Verhovayak Lapja, 1945 (28. évfolyam, 1-52. szám)
1945 / Verhovay Journal
TheTHIRTEENTH STATION’’ Dedicated to The Verhovay Qold Star Mothers at Easter Time — Page 6 Holy week is here and there’s a dull hush over everything-----sort of an expectant hush which accompanies our attempt to reenact and relieve in our imagination the events of Christ’s Passion and Crucifixion after which came the glorious Ressurection on Easter Sunday. The Resurrection is typified annualy by the seasonal change in Nature by the budding of trees: the awakening of the flowers: a lovely promise of a Resurrection. As we go to the Holy Week Services at our Church, we recall the following incidents leading up to and during Christ’s sorrowful journey to Calvary: 1. Jesus is Condemned to Death. 2. Jesus is Laden with the ■Cross. 3. Jesus Falls the First Time Under the Cross. 4. Jesus meets His Afflicted Mother. 5. The Cyrenian Helps Jesus to Carry His Cross 6. Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus 7. Jesus Falls the Second Time 8. Jesus Speaks to the Women of Jerusalem 9. Jesus Falls the Third Time. 10. Jesus is Stripped of his Garments 11. Jesus is Nailed to the Cross 12 Jesus Dies on the Cross 13f JESUS IS TAKEN DOWN FROM THE CROSS 14 Jesus Is Placed in the Sep ulcher When we recall all those incidents, we are particularly impressed with Christ’s humility and uncomplaining attitude and His Mother’s patient resignation to GOD’S HOLY WILL “At the cross her station keeping Stood the mournful mother weeping Close to Jesus to the last.” All this brings to my mind a beautiful an inspiring story--------a story full of emotion and consolation—------a story very timely and seasonal in a two fold way. It happened in a village in Austria in World War I. The character were a wood carver (a real expert in his art): his wife a son and a daughter. In their village the faithful made the devotions at the Stations of the Cross in a unique fashion. For at the gates of certain designated families were erected huge pictorial reproductions of the fourteen stations. The family of our story had the thirteenth station, or “PIETA”, for their assignment. As the small and large, young and old folks of the village gathered for their Lenten devotions, they marched from one scene to the other making their meditations and reciting their prayers. The wood-carver of this story was getting old and he wished to leave behind a great object of art. He decided that the thirteenth station (which depicts the picture of the body of Christ having been taken from the cross and placed in his mother’s arms) would be a fitting contribution to his community. He knew that with great patience he could make his final work his masterpiece. He labored for two years in completing the wood carving of the life-size body of Christ. During this time he planned and instructed his son, who was to take over his father’s life work, ter prepare to carve the figure of Mary to complete the scene of the “PIETA” The very evening that the old man’s work was completed, War was declared and the son marched off to fight. On his first furlough he was so enthusiastic about firearms and fighting that his father feared that the great work of art may not be completed due to a possible loss of interest by the soldier son. But it was worse than that. His premonitions were made a reality when a message came from the War Department that the boy had been killed in action. Soon the old man died, too. The daughter and mother were unconsolable in their double grief. The mother during her frequent prayers sobbed and said she couldn’t understand why SHE should be dealt such a blow with the loss of both her husband and son. One day, however, quite some time later, in the workshop she uncovered the unfinished “PIETA” which had been stored “for the duration” waiting for the son who would not now return to complete it. A sudden inspiration came to her------—that Jesus was alone and that she should do something about it. So she and her daughter placed the unfinished station over the old man’s grave on the hillside and she took the place of Mary to complete the scene. Every day she did this, for she thought, “Mary is out on the battlefields looking out for all mothers’ sons who pray to her. So I can look out for her Son in this representation of the thirteenth station.” The old woman gradually began to realize that others too have grief just as deep as hers and she now fully understood that Mary’s sorrow and grief had certainly been most profound on Calvary on that Good Friday so many years ago. i Needless to say, the villagers [ marvelled at the wonderful master- I piece and rerouted their devotional procession past the new Pieta. Much piety was the result. All this brought much consolation to the wood-carver’s widow.. So like this Austrian woman, all the grief-stricken mothers of today’s heroes at this Easter-time likewise can best find consolation and courage in their prayers and by letting their thoughts wander back over centuries to the Holy Woman named Mary who suffered heart-ache when her Son made the SUPREME SACRIFICE for Humanity. By Margaret Yargo Jozik Branch 395 McKeesport,Pennsylvania THE HOMESTEAD MERRY-GO-ROUND By BRANCH 430 Corpwilliam C. Kohut Verhovay Journal_________ ,March 28, 1945 PITTSBURGH NEWS FRONT: We cannot overlook the excellent work being performed by Mrs. Stephen Mazura, Chairman of the American Hungarian War Bond Committee of Western Pennsylvania. The recent bond drives which she has supervised have been highly successful and these successes have come only after diligent, consistent and untiring effort. Mrs. Mazura and her aides are to be highly commended for the importont role they played in the success of their recent bond drives. On March 19tli, into Pittsburgh poured the faithful, persevering members of the Verhovay Directorate. They came from law offices, from industrial plants and from other miscellaneous walks of life. They are truly representative of the Verhovay rank and file. And as typical Verhovay members, their sole interest in Verhovay life is to further the progress of the Association in every possible way. We trust that the present deliberations and discussions of our Directors will lead to a stronger and better Verhovay Association. MILITARY VIEWS FROM EVERYWHERE: T/Sgt. Joseph J. Botka, son of Rev. and Mrs. Joseph Botka of Bridgeport, Conn. and New Castle, Pa. is experiencing plenty of action on the Western Front as a member of an ordnance crew. Joe, a youngster of 25, helps maintain the Army’s heavy trucks and huge artillery pieces. He has been in the Army almost three years and* has been overseas for one year. Our young Verhovay member, fiance of Miss Margaret Nemeth of 551 Hisel Street, Homestead, recently wrote about reaching the Rhine in Germany with General Simpson’s 9th Army Group. Best wishes and loads of luck to you, Joe, and for heaven’s sake please keep those vehicles moving—towards Berlin! # sj: sjs A V-mail arrived last week from quiet, studious Pfc Wm. J. Cherwak, who is now in France awaiting transfer to the Infantry. Bill writes, “Since I passed my physical examination for the infantry, I have been cleaning up on my junk. You know, letters, books, etc. that I can no longer carry along with me. Excess weight. The last Xmas Holidays and New Years weren’t so good. And by Easter I’ll be in the infantry.” I take it from Bill’s remarks that he was caught in the quick German counteroffensive into Belgium and Luxembourg in December of last year. Our hats are off to you and your kind, Bill. The infantry is without question the toughest and most rugged branch of the Army. Good luck! * # * Pvt. James P. Vajda, Army Air Force, is nearing completion of his studies as radio operator at Truax Field, Madison, Wisconsin ... — Pvt. George Perenyi, 9th Ave., Homestead, keeping pace with the fighting fifteen station Homeon the Western Front as a member of an anti-aircraft battery...'. — Cpl. Johnny Katrincsak of W. Homestead, now in the Philippines with the Army Air Force as a gunner aboard one of our big bombers ... — Pvt. Bill Pastor, West St. Munhall, Pa., arrived at his new destination—North Africa, He’s a gunner aboard one of our bombers in the European Theater. — Pvt. Albert Kasmer, 14 th Avenue, undergoing strenuous infantry training at Camp Blanding, Florida. He is scheduled to return to an Army school after completing present training . . . — His brother, Steve, U. S. Navy, arrived home after a four day trip from the Coast. Steve was in on the Philipppines Invasion and other naval thrusts in the Pacific ... — Pfc. Nick Pastor, West St., Munhall, with the Signal Corps in the Pacific Theater of Operations, presently ill and hospitalized—has seen some bitter fighting with Japs.... — Cpl. John Gyure, MP, writing from Alaska, states evenings taken up going to movies — nothing else of interest there.... — Pvt. Andy Timko, veteran of General Patton’s 3rd Army, was home from convalescent camp, Atterbury, Indiana, for days. He returned to Thursday, March 15th Mike Vajda, 12th Ave., stead, continues to “strike up the band” way down in New Mexico... Several weeks ago he spent short furlough with his wife and daughter ... — Sgt. Daniel Kontra, Terrace, veteran of battles of New Georgia and New Guinea, killed in action on Luzon, January 22nd ... — 1st Lt. Andy Somiak and his brother Steve of Homestead, both with the Third Army . . trust you two meet shortly . . . Joe Matta and George “Bo” Bochoras reported in Philippines making life miserable for the lowly Japs.. — Steve “Drupe” Sipos has been on the move all over France and Belgium ... looks forward to his eventual return to “heaven” — The States . . . — Sailor Frank Zadory, 18th Ave., is out in the Pacific on an aircraft carrier . . . might even be in on the Tokyo bombing run . . . our old member Ernie Ladanyi, Coxswain, continues to ride the LCI. . . will soon be looked upon as an authority on their construction and general behavior ... — Bill Ruskay reports from somewhere in Belgium, observed the remains of Aachen and scanned the intricate fortifications of the Siegfried Line.... Bob Toboz, Hazelwood, recently reported back to Camp Pinedale in California . . . might be going places soon. MISCELLANEOUS BRIEFS: Mrs. Elizabeth Toth Black, N. Braddock, was discharged from the Braddock General Hospital on March 4th after having undergone an appendectomy. The members join me in wishing our good member a speedy recovery and return to her work. * # * I believe it would be highly advisable for Verhovay Directors RUDY M. KASPAR S/l Chicago Branch 503 Rudy was inducted on May 15, 1943. He completed his “boot” training at Great Lakes Naval Training Station. Further training was had at the Naval Amphibious Base at Fort Pierce, Florida. He was stationed at San Diego, at the time we received this picture. His wife, the former Elsie Kerekes, resides at 4741 W. Ohio Street. and Home Office Big-Wigs to consider at some future meeting the possibility of incorporating with premium rates the five cents monthly branch fee. Current rate books necessitate the adding of the five cents to the premiums quoted. Needless to say, much uncertainty and needless questions would be eliminated by the enactment of this proposed change. I am quite sure that all district organizers as well as others occupied with organizing work would welcome some such change. * ■* * Branch 89 can lay claim to a very versatile and active member. He is John Katrincsak of W. 8th Avenue, West Homestead. Mr. Katrincsak in addition to his regular work with the P&LE Railroad is choirmaster, teacher and Kantor for several churches in the McKeesport-Duquesne area. His work with the children is of special value at these churches and has attracted wide attention. Many more of his kind are needed in our clubs, meetings and religious bodies. Some years ago his activities were centered in Homestead and that period could well be looked upon as a “Renaissance’ ’greatly in contrast to present condition of inactively. We heartily congratulate Mr. Katrincsak upon his past and accomplishment. The conquest of the human mind is more difficult than the conquest of matter. Men can be more obstinate. Sir Norman Angell TO THE CONTRIBUTORS The next issue of the Journal will be published on Wednesday, April 11. Contributions for that issue should be in not later than April 4, Wednesday. Contributions should be typewritten, on one side of the paper only, double-spaced, and not exceed 1200 words, or 6,000 letters. Address contributions to VERHOVAY JOURNAL, ENGLISH SECTION, 345 Fourth Ave., Pittsburgh 22, Pa.
