Fun Facts & News

Anna Biros celebrated her birthday with family and friends in Bratislava. On this special occasion, Mass was celebrated for her intention in the Cathedral of St. Martin in the Slovak capitol. Members of St. Cecilia’s choir of Holy Spirit Parish located in Dubravka section of Bratislava, where Anna and her husband Jozef are members, organized and sang during the festive liturgy. A reception followed the liturgy.

Anna and Jozef are very active members of the Slovak Heritage Society of NEPA. They reside between Middletown, Pa and Bratislava. They act as representatives for the Society at all activities in the Slovak Republic. Anna has given a number of lectors on Father Jozef Murgaš and Milan Rufus, a poet who recently past away.

Anna and Jozef enjoy singing our beautiful Slovak hymn and folk songs, they joined a musical group, the Dubravka singers.

Father Philip Atavilla’s life has been a string of unique, rewarding and challenging experiences. The last 18 years as a priest have been especially fulfilling.

“I like being of service to God and the church,” he says. “I am a person who likes to be busy - not just doing lots of “things,’ but being able to work to make the Gospel message known, in a variety of experiences. Because of this desire to ‘work’, no two days in almost 18 years have been the same! I really enjoy the fact that each day has been a unique opportunity to share God’s love with others.

Father Phil served as an assistant in six parishes, a pastor of three parishes, and administer of a parish in the diocese.

Father was dean of the Old Forge Deanery, a member of the Council of Priests and a member of the Priests Advisor Committee for the Diocesan Annual Appeal.

He is perhaps best known as director of the Office of Ecumenism and Interfaith Affairs, a position he has held since 1996 and as Episcopal Vicar for the Northern Pastoral Region since July 2007.

“I have had - and still have - a series of small events that have shaped my vision of life and priesthood,” Father says, “From experiences during seminary formation to…daily pastoral ministry…to work within the Ecumenical and Interfaith Dialogue ministries of the Church to now serving as a regional Episcopal Vicar have provided me many graced moments where I have been taught humility, perseverance and trust. I have been pushed to grow.”

At an early age in the Plains home, of his mother, Anne and his late father Donald, Father started his spiritual journey. As a child, he was very involved in their parish, Sacred Heart of Jesus (Slovak) in Wilkes-Barre. Monsignor Francis J. Beeda, saw to that. A remembrance that affected him deeply; during the Christmas season the priest and altar servers would go and bless the homes of parishioners. “This was a very important thing for me because I was able to see the ministry of priest as one of service to his people…that influenced my decision to consider the priesthood.”

After seminary, Father Phil attended the North American College in Rome. He later earned a master’s degree in pastoral theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University. On June 27, 1992, Father was ordained in St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton.

Presently Father Phil serves as the national president of the Slovak Catholic Federation and the national spiritual advisor of the Ladies Pennsylvania Slovak Catholic Union.

These experiences and others have influenced his life and priesthood, “being a priest was not only about praying, celebrating Mass and the Sacraments – it is also about getting involved in the messiness of life, especially the lives of the people we are sent to serve.”

Father Phil’s personal motto, “God provides”, helps him get though the tough days. “I believe that God really does give me the strength to keep going.”

Father’s background is Slovak and Italian, and he is interested in celebrating ethnic heritage. Father is also a fan of music, classical to polkas to older rock and roll. 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.

The students at WSLS (grades pre-k to 8) were able to visit the exhibit about Father Josef Murgaš, which was displayed in their library from March 17 to 24, 2010. The students and the faculty found the exhibit very interesting; they learned about Father Murgaš many accomplishments.

A paper guide, with various facts, allowed everyone to read a description of the exhibit.

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