Fraternity-Testvériség, 1990 (68. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
1990-07-01 / 3-4. szám
Page 16 TESTVÉRISÉG ság a kommunista uralom alatt lélekszámában nagyon elfogyott, s anyagilag is erősen megroppant. Ennek ellenére olyan áldozathozatalokkal találkozunk, amely több, mint megható. Kérünk azért tisztelettel Benneteket, hogy támogassátok adományaitokkal is ősi iskolánk újra indulását. Kövy Zsolt szervező kollégiumi igazgató A dunántúli református magyar ifjúság nevelésére hívatott ősi pápai kollégium újraindításának ügyét szeretettel ajánljuk egyesületünk tagjai adakozó szeretetébe. Pápa, Patak, Debrecen századokon keresztül nevelték a fővárostól messzefekvő városok és falvak vezetésére hívatott ifjúságot. Ma erre a szolgálatra nagyobb szükség van, mint valaha. Az adományokat erre a címre küldjük: Pápa Fund c/o Rev. Denes Tamas RT 1, Box 71 Jane Lew, W.VA 26378 THE OLD GLORY OF LIGONIER WILL NOT FADE AWAY As the years go by, there will be more and more wrinkles on our faces and the hair on our head will turn to white. Wrinkled faces and snow-white hair will indicate that we just cannot stop time. Sooner or later we become old, however, for most of us the memory of our childhood is always vivid. During the "Golden Age" (aranykor) of the Children Home of Ligonier, there were many of those who were raised here, and when they graduated from High School, they went out on their own. The Bethlen Home always gave the utmost for the children who were raised here, because the Motto of the Home was LOVE, Christian love. Most of them could never forget what the Bethlen Home and the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America did for them. Many of the alumni of Bethlen Home visit or pay homage to the Bethlen Home, visiting the little cemetery of Ligonier, which is now the resting place of many of those faithful workers who sacrificed the time, talent and love for the children. Those who cannot come, send messages about their life. It is so rewarding when we get such a letter, because we feel that our time, talent and love were not wasted. The following letter which we received in May 1990 is a proof of our love: Dear Rev. Kovács: In the Bethlen Home, Rev. & Mrs. Kalassay were the Supervisors or "Apuka and Anyuka", as we all called them. I want to take this opportunity to thank the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America for having an Institution for Orphan Children that had a "Home" where we were taught and cared for well and where we learned many things. We were like one BIG FAMILY. We learned Religion, History, Songs, Language — Friendship and many things more than I can think of. I think I left the Home in July 1931 (I don't remember the date, may be it might be on my record there), I married on January 21, 1933, then I brought my brother George out to live with us. I was there for around 9 years, my brother for about 12. Rev. and Mrs. Kalassay were also there when I left the Home. They were also very nice people. Oh yes, I still correspond and talk to some of the kids I grew up with and who are "Adults" now. We sure have good memories of the Home. Yes, we had to have discipline too, we had to try to take orders or get punished which we all deserved. Another good thing was that the brothers and sisters grew up together, they were not separated and made many many good friends. My son Peter Jr. and I paid a visit to the Home sometime in the 1980's. I gave $200 in memory of my brother. Now, of course, you have a Nursing and Regular Home for the Aged, which is also great. Thank you again — there are not enough words to say that we appreciated being taken care of when we had no one else. I still remember how to read, write and talk Hungarian. Thanks again. Would you have any group pictures from 1923 to 1931? Maybe you could have copies made. I would appreciate some. Köszönöm szépen. Take care and God bless you all. Sok szerencsét—szeretettel, Rose Kalapács Karo. God bless you Mrs. Karo—we are proud of you. Rev. Zoltán A. Kovács, Chaplain, Bethlen Home
