The Pastoral Visit of Bishop Ferenc Cserháti in Canada and the United States

On June 7, 2009, the feast of the Most Holy Trinity, preceding the celebration of Mass in the parish, he met with the local Ordinary Bishop Anthony F. Tonnos. After being welcomed by the pastor Rev. Béla Pesznyák, he later conferred the sacrament of Confirmation at St. Stephen of Hungary Parish in Hamilton, Ontario. Following the liturgy, there was a festive reception in the parish hall. Later in the afternoon he visited St. Elizabeth Villa, a Hungarian retirement community where many Jesuit priests and brothers are in residence.

In the evening the Bishop attended a Benediction service at St. Michael the Archangel Greek Catholic Church and was welcomed by the resident priest Rev. Msgr. Miklós Deák. After the service the people warmly welcomed him.

From June 8-10th the Bishop met with the Hungarian-speaking priests of Canada in Ancaster, Ontario at the Mount Mary Retreat Center. Ideas were exchanged and the Bishop received the various pastoral reports of the participants. A prominent visitor was Bishop Attila Miklósházy, SJ who also addressed the group. Elections for the presidency of the “Kanadai Magyar Papi Egység” (Union of Hungarian speaking priests in Canada) were held and as a result Fr. Szabolcs Sajgó,SJ will serve in this capacity.

In the evening of June 10th, the Bishop celebrated Mass at St. Ladislaus Church in Courtland, Ontario. During the reception that followed, he met with many parishioners who come from his hometown Túrterebes.

On June 11th the Bishop travelled from Toronto to the western part of Canada and the city of Vancouver in the province of British Columbia. The Bishop paid a visit to Our Lady of Hungary Parish in Vancouver on the feast of Corpus Christi. This was also the occasion of celebrating the silver anniversary of priestly ordination of Rev. Dénes Lakatos. Over next several days, the Bishop met with the local Ordinary, Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, and enjoyed a visit to Victoria where he met with Rev. János Dömötör and some members of the Hungarian community.

On June 16th, Bishop Cserháti began the first portion of his visit in the United States. Travelling to San Francisco, he was received by Fr. Maurus Németh, OSB, and Fr. Piusz Horváth, OSB, monks of Woodside Benedictine Priory in Portola Valley, California. This afforded him an opportunity to view the scenic surroundings, among them the burial place of Blessed Junípero Serra, a Franciscan friar who was instrumental in founding many of the famous missions in California.

On June 20th, the Bishop met with many of the local people, including members of the reformed Church, along with their minister the Rev. Gábor Magyari-Köpe.

On June 21st, he celebrated Mass in the Priory Church and enjoyed a reception with a concert in honor of Fathers’ Day. During the reception, Fr. Maurus Németh, OSB was recognized for his tireless efforts in education and was given a medal of honor from the President of the Hungarian Republic which was conferred by Mr. Gábor Kaleta, from the Consulate in Los Angeles.

On June 22nd the Bishop arrived in early evening in New York and was met at JFK airport by Fr. Barnabás G. Kiss, OFM, his North American delegate.

The following day, the Bishop paid a visit to the Provincial Headquarters of the OFM Franciscan Friars of the Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus. This province has cared for St. Stephen of Hungary Church since 1928. The bishop was received by the Provincial Minister, the Very Reverend Fr. John F. O’Connor, OFM and Fr. Dominic V. Monti, OFM, the Vicar Provincial. In their meeting they discussed the current ministerial situation in New York City. In the afternoon Bishop Cserháti went to Passaic, New Jersey where he presided at an evening liturgy at St. Stephen of Hungary Church and had been welcomed by Rev. László Vas, the local priest and many members of the parish. At the end of the Mass, the Rev. József Vásárhelyi, a minister of the Reformed Church, also paid his respects and those of his flock.

June 24th was a quiet morning in Passaic and the local area, enjoying the parks and waterfalls. The Bishop returned to New York City in the afternoon and prepared for the evening liturgical celebration at St. Stephen of Hungary Church. A Solemn Mass honoring the Nativity of St. John the Baptist was concelebrated by several priests: Fr. Pawel Cebula, OFM Conv; Fr. Barnabás G. Kiss, OFM; Fr. Louis Pintye, OFM; Rev. Emil Vargyas and Rev. László Vas. Even though it was midweek, the Mass was very well attended. As is the custom, a festive reception followed which was also attended by a good number of the younger parishioners. Mr. László Oroszlány, the President of the Hungarian Lay Committee, welcomed the Bishop.

In the early morning of June 25th, Bishop Cserháti and Fr. Barnabás were invited to breakfast with the new Archbishop of New York, the Most Reverend Timothy M. Dolan. The discussion, which followed, concerned the migrant ministry within the Archdiocese and especially among the Hungarian community.

This day continued with the meeting of the American-Hungarian Priests’ Association at St. Stephen of Hungary Church and Friary. The following attended: Bishop Ferenc Cserháti; Fr. Ágoston Bagyinszki, OFM (Silver Spring, Maryland); Fr. Pawel Cebula, OFM Conv (Bridgeport, Connecticut); Rev. Iván Csete (Forestburgh, New York); Fr. József Erdei, OSBM (Matawan, New Jersey); Fr. Barnabás G. Kiss, OFM (Detroit, Michigan); Fr. Louis M. Pintye, OFM (Fairfield, Connecticut); Fr. Basil Rakaczki, OSBM (Perth Amboy, New Jersey); Rev. Emil Vargyas (Venice, Florida) and Rev. László Vas (Passaic, New Jersey). After the celebration of the Eucharist and a fine traditional Hungarian luncheon, the participants assembled in the friary conference room and exchanged ideas and various ministerial experiences. In conclusion of the Year of St. Paul, Rev. László Vas gave a presentation of the life, the work and the ministry of saint. Bishop Cserháti expressed his gratitude for the meeting and wished all God’s blessing in their work of building the Kingdom of God. The meeting was closed by Fr. Barnabás who reminded the participants that the theme “The Year for Priests” should guide and strengthen us in our ministry among the Hungarian-speaking people, most especially following the humble example of St. John Mary Vianney, the Curé of Ars and the patron of parish priests.

On June 26th, Bishop Cserháti, accompanied by Fr. Ágoston Bagyinszki, OFM continued on to Washington, DC where he was received by the Franciscan Friars OFM of the Custody of the Holy Land. He was warmly welcomed by Br. Aloysius Florio, OFM, the Vicar of the Friary, who extended his best wishes for a pleasant stay in the friary and nation’s capital.

Saturday, June 27th was set aside as a day of sightseeing in Washington. The bishop was accompanied by Fr. Ágoston.

Sunday, June 28th, Bishop Cserháti celebrated a Solemn Mass in the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, the National Shrine in the USA, where he was warmly welcomed by the local Hungarian community. Concelebrants were: Fr. Ágoston Bagyinszki, OFM (Silver Spring, Maryland); Fr. Stanis³aw Howaniec, SchP (Devon, Pennsylvania); Fr. Barnabas G. Kiss, OFM, (Detroit, Michigan); Fr. Kálmán Miskolczy, SchP (Devon, Pennsylvania) and Fr. Allan G. Von Kobs, OFM, (New York, New York). In his homily the bishop encouraged the faithful to continue in their faith journey as he closed the Year of St. Paul. A formal reception and luncheon followed at the Wellington Restaurant at which time the community had the opportunity to personally greet Bishop Cserháti.

June 29th has been designated as a day of rest and preparation at the Franciscan Monastery for the bishop’s journey home on the eve of June 30th when he will return to Munich.

Barnabás G. Kiss OFM/Magyar Kurír