The First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association, District Anna Hurban of Chicago, hosted its tenth annual combined Senior Branch Christmas Party at the Orland Chateau in Orland Park, Illinois on Saturday, December 7, 2013 with a total of 371 senior branch members and guests in attendance. District members and their guests enjoyed many great conversations while catching up on the years’ events before and during the luncheon.
The new Chicago District Chaplain, Matus Boháčik, a Chicago Archdiocesan Seminarian from Slovakia said a prayer and blessing before the meal. Everyone feasted on a flavorful family style meal, which included the traditional Slovak roasted pork, beef, chicken, sauerkraut and dessert. Everything was deliciously prepared and scrumptious!
Our National President, Cynthia Maleski, attended the Chicago festivities for the second year in a row. Additional guests were the Indiana District President, Margaret Abidula with her husband Tony and the Chicago Honorary Slovak Consular, Rosemary Wisnosky. During the progam, Dr. Fay Hlubocky, the new District Auditor was introduced to the membership and the District Board and Cynthia then swore in the new Chicago District Chaplain, Matus Boháčik. Fay has a PhD. in Clinical Psychology and an MA in Healthcare Bioethics and is a clinical psychologist in oncology. Fay is a member of S295 and currently serves as their Branch Financial Secretary and has been involved as both a branch officer and member of the FCSLA for 35 years. Matus Boháčik comes to us from Banska Bystrica, Slovakia, studying to become a Chicago Archdiocesan priest at the Archdiocese’s major seminary, St. Mary of the Lake University, Mundelein and is our newest member to both S225 and the District. He looks forward to serving God’s people and the many Slovaks living in Chicago as well as ministering to our members within the District.
Later in the program, the District sponsored its annual raffle of many, many prizes and gift cards to various entities in denominations of $5, $10, $15, $20 and $25. With a surprise visit from Santa, District Junior Members who were in attendance acted as prize runners to help distribute the gifts to the raffle winners who shouted “Kapusta, Koláčiky, Bingo” or another favorite Slovak word upon hearing their winning number. The wonderful event, started by Marge Krugley has been a favorite now for the entire District and surrounding areas. District President, Mary Therese Tylus stated, “Once again, everyone had a wonderful time renewing old friendships, making new ones and reminding everyone of the wonderful FCSLA products and upcoming District events! In fact, we saw many new faces at this event! Truly the room was electrified with folks meeting and greeting one another, renewing old friendships and acquaintances and forging new ones.”
A special thank you goes out to Marge Krugley, who continues to coordinate the festivities, the raffle prize shoppers Emily Minelli and Helen Bendik-Grygus, gift card purchaser Barbara Mugavero, Fay Hlubocky, “Santa”, Jarmila and Fay Hlubocky centerpiece coordinators, as well as the entire District Board and Branch Officers for working so hard in making it such a memorable event.
So mark your calendar for next year’s party on Saturday, December 6, 2014—same time, same place!
To see all of the photos from this event, visit the Chicago District photo gallery.
