Fun Facts & News

Rev. Msgr. Francis J. Beeda, S.T.L. celebrated the 50^th Anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood, on Tuesday December 20, 2011. At present, Msgr. is a residence of the Little Flower Nursing Home. He was co-founder of the Slovak Heritage Society.

Msgr. Beeda was born in Scranton and belonged to Holy Family Slovak Parish. Studing for the priesthood for the Diocese of Scranton, he was sent to study theology in Rome at the North American College. He was ordained in St. Peter’s Basilica on Dec. 20, 1961 by Archbiship Martin O’Connor. He celebrated his first Mass in St. Clement’s Basilica on Dec. 21, 1961 in the chapel of SS Cyril and Methodius. His completed his studies in Rome for a Licentiate in Sacred Theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University. His has faithfully served the Diocese of Scranton in four parishes since then.

The Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, announced the appointment of the Rev. Philip A. Altavilla as Vicar General of the Diocese of Scranton and Moderator of the Curia. Father Altavilla will continue to serve as Rector of the Cathedral of Saint Peter in Scranton, Director of Ecumenism and Interfaith Affairs, and Diocesan Chaplain, Scouts of America. Since 2000, Father Philip also serves as the National President of the Slovak Catholic Federation. He has also been a member of the Slovak Heritage Society of NEPA since it’s founding and has participated in the Society’s musical recordings and appeared as Benjamin Franklin at the Slovak World Congress in Mt. Airy.

According to the Code of Canon Law, in each diocese the Bishop must appoint a Vicar General, whose primary role is to assist the Bishop in the governance of the entire diocese. While as a general rule, only one is appointed, considering the size, scope and pastoral needs of the Scranton Diocese, Bishop Bambara has opted to utilize the service of both Father Brian J. W. Clark and Father Philip in these essential ministries.

The Bishop commented “Father Altavilla’s many and varied positions in parishes as pastor and administrator, combined with his leadership skills will ensure that we continue to foster unity, identity and purpose internally with our various diocesan departments and externally with the clergy, religious and lay faithful whom we are called to serve.

Magdalen Benish received the Dean School of Business Outstanding Alumni Service Award in appreciation of her many years of dedicated service to Wyoming Seminary.

She is a member of St. Andre Bessette Parish in Wilkes-Barre and a former member of Sacred Heart Slovak Church where she was actively involved as a Lector, Eucharistic Minister, choir member and member of the finance committee. She is a retired vice-president of the First Union Bank, in Wilkes-Barre and a member of the President’s Council at King’s College in Wilkes-Barre.

Sister M Catherine Labouré Bresnock, SS.C.M. has been appointed Director of Jankola Library and Slovak Museum. Assisting her as Librarian is Sister Loretta Marie Hrubec. SS.C.M.

For the past four decades, this facility has provided invaluable service to the American Slovak community. Those interested in learning more about the facility should write: Jankola Library and Slovak Archives, Villa Sacred Heart, Danville, PA 17821-1695. Tel. 570-275-5606

Several members of The Slovak Heritage Society of NEPA were pleased to spend over 489 hours making over 20 trips to relocate and transform the library when it was expanding.

If you visit, you will see collections of crystal, Slovak artifacts, charming embroidered clothes, beautiful paintings including one by Father Murgaš along with some of his butterfly collection. Along with these collections you will find mannequins dressed in Slovak outfits, a room containing printed publications, music books and children’s stories, old Bibles and much much more.

A call was placed to Jerry Gibel, the Society’s New Orleans connection, to interview Tancuj, the new addition to Metarie, Louisiana. However, she was not taking any phone calls so Jerry gave the interview.

Arrangements were then made for her departure to the United States. She had a complete physical and the required inoculations. She was then issued a passport by the Slovak Government, and was issued a visa for the United States.

She then flew from Kosice to Prague and then to Frankfurt. She overnighted in Frankfurt and then took a direct flight to Houston, Texas. Jerry's neighbors had some business to attend to in Houston, and took him along to pick up Tancuj. They returned to Metarie in an oversized pick up, even though she was expecting a limo.

She completed Obedience School with honors, although she still has a tendency to obey commands with slight Slovak modifications. She understands both English and Slovak. She does not care for sloppy weather, and doesn't like to get her paws all muddy.

Above:

Tancuj

Mommy Otka

Siblings

This row:

9 siblings ...

Dinner time!

For further information about Cuvač dogs see Slovensky Cuvač-Tchouvatch Dog Club of America with Elisabeth Pisula, slovenskytchouvatch.ning.com.

If any one would like help with tracing their Slovak genealogy or with Slovak translations, contact Susan Prostinakova at Tinseltown242003@yahoo.com