Fraternity-Testvériség, 1981 (59. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)

1981-04-01 / 2-3. szám

PAUL KOVÁCS:

THANK OUR LORD

On September 6th, 1981, our Bethlen Chapel was filled with Presbyters and Ministers representing our Hungarian Churches — we had a time together to recognize that God is Supreme from Whom every perfect gift does come.

We have given thanks for the 60 years service our charitable Institution, the Bethlen Home is providing. We recalled the founders and builders, as we were counting God’s blessings who time to time, year by year provided for us and never left us.

It is not my task to give a detailed account of the heroic endeavor throughout the years because in this issue of the Fraternity all of it will be recorded, in chronological order. However let me just pause a second to remember those whole-hearted Charter members of the Hungarian Reformed Federation who founded the Bethlen Home in 1921.

Among these I recall the first director of the orphan’s home and his wife whose memories are blessed among us, Dr. andd Mrs. Alexander Kalassay. After the orphans’ home was founded, very soon it became apparent that in addition to the orphans’ home there were many erderly members of the Federation and others who needed a shelter in Christian fellowship. Consequently the Federation assumed additional responsibility to provide care for the aged with love and compassion. With the desire to add more meaning to life and not just years, they purchased a farm in the early 20’s and in the farmhouses with about 20 rooms the “old people’s home” was founded.

Years went by under the effective leadership of Directors and supervisors of the Bethlen Home, growing into the most modern healthcare facility, providing charitable care for the young and elderly. Through the dedicated life and service, Dr. Alexander Kalassay,Dr. Louis Nanassy, Rev. Alexander Mircse, Rev. Joseph Kecskemethy, Rev. Alexander Daroczy, Rev. Louis Varga, Rev. Louis Nagy, Rev Kalman Csia and Rev. Paul Kovács, through Presidents and Board members, the scriptural mandate was fulfilled and affirmed the love of Christ toward the lonely and sick when he affirmed. ‘7 came that they may have life and have it more abundantly.

For 56 years The Bethlen Home gave close to

2,000 orphans a home and an education and in 1977 due to the fact there were not enough children to maintain thia part of the institution, the children’s home was closed and sold.

For 60 years more than 3,000 elderly brethren found shelter and quality care in our now licensed skilled and intermediate healthcare facility. Demanding factors for the sale of the Children's Home which was our true beginning, and whose existence in many aspects was very dear and close to our hearts inspired the Board of Managers, National Officers and Directors for self-examination as to what new direction we should channel the services of the Children’s Home. Then a “blessed” decision was made toward a three-fold building project.

And while we are planning and building our future since 1978 many important repairs and alterations outside and inside our buildings and chapel took place, we then started our first project. The renovation and alteration of the former print shop building to an Administration building and to a modern and comfortable conference room. A new home for the Administrator’s residency was completed and then two retirement units, four apartments for the “Golden Agers”. We are grateful to God, for His blessings followed us and we were able to complete in two years, all of these projects. With our master plan of our retirement center of 10 units we are starting to serve our people in this new and different way.

We strongly feel that “Keeping faith with the past, by keeping in step with present needs, and

Mrs. Fran Mc Dowell, R.N., Director of Nursing was honored on her tenth yerr of faithful services.

A TIME TO

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