Za Boha a Národ For God and Nation Slovensk¥ Katolícky Sokol OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SLOVAK CATHOLIC SOKOL – MEMBERSHIP 28,000 – HOME OFFICE: 205 MADISON STREET, PASSAIC, N.J. 07055 – www.slovakcatholicsokol.org Periodical Postage Paid at original entry of Passaic, N.J., 07055 and additional mailing offi ces VOLUME CIII PASSAIC, N.J., DECEMBER 17, 2014 NUMBER 5032 A Joyous Christmas Season To All Our Members and Friends Virgin born, we bow before you; Blessed was the womb that bore you; Mary, Mother meek and mild, Blessed was she in her Child, Blessed was the maid that fed you; Blessed was the hand that led you; Blessed was the parent’s eye That watched your slumbering infancy. The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne Leonardo da Vinci, Musee Du Louvre, Paris Našim členom a čitateľom prejeme požehnané a veselé Vianoce! PAGE 2 SLOVAK CATHOLIC FALCON, DECEMBER 17, 2014 From the Desk of the Supreme President 2014 CHRISTMAS GREETING “When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of Thoughts on Fraternalism King Herod, behold, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, say- by Larry M. Glugosh ing, ‘Where is the newborn king of the Jews?’” (Matthew 2:1-2) As I write my fi nal message to and give thanks for our families, sors, our home offi ce staff and our Dear Sisters and Brothers of the Slovak Catholic Sokol, our Slovak Catholic Sokol mem- friends and health. As part of this external sales agents to achieve our For years, these particular verses have portrayed my favorite bership for 2014, I have to pause refl ection, we should thank our Su- goals. Christmas scene. It presents much for one’s re- and refl ect on the fact that another preme Offi cers, local offi cers and The annual sales results are noth- fl ection. year has come and gone. It is hard youthful leaders for their tireless ing short of remarkable. As an ex- The powerful did not consider it below to believe that a full year of memo- and devoted efforts throughout the ample, our annual premium income their status to submit themselves to a greater rable fraternal activity has occurred past year. We should also thank our has doubled Power. Science (in this case, astronomy) served and in just a few weeks, we hope- home offi ce staff for all of their sup- this year and to give direction to a deeper discovery of God. fully will all celebrate a joyous port, commitment and dedication they have in- No diffi culty was too much in order to journey Christmas holiday. Where has the to our membership. Everyone con- creased the in search of the ultimate Truth. year gone? Have you made any tributed to our 2014 success and I face value of The wise went in search of true Wisdom 2015 New Year resolutions yet? would personally like to thank you. our life insur- because they were truly wise. I would imagine that many of As many of you have seen from ance by over Our lives are destined to be very much like that journey of the our Slovak Catholic Sokol mem- our recent results the organization $50 million Magi. Years after Jesus’ birth, we still seek a bers are quite busy preparing for has grown positive membership dollars. To put deeper knowledge of and a closer relationship the Christmas holiday season with for the 2nd consecutive year. It is this in context, with God. And, as did the Magi, we ought to be their shopping, wrapping, baking indeed an incredible accomplish- before the new willing to put into service all that is about us for and cooking. Like many of you, ment that has been primarily driven sales and marketing plan was cre- that search. we will also begin to decorate our from our sales and marketing pro- ated our society would typically I pray that this year of 2014 has been for homes, Christmas trees and install gram that we launched a few years sell about $3 million each year with all of you a coming closer to that precious goal. our colorful house lights as we pre- ago under the leadership of Direc- our recommenders. Therefore, the May the new year of 2015 present us with new pare to host our family events and tor of Sales and Marketing, Brother external sales and marketing team signs showing direction so that one day you and create some wonderful memories. Albert J. Suess Jr. and our Supreme basically sold 15 times our previous I may enter “the house” and see “the Child with Mary his mother” As part of this seasonal prepara- Secretary Steven M. Pogorelec. annual sales. In addition, Brother [Matthew 2:11]. tion, we should also take a moment They have worked closely with our Steve has managed to support this In this vein, I wish you a very BLESSED and MERRY to appreciate all of God’s blessings professional life and annuity advi- (Continued on page 7) CHRISTMAS and a very HOLY and HAPPY NEW YEAR! Christmas Ornaments Fraternally yours in the Lord, The Christmas tree represents a Thoughts from our Supreme Chaplain symbolic ladder to the heavens. As a result of this, ornaments are hung on the tree depending on what their A New Message of Hope symbolic positions are in life. As an Rev. Andrew S. Hvozdovic Most Reverend Joseph V. Adamec example, vegetables and fruits are We live in a society that is despairing of hope. We have seen all Bishop Emeritus of Altoona-Johnstown closest to the earth. Therefore, they of man’s ideas fall short. Protector, Slovak Catholic Sokol are hung on the lowest third of the For many, Christmas is the most depressing Christmas tree. Houses, church- time of year - more suicides than any other time es, people and animals should be of year. Happy 22nd Anniversary! placed in the middle region of the The angels announced a new message of tree. Birds, angels, moons, and stars hope to the shepherds - Lk 2:10-14 -good news should be hung from the middle of for all people-a savior - not a dictator, political the tree to the top to symbolize their leader, great prophet -peace - man’s greatest closeness to the heavens. quest is for true peace-good will - satisfaction, Angel: Represents the angel who delight, a kind wish or purpose, good pleasure, appeared to the Blessed Mother, ask- an easily-produced longing for it -many people have lost the desire ing her to be the mother of Jesus. for good will - sinners and Christians. Popcorn: Signifi es the rope Jo- There is a message of hope today that is older than the earth seph held as he led the donkey to and yet new each time it is heard-the message is as real today as it Bethlehem. was 2,000 years ago -Jesus Christ is the only source of hope we have Walnuts: Are for the gift of the -in Jesus there is good news, salvation, peace and good will. three wise men. The spirit of Christmas is a spirit of hope . Oranges: A special fruit only available during the Christmas sea- son. Wheat: A symbol of life, prosper- ity and nourishment. Cloth at the base of the Christmas Extending Merry Christmas tree: Represents Jesus’ swaddling in different languages clothes. Peace on Earth to those on whom God’s favor Apples: Remind us of Adam and rests, we read in Luke’s Gospel. Not even language dif- Eve. ferences constitute a barrier. White dove: Placed near the top Living in our cosmopolitan society, it will be well of the tree to evoke peace. to know a few of the ways of expressing “Merry Christ- Carrot: Often given to a new wife mas” in various languages. to bring good luck in the kitchen. Slovak ...........Veselé Vianoce Mushrooms: Considered to be Polish.............Wesolych Swiat lucky and means good fortune to be Italian ............Buon Natale at hand. French ...........Joyeux Noel Pickle: Hidden on the Christmas German ..........Frohliche Weihnachten tree whoever fi nds it gets a special Spanish ..........Felice Navidad gift. Russian ..........Christos Razhdaetsya Corn: Symbolizes prosperity and Romanian ......Sarbatori Fericite fertility. Hungarian ......Boldog Karacsonyi Unescket January 1, 2015 marks the 22nd anniversary of the independence Pineapple: Symbol of friendship of Slovakia. We rejoice with the land of our ancestors, located in the Croatian .........Sretan Bozie and hospitality. Lithuanian .....Linksmu Kaledu very heart of Europe, as it commemorates this milestone in its storied Owl: A symbol of wisdom. history. Millions of Americans and Canadians who trace their ances- Ukrainian. ......Hristos Rozdajetsia Musical instruments: Symbolize Swedish .........Glad Julen try to Slovakia are justifi ably proud of the country’s achievements the joy that music and singing brings and accomplishments as it stands among the free and independent Serbian ..........Kristos Se Rodi during the Christmas season. Hawaiian .......Mele Kalikimaka nations of the world. As our American ally and NATO partner, we Stars, Moons and Angels: sym- pray that 2015 may bring continued economic and social success. bolize the closest you can get to Happy anniversary and Zdar Boh! heaven. A blessed Christmas to all! SLOVAK CATHOLIC FALCON, DECEMBER 17, 2014 PAGE 3 Wishing all our Members and Friends Sokol Calendar A Very Merry Christmas and a Happy, SAT.DEC.20 hosted by the Slovak American Healthy, Grace-Filled New Year Q Assembly 79 children’s Christ- Cultural Center of New York at mas party at the Slovak Catholic The Royal Manor, Garfi eld, N.J. from the Home Office Staff Sokol Club, Lilly, Pa. beginning at beginning with cocktail recep- 2 p.m.