Fraternity-Testvériség, 1998 (76. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
1998-07-01 / 3. szám
Page 12 TESTVÉRISÉG MARIAPOCS FRATERNAL DAY On a resplendently beautiful Sunday, August 2, 1998, the St. George District and combined branches of New Jersey held their 6th Annual MariaPocs Fraternal Day. The setting was the serene Basilian Father’s Monastery grounds in Matawan, NJ. The Very Reverend Joseph Erdei, O.S.B.M. is Superior of the Basilian Father’s Monastery. During one of my earlier visits to survey the Monastery grounds, I approached an old wooden bridge spanning the Aberdeen Creek, which empties into a fish-laden lake at the rear of the Monastery property. My travel was brought to an abrupt halt when out from the underbush came a duck and her brood plodding across the street in single file oblivious to vehicular traffic. Their safe passage held as much importance as my timely arrival at MariaPocs. As it turned out, both of us reached our destination safely, albeit a few moments later. L. to r.: Director Michael Pauli, Jr. and President George Dózsa. This year’s event attracted over 375 people including Gerry Williger who traveled from Washington, D.C. The Rt. Rev. Dr. Francis Vitéz, former Bishop of the Calvin Synod, UCC gave the invocation in English and Hungarian. Alex Kubik gave a beautiful rendition of the American and Hungarian National Anthems. President George Dózsa, who was introduced by Director Michael Pauli, Jr., welcomed the group on behalf of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America. Traditional Hungarian food such as pecsenye, langos and bográcsgulyás was in abundance as well as hot dogs, hamburgers, corn on the cob, watermelon, draft beer and draft birch beer. The delicious homemade pastries, coffee and tea were available throughout the afternoon. For our listening pleasure, the instrumental trio, “Our Gang,” played favorite Hungarian and American tunes. Guests at MariaPocs Fraternal Day. To the delight of the children, the pony rides were again a part of the afternoon’s entertainment together with an animal-petting farm. This proved to be tremendously popular with the young children. The tranquility of the Monastery grounds, especially of the lake area, gave some the impulse to try out their fishing skills. Laura Ann Melanson conducted a craft table for the young people. She did face painting, hair braiding, making beaded necklaces and various other crafts. The response from the parents to these activities reinforced our belief that it is important to reach out and provide such entertainment to our young people. The crowd was then treated to a spectacular performance by the ever popular New Brunswick Hungarian Scouts Folk Ensemble. Their vibrant, pulsating style of dance left everyone cheering at the conclusion of their show. Debrecen, Hungary, was the Ensemble’s destination later in the month to participate in the City’s Flower Carnival. The petting zoo.
