OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SLOVAK CATHOLIC SOKOL – MEMBERSHIP 30,000 – 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 PASSAIC, N.J., December 14 PASSAIC, N.J., December 14, 2016, 2016 NUMBER 5084

Slovensk¥ Katolícky Sokol

Za Boha a Národ For God and Nation

May the Joy and Happiness of the Christmas Season Be With All Our Members and Friends

From heaven high I come to you,I bring you tidings good and new;Good tidings of great joy I bring;Thereof will I both say and sing:

For you a little child is bornOf God’s own chosen maid this mornA fair and tender baby bright. To be your joy and your delight.

Lo, he is Christ, the Lord indeed,Our God to guide you in your need,And he will be your Savior, strongTo cleanse you from all sin and wrong.

The Nativity by Gerard David, 1455-1523The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Našim členom a čitateľom prejeme požehnané a veselé Vianoce!

PAGE 2 SLOVAK CATHOLIC FALCON, DECEMBER 14, 2016

Thoughts from our Supreme Chaplain

The Language of Loveby Rev. Andrew S. Hvozdovic

In Africa, a tale is told of a boy called Amazu, who was al-ways very inquisitive. One day he asked, “What language does God speak?” But no one could answer him. He traveled all over his country questioning everyone but could not get a satisfactory answer. Eventu-

ally he set out for distant lands on his quest. For a long time he had no success. At length, he came one night to a village called Bethlehem, and as there was no room in the local inn, he went outside the village in search of shelter for the night. At last he came to a cave and found that a couple and a child also occupied it. He was about to turn away when the young mother spoke, “Welcome Amazu, we’ve been waiting for you.” The boy, amazed that the woman knew his

name, was even more amazed when she went on to say, “For a long time you have been searching the world over to fi nd out what lan-guage God speaks. Well, now your journey is over. Tonight you can see with your own eyes the language God speaks. He speaks the lan-guage of love.” And so each Christmas we contemplate the mystery of our God who became man. He is born in silence, poverty, simplicity and purity in Bethlehem, the house of bread. Our God made man later taking bread and wine transforms it into his body and blood; thus is the mystery of his Incarnation con-tinued for us in the mystery of the Eucharist, God made real for us. God becomes man. Bread and wine becomes God-man. Each time we come to the Eucharist, we come to a new Bethle-hem. He, who rested once in a manger, now rests in our entire being, as we receive him in the mystery of the Mass.

Have you ever been in a room full of people when all of a sud-den someone enters the room and immediately people stopped what they were doing, turned around and took notice of that person? It was as if all those in the room could sense their presence above everyone and everything else going on at the time. An aura radiated forth from that guest and you knew that this was someone special. I had such an experience back in the late 1970’s while I was at-tending John Carroll University. The University was bestowing an honorary degree on St. Teresa of Calcutta and the public was invited to attend a talk which she was to present in Kulas Auditorium. Hear-ing of all that Mother Teresa and her sisters have done for the poor throughout the world and knowing of her holiness and her appreciation of the simple things in life, I de-cided to attend her talk. Besides, I fi gured that one day she would be-come a saint and I could tell people that I actually was in the presence of a saint!! And on Sunday, Sep-tember 4, 2016, at a special Mass, Pope Francis elevated Mother Te-resa to the status of Saint! Getting back to my story, the crowd at John Carroll University rose from their seats as St. Teresa and a handful of sisters from her

religious order, The Missionar-ies of Charity entered the au-ditorium. While I was standing far from the middle isle, and could not

see her due to the crowd in front of me, I truly felt her humility as she walked up the isle to the stage. Compared to those with her, Moth-er Teresa was smaller in stature but she was a giant in holiness. While I still remember her talk to this day, what struck me the most was how

On January 1, 2017, Slovakia will observe the 24th anniversary of its independence. We rejoice with the land of our ancestors, located in the very heart of Europe, as it celebrates this milestone in its storied history. The American Slovak community has for more than a century taken a keen interest in the plight of the Slovaks in their homeland. We sup-ported them as they sought freedom and self-determination, initially in 1918 with the creation of the fi rst Republic of Czecho-Slovakia and concluding with its crowning achievement, Slovakia’s independence on January 1, 1993. The millions of Americans and Canadians who trace their ancestry to Slovakia are justifi ably proud of its many achievements since its independence. We are especially proud of its leadership during its six-month Presidency of the Council of the European Union which concluded on December 31, 2016. As our nation’s ally and NATO part-ner, we pray that 2017 may bring continued economic, social and moral prosperity to both the United States and Slovakia. Happy anniversary and Zdar Boh!

Mother Teresa embodied the Gos-pel message of love, humility and peace which radiated forth from the very core of her being. Being in her presence was truly a moving expe-rience for me which I will never forget. What is humility? Humil-ity means that one is “not proud or haughty”¹ In chapter 7, 1-3; of St. Benedict’s Rule we read: “Broth-ers, divine Scripture calls to us saying: Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted (Luke 14:11; 18:14). In saying this, therefore, it shows us that every ex-altation is a kind of pride, which the Prophet indicates he has shunned, saying: Lord, my heart is not ex-alted; my eyes are not lifted up and I have not walked in the ways of the great nor gone after marvels beyond me (Ps 130/131)” Humil-ity is a state of being. It is a state in which one recognizes the greatness of God in their own life and the in-signifi cance of one’s being without God. Humility is to recognize the dwelling of Christ in others as well

2016 Christmas Greeting from our Protector

A refl ection on humility and Christmasas in oneself. Refl ecting upon the Christmas message of God’s great love for us in which He chose to become one of us through the Incarnation of His only Son, Jesus Christ, I couldn’t help but see the depths of humil-ity. Jesus is the Son of God, He is the King of Kings, He is the Sav-ior of the world, yet he wasn’t born in a palace or a castle. As St. Luke reminds us in his Gospel, “While they were there [Bethlehem] the time came for her [Mary] to have her child, and she gave birth to her fi rstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”² Jesus was born in a stable, a barn and laid in a manger or “a container from which cattle or horses feed,”³ talk about humility!!! Not a glamorous place at all to be born!! Jesus chose to be born in such squalid conditions in order that He may reach all peoples even the low-est and the poorest. Jesus chose to be born in such conditions in order give hope to all. Jesus chose to be born in such conditions in order to grace our status as human beings and elevate us to the status as Chil-dren of God. Jesus meets us where we are and invites us to deepen in our relationship with God. Through His birth, we are called to live in humility and to see Christ in each other. As St. Benedict reminds us in Chapter 53, vs 1, “All guests who present themselves are to be wel-comed like Christ, for He himself will say, I was a stranger and you welcomed me (Matt. 25:35).”St. Teresa humbly embodied the love of God shown us at Christ-mas as she saw and welcomed all people as Christ in her life. Truly Mother Teresa was Christ to others. This Christmas is a time to recall the great act of love in which Our Lord Jesus Christ humbled himself and became human, he became one of us. We are called to embody God’s love in our lives by seeing and welcoming all people as Christ. Truly we are called to be Christ to others. It is my prayer that you and your families will see the Face of God this Christmas. May you have a blessed and joyous Christmas!

Peace,

Abbot Gary, O.S.B. St. Andrew Svorad Abbey Cleveland, Ohio

All quotations from the Rule of St. Benedict are from RB 1980, Timo-thy Fry, ed., The Liturgical Press, Collegeville, MN.¹ Merrium-Webster on-line Dic-tionary ©2005² Ch 2, 6 & 7 New American Bible, 2002 Copyright © United States Conference of Catholic Bishops³ Merrium-Webster on-line Dic-tionary ©2005

HOLIDAY HOME OFFICE CLOSING In observance of Christmas, the Home Offi ce will be closed for business on Monday, December 26. The Home Offi ce will reopen for business on Tuesday, December 27. Likewise to commemorate the New Year’s observance, the Home Offi ce will be closed for business on Monday, January 2, 2017. The Home Offi ce will reopen for business on Tuesday, January 3, 2017. Regular offi ce hours are Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. A joyous Christmas observance as well as a happy, healthy New Year 2017 to all our members and friends.

December 25th – Christmas Day in Slovakia: In villages, groups of youngsters get together, dress up in folk costumes and walk around the village singing Christmas songs and extending good wishes. They stop in every village house where they are welcomed with pastries and lots of food, along with a taste of spirits to warm them. Most people who attended Midnight Mass also go to church on Christmas Day. They pray together and celebrate the birth of the Baby Jesus.

SLOVAK CATHOLIC FALCON, DECEMBER 14, 2016 PAGE 3

(Continued on page 12)

Sokol Calendar

SUN.DEC.18 Assembly 162 children’s Christ-

mas party following the annual meeting in SS. Cyril and Metho-dius Church Hall, 218 Ackerman Ave., Clifton, N.J. beginning at 12:30 p.m.

Traditional Vilija - Stedry Vecer dinner hosted by St. Simon the Apostle Church, 5157 South Cali-fornia Ave., Chicago, Ill. in the par-ish hall, doors open at 1:30 p.m., dinner and program begin at 2 p.m., $20 for adults, $8 children, ages 5-12; call 773 436-1045, ext. 1.

Assembly 72 children’s Christ-mas party at the Slovak Center, 5th and Grove Sts., North Catasau-qua, Pa. beginning at 1:30 p.m. call Steve Roman 610 262-8301.

SAT.DEC.31 New Year’s Eve celebration -

Silvestrovsky Ples, hosted by Holy Family Parish in Msgr. Komar Hall, 2806 Parkway Ave., Linden, N.J. begining at 7:30 p.m., dinner featuring Slovak culinary speci-alities as well as a buffet after mid-

From the desk of the Supreme Secretary

A Family Christmasby Scott T. Pogorelec, F.I.C.

“And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heav-enly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” Luke 2:13-14

I would fi rst like to take this opportunity to wish all of our mem-bers a very Merry Christmas. This special time of year offers us the chance to observe and celebrate with the most important people in our lives. It is a time, fi rst and foremost, to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Remembering the true meaning and signifi -

cance of Christmas is sometimes overlooked amid all that is going on in our lives during this busy time. We need to remind ourselves that Christmas is about the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ and not just another day off or holiday. Christmas is also a wonderful time for our most respected Family traditions. We of Slovak ancestry have so many beautiful traditions re-lated to the celebration of Christmas. When I sit down to break bread with my Family this

Christmas, the sharing of the traditional Oplatky will absolutely be part of our feast. It has been part of our lives for as long as I can remember and will continue to be during this wonderful time of the year. I hope that many of our members will continue to promote these traditions because they truly do enhance our celebration of the Christ-mas season. I would also like to express my thanks and gratitude to all our members for making my fi rst year in Offi ce a great one. I would espe-cially like to thank our Board of Directors, Supreme Offi cers, Group Offi cers, Assembly Offi cers, and Wreath Offi cers for all your efforts and hard work in promoting our wonderful organization. A fraternal benefi t society like ours is really an extension of our own family. It is what our founders had in mind in 1905 and it is what our organization has become. Over the years, generations of our members have in-stilled in us a true family atmosphere at all of our fraternal events. We not only provide outstanding fi nancial security with our insurance and annuity products, but we also offer so many fraternal benefi ts geared to our members. It is who we are, a family. This time of the year also gives us a chance to refl ect on the past year and look forward to the New Year ahead. In doing so, I urge all our members to evaluate your insurance needs and consider purchasing life insurance protection from the Slovak Catholic Sokol. You can help strengthen our organization while also protecting your family and friends. Membership in the Slovak Catholic Sokol is a wonderful gift for a child or grandchild. Allowing them to be part of another strong “Family” is truly an enduring gift. On behalf of my beautiful wife, Maggie, my entire family, the Board of Directors, and our Home Offi ce, I would like to wish every-one a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year! Peace be with you and Zdar Boh!

Wishing all our Members and FriendsA Very Merry Christmas and a Happy,

Healthy, Grace-Filled New Year from the Home Office Staff

Clarissa SerranoSecretary to the

Supreme Secretary

Daniel F. TanzoneEditor

Scott T. Pogorelec, F.I.C.Supreme Secretary

Livia KarakEditorial Staff

Melanie M. SasielaBookkeeper

Lorrie PinckClerical Staff

Frank RevisoreCustodian

Albert J. Suess, Jr., F.I.C.Director of Sales

& Marketing

Kelly D. MovillaClerical Staff

Kevin R. GuillenClerical Staff

Elzbieta A. MasClerical Staff

OUR NEXT ISSUE The issue of December 28, 2016 will be our traditional Review of Fraternal Activi-ties in magazine format. The next regular issue of the Slo-vak Catholic Falcon will be that of January 11, 2017. Deadline for all photos and information for this issue is Thursday, January 5, 2017. In 2017, our offi cial publi-cation celebrates its 106th anniversary of publication. It was on April 15, 1911 that the fi rst issue of Katolicky Sokol(Catholic Falcon) made its debut.

CLIFTON, NJAssembly 162

The annual meeting of our lodge under the patronage of SS. Cyril and Methodius is scheduled for Sunday, December 18 in the Church Hall of SS. Cyril and Methodius Parish, lo-cated at 218 Ackerman Avenue be-ginning at 12:30 p.m. All members are invited to attend. Reports of the offi cers will be presented and elec-tion of offi cers to serve our Assem-bly in the new year will take place as well as any other lodge business which needs to be discussed. 2016 was a very busy year for our As-sembly as we celebrated our cen-tennial. A wonderful time was had by all at our gala 100th anniversary celebration on October 16. We once again thank all who had a hand in its success. As we begin our second century of promoting Sokol frater-nalism at it best, we look forward to continued cooperation and support of our members. Following the meeting, we will host our traditional children’s Christmas party. Their parents and grandparents as well as all our members are welcome to join us for

this annual festive event. Refresh-ments will be served. Wishing all a blessed Christmas as well as a happy, healthy New Year to all our members and their families, may we remain Zdar Boh! John D. Pogorelec, Jr. President David Bulwin Recording Secretary

Lodge Jottings

2017 Annual Meeting of the Supreme Physical Fitness Board set for Jan.20-21 in Cleveland, Ohio The annual meeting of the Supreme Physical Fitness Board is scheduled for the weekend of January 20-21, 2017 at the Resi-dence Inn Downtown Cleveland, Ohio. The meeting opens on Friday evening, at 7 p.m. At the meeting, the members of the Su-preme Physical Fitness Board will have the opportunity to review and discuss the past year’s various sporting activities and fi nalize all of the details for the upcoming 48th International Slet that will be held at SUNY Brockport University in July. Additionally, the agenda will include discussion on various ways to improve our sporting events and fraternal activities. The Supreme Physical Fitness Board welcomes any input from the Group, Assembly/Wreath offi cers or individual mem-bers, who have any ideas or recommendations for our sporting and fraternal programs. Please submit your recommendations to the home offi ce prior to January 13, 2017 addressed to: Scott T. Pogorelec, F.I.C., Supreme Secretary, P.O. Box 899, and 205 Madison St., Passaic, NJ 07055. Thanks for being a part of the greatest Slovak Catholic Ath-letic Fraternal in the United States and Canada.

Zdar Boh! James C. Matlon Supreme Director of Sports & Athletics

PAGE 4 SLOVAK CATHOLIC FALCON, DECEMBER 14, 2016

REFLECTOR ... Jotings fr om Sokol and Slovak life

Gospel for the Fourth Sundayof Advent - December 18th

Mt 1:18-24

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,but before they lived together,she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,yet unwilling to expose her to shame,decided to divorce her quietly.Such was his intention when, behold,the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,“Joseph, son of David,do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.For it is through the Holy Spiritthat this child has been conceived in her.She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,because he will save his people from their sins.”All this took place to fulfi ll what the Lord had said through the prophet:Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,and they shall name him Emmanuel,which means “God is with us.”When Joseph awoke,he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded himand took his wife into his home.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Gospel for the Nativity of the LordChristmas Day - December 25th

Jn 1:1-18

In the beginning was the Word,and the Word was with God,and the Word was God.He was in the beginning with God.All things came to be through him,and without him nothing came to be.What came to be through him was life,and this life was the light of the human race;the light shines in the darkness,and the darkness has not overcome it.A man named John was sent from God.He came for testimony, to testify to the light,so that all might believe through him.He was not the light,but came to testify to the light.The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.He was in the world,and the world came to be through him,but the world did not know him.He came to what was his own,but his own people did not accept him.But to those who did accept himhe gave power to become children of God,to those who believe in his name,who were born not by natural generationnor by human choice nor by a man’s decisionbut of God.And the Word became fl eshand made his dwelling among us,and we saw his glory,the glory as of the Father’s only Son,full of grace and truth.John testifi ed to him and cried out, saying,“This was he of whom I said,‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of mebecause he existed before me.’”From his fullness we have all received,grace in place of grace,because while the law was given through Moses,grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.No one has ever seen God.The only Son, God, who is at the Father’s side,has revealed him.

The Gospel of the Lord.

The Word of God...

The blessing of homes is awonderful Epiphany tradition 20 + C + M + B + 17 While the blessing of homes in honor of the feast of the Epiphany of the Lord is not a dis-tinctly Slovak tradition but is rather common to all of cen-tral and eastern Europe. The blessing of homes during the month of January takes place when we celebrate Christ’s Epiphany. This tradition was common in years past among our Slovak parishes. Some continue this beautiful faith tra-dition. We celebrate the feast of the Epiphany on Sunday, January 8, 2017. If a priest or deacon is not available to visit and bless an individual home, blessed chalk may be used by the resi-dents themselves to mark the doorposts. Bring the chalk to church and ask your priest or deacon to bless it. When you are ready to consecrate your home for the New Year 2017 mark each doorpost with the chalk and the above numerals. The initials remind us of the legendary names of the Magi - Caspar, Melchoir and Balthasar - and also stand for the Latin motto Christus Mansionem Benedicat (May Christ bless this house). The following prayer may be said to bless your home. Mark in your bible, Matthew 2:1-12. Pause for a moment to remember that God is near. Read the scripture slowly. Then say this prayer. You may then wish to inscribe your doorpost. With a piece of chalk, write 20 + C + M + B + 17.

The Epiphany of the Lord God of Bethlehem and Cana, God of Jordan’s leaping waters, in baptism you bring us into your family. You wed us and embrace us as your be-loved. May we fi ll our home with kindness to one another, with hospitality to guests, and with abundant care for every stranger. By the gentle light of a star, guide home all who seek you on paths of faith, hope and love. Then we will join the angels in proclaiming your praise: Glory in heaven and peace on earth, now and forever. Amen.

St. Simon the Apostle Parish to hosttraditional Vilija Dinner in Chicago Continuing a wonderful Slovak faith tradition span-ning more than three decades, St. Simon the Apostle Parish in the Gage Park section of south west Chicago, will host its annual Vilija or Stedry Vecer dinner and cultural program on Sunday, December 18. The afternoon program the tradi-tional meal featuring all the foods enjoyed at the Christmas Eve dinner in a Slovak home. In addition, a cultural pro-gram will feature a holiday sing-along of all our favorite Slovak Christmas hymns as well as the spirited dancing of the Veselica Slovak Folk Ensemble of Chicago. Tickets for the dinner are $20 for adults and $8 for children ages 5-12. Advance ticket sales only. For reservations call the parish offi ce at tel. 773 436-1045, ext. 1. Deadline for reservations is December 11th. An enjoyable afternoon celebrating our Slovak Christmas traditions is assured. Our Assembly 11 has been affi liated with this parish for many years. Established in 1926, St. Simon’s celebrates its 90th anniversary this year. The parish is the last of 10 parishes established to minister to the spiritual needs of the Slovak community in the Archdiocese of Chicago. Mass is

celebrated every Sunday in Slovak at 10:30 a.m. The Rev. Alfredo Salera, the new pastor of the parish looks forward to welcoming many Chicagoland Sokols and Sokolky at this year’s Vilija.

Pittsburgh Slovakians offerSlovak Christmas recording The Pittsburgh Slovakians, one of the country’s oldest and best known Slovak folk ensembles, has produced a new recording “Vianocne Koledy”(Christmas Carols), a CD collection of beloved Slovak favorites such as Do Hory do lesa valasi/povedzte nam pastierovia/Plesajte vsetci ludia/ Narodil sa Kristus v Betleme/ Dnesny den sa radujme/ Ticha Noc/Silent Night and more. This recording is a result of several decades in which the Pittsburgh Slovakians have spread the Slovak Christ-mas spirit through their Christmas performances. The car-ols offered here are priceless treasures that will re-awaken cherished traditions and memories. The cost of the record-ing is just $15.00 which includes postage and handling. Make check payable to Pittsburgh Slovakians and send same to 234 Ilion Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15207.

44th Annual March for Life setfor January 27 in Washington, D.C. For many years now, members of our four Slovak Catholic fraternals, namely the Slovak Catholic Sokol, the First Catholic Slovak Union, the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association and the Ladies Pennsylvania Slovak Catholic Union have proudly participated in the annual March for Life in our nation’s capital. Under the ban-ner, “Slovak Catholic Fraternals for Life,” each year our fraternalists participated in this peaceful demonstration showing our support for life in opposition to abortion. Once again, a bus will depart from northeastern Penn-sylvania to participate in the March for Life. The bus will depart from Wilkes-Barre at 7 a.m. from the park and ride located on Route 309 in Wilkes-Barre Township. The bus will then pick up passengers at St. John Bosco Church located on Route 93 leaving Hazleton at about 7:30 a.m. Local branches and districts and Groups of our fraternals may sponsor the cost of members planning to attend. Anyone interested in attending should call Theresa A. Kluchinski at tel. 888 834-6614 or 570 823-3515 or email Theresa@lpscu.org for more information. The cost is $55.00 per person and includes the cost of the bus, snacks on the bus and a dinner buffet at the Mountain Gate Res-taurant on the way home. We hope to see many area Sokol members participate in this annual demonstration of respect for life - from con-ception to natural death!

Pittsburgh Slovakheritage programs The Western Pennsylvania Slovak Cultural Association(WPSCA) is pleased to announce its Slovak Heritage Program in the new year. These evening lectures and demonstrations are held on the fi rst Monday of each month starting at 7 p.m. at the Mt. Lebanon Public Li-brary located at 16 Castle Shannon Boulevard in the Mt. Lebanon section of Pittsburgh. These evenings are free of charge and open to the public. The fi rst session “Sum-mer School in Slovakia” will be a presentation by Megan McKillop, a 2016 WPSCA scholarship recipient who will relate her experiences attending the Slovak Language and Culture course this past summer at Comenius University in Bratislava. The second session is scheduled for Monday, Febru-ary 6 titled “Krivan - its history and role as a national and cultural symbol. A past WPSCA scholarship recipient, Tim Michaels will be the presenter and discuss the history of the Krivan mountain, as well as his experience climb-ing it. This mountain, the highest peak in the Tatra Moun-tains, serves a part of the offi cial emblem of Slovakia. The theme for the Monday, March 6th session is ti-tled “Egg Decorating Eggstravaganza.” Michael Yanchak is returning by popular demand to demonstrate his ideas and creativity just in time for Easter.

SLOVAK CATHOLIC FALCON, DECEMBER 14, 2016 PAGE 5

For students entering a Catholic Grade School (Grades 2-8)

Slovak Catholic Sokol Catholic Grade School Grants

Deadline for receipt of this application is March 31, 2017.Return completed application to:

Slovak Catholic SokolGrade School Grant

205 Madison St.,P.O. Box 899Passaic, NJ 07055

✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄

(Detach here)

SLOVAK CATHOLIC SOKOL CATHOLIC GRADE SCHOOL GRANT APPLICATION

Group #_______________ Assembly/Wreath #_______________

Name ___________________________________________________________________

Address _________________________________________________________________

City________________________ State________________ Zip Code ______________

Date of Birth_________________________________________ Current Age __________

Home Phone (_____)________________ School Phone (_____) ________________ area code area code

S.C.S. Insurance Certifi cate #____________ Face Amount_____________________ S.C.S. Insurance Certifi cate #____________ Face Amount_____________________ S.C.S. Insurance Certifi cate #____________ Face Amount_____________________ Father's name_____________________________________ Are you a member?______

Mother's name_____________________________________ Are you a member?______

Parent’s S.C.S. Insurance Certifi cate # ______________________Face Amount________

Parent’s S.C.S. Insurance Certifi cate # ______________________Face Amount________

Are you a previous Slovak Catholic Sokol Scholarship Recipient? ___________________ (yes/no)

If yes, what Year?____________

School verifi cation (to be completed by Grade School Principal)

I,______________________________ Principal of_______________________________ (Principal's signature) (Name of School)

Catholic Grade School, verify that_________________________________ is a student at (Name of student)

the above school and will be entering _________ Grade in the 2017-2018 school year.

Are you currently participating in Slovak Catholic Sokol Activities? Yes_____ No____

As a fraternal benefi t, the Slovak Catholic Sokol is pleased to offer $250.00 Grants to our young Sokols and Sokolky in each of our organization's nineteen Groups. Two grants each per Group are available to any qualifi ed Sokol member entering a Catholic Grade School (Grades 2 through 8).

Eligibility

A. Applicant must be a member of the Slovak Catholic Sokol in good standing, holding a permanent Life Insurance Certifi cate in the amount of not less than $3,000, and has been a member for at least fi ve years.

B. One parent must be a S.C.S. member.

C. The principal of the Catholic Grade School must verify the enrollment of the applicant.

Application This application must be received on or before, March 31, 2017 with a clear, small (2"x3" wallet size) head and shoulders photograph. Application is also available on the Internet @

www.slovakcatholicsokol.org

Disqualifi cation An applicant who neglects to submit or com-plete any part of these requirements before the established deadline will automatically be disqualifi ed.

Acknowledgment An acknowledgment of the Grant should be made in writing by the recipient as soon as pos-sible, if you are awarded a Grant.

Return of Grant If for any reason the Grant is not used by the recipient, the entire (or portion of) grant not utilized must be returned.

(Continued on page 6)

An outstanding fraternal benefi t

$63,000 in S.C.S. Scholarship GrantsAvailable to Eligible Members in 2017

by Edward D. MoellerSupreme Vice President

We are pleased to announce that the Slovak Catholic Sokol will make available a total of $63,000 in scholarship grants to eligible members in 2017. Previous recipients of Slovak Catholic Sokol schol-arship grants may reapply for a 2017 grant; how-ever, per Convention mandate - a student may receive a maximum of two (2) Slovak Catholic Sokol scholarship grant awards in each category. A total of 30 Slovak Catholic Sokol college grants of $1,000 each, two Theodore and Mary Jane Rich Memorial Scholarships one for a male and female in the amount of $2,500 each, two Emil Slavik Memorial Scholarships one for a male and female in the amount of $2,000 each, one The Doctors’ Lesko Medical Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $1,000, one Krista L. Glugosh Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $1000 and three Slovak Catholic Sokol (SCS) Memorial Scholar-ship2 in the amount of $1000. With one application you may apply for all college scholar-ship grants for which you are eligible. Note that only one grant per applicant will be awarded.

College scholarship eligibility requirements:

Slovak Catholic Sokol (a total of 30, $1000 grants will be awarded) • Must have a minimum of $3,000 permanent Life Insurance Coverage • Must be a member of the Slovak Catholic Sokol for at least fi ve years. • Must have completed one semester of undergraduate studies as a FULL TIME student at an accredited college, university or professional school, or be enrolled in a graduate or professional degree program. • Must have an accumulated grade point average of at least 2.5 or better • One parent must be a Slovak Catholic Sokol member • Essay- “How has being a member of the Slovak Catholic Sokol infl uenced my life?”

Theodore and Mary Jane Rich (one male and one female grant in the amount of $2500 will be awarded) • Same requirements as for SCS scholarship

AND • One parent must be of Slovak Ancestry • Must be majoring in medical curriculum

Emil Slavik (one male and one female grant in the amount of $2000 will be awarded) • Same requirements as for SCS scholarship

AND • Both parents must be members of the Slovak Catholic Sokol • Must be majoring in liberal arts, the sciences, pre-law, pre-medical or business curriculum.

The Doctors’ Lesko Medical Memorial Scholarship (1 grant in the amount of $1000 will be awarded) • Same requirements as for SCS scholarship

AND • Majoring in Nursing or Medical curriculum • One parent must be of Slovak Ancestry • Krista L. Glugosh Memorial Scholarship (1 grant in the amount of $1000 will be awarded) • Same requirements as for SCS scholarship

AND • Majoring in curriculum with a focus in computer graphics, design or layout

Slovak Catholic Sokol Memorial Scholarship (3 grants in the amount of $1000 will be awarded to the applicant that best exem-plifi es the spirit of volunteerism) • Same requirements as for SCS scholarship • Essay- “Describe the one volunteer experience that made the biggest personal impact on you- how/why”.

The process of applying for any of the above college lev-

PAGE 6 SLOVAK CATHOLIC FALCON, DECEMBER 14, 2016

$63,000 in S.C.S. Scholarship GrantsAvailable to Eligible Members in 2017

(Continued from page 5)

el scholarships is completely on-line. Applications and instructions are ONLY available on our website @ www.slovakcatholicsokol.org

Questions regarding the Slovak Catholic Sokol Scholarship Pro-gram may be directed to:

Edward D. MoellerSupreme Vice-President

Chairperson of the Scholarship Committeevp@slovakcatholicsokol.org

(412)881-3506

Deadline for submission of all scholarship applications is March 31, 2017

In addition to our college grant program, we make available 18 Cath-olic High School Grants in the amount of $500 each as well as 36 Catholic Grade School Grants in the amount of $250 each. Please fi nd these schol-arship applications and directives in each of the issues of the Falcon.

Christmas Oplatky - 2016 The celebration of Christmas in a Slovak home would not be complete without the sharing of the traditional Oplatky, the Slovak Christmas wafers eaten with honey. They are a time-honored faith tra-dition passed on from generation to generation. Jankola Library and Slovak Museum located at the Mother-house of the Sisters of SS. Cyril and Meth-odius in Danville, Pa. has provided these Oplatky for those of Slovak ancestry scat-tered across the United States who cherish this holiday tradition. Where in previous times, the Oplatky were available at one’s local Slovak parish. Sad to say, many of these parishes have closed or been merged. Today our members reside in all our 50 states. Preserving this faith tradition is important. Jankola Library accepts orders for Oplatky from October 24 until December 16, 2016. The Oplatky, fi ve in one package are thermal-sealed and can be purchased for $5.00 per pack. In addition, the minimum cost of ship-ping and handling is $6.00 and upward depending upon the number of packages ordered and the cost of priority mailing. Customized re-quests can be fi lled to meet your needs. Payment to Jankola Library is expected before receiving an order. For more information or to place an order contact: Sister Cathe-rine Laboure Bresnock, SS.C.M. at tel. 570 275-5606 or write Jankola Library and Slovak Museum, 580 Railroad Street, Villa Sacred Heart, Danville, PA 17821-1698. Sharing the Oplatky either at the Christmas Eve supper or on Christmas day will add a special Slovak dimension to your celebration of Christ’s birth at Christmas. Jankola Library, founded in 1968, also has a supply of books, tapes and other materials related to the study of the Slovak language as well as Slovak music and song books are avail-able. Call for a booklist. Such items made wonderful gifts at Christmas for those who cherish their Slovak heritage.

While most Catholics consider the Christmas feast the singular most en-riching event in the Church year, for Slovak Catholics, Christmas centers around the celebration of “Stedry Vecer” the bountiful evening, the Christmas eve Supper. Many of the Slovak Christmas traditions, have been brought to America by generations of im-migrants from Slovakia over the past more than 125 years. Many of these traditions continue to be culti-vated by their descendants in Slovak American homes. The Christmas eve supper, which begins with the appearance of the fi rst star, is fi lled with benevolence and mystery. With roots in the Pass-over supper of the Old Testament, the meal is fi lled with ritual and meaning. Each of the various regions of Slovakia have particular culinary specialities. In some localities, it is the custom to set the table cloth over clean straw; in others straw is laid upon the fl oor. This reminds the family that the Christchild was bedded upon straw in a manger. The father and mother come to the table with a lighted candle, carry-ing holy water and honey. Reaching their places, good wishes and greet-ings are extended, offering a kind of festive toast. The candle, which gives light and warmth, is the symbol of Christ, the light of the world. Before serving the meal, the mother sprinkles holy water on the table and the rest of the house, that the blessing of God might rest on them. The father takes a little honey and makes a small sign of the cross on the foreheads of all present. It reminds all to keep Christ in our thoughts and to live and work so that harmony and pleasant fellowship might sweeten our lives. The meal begins with the Oplat-ky, unleavened wafers imprinted with the scenes of the holy birth. Slovaks and Poles alike share this tradition. With snowbound condi-tions common on both sides of the Tatra Mountains, the Oplatky were blessed by the village priest so that if the faithful were not able to make

The Slovak ‘Bountiful Evening’

it to church for Midnight Mass, this symbol of Christ and the Eucharist might serve as their Christmas eve spiritual nourishment. A soup of tart quality is now en-joyed. The soup is made of sauer-kraut brine and dried mushrooms. It continues the Old Testament Exodus theme of recalling the bitterness of life without Christ. Fish is generally enjoyed, since Catholics in eastern Europe con-tinue to observe a strict fast and ab-stinence on the vigil of Christmas. Next comes “opekance-pupacky-bo-balky” much like tiny biscuits made of yeast-leavened dough, sweetened with honey and sprinkled with a pleasant preparation of poppyseed. The use of poppyseed recalls a pa-gan tradition in which poppyseed was strewn at the portal in order that the evil spirits might be occupied with picking up each morsel and thus would not enter the house. Other foods eaten include dried prunes, pears, apples, nuts and St. John’s bread “Carob.” A potato pan-cake type of speciality known as “Lokse” is also enjoyed. The meal concludes with traditional Slova-kian pastries, known as “Kolace” or strudel-like rolls made with walnuts, poppyseed, lekvar(prune) or cheese. Red wine completes the evening’s feasting. In addition to a place for every member of the family, a place is left vacant for the welcome traveler. In the rural villages of Slovakia, a shepherd would call from house to house making his Christmas wish or “Vins” to all in the household:

On this glorious feastof the birthday of Christ our Lord,I wish you from God, good health,happiness and abundant blessings.

May it be yours to enjoycomfort from your children,

salvation for your soul, the kingdom of heaven after death,

and for the family’s welfare mayyou have whatever you ask of God.

The music and joyous spirit of the Slovak people adds much to the celebration of a truly “bountiful eve-ning”!

- Daniel F. Tanzone

The Holy Name Society of SS. Cyril and Methodius Parish in Clifton, N.J. will host its traditional Oplatek Dinner on Friday evening, January 13, 2017 in the church hall located at 218 Ackerman Avenue beginning at 7 p.m . The evening features a delicious dinner beginning with the time-hon-ored tradition of sharing the Oplatky eaten with honey, a beloved tradition among the Slovaks and Poles. A buffet supper will be enjoyed. Tickets are $25.00 for adults and

$10.00 for children. Tickets are available before and following the weekend Masses in the church ves-tibule. Reservations may also be made by calling Peter Walentow-icz, parish council president at tel. 973 340-9078 or David Bulwin at tel. 973 546-4864. Area Sokols and Sokolky are cordially invited to join the parish in celebrating this beloved faith tradition and enjoy an evening of faith and fellowship. An enjoy-able evening is assured.

Oplatek dinner set for Jan. 13 in Clifton, N.J.

Some Christmas Trivia Roman Catholics fi rst celebrated Christmas in 336 A.D. It was then known as the Feast of the Nativity. Showing Christmas spirit in Bos-ton between 1659 and 1681 would get the offender a fi ne because cel-ebrating Christmas was outlawed. Christmas wasn’t declared a fed-eral holiday in the United States until 1870. Franklin Pierce was the fi rst president to introduce a Christmas tree to the White House in 1856. That tree was lit by candles, as was the custom of the time. Lights didn’t appear on the White House Christmas tree until 1895, when Grover Cleveland had electric lights put on it. The earliest Christmas tree lights were very expensive, costing up-wards of $300.(That is more than $2,000 in today’s dollars!) General Electric, the company founded by Thomas Edison, sold handblown bulbs that needed to be wired to-gether by a “wireman” hired by the homeowner. The fi rst National Christmas Tree was lighted on the White House lawn in 1923 by President

Calvin Coolidge. There has been a Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center in New York since 1931 but it was not lighted with electric lights until 1956.

- Zornicka

The True Light of Christmas

No wreath hung on the manger door, no wreath with twinkling lights; no candles lit the manger scene upon the holy night. No decorated fi r tree stood on the manger fl oor of sod, the man-ger where the Christ Child lay, the blessed Son of God. There was no need for lighted wreaths, no need for decorated trees that Christmas long ago. There was no need for man-made lights to light the manger bare, for on that bed of straw lay Christ; The world’s true Light was there.

SLOVAK CATHOLIC FALCON, DECEMBER 14, 2016 PAGE 7

Somewhat brisk and windy weather did not deter the enthu-siasm and spirit of the Sokols and Sokolky from various Connecticut Sokol lodges who enjoyed the 34th annual St. Martin Day Celebration hosted by Group 2, “Rev. Stephen Panik” on Sunday, November 20 in Stratford, Conn. The time-hon-ored fraternal tradition began with the fraternalists marching a body to the 11 a.m. Mass celebrated for the living and deceased members of Group 2 at Holy Name of Jesus Church with the pastor, the Rev. Andrew G. Marus as celebrant. Father Marus welcomed the Sokol members and had high praise for their continued outreach projects in the best traditions of the frater-nal benefi t system. The beauty of the liturgy celebrating the feast of Christ the King was enhanced by the voices of the children’s and adult choirs of the parish and in-cluded the beautiful Slovak hymn “O Kriste velky kralu nas.” At the conclusion of the liturgy, Father Marus joined the fraternalists the traditional group photo on the

Celebrating Our Patronal Feast in Stratford, Conn.

Group 2 Hosts its 34th St. Martin’s Day Celebrationsteps of the church. After Mass, about 75 Sokols and Sokolky enjoyed a delicious luncheon and fraternal program at The Blue Goose Restaurant. Group 2 President Eileen S. Wilson wel-comed the assembled fraternal-ists and offer a toast to celebrate the patronal feast and noted the 105th anniversary of the founding of Group 2. After enjoying a deli-cious luncheon, Sister Eileen in-troduced the speaker, Editor Dan-iel F. Tanzone. Brother Tanzone recalled the rich history of our organization and its role in provid-ing outstanding fraternal benefi ts. Group 2 members over the years have actively promoted a host of outreach projects aiding so many local and national charities. He noted that the previous weekend, the New England Fraternal Alli-ance, which represents thousands of fraternalists in the six New England states honored Group 2 President Eileen S. Wilson as their 2016 Fraternalist of the Year. This honor not only recognized Sister Wilson’s efforts but showcased

the Slovak Catholic Sokol. He en-couraged the assembled to see that their children and grandchildren applied for the 2017 scholarship grants which our organization will offer. He encouraged Group 2 to remain among the top movers and shakers of our organization. The program included a me-morial remembrance honoring those Group 2 members who have passed away over the past year. A special Veterans Day recognition recalled and showcased the Group 2 veterans who have served in the defense of our America way of life over the years. Special caps and pins were given to the veter-ans present at the luncheon. Sister Wilson also presented gold, 50-year membership pins and certifi -cates to four Group 2 members in attendance, brothers: twins, Kevin and Keith Sabovik, Louis Sabovik and Walter Sabovik. Members of the Group 2 Physi-cal Fitness Board then conducted special raffl es which support the work of the Pontifi cal Slovak Col-lege of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Rome and in particular the Jozef Cardinal Tomko scholarship fund. The program concluded with a prayer followed by the singing of Hej Slovaci and Nad Tatrou sa Blyska. The annual fraternal celebra-tion honors our organization’s patron, St. Martin of Tours. All of the original founders of the Slo-vak Catholic Sokol in 1905 who were natives of the Diocese of Spis in Slovakia whose cathedral is dedicated to the saint. Many youth-oriented and sporting soci-eties in eastern Europe chose St. Martin as their patron. He was a native of Pannonia, what is pres-ent day Slovakia, the Czech Re-public and Hungary, and served in the Roman army. Tradition has it that he was born of Slavic par-ents. He later became Bishop of Tours in France.

Group 2 Sokols and Sokolky join Father Andrew G. Marus on the steps of Holy Name of Jesus Church in Stratford, Conn. at this year’s 34th St. Martin Day Celebration on November 20.

Group 2 President Eileen S. Wilson is shown with Group 2 veterans honored at this year’s St. Martin Day Celebration, including l-r, Steve Churma, Thomas Schmitt, and Joseph Goda.

Wreath 39 offi cers of Bridgeport, Conn. presented fl owers to Sister Eileen S. Wilson on the occasion of her recognition as the 2016 Fra-ternalist of the Year of the New England Fraternal Alliance. Making the presentation are l-r, offi cers, Paula Schmitt, Barbara Sheehy, presi-dent; Catherine Karosy and Maryann Wells.

Sisters of SS. Cyril and Methodius from Holy Name of Jesus Parish, Sister M. Joseph Therese Pohorenec, second from the left and Sister Gloria Marie Kascak, far right, were welcomed at the annual event by Group 2 Assistant Physical Directress,Bonnie Landor Rossi, who was taught by the Sisters at Sacred Heart School in Torrington, Conn. and Group 2 President Eileen S. Wilson.

Veteran Group 2 activist, Irene Sinanis is shown seated with her daughter, Member of the Group 2 Physical Fitness Board, Judy Nist as her cousin Eileen S. Wilson looks on. All hail from our organization’s oldest females lodge,Wreath 1 of Bridgeport, known as “The Mother of the Slovak Catholic Sokol.”

Veteran Group 2 Sokol and Slovak fraternal activist, Henry J. Zack, long-time Assembly 9 Financial Secretary, seated center with his wife, Jackie and family and friends including, l-r seated, Irene Sinanis, and standing, Judy Nist, daughter and son-in-law, Laura and David Mi-nese.

PAGE 8 SLOVAK CATHOLIC FALCON, DECEMBER 14, 2016

Christmas Ornaments The Christmas tree represents a symbolic ladder to the heavens. As a result of this, ornaments are hung on the tree depending on what their symbolic positions are in life. As an example, vegetables and fruits are closest to the earth. Therefore, they are hung on the lowest third of the Christmas tree. Houses, churches, people and animals should be placed in the middle region of the tree. Birds, angels, moons, and stars should be hung from the middle of the tree to the top to symbolize their closeness to the heavens.

Angel: Repre-sents the angel who appeared to the Blessed Mother, asking her to be the

mother of Jesus. Popcorn: Signifi es the rope Joseph held as he led the donkey to Beth-

lehem. Walnuts: Are for the gift of the three wise men. Oranges: A

special fruit only avail-able during the Christ-mas season. Wheat: A symbol of life, pros-

perity and nourishment. Cloth at the base of the Christmas tree: Represents Jesus’ swaddling clothes.

Apples: Remind us of Adam and Eve.

White dove: Placed near the top of the tree to evoke peace.

Carrot: Often given to a new wife to bring good luck in the kitchen.

Mushrooms: Con-sidered to be lucky and means good fortune to be

at hand. Pickle: Hidden on the Christmas tree whoever fi nds it gets a special gift.

Corn: Symbolizes prosperity and fertility. P i n e a p p l e :

Symbol of friendship and hospitality.

Owl: A symbol of wisdom. Musical instruments: Symbolize the joy that mu-sic and singing brings dur-

ing the Christmas season. Stars, Moons and Angels: sym-bolize the closest you can get to heaven. A blessed Christmas to all!

The traditional Oplatky are gen-erally enjoyed during the Christmas Eve dinner. However, they can be enjoyed at any dinner during the Christmas observance. As family and friends begin their meal, the head of the household begins the “Stedry Vecer”(bountiful evening) with sharing of the Oplatky, the blessed Christmas wafers eaten with honey. He or she places honey on the Oplatky and shares them with the family and friends assem-bled for the meal. He then makes the sign of the cross with the honey on the foreheads of all present and shares the Oplatky. The Oplatky, actually Oblatky, since the word comes from the Latin word “ob-lata” or offering; have been blessed by the priest according to the pre-scribed formula for the blessing of bread in the Roman Ritual. They are eaten at the Christmas Eve or Christmas day supper according to the tradition originating in Slova-kia, Poland and Lithuania. Catholics in these regions wished to begin their fi rst meal, after the strict fast of Advent in those days, with food which was blessed for this purpose. The Oplatky are eaten with honey and remind us of the unleavened bread of the Passover. It also reminds us of the manna which God fed the chosen people in the desert following their Exodus

from Egypt. Most importantly, they remind us of the Eucharist. The assembled guests under the leadership of the head of the house-hold may recite an Our Father and a Hail Mary for the departed members of the family. He or she then recites the following prayer: O Lord God, hear our prayer. All respond: And let our cry come unto you. Let us pray: Today we celebrate Christmas. It was on this night that God showed His generosity, com-ing to us in the person of His divine son, being born of the Virgin Mary in the stable at Bethlehem. Today our mother has spread our table more richly than usual, in honor of the birthday of Our Lord. These Christmas wafers remind us of the manna from heaven which God fed his chosen people in the desert. They remind us also of the Eu-charist in which God in a mysteri-ous manner, is again born, as trulyas he was born of the Virgin Mary in the stable at Bethlehem. This takes place at every celebration of the Mass. May we partake of the Eucharist frequently, so that God would be born within our hearts. As the an-gels glorifi ed God and prayed for peace, so let us repeat with them: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will. Amen

A cherished Slovak faith tradition

Sharing the Christmas OplatkyBOBALKY

2 cups water3 Tbsp plus 1 Tbsp sugar2 teaspoons salt5 tablespoons canola oil or butter2 packages active dry yeast6 cups all-purpose fl our1/2 cup poppyseeds1/2 cup honey In a medium saucepan, bring to boil 2 cups water, 3 tablespoons sugar, salt and oil. Cool to luke-warm. Meanwhile, dissolve yeast in 1 tablespoon sugar and 1/2 cup warm water. Place fl our in the bowl of a stand mixer or a large bowl. Add lukewarm water-sugar mixture and yeast mixture. Combine thoroughly and knead until smooth, about 7 minutes in the mixer and at least 10 minutes by hand. Cover and let rise until doubled. Punch down dough and turn out onto a lightly fl oured surface. Roll dough to 1/2- to 1-inch thick and cut into pieces that will result in 1-inch balls when rolled between the palms of the hand. Place on a parchment-lined or well-fl oured cookie sheet with dough ball sides touching. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Let rise, covered with oiled plastic wrap until nearly doubled. Bake 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool completely. Mean-while, grind poppyseeds in a mor-tar and pestle with a little water or milk and set aside. When bobalky are cool, break the balls apart and place in a colander. Pour just enough boiling water over bobalky to soften but not turn them into mush. Drain well. Pour warm honey and ground poppyseeds over all. Stir lightly and serve immediately.

NUT AND POPPY SEED ROLL1 (1/4 oz. pkg.) env. dry yeast1/4 c. warm milk3 c. all purpose fl our, plus extra for rolling1/2 tsp. salt1/4 lb. butter (1 stick)1/4 c. sugar2 egg yolks1/2 c. sour creamWALNUT FILLING:1 lb. ground walnuts3/4 c. sugar4 tbsp. melted butter, plus extra for greasing sheet and brushing1/4 to 1/2 c. warm milk1/2 tsp. vanilla or maple fl avoringMix all ingredients together.POPPYSEED FILLING:1 pound poppy seeds2 cups milk1 1/2 cups sugar1/2 stick butter1 cup raisinsCombine all ingredients in a sauce-pan. Simmer for 30 minutes. Let cool entirely before using as a fi ll-ing. Dissolve yeast in warm milk. Combine fl our, salt, butter, and sug-ar. Add eggs, sour cream and yeast mixture; mix well to a stiff dough. Cover and let rise for at least one hour. Punch dough down; divide into 3 portions. Combine fi lling ingredients in a large bowl; mix to blend. On a lightly fl oured surface, roll out each portion to 1/4 inch thickness, spread with nut fi lling and roll as for jelly roll, guiding the

Traditoonal Slovak Recipes for Christmas

dough with a hand at each end. Place each roll seam side down on lightly greased cookie sheet. Cover and let rise 1 hour. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Brush with melted butter af-ter baking. Makes 3 nut rolls.

MUSHROOM SOUP 1 (4 ounce) package dried oyster mushrooms1 (4 ounce) package dried shiitake mushrooms 1 (8 ounce) package white button mushrooms7 (14 ounce) cans sauerkraut juice (more or less depending on how tart you want the soup)2 cups water (or to taste)1 (12 ounce) noodles 1⁄4 cup butter1⁄2 cup fl our Remove dried mushrooms from packages and soak in water to re-hy-drate. Wash button mushrooms and coarsely chop. Do the same with the re-hydrated mushrooms. Pour the kraut juice and water into a large pot. Add mushrooms. Bring to a boil and simmer for a minimum of two hours. Cook pasta till al-dente and set aside. Once the soup has sim-mered for at least two hours, make the roux. Melt the butter in a small skillet. Add the fl our. Cook until the fl our has thickened and you have a nice blond-like color. Add the roux to the soup. Have pasta in one bowl and soup in another. Scoop some noodles into your bowl and add the broth on top.

SAURKRAUT SOUP1/2 pound smoked pork or ham1/2 tsp allspice or nutmeg2 bay leafs1 tsp caraway seeds2 cups sauerkraut2 small onions, sliced thinly4 tsp paprika powder2 clove garlic, minced1/2 cup dried mushrooms2 Hungarian or Polish-style smoked sausage (1 small or 1/2 large)1 tsp sugar1 Tbsp vinegar1 tsp dried marjoramto taste Plain yogurt, sour cream or cream (for garnish)Add smoked ham, 7 cups water, bay leaf, pepper, allspice, and 1 tsp salt to a pot. Bring to a boil, turn heat to low, cover with lid and simmer for 30 minutes. In frying pan, heat 1-2 Tbsp oil and sauté onions until translucent, but not brown. Mix in 2 tsp paprika. Remove from heat. Add sauerkraut to the pot, with a lit-tle bit of the juice. Stir in the onions, mushrooms and garlic. Cover with and simmer for another 30 minutes. Remove ham from soup. Cut meat from bone (if any) and cut off any of the thick pieces of skin. Chop up the meat into small pieces. Return ham to pot and simmer another 20 minutes. Cut up the sausage and add it to the pot along with the vin-egar, sugar and marjoram. Cook for another 5-10 minutes. Add a little more vinegar, salt, pepper, and/or sugar to adjust to your taste. Serve with a dollop of sour cream, plain yogurt, etc. over top.

Fun Facts about New Year’s Eve * 1 Million: The estimated amount of people who will gather in New York’s Times Square to see the ball drop. * 70 percent: In attendance between ages 19-35. * 32 percent: In attendance between ages 36-45. * 1 Billion: The amount of viewers worldwide who watch Times Square on TV. * 2,000: The pounds of confetti expected to rain down on the crowd in Times Square. * 49 million: The amount of bubbles in a standard Cham-pagne bottle.

SLOVAK CATHOLIC FALCON, DECEMBER 14, 2016 PAGE 9

Pontifi cal Slovak College of SS. Cyril and Methodius

The new academic year for the Pontifi cal Slovak College of SS. Cyril and Methodius in Rome began on October 15, 2016. The new year opened with a spiritual retreat given by the new rector of the col-lege, the Very Rev. Pavol Zvara for the priests of the college. Father Zvara is priest of the Diocese of Zilina in northwestern Slovakia. He invited the priests to learn to manage every moment of the day, especially giving time for communication with God in prayer. At the conclusion of the retreat, the traditional Mass of the Holy Spirit was concelebrated, invoking the Holy Spirit to guide the commu-nity and bless their academic endeavors. In the top photo, the community is shown with the rector, Father Zvara and the vice rector, Father Marek Haratim. In the lower photo, the priests, religious and lay staff gathered on the feast of All Saints on November 1 at Rome’s Prima Porta cemetery to pray at the graves of the deceased residents of the Slovak College who are buried there. The next day November 2, on the Feast of All Souls, the rector celebrated Mass for all the deceased residents, benefactors and friends of the college. Originally known as the Slovak Institute of SS. Cyril and Methodius, the American and Canadian Slovak communities united in the Slovak Catholic Fed-eration built what is today the Pontifi cal Slovak College in 1963. For the past 38 years, the annual SS. Cyril and Methodius Appeal of the Slovak Catholic Federation helps to fi nancially support the work of the Slovak College, today a graduate house of studies for Slovak priests pursuing graduate degrees at the various pontifi cal universities in Rome. We assure the students at the college of our continued moral and fi nancial support. May they continue to refl ect our Cyrilo-Methodian heritage of faith. Photos by the Rev. Peter Fogas

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Slovak Catholic Sokol

Now that Christmas is upon us, it’s not too late to fi nd a perfect gift for that special loved one. It’s a gift that will last a lifetime. It cannot be lost, stolen, broken or squan-dered away. It is economical, worth something immediately and appre-ciates in value over the years. Of course it is a Slovak Catholic Sokol life insurance policy or an-nuity plan. It can be a Single Pre-mium Life plan or another of our permanent life insurance plans. By providing your child or grand-child with a Sokol insurance policy, you have a number of advantages which should be considered. It is fi rst and foremost a lifetime of in-surance protection at a cost that can never be replicated. It also creates a cash value account that may be used for future college expenses or some other of life’s emergencies. And, you will have also protected that loved one’s insurability which means that no matter what happens to their health in the future, they will always be insured under the policy you purchased for them. Another important fact about life insurance is that it is the corner-stone of any fi nancial plan. By pur-chasing a policy today when rates are low, you will have started that special child or grandchild off on the right road to fi nancial success. And in addition, the Slovak Catholic Sokol offers a number of fraternal benefi ts. Our athletic and

A perfect Christmas gift thatwill always be remembered

gymnastic programs emphasize our belief in both physical and mental health, as well as our commitment to our fraternal way of life. Each year, our organization provides scholarship grants to our members. As a fi rm believer in the Catholic school sys-tem, we pro-vide grants to students at-tending Catholic grade school and high school. We also offer a gener-ous number of college scholarships as well. In 2017, we will provide $63,000 in scholarship grants to de-serving young members. So why not purchase that life in-surance policy or annuity plan now so that the new year can start that loved one on the road to fi nancial success. Give a call to our Director of Sales and Marketing, Albert J. Suess, Jr. F.I.C. at tel. 1 855-874-9179 or 412 381-5431 who will provide you with all the rates and applications or see your local As-sembly or Wreath offi cers or give us a call at the home offi ce at 1 800 886-7656. While a Sokol life in-surance policy makes a wonderful Christmas or New Year’s gift, it also serves as the perfect birthday gift, fi rst Holy Communion, Confi rma-tion or graduation gift as well. Thing about it and start that favorite loved one on the road to fi nancial success.

Extending Merry Christmasin different languages

Peace on Earth to those on whom God’s favor rests, we read in Luke’s Gospel. Not even language dif-ferences constitute a barrier. Living in our cosmopolitan society, it will be well to know a few of the ways of expressing “Merry Christ-mas” in various languages.

Slovak ...........Veselé VianocePolish.............Wesolych SwiatItalian ............Buon NataleFrench ...........Joyeux NoelGerman ..........Frohliche WeihnachtenSpanish ..........Felice NavidadRussian ..........Christos RazhdaetsyaRomanian ......Sarbatori FericiteHungarian ......Boldog Karacsonyi UnescketCroatian .........Sretan BozieLithuanian .....Linksmu KaleduUkrainian. ......Hristos RozdajetsiaSwedish .........Glad JulenSerbian ..........Kristos Se RodiHawaiian .......Mele Kalikimaka

PAGE 10 SLOVAK CATHOLIC FALCON, DECEMBER 14, 2016

What's making headlines in our ancestral homeland

News and Views from Slovakia...

Selected stories are provided by TASR-Slovakia, the Slovak Republic’s offi cial News Agency.

Kiska in France encourages further French-Slovak cooperation Slovakia’s great advantage, which is often appreciated by foreign investors, is its quality labor, stated Slovak Presi-dent Andrej Kiska at a meeting with representatives of the MEDEF(Movement of the Enterprises of France) business association on November 22, as part of the program for his two-day offi cial visit to France(November 21-22). Kiska noted that words of praise for Slovak skills and diligence can be heard regularly at the meetings of foreign investors and representatives of multinational companies operating in Slovakia. “It’s not only the quality but also the creativity and motivation of our people that forms Slovakia’s great economic potential,” the Slovak head of state told rep-resentatives of the association that gathers French employers and represents their interests within the tripartite(government, labor and business). Kiska also stated that he hopes that Slovakia, mainly thanks to the potential of its young people, will use the ad-vantages offered by the European Union to the fullest. “I’ll be glad when even this meeting is inspirational and contrib-utes to the exchange of experience and the development of French-Slovak cooperation,” he said in reference to talks with MEDEF representatives, which were attended also by the Economy Minister Peter Ziga(Smer-SD) and representatives of Slovak companies, startups included. Earlier in the day, Kiska also met the National Assembly President Claude Bartolone, and in the afternoon he met with French President Francois Hollande at Elysee Palace. Later that day, the Slovak President paid tribute in Meudon to one of the founding fi gures of the Czechoslovak state in 1918, Milan Rastislav Stefanik, who served as a gen-eral in the French military and was involved in astronomi-cal research at the local observatory between 1905-1910. At the end of his visit, President Kiska visited PSA Peugeot Citroen’s Research and Innovation Center and met with Slo-vak expatriots living in France.

Unemployment rate in Slovakiaat 9.08 percent in October The unemployment rate in Slovakia in October stood at 9.08 percent, down by 0.34 percentage points month-on-month and by 1.9 p.p, year-on-year, the Labor, Social Affairs and the Family Center (UPSVaR) reported on November 21. The number of jobseekers available for work in October reached almost 247,000, down by almost 50,000 for the year. When people who weren’t able to take up jobs immedi-ately were also included, the unemployment rate in October stood at 10.50 percent, down by 0.33 p.p. m-o-m and by 2.26 p.p. y-o-y. The unemployment rates in all eight regions fell in Oc-tober, most signifi cantly in the Trnava region - by 0.44 p.p. Meanwhile, the Presov region had the highest jobless rate (14.18 percent), ahead of the Banska Bystrica region(13.17 percent) and the Kosice region (12.98 percent). In terms of districts, unemployment dropped in 75, rose in three and remained fl at in one district. The Rimavska So-bota district(Banska Bystrica region) was the worst off with 25.26 percent, while the Galanta district(Trnava region) was at the opposite end of the scale with 3.66 percent.

Kery: Lajcak mentioned as potentialSmer candidate for Slovak president Foreign and European Affairs Minister Miroslav Lajcak is being mentioned as a potential Smer-SD party candidate for the offi ce of Slovak president, said parliamentary foreign affairs committee member Marian Kery(Smer-SD) at a com-mittee session on November 25. Kery said this during a debate on the case of allegedly

by paying close attention and responding in unison to what is happening beyond the borders of the EU: in Syria, Iraq, Libya and the African continent.”

Consumer mood in Slovakiabest since February 2008 The consumer atmosphere in Slovakia improved again in October, rising by 0.4 points month-on-month with seasonal effects taken into account, reaching the best fi gure since Febru-ary 2008, the Statistics Offi ce reported on November 22 based on a survey done on a sample of 1,200 respondents. Meanwhile, the current fi gure was 5.2 points higher than in October 2015, and 4.9 points up compared to the situation three months ago. While all elements in the consumer barometer recorded improvements in a yearly comparison, there were 12 improve-ments month-on-month, apart from rather negligible fl uctua-tions in eight indicators and two deteriorations(infl ation and the situation involving conditions for saving in Slovakia). According to European Commission data, Slovakia’s consumer mood fi gure of -5.5 points(with seasonal effects taken into account) was the 13th best among 27 countries in the chart, and was one point above the EU average.

overpriced events linked to Slovakia’s Council of the EU Presidency. He personally sees criticism by the Opposition as a purposely-built smear campaign designed to discredit Smer-SD nominee Lajcak. “When news surfaced that our incumbent foreign af-fairs minister could acquire an important post at the UN or was even mentioned as a potential Smer-SD presidential candidate, the clean Lajcak had to be splashed with a bucket of dirt all of a sudden,” said Kery. The lawmaker claimed later that he wasn’t present-ing the party’s offi cial stance. “What I’m saying has never emerged at any offi cial Smer-SD party meetings. Take it as my personal view,” he added. Kery is convinced that Lajcak would make a perfect presidential candidate, however. “He has international ex-perience. He’s proven that now, when we’ve been success-ful as the country presiding over the Council of the EU.” The current term of offi ce of President Andrej Kiska will expire in 2019, with Kiska not yet making clear wheth-er or not he intends to run for re-election.

Enthusiasm for Europe must berestored say Kiska and Hollande It’s of utmost importance to give hope to the young generation in Europe and to restore enthusiasm for Europe as a whole, a task that should fall to EU leaders, French President Francois Hollande and his Slovak counterpart Andrej Kiska concurred at the Elysee Palace in Paris on November 22. The meeting took place as part of Kiska’s offi cial two-day visit to France (November 21-22). The presidents agreed that the future lies in a strong and united Europe. “The EU is a solution to many problems that plague us today,” said Kiska, underlining that Europe needs empathy and mutual understanding in order to over-come its current problems. Kiska pointed out that to Slovakia, France represents not only a pivotal partner country within the EU, but also a friendly country that had a strategic importance in the formation of contemporary Slovakia from the outset. He stressed that it was Paris where the creation of the fi rst Czechoslovak republic began to acquire more specifi c con-tours a century ago. “One hundred years ago, it was our compatriot Milan Rastislav Stefanik who secured the fi rst international success when he was met by the French prime minister,” said Kiska. “So Paris and France also form part of Slovakia’s history.” The Slovak president sees great potential in develop-ing French-Slovak cooperation in the sphere of innovation. “In this, France has set a great example for us,” he claims. As for the excellent French-Slovak ties, Kiska praised not only cooperation in the sphere of the economy but also that in education and culture. Hollande also praised the level of ties between the two countries, claiming that he sees room for more French com-panies to set up operations in Slovakia in the near future. “By creating new jobs, they will also contribute towards the goal that France pursues in the entire EU - reducing unem-ployment among the young,” he said. The French president believes that the EU shouldn’t only meet the plan set by the September EU summit in Bratislava, but also come closer together in terms of protecting its external borders and fi ghting terrorism. ““This means not only preventing terrorist attacks via a closer linkage of information between countries, but also

Bratislava, Slovakia’s sparkling capital located on the Dan-ube River, will be all aglow during the Christmas season. Like many European cities, Christmas Markets have be-come popular tourist attractions of the season. The Old Town section of the city with its medieval squares are fes-tooned with colorful lights and decorations. The city’s main square, Hlavne, along with the Frantiskanske(Franciscan) and Primacialne(primatial palace) squares are fi lled with more than 110 stands offering an array of homemade arts and crafts of the season. In addition, entertainment and re-freshments offer visitors a variety of activities from morn-ing to late at night. The Christmas market actually began in late November and will continue until January 2 of the New Year. The Bratislava Christmas Market is one of the largest and most impressive of any found in central and eastern Europe.

SLOVAK CATHOLIC FALCON, NOVEMBER 30, 2016 PAGE 11

Assembly 182 of the Slovak Catholic Sokol, along with Branch 45 and Branch 716 of the First Cath-olic Slovak Union hosted the tradi-tional St. Nicholas Day Celebration for the children of the United Parish of St. John Nepomucene, St. John the Martyr and St. Frances Xavier Cabrini on Sunday, December 4 in St. John Nepomucene Social Hall in Manhattan. The Rev. Richard D. Baker, pastor of the parish and our Sokol chaplain of Group 1, wel-comed the youngsters and their par-ents. The program began with Mass celebrated in Slovak at 10:30 a.m. with the Rev. Martin Kertys, C.O. as celebrant. The children of the Slovak School performed a special program in the church. After Mass, the children gathered in the parish social. After enjoying a delicious luncheon featuring Slovak culinary specialities, the children of the par-ish led in the singing of our beloved Slovak Christmas carols and then performed a skit on the life and tra-

Inaugurating the Christmas season in the Big Apple

Celebrating St. Nicholas in New York Cityditions associated with St. Nicholas. Renata Bukovicova, director of the Slovak School at the parish served as the very capable mistress of cer-emonies during the afternoon’s program. The highlight of the after-noon of course was the appearance of jolly Old St. Nick who made a stop to visit with the youngsters. St. Nicholas was accompanied by the traditional angel who brought along a thick book with a record of all the good and bad deeds of the world’s children. In addition, with them was the traditional Krampus, a legend-ary demon “cert” whose duty it is to punish children for not being good throughout the year. In Slovakia and the Czech Republic, the name of the demon is derived from the Slavic demon cohort of pre-Chris-tian times. He is often depicted as a man-like fi gure, covered in coarse, long dark hair with goat horns and a long red tongue. As each of the youngsters approaches St. Nicholas, he makes the judgment of who has

been good or bad and if selected as good, then the youngster receives gifts. However, if a child has a poor record, then it is up to Krampus to pass out the proverbial lump of coal, a piece of wood, rock or a stone, or what may be the worst gift of all, nothing. Needless to say during his visit at St. John Nepomucene Social Hall, St. Nicholas judged all the chil-dren to be good and presented each of them with appropriate presents and treats. Our Sokol of Assembly 182, Brian Korcek did a masterful job in his role as St. Nicholas. He is the son of Dr. Larry Korcek, presi-dent of Assembly 182 who was on the St. Nicholas Day committee. At the program’s conclusion, Fa-ther Richard D. Baker expressed thanks and gratitude to all in at-tendance for making this year’s St. Nicholas Day celebration such a huge success. He thanked all for their interest and cooperation in promot-ing the faith and rich traditions of the parish. A special guest at the celebra-

tion was the Slovak Consul General in New York, Jana Trnavcova. A capacity crowd of almost 300, including the children, along with their parents, grandparents and pa-rishioners fi lled the parish social hall with the joy and merriment of the Christmas season. All enjoyed the annual holiday event, a time-honored tradition of the parish. St. John’s had its beginnings on Man-hattan’s lower East Side, then a teeming center of immigrants from central and eastern Europe. The fi rst church was opened in a former synagogue on East Fourth Street. On October 27, 1895, the fi rst Mass was celebrated by the fi rst pastor, the Rev. Frantisek Pribyl. With the num-ber of members increasing, in 1911, the parish moved uptown and pur-chased another former synagogue on East 57th Street and remained at this location until 1926. As a matter of fact, this year marks the 90th an-niversary of the blessing of the cor-nerstone of the present church on the

Slovak Consul General Jana Trnovcova, Renata Bukovicova, Katarina Novakova and Dr. Larry Korcek, president of Assembly 182 are shown with St. Nicholas, Krampus and the Angel.

corner of East 66th Street and First Avenue. Often referred to as “the Slovak basilica in New York,” the parish has enjoyed a great spiritual revival under the direction of Father Richard D. Baker who became pas-tor on August 1, 2015. The local lodges of our Slovak Catholic fraternals, namely St. Matthew’s Society, Branch 45 of the First Catholic Slovak Union, organized in 1891 which founded the parish in 1895; the St. Stephen’s Society, Branch 716 of the First Catholic Slovak Union founded in 1916 and Assembly 182 of the Slovak Catholic Sokol under the patronage of St. Joseph, founded in 1923, along with the members of the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association, have played an im-portant role in the fabric of parish life beginning in its early years and continue to do so at present. Need-less to say, St. Nicholas received a warm welcome during his visit at the Manhattan parish.

PAGE 12 SLOVAK CATHOLIC FALCON, DECEMBER 14, 2016

(Continued from page 3)

Sokol Birthdays For students currently attending a Catholic High School

Slovak Catholic Sokol Abbot Jerome M. Koval, O.S.B.

Memorial High School Grant As a fraternal benefi t, the Slovak Catholic Sokol is pleased to offer $500.00 grants to one young Sokol or Sokolka in each of our organi-zation's nineteen Groups. These 19 Grants are available to any qualifi ed Sokol member currently attending a Catholic High School.

Eligibility

A. Applicant must be a member of the Slovak Catholic Sokol in good standing, holding a permanent Life Insurance Certifi cate in the amount of not less than $3,000, and has been a member for at least fi ve years.

B. One parent must be a S.C.S. member.

C. The principal of the Catholic High School must verify the enrollment of the applicant.

Application

ALONG WITH THE APPLICATION you must submit a typed or written essay DOUBLE SPACED in 100 to 200 words on the following topic:

“WHAT DOES THE SLOVAK CATHOLIC SOKOL MEAN TO ME?” This essay must be submitted along with the application. This application must be received on or before, March 31, 2017 with a clear, small (2"x3" wallet size) head and shoulders photograph.

Application is also available on the Internet @ www.slovakcatholicsokol.org

Disqualifi cation An applicant who neglects to submit or com-plete any part of these requirements before the established deadline will automatically be disqualifi ed.

Acknowledgment An acknowledgment of the Grant should be made in writing by the recipient as soon as pos-sible, if you are awarded a Grant.

Return of Grant If for any reason the Grant is not used by the recipient, the entire (or portion of) grant not utilized must be returned.

✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄✄

(Detach here)

SLOVAK CATHOLIC SOKOL ABBOT JEROME M. KOVAL, O.S.B. MEMORIALHIGH SCHOOL GRANT APPLICATION

Group #_______________ Assembly/Wreath #_______________

Name____________________________________________________________________

Address___________________________________________________________________

City________________________ State________________ Zip Code________________

Date of Birth_________________________________________ Current Age __________

Home Phone (_____)________________ High School Phone (_____)________________ area code area code

S.C.S. Insurance Certifi cate #______________ Face Amount_____________________ S.C.S. Insurance Certifi cate #______________ Face Amount_____________________

S.C.S. Insurance Certifi cate #______________ Face Amount_____________________

Father's name_____________________________________ Are you a member? ______

Mother's name_____________________________________ Are you a member? ______

Parent’s S.C.S. Insurance Certifi cate #_____________________ Face Amount___________

Parent’s S.C.S. Insurance Certifi cate #_____________________ Face Amount___________

Are you a previous Slovak Catholic Sokol Scholarship Recipient? _________ If yes, please (yes/no)

indicate Grade School or High School. What year?_________

High School verifi cation (to be completed by High School Principal)

I,______________________________ Principal of________________________________ (Principal's signature) (Name of School)

Catholic High School, verify that__________________________________ is a student at (Name of student)

the above school and will be attending ______ ___ Grade in the 2017-2018 school year.

Are you currently participating in Slovak Catholic Sokol Activities? Yes_____ No_____

Deadline for receipt of this application is March 31, 2017. Return completed application to:

Slovak Catholic Sokol High School Grant205 Madison St., P.O. Box 899, Passaic, NJ 07055

DECEMBER 30 Peter S. Costolanski, Dunedin, Fla., a member of Assembly 25, Perryopolis, Pa. Dr. Mary Z. Gasparik, New York City, our Honorary Supreme Offi cer and President of Wreath 168, New York City. Carl V. Gogolak, Basking Ridge, N.J., a member of Assembly 219, Yonkers, N.Y.

DECEMBER 31 Gail Jankowski, Yonkers, N.Y., a member of Assembly 219, Yonkers, N.Y. Mary Madar, East Stroudsburg, Pa., a member of Assembly 32, Palmerton, Pa.

JANUARY 2 Tony L. Scuglik, Kenosha, Wis., president of Assembly 113, Keno-sha, Wis.

JANUARY 4 Noah Vargoshe, Shelton, Conn., a member of Assembly 9, Bridge-port, Conn.

JANUARY 5 Steven M. Pogorelec, Jr., Wayne, N.J., a member of Assembly 162, Clifton, N.J.

JANUARY 6 Mary Ann Krolik, Morris Plains, N.J., a member of Wreath 168, New York, N.Y.

JANUARY 7 Michael T. Pogorelec, Wayne, N.J., a member of Assembly 162, Clifton, N.J. Valerie Mancuso, Yonkers, N.Y., a member of Assembly 219, Yonkers, N.Y.

JANUARY 8 Brianna Marie Geissler, Phila-delphia, Pa., a member of Assembly 48, Philadelphia, Pa. John T. Grovola, Secane, Pa., a member of Assembly 186, Drexel Hill, Pa.

JANUARY 9 Klaudia Bodo, Brooklyn, N.Y., a member of Assembly 182, New York City. Frank Maslar, Davidsville, Pa., a member of Wreath 14, Johnstown, Pa. Cynthia L. Scott, Sewickley, Pa., a member of Assembly 127, Monessen, Pa.

JANUARY 11 Larry M. Glugosh, Missis-sauga, Ont., Canada, our Honor-ary Supreme Offi cer and mem-ber of Assembly 227, Toronto, Canada. Stephen F. Papcun, Clinton Twp., Mich., a member of Assembly 36, Detroit, Mich.

Robert D. Raichel, Hillsbor-ough, N.J., a member of Assembly 162 in Clifton, N.J.

JANUARY 12 John R. Benyak, Jr., Monessen, Pa., president of Assembly 127, Monessen, Pa. James T. Genosky, Minneapolis, Minn., Financial Secretary of Assem-bly 34, Minneapolis, Minn.

JANUARY 13 Charles D. Matlon, Blooming-ton, Minn., a member of Assembly 34, Minneapolis, Minn. Joseph Korcak, Waldwick, N.J., a member of Assembly 182, New York, N.Y.

JANUARY 14 Mary B. Snyder, Monessen, Pa., a member of Assembly 127, Monessen, Pa. Mary W. Falatok, Akron, Oh., Financial Secretary of Wreath 43, Akron, Oh. Christine Toskovich, Garfi eld, N.J., a member of Wreath 2, Pas-saic, N.J. Patricia A. Warrick, West New-ton, Pa., a member of Assembly 127, Monessen, Pa.

JANUARY 15 Gregory M. Martin, Water Ford, Va., a member of Assembly 127, Monessen, Pa. Paul Sovcik, Western Springs, Ill., a member of Assembly 257, Chicago, Ill.

JANUARY 16 Susan Hernandez, Clifton, N.J., a member of Assembly 162, Clifton, N.J. Claire J. Matlon, Whippany, N.J., a member of Assembly 24, Boonton, N.J.

JANUARY 17 David Bakita, Norton, Oh., a member of Assembly 167, Barber-ton, Oh. Kevin J. Matlon, Whippany, N.J., a member of Assembly 24, Boonton, N.J. Thomas J. Matlon, Andover, Minn., a member of Assembly 34, Minneapolis, Minn.

JANUARY 19 James L. Mudrak, Carteret, N.J., a member of Assembly 162, Clifton, N.J. John J. Pavlica, Clifton,N.J., a member of Assembly 162, Clifton, N.J. Sister Anna Marie Pavlik, S.C.N., Pittsburgh, Pa. a member of Wreath 22, Pittsburgh, Pa. Geraldine Sabol, Massillon, Oh., a member of Assembly 127, Monessen, Pa.

Sokol Calendar

night, music by the Relax Ensem-ble; $110.00 per person, $30, age 6 to 16; for reservations call AnickaA 732 910-9437, AdrianaJ 908 510-0547 or Jan 908 565-4459, email: jdzuno@gmail.com, deadline for reservations is December 18.

SUN.JAN.8 Farewell reception for Slovak

Consul General in New York, Jana Trnavcova at St. John Nepomucene Social Hall, 406 East 67th St., New York, N.Y. beginning at 1 p.m.

FRI.JAN.13 Oplatek Dinner hosted by the

Holy Name Society of SS. Cyril and Methodius Parish in the church hall at 219 Ackerman Ave., Clifton, N.J. beginning at 7 p.m., adults $25.00, childen $10.00; for reserva-tions call Peter Walentowicz at 973 340-9078.

SUN. JAN.22*Assembly 78 annual meeting at 9:15 a.m. in the social hall of In-carnation of the Lord Church,617 Pierce St., Bethlehem,, Pa.

SLOVAK CATHOLIC FALCON, DECEMBER 14, 2016 PAGE 13

Report of the Supreme Secretary for the Month of September 2016ASSETS

YEAR TO DATE

Cash - Senior Account $ 135,460.87 Cash - Bank of Montreal 9,997.49 Cash - Payroll Account 2,368.37 Petty Cash 413.00 Investments - Bonds & Bills 60,110,810.82 Investments - Stocks 9,524,655.17 Capital Reserve 3,348,383.72 Stock Adj. to Book Value 2,161,740.04 First Mortgage Loans 742,483.76 Loans on Certifi cates 133,694.93 Accrued Interest Receivable 786,466.00 Sokol Building 2,707,974.61 Land 204,108.00 Furniture & Fixtures 159,232.34 Computer 92,805.86 Sokol Baby Spoons 10,075.00 Due From Groups 889.37 Accounts Receivable 14,730.27 Non-Admitted Assets -108,905.00

TOTAL ASSETS $80,037,384.62

LIABILITIES AND RESERVES

YEAR TO DATE

Life Reserves $ 60,100,995.00 Reserve Dep. Furn. & Fixtures 153,208.34 Reserve Dep. Sokol Building 2,636,493.36 Asset Valuation Reserve 1,525,569.00 Interest Maintenance Reserve 214,069.00 Reserve for Supplemental Contracts 1,593,270.30 Reserve Emp. Retirement Plan 4,761,658.00 Reserve for Convention 56,250.00 Matured Endowments 84,298.24 Claims Payable 286,482.58 IBNR Payable 30,000.00 Conversion - Canadian Currency 3,348.33 Accounts Payable 27,806.59 Sokol Secure Fund 581,736.01 Mary Jane Rich Scholarship Fund 85,000.00 Emil Slavik Scholarship Fund 100,000.00 Dr’s Lesko Medical Scholarship Fund 20,000.00 Krista L Glugosh Memorial Scholarship Fund 24,000.00 Dividend Accum. At Interest 320,098.38 Dividend Payable 15,951.51 Advance Premiums 18,000.00 Premium Load 2,400.00

TOTAL LIABILITIES $ 72,640,634.64

Undistributed Funds - Sokol 7,396,749.98

TOTAL LIABILITIES & SURPLUS $80,037,384.62

INCOME SEPTEMBER YEAR TO DATE

Interest on Bonds and Bills $ 272,820.36 $ 2,191,938.25 Interest Income Accrued 52,817.00 55,733.00 Accrued Interest Paid 0.00 -104,686.88 Amortization of IMR 0.00 26,400.00 Other Investment Income 0.00 345.74 Dividends on Stocks 45,968.59 265,002.38 Interest on Mortgages 3,827.66 36,781.74 Sale of Cookbooks 170.00 495.50 Rent Received - Sokol Building 3,845.00 26,440.00 Suppl.. Contracts W/Life 0.00 21,235.13 Premium Income 151,613.59 1,236,276.04 Annuities 147,766.30 3,974,381.05 Miscellaneous Income 171.47 31,954.95 Sale of Securities/Amortization -17,481.54 211,908.07 Interest for Pensions -107,137.00 -107,137.00

TOTAL INCOME $ 554,381.43 $ 7,867,067.97

EXPENSES

SEPTEMBER YEAR TO DATE

Operating Expense - Sokol Building $ 3,153.15 $ 53,179.12 Building Maintenance & Repairs 277.67 9,226.85 Rental Area Expenses 96.88 1,339.82 Property Taxes - Sokol Building 0.00 67,012.14 Depreciation Sokol Building 311.52 2,803.68 Rent for Space 1,250.00 11,250.00 Pension Plan - Print 563.14 5,068.26 Salaries - Offi ce Employees 33,833.00 329,800.70 Salaries - Editorial Employees 6,350.00 60,369.80 P/R - Taxes Employer 3,627.57 29,048.97 Hospitalization 7,621.75 99,647.46 Workmen’s Compensation Insurance -75.00 6,592.51 Pension Plan - Offi ce/Offi cers -84,521.86 96,113.36 Offi ce Expense 290.35 11,533.30 Computer Expense 16,753.75 50,919.10 Supreme Offi cers Travel 2,216.88 8,417.49 Supreme Auditors 1,050.84 10,959.12 Actuarial Expenses 4,269.00 31,775.88 Accountant Expenses 2,600.00 27,335.83 Computer Conversion-Depreciation 0.00 6,750.00 Postage-Offi ce 711.43 9,460.91 Telephone - Offi ce 400.00 4,090.00 Telephone - Editorial 74.43 659.59 Printing - Katolicky Sokol 2,550.00 26,825.00 Postage - Sokol Paper 550.00 25,225.00 Misc. Publication Expense 0.00 601.60 Other Printing 125.00 5,526.94 Legal Expenses 150.00 1,514.13 Death Benefi t Claims Paid 35,834.58 636,261.58 Cash Surrender Values Paid 18,517.87 227,386.11 Annuity Surrenders 59,361.75 1,871,587.53 Annuity Suppl. Contracts 0.00 4,653.29 Matured Endowments Paid 0.00 24,561.00 Reserve Increase 560,122.00 3,277,740.00 State Insurance Dept. Lic./Fee 0.00 12,111.31 Bank Charges - Bond Account 11,858.31 105,782.22 Supreme Offi cers Uniform Allowance 157.10 5,786.01 Dues & Subscription 2,760.00 9,243.85 Donations & Contributions 979.98 5,216.65 Clinic (Kurz) -480.00 31,994.45 National Bowling Tournament 0.00 4,678.41 National Golf Tournament 1,352.16 8,667.64 National Softball Tournament 0.00 3,300.52 Other Coaching, Insurance 0.00 3,237.93 Convention Expenses 6,250.00 57,072.70 Group Assessments Paid 12,343.92 36,816.58 Commission Expense 33,287.42 285,499.88 Annuity Commissions 4,948.05 100,472.69 Advertising/Promotions 235.00 7,681.74 Marketing Expense 1,025.50 8,09.70 Agency Expense 1,928.58 23,698.83 Board of Directors Expense 1,200.00 30,569.28 Physical Fitness Board Expense 0.00 17,710.71 Scholarship Expense 0.00 44,925.45 Salaries - Supreme Offi cers 0.00 22,815.00 Supreme Offi cers Insurance Bond 0.00 1,922.00 Fratenal Congress Expense 3,550.24 13,907.68 Local Fees/ Rebates -734.69 10,451.92 Secure Fund Interest 0.00 6,890.09 Interest Expense 3,940.71 11,704.44

TOTAL EXPENSES $ 762,667.98 $ 7,905,488.75

TOTAL INCOME (LOSS) $ -208,286.55 $ -38,420.78

ZDAR BOH! Scott T. Pogorelec, FIC Supreme Secretary Slovak Catholic Sokol

PAGE 14 SLOVAK CATHOLIC FALCON, DECEMBER 14, 2016

KIDS’ CORNER December, 2016

Christmas Jokes and Riddles

Q. What do you get if you cross Santa with a detective? A. Santa Clues

Q. What do Snowmen wear on their heads? A. Ice Caps.

Q. What is a Snowman’s favorite lunch? A. An Iceburger.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!!

Teresa Hartman 12/2 Katrina Diaz 12/5 Cole Baker 12/12 Dominic Roman 12/15

Aiden James McCoy 12/15 Riana Hoeck 12/24 Alex Diaz 12/26 Jenna Olexa 12/29 Surprise your parents and grandparents by wishing them Veselé Vianoce, Mer-

ry Christmas, in Slovak. It would mean a whole lot to them.

Veselé V ianoceJežiško

Anjelový stromstrom

sviatokvinšdar

Nový rok

ISSN: 0897-8107

Úradn¥ ™asopisSLOVENSKÉHO KATOLÍCKEHO SOKOLA

Zalo¢en¥ 15. apríla 1911 – Vychádza ka¢dú druhú stredu

Majitel« a vydavatel«:SLOVAK CATHOLIC SOKOL

Daniel F. Tanzone, redaktor Telefónne ™íslo: (973) 777-4010

V£etky ™lánky, príspevky a správy treba posielat« na adresu:Editor, Slovak Catholic Sokol, P.O. Box 899

205 Madison Street, Passaic, New Jersey 07055

SLOVENSKÝ KATOLÍCKY SOKOL, 14. DECEMBRA 2016 PAGE 15

NAVŠTÍVTE NAŠU FACEBOOK STRÁNKU

SLOVAK CATHOLIC SOKOL

(Pokračovanie zo str. 16)

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Počas štedrej večere sa pod biely ľanový obrus sa kládli pe-niaze alebo hrsť ovsa či jačmeňa, aby sa v budúcom roku rozhoj-nili. Na tento deň sa aj v časoch biedy odkladala ušetrená múka, cukor, strukoviny, mak, sušené ovocie, lekvár, med, masť na vyprážanie šišiek aj sladké víno. Večera mala obsahovať aspoň devätoro jedál. Ak bolo jedla dostatok, rodinu čakal priaznivý rok. Cez deň sa nejedlo nič, alebo len málo, pretože až do Druhého vatikánskeho koncilu v roku 1965 platil na Štedrý deň prísny pôst. Deťom rodičia za sebaza-prenie sľubovali, že večer uvidia zlatú hviezdu, krokvu alebo prasiatko. Pôstny obed zvyčajne tvorili zemiaky bez masti s ried-kou nevarenou kapustnicou. Výber štedrovečerných jedál ovplyvňoval charakter krajiny. Jedálne lístky sa rôznili v hor-ských a nížinatých oblastiach, v ovocinárskych, vinohradníckych a pastierskych regiónoch, v mes-te a na dedine. K viac-menej uni-verzálnym jedlám patrili oblátky s medom, kapustnica, zemiaky, varený hrach, fazuľa, opekance, rezance či iné cestoviny a kompót zo sušených sliviek. S rôznymi druhmi cestovín boli spojené mnohé pove-

ry. Varili sa rezance, pirohy, šúľance, halušky a najmä ope-kance, nazývané aj pupáky alebo bobaľky. Veľké pirohy a šúľance symbolizovali napríklad veľké obilné klasy. Vodu z opekancov vylievali pod ovocné stromy, aby dobre rodili. Do tradičnej ka-pustnice sa pridávali sušené hrí-by a slivky, nie mäso, pretože aj večera mala byť napriek hojnosti pôstna. Z toho istého dôvodu sa v katolíckom prostredí rozšírilo podávanie ryby. V dnešnej podobe sa začala ryba konzumovať až v minulom storočí. Dovtedy sa jedli naj-mä slané a údené ryby. Ryba je zároveň symbolom kresťanstva, odvodeným z doby starovekých prenasledovaní. Grécke slovo ichthys – ryba, znamenalo v tajnej reči kresťanov Ježiš Kristus Syn Boží Spasiteľ – Iesus Christos Th en Hyois Soter. Po rybe nasle-dovala v niektorých oblastiach “Ježiškova kašička”, čiže krupi-cová kaša, ktorú jedla celá rodina z jedného veľkého taniera. Rôzne koláče a zákusky sa pridávali až neskôr – našim predkom ich nahrádzal chlieb, ktorý bol pre nich vzácnosťou. Vianočné jedlá požívali oso-bitnú úctu. Zo štedrovečerného stola sa nemohlo nič vyhodiť, od-kladali sa aj odrobinky, ktoré vraj pomáhali, keď ochorel dobytok.

Štedrovečerný stôl symbolizuje hojnosťOplátková večera v Clift one, NJ

Spolok sv. mena Ježiš pri Kos-tole sv. Cyrila a Metoda, 235 Ackerman Avenue v Clift one, NJ usporiada v kostolnej hale v piatok 13. januára o 7.00 ho-dine večer Oplátkovú večeru. Vstupné je $25.00 za dospelých a $10.00 za deti. Lístky budú na predaj vo vestibule po sv. omšiach a na naledujúcich tele-fónnych číslach: Peter: 973-340-9078 a David: 973-546-486.

Slovenský plesv Garfi elde, NJ

Slovensko - americké kultúr-ne stredisko Vás srdečne pozýva na 24. Slovenský ples v sobotu, 25. februára 2017 v Th e Royal Manor, Garfi eld, NJ. Aj ten-tokrát pre Vás organizátori pri-pravili zaujímavý program a bo-hatú tombolu. Od 7.00 hodiny večer do 1.00 hodiny po polnoci bude “Open bar”. Do tanca bude hrať hu-dobná skupina Express. Lístky sú na predaj prostredníctvom webstránky Eventbrite “Slovak Ball 2017”, alebo kontaktujte p. Zuzanu Krčmárovu na tel. čísle 973-357-1209, alebo napíšte na emailovú adresu: SlovakA-mericanCC@gmail.com. Bližšie informácie na webovej stránke: www.slovakamericancc.

v čase globalizácie nezabúdate na svoje korene, že pestujete slovenskú reč, ktorá je odrazom slovenského myslenia, že zacho-vávate slovenskú kultúru, ktorá je obrazom vyspelosti sloven-ského národa, že zachovávate kresťanské náboženstvo, ktoré je symbolom dobra Slovákov a že vychovávate.... Vychovávate

Vianočný pozdrav z Matice slovenskejďalšiu slovenskú generáciu, ktorá zabezpečí udržateľnosť našej svojbytnosti. Zo srdca a sídla Matice slo-venskej Vám vyslovujeme za Vašu prácu i cítenie úprimné poďakovanie. Želáme Vám po-kojné a krásne Vianoce. Prežite ich s tými, ktorých milujete, ob-klopení rodinami a hojnosťou štedrovečerného stola i sŕdc.

Zuzana Pavelcová

merný pohon,“ priblížil Hoff -mann. Nová investícia bude prebiehať vo dvoch fázach. V prvej investuje spoločnosť Minebea 60 miliónov eur do spustenia výroby v roku 2018 a vytvorí 1¤100 pracovných miest. Ak všetko dobre pôjde vo výrobe aj v odbyte, spoločnosť do roku 2022 investuje ďalších 40 miliónov eur a celkovo vyt-vorí až 2-tisíc pracovných miest. Slovensko sa tak stalo súčasťou masívnych investícií spoločnosti Minebea, ktoré majú v najbližších piatich rokoch zvýšiť obrat fi rmy zo súčasných 610 miliárd jenov (6,1 miliardy eur) na 1 biliardu jenov (10 miliárd eur). Veľké investície sú na vých-ode Slovenska ojedinelé pre slabo vybudovanú diaľničnú sieť. Diaľnica medzi Bratislavou a Košicami by podľa posledných sľubov mala byť dokončená v roku 2020, až na úsek Turany – Hubová. Tento termín sa nateraz zdá reálny. V prípade automobilového priemyslu je väčšina dodávateľov sústredená na západnom Slovensku a v okolí Žiliny. Dôvodom je, že sa snažia byť čo najbližšie bratislav-skému závodu Volkswagenu, trnavskému PSA Peugeot Citro-ën, žilinskej Kii a pri meste Ni-tra budovanému závodu Jaguar Land Rover. Na východe sú dodávatelia najmä v priemyselnom parku v Kechneci. Spoločnosť GETRAG Ford Transmissions tu už od roku 2007 vyrába prevodovky do automobilov. Štát vtedy príchod nemeckého investora podporil sumou 54,5 milióna eur. Ak-tuálne v závode GETRAG Ford Transmissions pracuje podľa údajov Štatistického úradu od päťsto do tisíc zamestnancov. Ročné tržby spoločnosti boli v roku 2015 podľa údajov we-bového portálu Finstat takmer

247 miliónov eur a zisk skončil tesne nad 11 miliónmi eur. Priemyselný park v obci Ke-chnec prilákal aj taliansky kon-cern Magneti Marelli. Závod na výrobu prístrojových dosiek automobilov stál podľa údajov ministerstva hospodárstva 60 miliónov eur a štát ho podpo-ril stimulmi v sume 27,5 mil-ióna eur. V roku 2015 dosiahla spoločnosť tržby vo výške tesne nad 376 miliónov eur a dosia-hla stratu mínus 7,4 milióna eur. Podľa údajov Štatistického úradu pre Magneti Marelli pracuje päťsto až tisíc ľudí. Veľké investície priamo v Košiciach pred pár rokmi realizovali veľké spoločnosti T–Systems Slovakia a IBM. Centrá zabezpečujúce administratívne činnosti, účtov-níctvo či programovanie ne-potrebujú vybudované diaľnice. Napriek tomu musela vláda podporiť ich vznik na výcho-de Slovenska, lebo inak by fi rmy využili možnosť získania štátnych stimulov v susedných štátoch. Spoločnosť T–Systems Slovakia dostala v roku 2013 od druhej vlády Roberta Fica úľavu na daniach v celkovej výške viac ako 1,4 milióna eur a priamu podporu na vytvorenie stoviek pracovných miest takmer za 3,7 milióna eur. Na vytvorenie 150 pracovných miest čerpá daňovú úľavu vo výške 1,6 milióna eur aj spoločnosť IBM Slovensko. Slovensko má skúsenosti s japonskými investíciami. Japon-ská spoločnosť Sony v roku 2010 predala svoj nitriansky závod taiwanskej spoločnosti Foxconn. Výroba v závode vrátane televízorov Sony os-tala zachovaná a ľudia o prácu neprišli. Menej šťastia mali ľudia pracujúci v krompašskej fabrike Panasonic. Japonské vedenie sa približne pred dvoma rokmi ro-zhodlo presunúť celú výrobu do Plzne, a o prácu prišlo približne 600 ľudí.

Na východ Slovenska prichádza najväčšia investícia za uplynulú dekádu

(Pokračovanie zo str. 16)

ÚRADNÝ ČASOPIS SLOVENSKÉHO KATOLÍCKEHO SOKOLA - 30 000 ČLENOV - HLAVNÁ ÚRADOVŇA: 205 MADISON STREET, PASSAIC, NJ 07055 – www.slovakcatholicsokol.org

VOLUME CV PASSAIC, N.J., 14. DECEMBRA 2016 ČÍSLO 5084

SLOVAK CATHOLIC FALCON

Za Boha a národ For God and Nation

(Pokračovanie na str. 15)

Minister zahraničných vecí Miroslav Lajčák bude od sep-tembra 2017 do septembra 2018 šéfom 72. Valného zhromaždenia Organizácie Spojených národov. Túto funkciu bude vykonávať zároveň popri funkcii minis-tra zahraničných vecí. Lajčák to

uviedol pre médiá po r o k o v a n í vlády. Táto funkcia je procedurál-na a funguje na princípe rotácie. Slo-vensko o tú-

to funkciu prejavilo záujem už v roku 2003. 30. novembra v noci sa ukončila schvaľovacia pro-cedúra v rámci slovenskej výcho-doeurópskej skupiny. V júni by mala byť potvrdená hlasovaním vo Valnom zhromaždení. „Šéf Valného zhromaždenia OSN je človek, ktorý vedie zasad-nutia Valného zhromaždenia, dáva slovo hlavám štátov a zastu-puje členské krajiny. Táto funkcia sa vykonáva po dobu jedného roka a je to funkcia, kde sa prísne rešpektuje rotačný princíp. Je

Prvá bohatá snehová nádielka, predlžujúce sa večery, sychravé rána i silný mráz... Príroda i tým menej všímavým a uponáhľaným pripomína, že prichádza po-sledný mesiac roka, december. Uzatvára sa jeden rok. December určuje, že sme opäť o rok starší, o rok skúsenejší i múdrejší. Po-sledný mesiac v kalendári značí, že prichádza čas bi-lancie i hodnotenia toho, čím sme počas celého roka žili, čomu sme sa venovali. December je tiež mesiacom spomienok, časom citu i časom, kedy hodnotíme zmysel nášho bytia. V ňom sa snúbi doba ukončenia roka s dobou sviatkov rodiny. Je to obdobie spomalenia pracovného tempa i obdobie pre rodinu a lásku. Mnohým z nás sa k decembru viažu tie najkrajšie vianočné spomienky. Plný stôl, voňavý stromček uprostred izby, krásne červené gule z jemného

skla, oriešky, slamený koník, no najmä rodina: mama, otec, starí rodičia i dietky – všetci pri jed-nom stole, plní očakávania i ra-dosti s vnútorným presvedčením potešiť toho druhého darčekom,

ktorý preň starostlivo vy-berali. Práve Vy, naši krajania, ste si svoje zvyky odniesli z domoviny do šíreho sveta. Vo svojich srdciach ste si niesli vlastnú iden-titu, v rukách remeslo a

v hlavách múdry um. Z poko-lenia na pokolenie ste odovz-dávali najvzácnejší poklad svo-jim potomkom, aby ďalej hrdo šírili svoju kultúru, náboženstvo i históriu. Ženy sa postarali o prenos vianočnej gastronómie, muži zase o zvyky a dovedna ste spoločne zabezpečili prenos našej národnej identity. Milí naši krajania, je naozaj obdivuhodné, že aj

Vianočný pozdrav z Matice slovenskej

päť regionálnych skupín, každý rok sa striedajú a ako pravidlo skupiny nominujú jedného kan-didáta,“ vysvetlil Lajčák s tým, že zatiaľ sa iba dvakrát v dejinách VZ OSN hlasovalo. Slovensko prejavilo záujem o túto funkciu v roku 2003 a do dnešného dňa sme ostali jedinou krajinou, ktorá má záujem o tento post. Ako ďalej informoval šéf slo-venskej diplomacie, je to funk-cia, o ktorú sa nesúťaží, bola iba otázka nominácie mena. „Je to vec, ktorá je v kompetencii min-istra zahraničných vecí, ale kon-zultoval som to s prezidentom Andrejom Kiskom aj premiérom Robertom Ficom. Obaja ma požiadali, aby som túto funk-ciu vykonával,“ dodal Lajčák. Priznal, že ho čaká veľa práce, keďže bude šéfom VZ OSN a zároveň ministrom zahraničných vecí. Táto kandidatúra je iný typ kandidatúry ako bola kandi-datúra na post generálneho ta-jomníka OSN, o ktorý mal Lajčák takisto záujem, ale vo voľbe skončil druhý za Portugalčanom Antóniom Guterresom. Valné zhromaždenie OSN je jediný

hlavný orgán OSN, ktorý pozos-táva zo všetkých 193 členských štátov a tie sa striedajú na poste predsedu každý rok. V rámci OSN ide o protokolárne najvyššiu funkciu, ktorú tradične zastáva minister zahraničných vecí ale-bo iná medzinárodne uznávaná osobnosť z krajiny, ktorá je na rade prevziať predsedníctvo VZ OSN. O podpore tejto kandi-datúry hovorí aj Programové vyhlásenie vlády. Predseda VZ OSN organizu-je podujatia na najvyššej úrov-ni k aktuálnym témam, často tiež k otázkam, na ktorých sa Bezpečnostná rada OSN nie je schopná dohodnúť. Aktívne spolupracuje s ďalšími medz-inárodnými organizáciami, re-gionálnymi a záujmovými zos-kupeniami, reprezentuje OSN navonok, komunikuje s média-mi, občianskou spoločnosťou, súkromným sektorom a širo-kou verejnosťou. Slovenská republika a predtým ani Československo tento post ešte nezastávali. Niektoré krajiny sa hlásia na túto pozíciu aj viac ako 50 rokov vopred. Slovensko čakalo na túto pozíciu od roku 2003, keď predložilo túto kandi-datúru. Slovensko sa taktiež zaujíma aj o miesto v Rade OSN pre ľudské práva, a to na funkčné obdobie 2018 – 2020, voľby sa budú konať budúci rok, pričom sú dvaja kandidáti na dve uvoľnené mi-esta. Pokiaľ ide o miesto medzi nestálymi členmi Bezpečnostnej rady OSN, tam máme záujem byť jej členmi v rokoch 2028 – 2029. Tieto kandidatúry sa rozbiehajú s veľkým predstihom. Slovensko už v Bezpečnostnej rade OSN pôsobilo, a to v ro-koch 2006 až 2007. Pôsobili sme aj v Rade OSN pre ľudské práva (2008 – 2011) a v Hospodárskej a sociálnej rade (ECOSOC) v rokoch 2010 – 2012, pričom v poslednom roku sme jej aj predsedali. - SITA

Minister Miroslav Lajčák bude šéfom Valného zhromaždenia OSN

Najmenej 1 100 pracovných miest vytvorí v Košiciach japon-ská fi rma Minebea. Dodávateľ pre automobilový priemysel začne stavať závod na budúci rok. Výroba sa spustí o dva roky. V prípade japonskej investície východné Slovensko v priamom súboji porazilo Rumunsko, ktoré má lacnejšiu pracovnú silu. “Slovensko nie je síce lacné, ale má lepšie podmienky a najmä kvalifi kovanú pracovnú silu,“ povedal 2. decembra v Košiciach Jörg Hoff mann, výkonný riaditeľ spoločnosti Minebea. Japonci nemajú záujem len o jednoduchú montáž. “Pre nás je dôležité, že japonský investor

Prajeme Vám požehnané a veselé Vianoce!

Na východ Slovenska prichádza najväčšia investícia za uplynulú dekádu

má záujem rozbehnúť u nás výs-kum aj vývoj. Z tohto dôvodu sa už kontaktoval s košickou Tech-nickou univerzitou,“ povedal slovenský premiér Robert Fico. Továreň japonskej spoločnosti bude stáť neďaleko košického letiska v priemyselnom parku Immopark. „S rozbehnutím výstavby počítame už v apríli budúceho roka a produkcia výrobkov je naplánovaná na rok 2018. V Košiciach sa sústredíme na dva sektory. Výrobu akumu-látorov, motorov, ventilátorov a podsvietenia LCD obrazoviek pre automobilový priemysel a výrobu motorov na jednos-

(Pokračovanie na str. 15)