History

The Slovak Catholic Federation / Sdruzenie Slovenských Katolíkov (now known as Zdruz’enie Slovenských Katolíkov) founded on February 22 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, at the invitation of the Reverend Jozef Murgaš to the Slovak Catholic leadership in the United States.

First Convention held on February 12 in Scranton, Pennsylvania, with focus on youth, awarding a grant to the Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius, and forming a resettlement committee for immigrants. The Federation was subsequently incorporated on December 30, the Court of Common Pleas of Luzerne County in Pennsylvania approving its Charter.

Concern for situation in Slovakia was supported by financial contributions for Catholic action in the country. Prayer book “Kvietky” published.

The Federation Constitution and By-Laws were approved by George Cardinal Mundelein on behalf of the American Bishops on July 4. Archbishop Joseph Schrembs of Cleveland approved the Federation’s affiliation with the organization for the laity of the National Catholic Welfare Conference on July 7.

Assisted various religious groups such as the Slovak Benedictines in Cleveland, Slovak Salesians in Rome and Turin, and the Society of Saint Vojtech in Slovakia.

Protested internationally Prague government’s refusal to grant passport to Bishop John Vojtassak of Slovakia in order to lead a delegation to the Slovaks in the United States.

Slovak Catholic Mother of Schools (Slovenska Katolicka Matica Skolska) was established for the support of Slovak Catholic high schools.

Federation publishes Slovak-English Dictionary by Joseph Konus.

Society of Saint Voytech in Slovakia visits the Slovak Catholic Federation as an expression of gratitude.

Three regions of the Federation formed to facilitate addressing local needs.

Federation concludes that its mission is more religious than political. “…involving ourselves in Catholic Action will do more good for our people than engaging in a lot of political friction.”

Slovak Catholic veterans of World War II and the American Slovak Catholic Assistance for the benefit of Catholic war victims of Slovakia organized.

Federation condemned the persecution of Catholics and their clergy and religious behind the Iron Curtain and labeled President Tiso’s execution as “un-Christian, inhuman, and contrary to the principles of democracy.”

Adopted project to assist priestly formation for Slovakia, whose communistic government did not allow the country to do so for itself.

Several books planned, such as Slovak grammar, history of American Slovaks, and a Slovak “Who’s Who.” Of 3,000 names collected, 306 were Sisters and 934 were Priests.

Ladies Auxiliary established. Eugene Cardinal Tisserant requested that the Federation associate itself with the project of building the new Slovak Institute in Rome. Fund drive, headed by Bishop Andrew G. Grutka, gets under way for the Institute.

Plans for a Slovak Institute in Rome (to include a seminary and publishing house) were set into motion. Federation received letter of thanks from Joseph Cardinal Pizzardo, Prefect of the Sacred Congregation of Seminaries and University Studies.

Convention instructs Federation Executive Board to give priority to the support of the new Institute of Saints Cyril and Methodius. Pilgrimage to Rome conducted to commemorate the eleventh centennial of the arrival of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Slovakia and to be present for the dedication of the Slovak Institute of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Rome by Eugene Cardinal Tisserant on September 15. Another pilgrimage, conducted by the Eastern District, was held in Washington, D.C., at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., housing the statues of the two saints gifted to the Shrine earlier.

Federation celebrates Mass at the Vatican Pavilion housing Michelangelo’s Pieta during the New York’s World Fair.

Youth Conference held at the National Shrine in Washington, D.C.

Convention held in Toronto, Canada, in hopes that the Federation might expand its activity there. A pilgrimage to Rome was held on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the Slovak Institute.

Federation writes to Holy Father supporting a favorable outcome for the cause of Sister Miriam Teresa. First Clergy Conference held in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada.

Under the direction of Father Francis J. Beeda, Pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Slovak Church, Wilkes-Barre, the Federation produces a pamphlet for the traditional House Blessing during the Christmas Season. Cover artwork done by Michelle Greytock, student at Sacred Heart Elementary School, Wilkes-Barre.

Second Clergy Conference held in Oxford, Michigan. (Others later held in other areas such as Chicago, becoming pastoral gatherings.) Federation celebrated its 65th anniversary in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Murgaš Room dedicated at the Scranton University. (Similar memorial dedicated at King’s College prior to this.) Federation celebrates Bicentennial of the United States in Dearborn, Michigan, and is involved in the 41st International Eucharistic Congress held in Philadelphia. Mother M. Valeria Romanchek, SS.C.M., spearheads the founding of the Conference of Slovak Religious (originally the Union of Slovak Religious Orders). Federation invited by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to participate in the “Call to Action” held in Detroit. At the prompting of some Federation activists, the J. S. Paluch missalette company featured a picture of Saints Cyril and Methodius on one of its covers.

Union of Slovak Religious Orders (Conference of Slovak Religious) founded. Apostolic Delegate Archbishop Jean Jadot receives delegation of the Slovak Catholic Federation requesting the naming of more bishops of Slovak heritage within the United States. Federation requests Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice for the first time, to be awarded at one of its conventions. Resolution expressing concern over the denial of human rights to the people of Slovakia in light of Charter 77 and the Helsinki Agreement forwarded to the U. S. Department of State. National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception invites the Federation to be the first non-diocesan group to participate in its “Festival of Faith.”

The Slovak Catholic Federation is included in P.J. Kenedy and Sons’ The Official Catholic Directory, thus recognizing the Federation’s religious objectives. First Clergy Seminar held at Slovak Institute of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Rome. Federation initiates Annual Appeal for the Foundation administered by Bishop Grutka for the support of general operations at the Slovak Institute of Saints Cyril and Methodius. Slovak World Congress requests Federation to coordinate religious program for its gathering.

The Good Shepherd becomes an annual. The Federation published a liturgy aid with hymns in Slovak and English. Another Clergy Pastoral Seminar was held in Rome. Federation participates in ordination of Archbishop Jozef Tomko in the Sistine Chapel by His Holiness, Pope John Paul II.

Federation adopts resolution at its 50th Convention calling attention to the state of religion in the United States and Slovakia, urging members to be active in the civic and cultural affairs of their communities, especially as they pertain to basic human rights, family, education, and youth.

Federation issues Memorandum to the Bishops of the United States, expressing support concerning their statement relative to nuclear arms and warfare.

Convention in Allentown, Pennsylvania, commemorates 1,100th anniversary of Saint Methodius’ death. Apostolic Pro-Nuncio Archbishop Pio Laghi is the principal celebrant of Mass, with a number of bishops participating. News received that Archbishop Jozef Tomko was named to the College of Cardinals. Federation publishes volume of writings entitled “SS. Cyril and Methodius Among the Slovaks.” Cardinal Tomko Chapter of the Slovak Catholic Federation established in honor of the new cardinal. The Conference of Slovak Clergy was founded by Fathers John J. Spitkovsky and Joseph V. Adamec.

Federation observes its 75th Anniversary in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Jozef Cardinal Tomko is the principal celebrant of Mass at Sacred Heart Church.

For the first time, a national president of the Slovak Catholic Federation was named a bishop in the person of Monsignor Joseph V. Adamec, who became the Diocesan Bishop of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. Federation joins in petitioning the United States to issue postal stamp in honor of Father Jozef Murgaš, its founder. The Federation annual The Good Shepherd takes over from the First Catholic Slovak Union (Jednota) the publication of a list of bishops and priests of Slovak heritage.

The Federation conducts a pilgrimage to Rome on the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of the Slovak Institute of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Rome.

Federation conducts historic pilgrimage of 160 persons to Slovakia, following the fall of the communist regime. (Permission had been obtained from communist officials prior to the turnover.) Archbishop Jan Sokol of the Archdiocese of Trnava in Slovakia made history by attending the Federation’s 52nd National Convention in Pittsburgh, as the first bishop to visit following the communist domination of Slovakia.

“Slovak Church Fund” is established by Federation to assist Church in Slovakia, patterned after the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ “Aid to the Church in Central and Eastern Europe.” The Fund contributed a million dollars to the Diocesan Churches in Slovakia.

Bishop Andrew G. Grutka, long-time Episcopal Protector of the Slovak Catholic Federation, dies.

Proceeds of the Annual Appeal are begun to be shared with communities of religious men and women in Slovakia.

The Federation celebrates its 90th anniversary with Mass of Thanksgiving at Saint John the Baptist Church in Taylor, Pennsylvania.

The Federation conducts a pilgrimage to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., with more than 750 pilgrims (including Slovak ambassador to the U.S. and a number of Bishops).

Federation reorganizes to bring in Catholics of Slovak heritage from organizations other than parishes and to encourage development of more Local Chapters.

The Slovak Catholic Federation observes its 100th anniversary on Sunday, May 15, 2011 with Mass and Banquet in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Federation holds its centennial Pilgrimage of Faith to the Benedictine Archabbey of Saint Vincent in Latrobe, Pennsylvania on September 10, 2011.