Bethlen Naptár, 1953 (Ligonier)
Life in our Bethlen Home
230 BETHLEN NAPTÁR LIFE IN OUR BETHLEN HOME 1948-1952 By Joseph Kecskemethy, Superintendent (From the Report Read at the Quadrennial Convention of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America) It has been our desire and our aim during the past four years, from convention to convention to make the Bethlen Home veritably a home of love and charity through our daily prayers, our goals, our loving care of old folks and children alike, and through honest stewardship in the management and direction of all our physical and spiritual benefits. Our executive bodies — the Supreme Council, the Board of Managers and the Board of Directors — worked hand-in-hand with the officers and staff of the Bethlen Home in order to reach this high standard. Our primary aim has always been that the Bethlen Home reach the pinnacle of its calling, the dream of its founders and supporters: that it be a mother to the orphan, an open door that promises peace and contentment within for the weary traveler and solace to the sorrowful and aged, an inviting home for those who need sustenance and care. Just how we have tried to reach and maintain these standards, what the results of our work have been during these past four years, will be found in the following report: OUR CHILDREN During this quadrennium the Bethlen Home has cared for 67 children: 42 boys and 25 girls. Of these children, 60 were of the Reformed faith, 3 were Lutherans, while 4 were Roman Catholics; 16 were full orphans, 36 were half orphans, 15 were from broken homes. 26 of our children were displaced persons, of whom 13 have left for permanent homes. 15 children attended high school, while 49 were enrolled in the grade school, and 3 were of pre-school age. In four years 38 children left the institution, leaving in our care 29 children: 13 boys and 16 girls. Of the children now living at the Bethlen Home, 27 are of the Reformed faith, 1 is a Lutheran and 1 is a Roman Catholic; 4 are full orphans, 18 are half orphans and 7 are from broken homes. 4 of our children attend the local high school and 24 go to the grade school, while 1 is of pre-school age. Of the children now at the Bethlen Home, 13 are displaced persons: 5 boys and 8 girls.
