Fraternity-Testvériség, 2001 (79. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
2001-07-01 / 3. szám
Page 4 TESTVÉRISÉG 0% Greeting from i£e öxecuiiue director ofi£e Oftetlifen Jfome Dear Members and Friends of the HRFA, Dear Members of the Bethlen Home, “The Lord says, ‘Do not cling to the past or dwell on what happened long ago. Watch for the new thing I am going to do. It is happening already -you can see it now!”' Isaiah 43:18-19 The above passage of Scripture comes to mind as we look back upon the wonderful events of this, now concluding, 80th Anniversary year. Throughout 2001, residents, supporters and staff of the Bethlen Home have found many ways to celebrate the good memories of the past. The year long celebration culminated on October 27th and 28th, when many came to Ligonier and to the First Hungarian Reformed Church in Pittsburgh for one more round of reunions and one more opportunity to thank God for the many blessings He has shared with us through the life and ministry of the Bethlen Home. The former residents of the Orphans’ Home: front row 1. to r: Joseph Balogh (Michigan), Desider Tarkanyi (Michigan), Ron Cosentino (Georgia), Des Hadhazy (Texas), Lydia (Shuto) Murdock (New York), Steve Balazs (Indiana), and Geraldine (Waugh) Haynes (Texas). Back row 1. to r.: Dr. George Grof-Tisza (Pennsylvania) and his brother Joseph Grof-Tisza (New Jersey). A very special part of the Anniversary celebration occurred on Saturday evening at our Anniverary banquet. Dr. Imre Bertalan delivered the inspirational keynote address, Mr. George Dózsa, Chairman of the Bethlen Home’s Board of Directors, introduced a group of former residents of the Children’s Home, who had attended a reunion earlier in the day. The former residents were offered the opportunity to address the gathering, and several did. They all expressed their gratitude to God for having been blessed with the opportunity to live at the Bethlen Home during a time of their family’s need. The residents’ personal accounts, of course, were very emotional for all of us. Here was first hand testimony of the success of the Bethlen Home’s mission over the years. But even as these now middle aged or older former residents reflected back upon their childhoods, each one was making a commitment to the future of the Bethlen Home. And I couldn’t help but echo in my heart, God’s prophecy, found in the Book of Isaiah: “Watch for the new thing I am going to do. It is happening already - you can see it now!” And, dear Friends, it is happening already. Increasingly it looks as though construction of the new Bethlen Nursing Home will begin in late spring or early summer. Meanwhile, the present nursing home continues to provide the fine care we have known in the past. Ligonier Gardens, our new personal care facility, is nearly full and fulfilling its mission well, while residents of both our Retirement Village and the Bethlen Apartment complex are happy. In addition, our new language and cultural programs are being planned to begin in 2002, as well as the increased emphasis at the Bethlen Home on Hungarian Reformed Church meetings and retreats. So I thank you, our many Supporters and Friends, on behalf of the Bethlen Home’s residents, Board of Directors and staff. Thank you for your spiritual and financial support during this 80th Anniversary year. In the weeks ahead, may we all worship God in the spirit of Thanksgiving and in the joy of Christmas, being ever mindful of the “new things God is going to do. They are happening already - may we all see these blessings now!” In Christ, With Love, Rev. Imre A. Bertalan L. to r.: Joseph Kecskemethy, son of the late Rev. Joseph Kecskemethy, former Director of the Bethlen Home, Rev. Imre A. Bertalan, Executive Director of the Bethlen Home, and George Varga, son of the late Rev. Louis Varga, former Superintendent of the Old Age Home. Photograph taken on the occasion of the 80th Anniversary of the Bethlen Home. Photos by Michael Pauli, Jr.
