William Penn Life, 2007 (42. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2007-09-01 / 9. szám
Magyar Matters Habitat for Humanity breaks ground for latest housing project in Hungary from The Budapest Sun HAJDÚBÖSZÖRMÉNY, Hungary ~ The Town of Hajdúböszörmény, located in Hajdú-Bihar County in northeastern Hungary, and Habitat for Humanity Hungary staged a formal ground-breaking ceremony on Aug 15 marking the beginning of construction of a new housing project. Construction proper of what Habitat described as "new, simple, decent, and affordable homes for eight local families" was scheduled to start in late August. The families expect to move into their new homes on Alföld Street in June 2008. Each of the families will devote 1,200 hours of their own work to the building of their new homes. "Habitat for Humanity builds almost exclusively with volunteer labor, and our program is supported by numerous individuals and organizations," said András Szekér, Habitat's donor relations manager. Construction will be financed by Habitat for Humanity, and the families will buy their new homes with long-term, subsidized mortgages. Habitat for Humanity says these solutions enable it to provide families in need with new homes at a price well below their market value. Its stated mission is the elimination of poverty housing worldwide. Habitat for Humanity Hungary was established in 1996, and has worked with 141 families at six different locations since that date. "We are launching our new construction program in Hajdúböszörmény in close co-operation with the town,"explained Szekér. "The municipality provides free land for our houses and takes over several tasks related to running the program." Passaic parish bids pastor fond farewell PASSAIC, NJ - More than 240 parishioners of St. Stephen Parish here gathered June 17 to say goodby to their pastor, the Rev. Stephen Mustos,who has guided their parish since 1990. Father Mustos, who officially retired on June 20, returned to his native Hungary. Serving as main celebrant at the farewell Mass was the Rev. Barnabas Kiss of Detroit. Four additional priests and friends of Father Mustos served as co-celebrants. Father Mustos, confined to a wheelchair following hip and ankle surgery, was wheeled up the center aisle of the church between rows of Hungarian scouts and to applause from the congregation. At the end of Mass, Father Mustos offered the final blessing then led the procession out of church and to the Cardinal Mindszenty Cultural Center for a reception. Father Mustos began his life as a priest with his ordination in 1958. He taught math and physics at Canisius College in Buffalo and at the local Piarist high school. He served as headmaster at Devon Preparatory School in Devon, Pa., from 1969 to 1987 and as chaplain of St. Stephen Parish in Trenton, N.J., from 1987 to 1990. He served as the U.S. delegate to Bishop Attila Miklósházy, chaplain of the North American Region of the Hungarian Knights of Malta, member of the Grand Council of the Hungarian Scout Association in Exteris, N.J., and president of the Eastern Division of the Hungarian-American Priests Association. Those interested in sending Father Mustos their best wishes can write to him at: Országos Papi Otthon, 8000 Székesfehérvár, Petőfi ú2, Hungary, Europe. In Brief Hungary agrees to accept Cuban political refugees BUDAPEST - Budapest will provide refuge to 29 Cuban political refugees currently living on the U.S. base in Guantanamo, Hungarian daily Népszabadság reported Aug 21. According to the paper, the offer is a result of Hungarian-U.S. talks. The Cubans are not connected to prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay. The Cuban Foreign Ministry strongly criticized Hungary in a statement released Aug 22, branding Hungary an American “lackey,” saying “the Hungarian government is taking action as an accomplice of the American empire.” The Hungarian Foreign Ministry responded to the criticism saying that the Cubans’ had used “a sharp tone unacceptable in diplomacy.” Thieves attempt to steal bridge BUDAPEST - Thieves attempted to dissemble and steal an entire railway bridge near the Austrian border at Pinkamindszent, located about 124 miles west of Budapest. The thieves had almost succeeded, when they were caught redhanded by the local mayor, István Csiszár. The bridge—which spans a distance of about 30 feet-had been closed since 1962. Presumably this was the inspiration for the thieves, who planned to sell the metal parts to the nearby waste collecting and recycling plant. Police have arrested one of the thieves, who had already damaged the bridge with a cutting torch, cutting at least one ton of iron from it. William Penn Life, September 2007 9
