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 CV PPASSAIC,ASSAIC, NN.J.,.J., OOctoberctober 1199, 22016016 NUMBER 5080 Where our organization was founded Report of the General Councel Concerning St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Passaic, N.J. the American Fraternal Alliance by Attorney John D. Pogorelec, Jr. Celebrates its 125th Anniversary at Mass and Dinner The 130th Annual Meeting of the American Fraternal Al- liance, successor to the National Fraternal Congress of America, was held in Nashville, Tennessee from September 8th to September 10th 2016. There were approximately 400 participants representing fraternal benefi t so- cieties and State fraternal congresses. Attend- ing on behalf of the Slovak Catholic Sokol were the following: Scott T. Pogorelec, FIC, Supreme Secretary; Albert J. Suess, Sales Manager; and the undersigned. The American Fraternal Alliance is an organization that unites the not-for-profi t fra- ternal benefi t societies operating in 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Canada. Alli- ance member societies represent approxi- mately 10.5 million individuals, making it one of America’s largest member-volunteer networks. The Alliance develops and supports public policy initiatives at the state and federal level that foster the expansion of the fraternal business model, protects the fi nancial security of fraternal life insurers and their members, and allow fra- ternals to effectively and effi ciently carry out their unique business and social missions. The Alliance is recognized for its vigorous and determined efforts to move the fraternal benefi t system forward with innovation and strategic thinking. This year, the American Fraternal Alliance highlighted the fol- The Most Rev. Arthur J. Serratelli, Bishop of Paterson, center, is shown at the 125th anniversary Mass at lowing goals and objectives: St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Passaic, N.J. on September 30. With him on the photo are l-r, Su- 1) Governance Roadmap – Change Starts at Your Conven- preme Secretary Scott T. Pogorelec, F.I.C., Rev. Msgr. John J. Demkovich, retired pastor of the parish; our tion; General Counsel, Attorney John D. Pogorelec, Jr. and Attorney Peter A. Bakarich, president of the parish 2) Professional Development and Leadership; council and also president of Assembly 1, the oldest lodge of the Slovak Catholic Sokol. 3) Keep the youth involved; and - Photo by Louie Smeriglio 4) The impact and opportunity of the internet for associa- tions and their membership. On Friday evening, September tion of Passaic. Thus St. Mary’s The workshop sessions that I attended consisted of fl uent 30, St. Mary of the Assumption has served various waves of im- speakers who generated a spirited discussion of many ideas for fra- Parish celebrated and important migrants beginning with the Slo- ternals to consider. One such session dealt with the theme of rede- milestone in the life of the faith vaks and now among those from signing the traditional convention format. Fraternal Benefi t Societ- community of Passaic, N.J. On that Mexico and other Spanish speaking ies whose conventions serve as the supreme governing body, such occasion, Paterson Bishop Arthur nations. Today the Spanish speak- as ours, are faced with a variety of challenges when the govern- J. Serratelli celebrated a Mass of ing have been fully integrated into ing body convenes. The panelists emphasized that too often con- thanksgiving marking the 125th the vibrant life of the parish com- ventions are designed and planned from the customary view that anniversary of the founding of the munity. Today, those of Slovak an- “we’ve always done it this way.” However, increasing costs, time parish. The current pastor, the Rev. cestry along with Latinos strive to and family constraints have demonstrated that new approaches Jorge Rodriguez, the retired pas- give Christian witness to their faith need to be adopted at conventions to ensure that the meeting is con- tor of the parish, Monsignor John at the historic church. sequential, effi cient and inclusive. Implementing educational and J. Demkovich, as well as a num- At the conclusion of the liturgy, leadership development opportunities for delegates can add value ber of area priests concelebrated Attorney Peter J. Bakarich, presi- and improve our decision making. Designing an effective planning the festive liturgy. In his homily, dent of the parish council offered meeting can assist fraternals in accomplishing more of their strate- Bishop Serratelli recalled the rich closing remarks and expressed gic goals while minimizing costs in the long run. tradition of the faith-fi lled Slovak thanks and gratitude to all who In addition, I attended a workshop session dedicated towards immigrants who laid the founda- had a hand in the jubilee celebra- changing the way we conduct business in the modern era. Experi- tion of the parish, supported and tion and who make St. Mary’s their enced fraternal panelists shared strategies that highlighted the role sustained it over the years. Today, spiritual home. Attorney Bakarich of the internet that can engage participants in meaningful ways. The 125 years after its establishment, also serves as president of Assem- discussion also focused on regulatory changes that affect the op- St. Mary’s Parish continues to be bly 1 of the Slovak Catholic Sokol, erations of fraternals, including corporate governance disclosure, the spiritual home of immigrants. the founding lodge of the Slovak enterprise risk management, cyber risk, capital requirements and In recent years, Spanish speak- Catholic Sokol established in 1905. the fi nancial examination process. Diversifi cation and asset alloca- ing immigrants from Mexico and Following the decision at our orga- tion are of extreme importance in this era of political and economic other central and south American nization’s 3rd national convention instability. Lastly, conventioneers need to actively court Milleni- countries have settled in the neigh- in Bridgeport, Conn. in 1908 the als – those born in the early 1980’s through the early 2000’s. This borhood around St. Mary’s in what women of St. Mary’s founded our (Continued on page 8) was once known as the Dunee sec- (Continued on page 9) PAGE 2 SLOVAK CATHOLIC FALCON, OCTOBER 19, 2016 Our organization’s new Protector SEZ YOU... Right Rev. Gary A. Hoover, O.S.B. Historic Milestone Letters to the Editor for Slovakia our organization. Each has been a member of our Sokol Assembly Dear Brothers and Sisters of the This year marks an historic milestone for our ancestral home- 303 located at the abbey. Slovak Catholic Sokol, land. From July 1 thru December 31, 2016, the Slovak Presidency A native of Garfi eld Heights, It was great seeing so many of of the Council of the European Union is being observed. For the six Oh., Abbot Gary was born there you at our recent 61st Internation- month period, Slovakia presides over the 28-member EU which rep- October 5, 1956, son of Raymond al Golf Tournament in DuBois, resents 28 countries in Europe with a combined population of over Hoover and the former Doro- Pa. God willing, I hope to see you 500 million. (The exit of Great Britain will not take effect until early thy Miho. He attended Elmwood again next year. in 2017). Since its independence in 1993, Slovakia has enjoyed great Elementary School in Garfi eld success and observed several milestones. That same year, Slovakia Heights and graduated from Bene- became the 180th member of the United Nations and for a two year dictine High School in Cleveland period, 2007-09 served as an elected member of the Security Coun- in 1974. He entered the novitiate cil. It later became a member of NATO . Since 2004 it has been a of St. Andrew Svorad Abbey and member of the EU. All of these achievements for a people which a professed vows as a Benedictine century ago were hardly known is certainly noteworthy. monk in 1977. He received his If we look back a century to 1916, Slovaks had begun to emi- undergraduate degree in sociol- grate to the United States beginning in the fi nal decades of the nine- ogy from John Carroll University teenth century, seeking to make a new life for themselves and their in 1979 and joined the faculty at children in the United States, a land of freedom and opportunity. Benedictine High School in 1980, However, they never forgot the plight of their brethern at home. Slo- where he taught Theology and so- vaks were one of the subject peoples of the Dual Monarchy, created ciology. He was ordained to the in 1867. This situation gave the Magyars absolute control of Hun- priesthood in 1983. In 1984, he was gary, while the Hapsburg-Lorraine house retained complete control awarded a graduate degree in Non- over Austria and the lands of the Czechs. The Slovaks resided in Profi t Business Administration what was known as upper Hungary. This intolerable situation gave Abbot Gary A. Hoover, O.S.B. at Notre Dame University. From Slovaks and Czechs little say regarding their own political destiny. 1989-1994, he served as treasurer American Slovaks, united in the Slovak League of America, a civic At the recent quarterly meeting of St. Andrew Abbey. In 1996, he and cultural federation founded in 1907 in Cleveland, Oh. to seek the of the Board of Directors, the Rt. assumed the duties of school chap- emancipation of their brethern at home, joined forces with the Czech Rev. Gary A. Hoover, O.S.B., Ab- lain, a position that later developed American organizations to achieve this goal.