Bethlen Naptár, 1957 (Ligonier)
To Our New Generations
208 BETHLEN NAPTÁR Though requiring additional physical and mental strain, the Bethlen Home opened its doors to the children of members of our Federation during the past three summers. These summer sessions proved to be most valuable and happy experiences for pupils and teachers alike. In addition to promoting good-will, they nurtured the faith of our children, love of their country, and stimulated an interest in the land of their extraction. During the summer of 1954, there was an enrollment of 28 children above the permanent enrollment, in 1955 the enrollment jumped to 48, and in 1956 we enrolled 32 children. The value in these sessions lay in the fact that we were able to serve second and third generations of our Hungarian Reformed Churches as well as new Americans. Our course of study included religion, Hungarian reading, writing, history and geography; Hungarian crafts, drawing and music. With an adequate staff it is our wish to continue these summer sessions and thus continue promoting interest in, and good will toward, our Bethlen Home. Our old people’s department is an ever-growing one. Since more and more of our first generation folks are becoming eligible for their pensions and social security benefits, and since Christian stewardship is being ever more actively exercised by our 110 supporting churches, the enrollment in the old people’s home is steadily rising. These old people, who for one reason or another, cannot fit into the life-pattern of their children and grandchildren, or are left without anyone to care for them, find a good home here, where they can spend the twilight of their lives among people of their own race and faith. In the Bethlen Home they are well cared for — they eat Hungarian foods to which they had become accustomed throughout a lifetime; they worship in their own language in the church of their faith; they live in clean, modern, adequate rooms; they receive excellent medical and nursing care. Their few remaining years are spent in quiet contentment. 467 old people have found a home in our institu-Dancing Group in the Summer School of the Bethlen Home.
