52nd Quadrennial Convention

The First Catholic Slovak Union convened its 52nd Quadrennial Convention from July 30-August 2, 2022, at the Holiday Inn in Independence, Ohio.

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Upon entering the hotel, attendees were greeted to an outstanding exhibition of Slovak kroj (Slovak folk costume), which George Terbrack tastefully organized from the FCSU and his own collection.

Saturday’s program featured an evening buffet with an Elvis Presley impersonator, followed by a night of socializing and casino play with fake dollars. Some big money rollers dressed up for the occasion, including Tom Ivanec and his wife Terri, the former editor of Jednota! Many concluded the evening with trips to rooms of various districts, and I was with a group which sang Slovak and Rusyn songs and enjoyed homemade klobasa (sausage).

Appropriately, Sunday began with a con-celebration of Holy Mass, led by FCSU Protector, Bishop Larry J. Kulick from the Diocese Greensburg, PA. Mass concluded with a short welcome from Bishop Edward Malesic of the Cleveland and the Slovak hymn, Duša kresťanská (O Christian Soul), which honors SS. Cyril and Methodius.

The Convention opened with the national anthems of the USA, Canada, and Slovakia, sung by the very talented Beata Begeniova-Fedoriouk. The President Andrew Rajec formally opened the proceedings and cited the achievement FCSU had made in becoming a stronger society. Michael Krajsa was chosen to serve as Chair of the Convention and fraternal business and committee reports followed. The day concluded with the Presidential Banquet, with keynote speaker Bishop Kulick providing a moving address about the need for unity. Afterwards, the audience was treated with the musical performances of Caroline Visnovsky, Sofia Fedoriouk, and Matthew Oros. The night continued with lively entertainment provided by Pajtáši, a Slovak folk acoustic band from New York City. Even I danced the night away!

Monday started with a superb and well-attended Mass, celebrated by Rev. Thomas Nasta, the FCSU chaplain. The day concluded unfinished business, candidacy speeches, and the Convention delegates elected new officers for 2023, who are pictured in the photo. In the evening, attendees could swing the club at TopGolf, a high-tech golf game that everyone could enjoy, even someone like myself with no golf experience.

Michael J. Kopanic, Jr., editor