Bethlen Naptár, 1980 (Ligonier)
Egyesült Államok - The United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A.
1980 141 using the English language almost always, because most of our first generation members have died. Only on the 3 principal feast days we have a few elderly brethren attending the Hungarian worship service. Even the majority of the second generation are in retirement. We have no young people. As the result of many mixed marriages the children and grandchildren of our members were not raised in our faith because the Roman Catholic population in this city is 98%. 1979 began with the funeral of our Grand Old Man, the late Honorable John R. Pillion, born from Hungarian parents in this congregation. He was a lawyer, judge and a member of the U.S. Congress as the Representative of the 39th District. He passed away on December 31st, 1978, at the age of 74. His parents were charter members of this congregation and he was a great benefactor of the church and of the pastor’s family in several ways. On account of a massive brain hemorrhage he spent the last 10 years of his life in a nursing home. It is highly probable, that his ancestors had been French Huguenots who during the religious persecutions toward the end of the 17th century fled to Hungary. We believe that he was the only one of Hungarian origin in our area who became a member of the Congress of the U.S.A. His funeral service was held in our church on January 3rd, 1979 with the participation of many important persons of public life. There was a terrible snowstorm on that day and the roads to and in the cemetery were reopened only 4 days afer, when we laid his earthly remains to rest. We were proud of him and his memory is blessed among us. The Session or Church Council has 8 members. The chief elder is Mr. Stephen Paar for more than 10 years. Our Treasurer, Mr. Stephen Posster holds this office for 40 years with faithfulness. To our deep regret he plans to resign at the end of 1979. He is 70 years old. Our Clerk or Secretary, Mr. Paul Mendy and our elders Mr. Louis S. Basty, Mr. Frank Syposs and Mr. Joseph Tóth are members of the Church Council for several decades. The activity of the “Susan Lorantffy” Ladies’ Aid Society has significantly increased and helps the church financially. The Officers are: Mrs. Margaret Mandy president, Mrs. Irene DePasquale vice president, Mrs. Elizabeth Dvornski treasurer and Mrs. Mary B. Wesley-Wesselenyi, the pastor’s wife is the secretary. In the Sunday School we have only 5 children. The pastor’s wife and daughter-in-law, Mrs. Carol Ann Wesselényi teach the children in two groups. We use the Pledge System for supporting our church in the last 20 years. Our income in 1978 was $10,259.00. The average giving was $179.99 per person. The church is supported purely by offerings and suppers. The Ladies Aid Society holds 2 card parties each year. Our members live in 10 neighboring municipalities outside of Lackawanna. There are several members who are not even of Hungarian origin, yet very active. The pastor’s 75th birthday surprise party was held in the home of his daughter Margaret. About 50 guests overwhelmed the pastor with valuable gifts. The children of the pastor are in fine positions. Nicholas is one of
