peter M. Polando, National Chaplain My dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, amount of dry goods and hygienic items that Well, the generous gifts of the Advent There is an activity during the Advent are brought in, many of them of high quality, Giving Tree are still being put into a vast season at both of my parishes — Holy designer brands, by the bagfuls! array of works. Now, you and I have been Name of Jesus and Saint Matthias in The humbling part of all this generosity immersed into another season of prep- Youngstown — that may be similar to one is the thank you notes sent to and shared aration, the Season of Lent that began on in which the parishioners of your church with the parishioners after the holidays! 9 March 2011. There are three major goals participate each of the four Sundays. We When I read them during the cold, snowy, of Lent that we strive towards each year, call it “The Advent Giving Tree”. The sunless days of January, they warm me up namely, *fasting and abstinence; *extra Giving Tree outwardly expresses the and brighten up my day. And I am sure time for prayer; and, *almsgiving. These sharing of our resources to those who are that this is the same with all the goals are manifested to us by Christ the in need. We are called to respond through parishioners as well. In one respect, the Lord in the Gospel of the Mass on Ash prayer and material contribution. During notes encourage us to give as much if not Wednesday (Matthew 6:1-8, 16-18). Not the Advent Season, we are encouraged to more the following year for there are only are they the goals of the Season of spiritually prepare ourselves and our people out there that really are in need. Lent, but also our daily goals throughout homes for the celebration of Christmas. It also gives us a little boost that we are the year. They are accented in this sacred The secular society insists that expensive attempting to be Christ to one another! season so that we may make them more gifts for family members are important and The Dorothy Day House in Youngstown predominant everyday of this season! traditional foods are in abundance during has been in existence for over a year now These goals command us to generosity. this time of the year. But our Christian and is operated by Sister Ann McMan- Time each day seems to be so precious thought should transcend secular notions amon, H.M. The older house that she has with all the tasks that need to be in order to allow Christ’s Message to taken under renovation was considered accomplished. One does not have to be in prevail. Jesus’ Gift to us is His Food — “large” in its heyday. But the age of the the work force to know that often there Word and Sacrament! These enhance our house had taken its toll and the years of are not enough hours in the day. Some relationship with God when we love our neglect made it inhabitable. Through her retired people cannot find the time to do God through our love for one another, persistent guidance and the many all they want because of the multiplicity especially for those who are in need. hundreds of hours of volunteer people of tasks. But taking extra time to pray and The weekend prior the Sunday of hours, she has brought the facility up to be in communion with God will give us the Advent to be celebrated, notice is given to snuff. Suppers are served there Mondays generosity of God’s grace to complete our the parishioners of what will be collected through Thursdays from 5:00 p.m. work here on earth. Extra prayer is the and who to pray for the following weekend. through 6:30 p.m. A prayer service is held key to a better and loving relationship with Generally the four components are: *First on Wednesdays and presently people are God and one another. Sunday, a second offertory collection for the afforded the opportunity for a shower on There are very few of us who can say Retirement Fund of the Women and Men Thursdays. In January, Sister discussed we do not need to fast and abstain. Even Religious of the United States; *Second and decided with her group of people that if we are not required by the Canon Law Sunday, a second offertory collection for the it would appropriate to have Mass of the Church to include ourselves in these Saint Vincent de Paul Societies of the celebrated once a month. Ceil Schlosser, activities, we should do so to align parishes; *Third Sunday, food and non a member of FCSLA, approached me about ourselves with the starving of the world. perishable items for gift baskets to the being the first priest to have the first Mass And besides the traditional notion of needy; and, *Fourth Sunday, dry goods and celebrated there on a monthly basis. She abstaining from meats on those appointed personal hygiene items for the Dorothy Day stated that there were several other days, there are those other activities that House, a place where those in need can get parishes and priests who have taken the we overly enjoy that we can abstain from a shower and a hot meal at supper. same interest that my parishes and I had in order to better discipline our lives. The The word that stands out in my mind when taken in this effort. The group thought it monies that would have been spent from I view what has been donated on those four would be a grateful gesture to ask us to our abstinence should be given generously Sundays is generosity. Both parishes are not celebrate the Eucharist. How humbling! to the poor that leads to the final goal. as large as other churches in our diocese but And yet how eye opening! Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta for our sizes, the parishioners are most That evening over 125 dinners were stated: You see the Face of God in the faces generous at that time of the year. The monies served. The broad range of people who of the poor. Our call to discipleship collected for the Religious Retirement Fund prepared, served, and cleaned up after the commands that we look after the needs of usually exceeds the prior year’s collections. dinner was amazing — younger and older, the poor. Many of us cannot do this And the offerings for the Saint Vincent de retired persons and people who obviously actively but we can respond to it by our Paul Societies fund their works for the entire came right after work. Their contributions generosity in the giving of alms. May our following year. Food is brought to church, at lasted well after 8:30 p.m. that evening. How generosity reflect God’s love for us and our times by the boxes, for the baskets distributed generous this group of fifteen to twenty love for God, Face to face. at Christmas. And I am so amazed at the people was with their time and talent! Happy Easter! Vesele Aleluja! 4 Z"ENSKA:Z"ENSKA: JEDNOTA ■ DELEGATE FORMS: Forms have been sent to the branch ■ BYLAW CHANGE: Anyone wishing to submit a bylaw secretary. Delegates should be staunch supporters of the change for consideration must do so in writing to the atten- association and its ideas. They should be active within their tion of Mary Ann S. Johanek, National President, 24950 branches (attend meetings, contributed to the branch Chagrin Blvd., Beachwood, Ohio 44122. All submissions growth), have an understanding of the scope of the organi- must be signed, however if the submission is coming from zation and be willing and able to travel to Baltimore, Mary- a district or branch it must be signed by all officers. Dead- land from October 8-13, 2011. Completed forms must be line for submissions to be considered by the Bylaw Com- returned to the Home Office by June 2, 2011. mittee is June 13, 2011.
■ DONATIONS: The FCSLA will consider applications from ■ CONVENTION BOOK: The organization will not solicit those seeking donations for programs/projects that are in ads for the convention book. The Board voted to forgo ads keeping with the . . . and instead publish a condensed book which will be paid in FIRST CATHOLIC SLOVAK LADIES ASSOCIATION full by the Association. VISION STATEMENT ■ • Promote the temporal and spiritual welfare of mem- CANDIDATES FOR NATIONAL OFFICE: As per the by- bers through fraternal and charitable activities in our laws any delegate with the intent of aspiring for National Office at the convention and knowing that they have suit- communities • Promote our Slovak Catholic values and traditions and able qualifications for said position must obtain an in- all Slavic cultures tent form from National Secretary, Irene J. Drotleff, 24950 Chagrin Blvd., Beachwood, Ohio 44122. The completed form • Be a premier Fraternal Benefit Society that offers quality financial products and benefits along with a brief resume and appropriate fee must be mailed to: Mary Ann S. Johanek, National President, at the above Applications are available by calling the Home Office at address by August 11, 2011. 1-800-464-4642, Ext. 1034, or by visiting our website www.fcsla.org and clicking on the link to the 2011 National ■ GUESTS: Please note that guests are allowed to attend Convention Page. Completed applications must be in the the convention, but are responsible for all their expenses Home Office by June 13, 2011. (travel, room, food). More information will be forthcoming.
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