Texas District of the National Alliance of Czech Catholics July 30, 2005

OFFICERS PRESIDENT Stephen Vrana P.O. Box 58412 Houston, Texas 77258 VICE-PRESIDENT Deacon John Petter 3006 Creasey Drive Temple, Texas 76501 SECRETARY Carol Filer 14520 Regents Walk Austin, Texas 78728 TREASURER Alfred Vrana 1902 Crooked Lane Austin, Texas 78741 CHAPLAIN Reverend Stephen Nesrsta P.O. Box 99 Somerville, Texas 77879 ASSOCIATE CHAPLAIN Deacon John Petter 3006 Creasey Drive Temple, Texas 76501

Our Website address is http://www.TDNACC.org Dear Members and Prospective Members, The time is upon us for our yearly membership meeting on August 15, 2005 at St. Mary’s Church of the Assumption in Praha, Texas. The day begins with Mass at 10:00 a.m. for the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The meeting will be held at 2:00 p.m. in St. Therese’s chapel, in the old wooden school building located to the right of the church. First of all, I would like to extend a heartfelt “thank you” to our former president, Marvin Marek, for all the work he did for the Texas District as vice president and then as president, after the untimely death of our former president, Alden Smith. I would like to thank Marvin especially for his work to organize the pilgrimage trip of Texas District members and friends to the Czech Republic and Rome, to allow us to participate in the national pilgrimage of the Czech Republic for the Jubilee Year 2000. That trip was especially memorable for those of us who were privileged to make it. The work of such dedicated members and officers are vital for the District to function. Unfortunately, I have to report that we did not meet our goal of fully funding the charities and projects at the level the membership voted to support at last year’s meeting. This is partly due to the success of the pilgrimage trip whose proceeds went to fund these projects, and upon which we have been drawing to fund those projects for the last few years, but without fully replenishing them. Our funds come from the membership, and to sustain these projects we will need more members, or perhaps some of you would be willing to increase your membership level in order to support these worthy causes. Talk to your friends and family members, and let them know the love you have for our Catholic faith, and the love you have for our relatives and friends who live in the Czech lands. As another way to that work out, we recently have established an internet web page for the 1

(continued from page 1) Texas District, on which we hope to provide information of the projects we support, and contact information for prospective members. The internet address is www.TDNACC.org. The work to rebuild the Catholic faith in the Czech lands continues, after the devastation of the Nazis and the communists, who inflicted terrible damage not only to the people, but to their faith. Since then, Western Europe has been under the new threat of secularization and the Czech Republic has not been left unscathed. After the attacks on the faith of the people by the communists, they have been left with greatly reduced spiritual resources to enable them to withstand the effects a world view that ignores God, has on the human person, who is made in the image and likeness of God, and for whom God is the ultimate destiny. While much work remains to be done, we know we can trust in the Providence of a loving Father who can take our meager loaves and fishes, and turn them into a bountiful blessing. Your gifts to support our causes, as well as your prayers and faith in Providence, will work to aid the restoration the Catholic faith in the Czech people, and help us all to attain our ultimate destiny, life on high with Christ Jesus. Our former Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, at his address to the national pilgrimage of the Czech Republic, told the pilgrims, including a large delegation from Texas, and several other state districts of the National Alliance: “May the Mother of God, whom you especially venerate at Svatá Hora and Svatý Kopeþek, guide your steps and sustain you each day in living according to Gospel values. May the example of all your patron saints inwardly strengthen you, so that you may be "the light of the world and the salt of the earth" (cf. Mt 5: 13-14) in your homeland. With these sentiments, I cordially impart a special Apostolic Blessing to you, to your families and to the beloved Czech people. 3RFKYiOHQEX

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I also commend you and your families to our Mother Mary, to all your patron saints and to your guardian angels, that you may all grow in love for our Savior and Lord, for love of our Catholic faith, and for love of the work of restoring that faith to the Czech people. In that way, we can all be "the light of the world and the salt of the earth" as John Paul II reminded us, as that is what we are called to be. We hope to see you at our annual meeting. Until then, “s Pánem Bohem”. Sincerely, Stephen Vrana, President Texas District NACC

Directions to Praha Praha is located on Farm to Market road 1295, about one mile south of highway 90 to the southeast of Flatonia. Coming from the east, take I-10 exit 668, turn left (south) on FM 2238 until you get to Engle on highway 90. Turn right (west) and go 4 miles, and turn left (south) on FM 1295. Coming from the west, take exit 661 on I-10 in Flatonia, turn right (south) on highway 95 until you meet highway 90 and turn left (east). Go 3½ miles until FM1295, and turn right (south) to get to Praha. 2

From the Chaplain Dear friends in Christ, I would like to thank each of you for your continued support of the Church and its ministries in the Czech Republic. The Church continues to face new challenges in bringing the message and love of Jesus Christ to the people. I visited the Czech Republic the last week of June and the first week of July. During my time there I met with the Rector of the Seminary in Olomouc and he expressed his thankfulness for our support. The Church continues to be challenged by those who are in position of authority and leadership in government who are unbelievers and want to limit what the Church is able to do and want to cut any support given it by the government. There continues to be a decline in the number of young men studying for the priesthood. This also brings new challenges to the bishops as they try to provide for the pastoral needs of the people. Your prayers and support go a long way to help encourage and bring hope to the Church in the Czech Republic. They value and appreciate your support. Many are very hopeful that the enthusiasm of the youth in the parishes will spread to bring a new evangelization to the entire country. Let us continue to pray that they, with the help of the Holy Spirit, will have the strength, courage and perseverance needed to bring about a renewal of faith and morals in a land filled with much history of those who gave their life for the sake of Christ. In Christ, Fr. Stephen Nesrsta

A Visit to the Hospice Svatý Kopeþek near Olomouc, Czech Republic Submitted by Marvin and Judith Marek While in the Czech Republic this past April-2005, my wife and I visited Vit Peštuka in Olomouc. Vit is the assistant director of the Archdiocesan Charita and special secretary for foreign correspondence for the archbishop. Charita (charity) is an arch-diocesan organization that lends it administrative and financial support to various projects, much like our diocesan Catholic charities that is supported primarily by our diocesan services funds. Financial support for these services in the Czech Republic are obtained from an annual, nation-wide collection held on the Feast of the Epiphany in all Catholic churches in the Czech Republic. Supplemental funds needed for operations are derived from the more affluent members of the Church in Western Europe and the United States. For several years, the Texas District of the National Alliance of Czech Catholics has assisted two projects in the Olomouc Archdiocese: the Seminary and the hospice at Svatý Kopeþek (Holy Little Hill). Although the seminary staff was unavailable the day of our visit, we were able to tour the hospice adjacent to the pilgrimage church that is housed in the former Jesuit monastery on 6YDWê.RSHþHN. From the church and hospice one has a grand view to the south of the nearby valley or lowlands accommodating the City of Olomouc. It was the day of Pope John Paul II’s death. In the middle of the second and lower landing of the wide stone steps leading away from the entrance of the church was a small candle with a few single long-stemmed flowers lying around it on the stone pavement. The candle marked the spot where John Paul had celebrated the Eucharist during his visit to Svatý KopeþHN. It was a solemn reminder of the greatness of this good Slavic pope and his contribution to the world. (continued on page 76YDWê.RSHþHN) 3

============================== Dear Mr. Marek,

(Marvin Marek received the below letters after we sent out last years newsletter.) ============================== Dear Marvin Marek and all members of the TDNACC!

I am very sorry that we didn’t meet each other this time during your visit in Olomouc. This year we have the ordination of 17 priests and of 13 deacons for all of Moravia. We are praying for other vocations and a generous answer for this vocation of our Lord. Thank you very much for your help – Mass intentions and financial support of our seminarians. The Mass intentions will be celebrated till the end of this year 2004.

We confirm receiving of your donation for the needs RIWKH+RVSLFH6YDWê.RSHþHNLQWKHDPRXQWRI

USD. We were very honored by your personal visit in the Archdiocesan Charity Olomouc. Seeing you and hearing about the deed of your faith over the ocean we were encouraged. We wish that our activity that we do thanks to grace of our good God and thanks also to our benefactors could be encouraging also for you and for members of TDNACC. We will be spiritually present with you during

Thankfully Yours, 5HY)U9RMW FKâtPD5HFWRU

==============================

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Dear Mr. Marek,

that the atmosphere in Praha on this day is very special and nothing can explain better what is going on than a personal visit. I thank you cordially for your generous contributions for the service of our Hospice. To help terminally ill people is the deed of mercy and so you can be sure that your names are also through this token of solidarity written in Heaven. We will be thankful for your help also in the future – many of our projects are dependent on the help of benefactors: houses for single mother with children in social need, projects for handicapped people, poor families with more children and many, many others. The Archdiocesan charity has to be ready to support such projects of regional and parish charities, which have short time lasting financial difficulties. Our warmest regards and prayers we send especially to: Rev. Fr. Stephen Nesrsta, Deacon John Petter, Stephen Vrana, Carol Filer, Alfred Vrana, and KJZT, to Gladys Vinclarek, and KJT, to Mr. Elo Goerig! We ask God’s blessing on all especially new members of TDNACC! Sincerely Yours, Václav Keprt, Director Archdiocesan Charity Olomouc ==============================

Peace and joy to you and to all members of Texas District of the National Alliance of Czech Catholics! Thank you very much for your support of our Archdiocesan Charity in Olomouc and also for Mass intentions and donation for our seminarians. I extend my blessing to all members of TDNACC! Thanks for everything you do to make stronger and lasting organization of Czech Catholics in Texas. The work of prayer and self-offering to our good God help efficiently to create communion of deeply persuaded people that can’t easily dissolve in time. We pray for new members of TDNACC. Young people of today’s world need both: roots and wings. Let us wish them to find both also in TDNACC. I am looking forward for the news from TDNACC also about new members! Your solidarity with us and your relation to heritage of the belief of our fathers and mothers that came from the heart of Europe encourages us on our way of promotion of helping people in social health need – in our country but also abroad. We included our Moravian and Czechs living in Texas in our prayer during the solemn holy Mass celebrated by our two cardinals: Vlk and Spidlik and other bishops from Czech Republic in Velehrad on July 6th of this year. Thank you for every sign of your love and sympathy. %OHVVLQJDQGJUHHWLQJWRDOOSLOJULPVLQ0DWLþND

Praha. Yours, Jan Graubner, Archbishop 4

and has broken down "the dividing wall of hostility" (Eph 2: 14), continue to guide your progress. 3. Your society is at last enjoying a period of democracy and freedom. However, gradual secularization and widespread moral relativism challenge your Christian community. You are right in thinking that the present situation requires a consistent catechetical effort at all levels: from children to young adults, from families to the school, from the communications media to the world of work and culture. I urge you to spare no efforts in this important sector! In the process of Gospel formation the family’s role is fundamental. Dear parents, help your children to discern the values on which to build their lives. And you, dear young people, do not be misled by deceptive myths and mirages. Do not give in to the illusion of easy success; on the contrary, may your hearts always aspire to greater values, not excluding from the horizon of your choices the prospect of giving yourselves totally to God through priestly or religious consecration. A united family is certainly a guarantee for building a responsible society. Each one, therefore, should do all he can in the religious, social and political realms to defend the family and to safeguard human life from conception to its natural end. 4. Throughout history, the Church has always endeavored to make her own contribution to the country’s spiritual and civil progress. Vitally involved in society, she desires only to serve man, showing him the vast horizons of his dignity and the vocation he has received from God, the Creator and Redeemer. After passing through the crucible of persecution, she intends to offer her spiritual treasures to all the people. Naturally, the desired understanding with the State, for the stable, harmonious direction of reciprocal relations in mutual respect and honest cooperation, will help make the Church’s activity more effective for all the citizens of the Czech Republic. 5. Dear brothers and sisters, renewed and strengthened by this pilgrimage in your fidelity to Christ, return to your homeland filled with a convinced personal faith and an intense love for the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ. May the Mother of God, whom you especially venerate at Svatá Hora and 6YDWê.RSHþHNJXLGH (continued on page 7, Pope John Paul II )

(Pope John Paul II address to the national pilgrimage of the Czech Republic on Saturday April 1, 2000) Your Eminence, Venerable Brothers in the Episcopate, Distinguished Representatives of political life, Dear Pilgrims of the Czech Republic, 1. Your presence in such great numbers fills me with joy. You are making your national pilgrimage for the Great Jubilee. Welcome to Rome, dear brothers and sisters! I cordially greet Cardinal Miloslav Vlk along with Archbishop Jan Graubner, President of the Czech Episcopal Conference, whom I thank for his noble words expressing your sentiments of communion and affection for the Successor of Peter. My greeting extends to the dear prelates, priests, consecrated men and women and all of you who have come from the lands of Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia, as well as those who are joined with us through Radio Proglas, with a special thought for all the elderly, the sick and the suffering. Through you I would like once again to assure the entire Czech nation, which is so dear to me, of my spiritual closeness: the three Pastoral Visits which Providence allowed me to make to your country have left an indelible memory in my heart. 2. The Lenten season we are observing, dear brothers and sisters, offers us a pressing invitation to conversion. Only hearts that know they need a deeper and more intimate union with God are ready to cross the threshold of the Holy Door; only those who truly repent can be faithful and credible witnesses in the world to a new life in Christ. This is the real meaning of the Holy Year! Gathered in this hall, today you are offering a witness to that unity and love which identify you as true Christians. I urge you to continue to live this solidarity, "united in the same mind and the same judgement" (1 Cor 1: 10), an unequivocal sign of Christ’s active presence in the world. In a spirit of humility and obedience foster understanding and active cooperation with your Bishops, as St Ignatius of Antioch urged: "I implore you, take care that you do everything in divine harmony, under the guidance of your Bishop" (Ad Magn. 6, 1). Be witnesses and workers of unity, so that all Christ’s disciples may achieve full communion as soon as possible. May the Lord, who is "our peace" 5

Millennium Society and Organizations KJZT #24, St. Agnes, La Grange KJZT #77, Rosenberg KJZT #5, Shiner Society and Organization Memberships KJT #112, St. Stephen Society, Austin KJZT #6, St. Elizabeth Society, Bryan KJZT #11, St. Ludmilla Society, West KJZT #14, Moulton KJZT #17, Nativity of Blessed Virgin, Garwood KJZT #20, St. Elizabeth, Cistern KJZT #23, Hostyn KJZT #28, Frenstat KJZT #29, Sealy KJZT #30, St. Annes, East Bernard KJZT #38, San Antonio KJZT #42, Sealy KJZT #43, Ganado KJZT #45, Tours KJZT #46, St. Veronica, Corpus Christi KJZT #86, Seymour KJZT #93, Austin KJZT #104, Immaculate Heart of Mary, Abbott KJZT #114, Guardian Angel, Houston KJZT #125, Pearland KJZT #128, New Branfels KJZT State Office

Individual Memberships Daniel F. Blaha, Bryan Paul Bowman, Corpus Christi Nancy Bowman, Corpus Christi Rose Butschek, Shiner Mary Cantrell, Manchaca Donald Cernosek, West Gerald Chmelir, Austin Arlene Cloyd, Bellville Betty Danner, Austin John Drozd, Jr, El Campo Hattie Drozd, El Campo Willie Mae Edwards, Victoria Lillian Filer, West Matthew Filer, West Maureen Holy, West Tom Holy, West Julia Hrncir, Austin JG Hrncir, Halletsville Janis Hrncir, Halletsville Ted Kaspar, Brazoria Dorothy Kaspar, Brazoria Roger Kolar, Austin Patricia Kolar, Austin Alice Kubacak, Austin Mary Ann Marek, Shiner Clarence Matula, LaGrange Mrs. Richard Miller, Ennis Geraldine Nekuza, Austin Charles Orsak, Pearland Richard Pavlasek Sophie Perkins, Rockport Charles W. Plunket, Houston Theresa Pesl Plunket, Houston Emma Jean Ribar, Buckholts Mary Richburg, Austin Helen Roznovsky, Shiner Betty Saxon, Bryan Evelyn Skopik, Waco George Slanina, Stafford Margaret Slanina, Stafford Georgian Smith, Canyon Lake Alfred Stryk, Pearland Marie Stryk, Pearland Dorothy Tichavsky, Austin Lucille Ulcak, Halletsville Grace Vinklarek, Flatonia Steven Vrana, Granger Virginia Webb, Georgetown Leo Vrana, Corpus Christi Henrietta Vrana, Corpus Christi Dorothy Watthuber, Sealy

Millennium Club Memberships John and Adelle Anders, Rosenberg Joseph Bartosh, Austin Albert Bures, Yoakum Cathy Bures, Yoakum Henrietta Cervenka, Waco Carol Filer, Austin Rev. Joseph Hybner, Ganado Linda Kamenicky, Austin Patricia Keith, Dimmitt Mr. Rudolph Klecka, East Bernard Mrs. Rudolph Klecka, East Bernard Ed Kocurek, Irving Judith Marek, Katy Marvin Marek, Katy Paul Marek, Katy Rev. Stephen Nesrsta, Somerville Joseph Peters, Red Rock Minnie Petrusek, Katy George L. and Marie B. Slanina, Wallis Raymond Snokhaus, West Clarice Snokhaus, West Msgr. George Tydlacka, Manor Matt Vanek, Victoria Alfred Vrana, Austin Stephen Vrana, Houston Anonymous

Contributions made to TDNACC are from 25 organizations and 76 individuals.

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TX District - NACC Membership Application / Renewals: Membership is open to any individual or organization and is now being collected. The membership runs from September 1st through August 31st. Please make checks payable to Texas District, NACC. Any donation is appreciated and may be sent to: Alfred Vrana, Treasurer Texas District – NACC 1902 Crooked Lane Austin, Texas 78741

or

Carol Filer, Secretary Texas District- NACC 14520 Regents Walk Austin, Texas 78728

Individual

$10

Organization or Societies

$25

Millennium Club

$100

Bronze Millennium

$500

Name: ________________________________________ Address: ______________________________________ City, State: ____________________________________ Zip Code: _____________________________________ Email Address: _________________________________ Organization Name (If applicable): _________________________ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (continued from page 3, Svatý KopeþHN) The hospice operates in the monastery building adjacent to the church. The building was neglected by the Communist regime and given back to the archdiocese in a terrible state that required extensive, costly repairs and renovations. The city of Olomouc paid for a portion of the repairs and feels no further obligation to support the social services. The spotless building contains 20 single and 5 double rooms. Each room has enough space for loved ones to be with the patients. The normal stay in the hospice is one month. On average the hospice has served 320 patients annually. In the first three months of this year the hospice served 109 patients. Sixty passed away during that time. Annually, approximately 200 patients have spent their last days in this clean, loving and caring environment. The others recovered enough to return home. Doctors are always available to assist the ill and dying. Patients of all ages are accepted. The youngest has been 26 years old. The charge to the patient is generally 150 crowns ($6) per day, for those that have the means to pay. The additional daily cost of 1,550 ks ($67) is defrayed by the national health insurance system, 800 ($35) crowns, and from charitable groups via Charita. The hospice also contains a chapel and the family is provided a private room where they may visit the deceased. We were very impressed by the quality of services provided by the hospice and its staff. (continued from page 4, Pope John Paul II) your steps and sustain you each day in living according to Gospel values. May the example of all your patron saints inwardly strengthen you, so that you may be "the light of the world and the salt of the earth" (cf. Mt 5: 13-14) in your homeland. With these sentiments, I cordially impart a special Apostolic Blessing to you, to your families and to the beloved Czech people. Praised be Jesus Christ!

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Carol Filer, Secretary Texas District – NACC 14520 Regents Walk Austin, Texas 78728

Texas District - National Alliance of Czech Catholics Annual Meeting Monday, August 15, 2005 2:00 P.M St. Teresa’s Chapel (Old Saint Mary’s School) Praha, Texas All members, associated societies, organizations, and interested perspective members are invited and urged to attend.

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