For the families of Our Lady Queen of Angels Parish in Central City, Pennsylvania, this summer will bring more than just a change of scenery. It will mark a life-changing journey of faith, culture, and history as a group of local students and their families embark on a pilgrimage to Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Austria, Slovenia, and Croatia. This extraordinary trip, which begins on June 11 and returns June 23, is made possible thanks to the support of the parish and community.
Nestled in the coal fields of northern Somerset County, Central City is a place where generations of Slovak and Polish immigrants once sought a better life in the mines. Despite the decline of the coal industry, which has led to a shrinking population (currently at 998), the community remains deeply connected to its roots. Many families, including those of the students traveling this summer, are descendants of the Slovaks who came here over a century ago.
The parish, originally founded in 1917 as St. John the Baptist Church for Slovak immigrants, continues to honor its cultural heritage while fostering a strong sense of community. The merger of St. John’s with Sacred Heart Parish in 1999 resulted in the creation of Our Lady Queen of Angels, which remains a beacon of faith and tradition in an area that is often overlooked.
“We are proudly Slovak,” says Father Maghsoudi. “This pilgrimage is a continuation of the vision of our ancestors who left Slovakia to build a new life in America. Their strength, faith, and commitment to preserving their culture is something we want to pass on to the next generation.”
The journey is not just about travel; it’s about building intergenerational bonds. The trip will include 17 students and at least one parent, spanning grades 7-12, many of whom have never flown on a plane let alone left the country. For these families, a trip of this magnitude would otherwise be out of reach. The average per capita income in Central City is $13,263, making this journey an incredible gift, one that would be impossible without the financial support of the parish and its fundraising efforts.
zOne of the parish’s primary fundraising events, the Dyngus Day Party (known as Oblievacka in Slovakia), has helped to fund the trip. The annual event, featuring live polka music, homemade ethnic foods, and games of chance, draws several hundred people and celebrates the community’s rich Slovak heritage. In addition, generous donations from the community, including those of the local Slovak fraternals, will help to defray the costs of the trip.
This year’s pilgrimage will take the travelers to several iconic destinations, many of which are steeped in the history and culture of the Slovak people. The itinerary includes rafting on the Dunajec River, visits to ancestral villages, and an overnight stay at the monastery museum in Cerveny Klastor. The group will also take in a performance by the Vagonar Folk Ensemble from Poprad, visit the famous Wawel Cathedral in Krakow, and attend Mass in the private chapel where Pope John Paul II was ordained. Other stops include Auschwitz, the Salt Mines in Wieliczka, and historical sites in Hungary, Austria, Slovenia, and Croatia.
Father Maghsoudi believes this pilgrimage will not only deepen the students’ connection to their heritage but also strengthen their faith. “Our Catholic faith is the foundation of everything we do,” he says. “By visiting these sacred sites, we hope our young people will see how our faith has shaped our culture and continue to carry it with them as they grow into adulthood.”
The trip also holds personal significance for Father Maghsoudi, whose mothers’ family hails from Slovakia. “I’ve been to Slovakia many times and stay in close contact with my relatives there,” he shares. “This trip is an opportunity to connect with the land of my ancestors and to share that connection with the next generation.”
Father Maghsoudi is a proud member of the First Catholic Slovak Union (FCSU), and as chaplain of Branch 181 and the George Onda District, he is working to secure additional support for the trip from the organization. The FCSU has long been a supporter of the Slovak community, and he sees this trip as an extension of the vision of Father Furdek.
Father Maghsoudi encourages others to support the trip by donating to the parish. “Every little bit helps,” he says. “This pilgrimage is not just about seeing the world; it’s about helping our young people see who they are and where they come from. It’s a gift that will last a lifetime.”
Donations can be sent to Our Lady Queen of Angels Parish, 738 Sunshine Avenue, Central City, PA 15926. Any support will help ensure that more students from this vibrant, yet struggling, community can take part in this life-changing experience.