Fraternity-Testvériség, 1998 (76. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
1998-07-01 / 3. szám
FRATERNITY Page 17 REUNION IN LORAIN, OHIO Attending our Annual Fall Board Meeting at the Bethlen Home in beautiful Ligonier, Pennsylvania has always been a pleasant experience. This year, however, a totally unexpected finding made by Mrs. Emma Aros on our behalf prior to the meeting compelled my wife Margaret and I to travel to Lorain, Ohio at the conclusion of the meeting. In pursuing her genealogical endeavors regarding my family, the search for a long lost relative, Mr. Steve Muska, last known to have lived in Lorain, Ohio was vital to her research. Emma, through a friend of hers, was able to locate the whereabouts of this cousin whom I had lost contact with over 50 years ago. The war years of the 1940s, death of family members, marriage and divergent work interests all contributed to the loss of personal contact. On Sunday morning, Emma met us at our motel in Elyria and led us on a tour of areas of Lorain, where as a teenager I spent many delightful vacations with my relatives. Sorry to say, most of the homes have been demolished to make way for urban renewal. It was good to see one another again after 50 years. L. to r.: Steve Muska, Michael Pauli, Jr., Margaret Pauli, Irene Muska. The houses that I remember had a certain graciousness and warmth rather than the drab, nondescript buildings that now occupy their place. Our first stop was the very impressive Hungarian Reformed Church complex where fellow director Rt. Rev. Zoltán Szucs is pastor. Rev. Szucs was a gracious host, taking us to see the Church, Auditorium, meeting rooms, boiler room with the latest cost-saving heating system, and of course, the kitchen. The men and women of the parish were preparing for a 3:00 p.m. bacon fry which we were invited to but unfortunately could not attend. I was most impressed with the framed pictures of parishioners dating back many years that line the walls of the vestibule leading to the Church. What caught my interest was that each picture had a name under it identifying the member. As Rev. Szucs and Emma pointed out various individuals, it was evident that the Aros family played a significant role in the formation and subsequent life of the Church. We next visited St. Ladislaus Church a few short blocks away. It was here that my relatives were parishioners many years ago. The beauty and historical nature of this Church spared it from the wrecking ball, which befell the little wooden Church of St. Michael’s diagonally across the street. Both Rev. Szucs and Father Shields mentioned the close proximity of the Hungarian Churches to one another in earlier years and the close relationship that existed amongst the members. It was time to move on and my visit my relative. Emma, a genealogy and heritage devotee herself, who then proceeded to lead us to the West Side of Lorain, along Lake Erie to my cousin Steve and wife Irene’s home. Time will pass, your hair may thin out and possibly turn gray. The furrows on your brow may become deeper, but the sparkle in the eyes and the love in the heart remain constant. It was as if we had never lost sight of each other. Emotions ran deep to be sure and after a few obligatory pictures were taken, we settled down to recount the happenings of the past 50-odd years. Now that we have been given the opportunity to once again enjoy each other’s love and friendship, it is my fondest hope that we will treasure our reunion and with God’s blessing make certain that our new-found relationship will be sustained. Michael Pauli, Jr., Director Rt. Rev. Zoltán D. Szucs and his faithful parishioners. The Hungarian Reformed Church in Lorain, Ohio.
