Fraternity-Testvériség, 1988 (66. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
1988-10-01 / 4. szám
FRATERNITY Page 3 FROM THE PRESIDENT’S CORNER The 33rd Quadrennial Convention of the HRFA is now almost history. Although it is the highest legislative body of the HRFA, to me it seemed like a long-awaited family reunion. There was time for serious business and yet ample time was left for friendship and relaxation. It lives on in our memory as a cherished and inspiring occasion. As in the past, the Convention was held in Ligonier, Pennsylvania, at our Bethlen Home. It began on Mt. Moriah, on Monday morning, in the Bethlen Chapel— the little white church—simple in its structure and hallowed by the many prayers of those who went before us. It was there that we received the word of God to light our path and guide us through the discussions and decisions of the next five days. Sermons were delivered by Rev. Dr. Eva Fabian and Rev. Sándor Farkas. Participating in the service were William B. Puskas, Joseph F. Tegze, Rev. Paul Kovács, Rev. Zoltán Kovács, Rev. Imre Bertalan, and Priscilla Hunyady as organist. Following the opening service, a dedication ceremony, with prayers of thanksgiving offered by Rev. Miklós Novak, was held in front of the "Székely Kapu" leading to the retirement village which was completed since the last Convention. This was also a symbolic act—a new village being dedicated at a time when ancient Hungarian villages in Transylvania are being wiped from the face of the earth. On the steps of the new entrance to the Bethlen Home prayers were offered by Rev. Gabor Nitsch for the inhabitants of the Home; for the healing ministry of physicians and nurses; for the daily work of the Administrator and his staff. The accomplishments of the past four years were recalled by Honorary Vice President William Szuch. Ground-breaking ceremony was held for the Bethlen Museum & Archives building—a permanent structure to house the richest material of the Hungarian immigration into the United States and Canada. Rev. Paul Kantor asked God's blessings on this project. On Monday evening the banquet was opened with a prayer by Honorary Vice President, Rev. Dr. Stephen Szabó. Warm greetings were then extended by the representatives of churches and societies. Bishop Zoltán Király, Calvin Synod, and Rev. Stefan Torok, who represented Bishop Andrew Harsanyi, Hungarian Reformed Church of America, and Rev. Sándor Jalso, Presbyterian Conference, were joined by Father István Mustos, representative of the Roman Catholic Church, and Rev. Gabor Brachna of the Lutheran Conference, in wishing us a successful convention. It was a heart-warming experience to hear the denominational leaders refer to the Federation as "their own", which reflects the fact that our society is a veritable treasure shared by people of all faiths. During the course of the evening, fraternal greetings were extended by the Mayor of Ligonier, J. Clifford Naugle; Honorary Executive Vice President, László L. Eszenyi; National President of the William Penn Association, Stephen G. Danko, and President of the Pennsylvania Fraternal Congress, Elmer E. Vargo. Representatives of various organizations were introduced by the M.C. of the evening, Rev. Paul Kovács, Administrator of the Bethlen Home. Branch Managers and delegates who had served the Federation for an average of 30 years were honored. Without their love and commitment our Federation would not have become what it is today— by name, identity and purpose a truly Hungarian- American fraternal society which gathered its members from four generations across the United States and Canada. Greetings were also extended to those who attended the Convention for the first time. The fact that they were chosen by their branches is the best indication of their quality. The work began on Tuesday morning. The tone of the discussions was set by the reports of the National Officers and Advisors that were mailed to the delegates prior to the Convention. From the financial point of view the Federation has progressed very well. We are enjoying increasing assets; not only admitted assets increased, but the solvency ratio and the liquidity ratio reached an all time high and profit from operations was substantial. As a result, the Federation enjoys a healthy, strong and solvent financial base. The Home Office of the Federation in Washington, D.C., the Kossuth House, became an asset to the Federation and is now a landmark of the Hungarian- American presence in the nation's capital. The delegates were divided into three committees which met on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday to study the reports of the National Officers and Advisors. From these meetings came important recommendations that were discussed and acted upon at the Plenary Sessions.
