Source: https://flps.newberry.org/group/bohemian/code/IA2b/
Timestamp: 2019-04-25 00:45:11+00:00

Document:
An opportunity presented itself yesterday to the Bohemian population of this city to express their sincere gratitude and sympathy towards one of their eminent and well-known countrymen, the Rev. Joseph Molitor, who celebrated his 25th anniversary as a priest. His life presents, indeed, a part of the history of the development of Bohemian colonization in the United States.
His arrival in Chicago in 1866 was of far-reaching importance to the development of Bohemian activity and Catholic religion locally as well as in the whole west. Sensing the truth that the school is the most effective means and its results most lasting for the cultivation and maintenance of desirable national characteristics and customs, he devoted to this branch of education of his countrymen his undivided attention and activity.
As president of the Bohemian Literary Club of America he found ways and 2means to have schoolbooks printed in the Bohemian language and to have children make use of them, thereby promoting their mental development. Since the Bohemian population increased steadily in this city, his activities along these lines were very successful. In 1866 only one Bohemian Catholic Church existed in this city, namely the Wenzel-Church, whose pastor is still Rev. Molitor; but today there are seven churches among a population of 75,000 people, in which services are held in the mother tongue; the children being taught same in their parochial schools.
In view of these facts it was a well-deserved tribute of gratitude which was yesterday rendered to the honorable jubilee-celebrant. Not only Bohemian and Polish, German churches of this city sent their delegates to the festival, but they also came from Detroit, St. Louis, Cleveland, Milwaukee, etc.
The sermon for the occasion was delivered by J. Kosidelka of Cleveland, who expressed with eloquent words what the audience felt toward the 3guest of honor.
After the church services a banquet was held in the school-house in which a considerable number of clergmen participated. The honored priest received toasts in seven different languages. Nearly all persons who come from the Slavonic countries of Austria-Hungary are able to speak the German language.
The impressive celebration closed last night with a dramatic and musical performance before a large audience.
Bohemian // Contributions and Activities > Avocational and Intellectual > Intellectual > Publications > Books (II B 2 d 3) ?
The second convention of the Narodni Svaz Ceskych Katoliku v Americe (National Alliance of Bohemian Catholics of America) was called to order in Chicago yesterday with a somewhat altered program from that which was originally set forth. The convention was called to order in the morning, although the original time was set for 2 P.M. This happened because the High Mass which preceded was concluded much sooner than had been expected. The High Mass was attended by numerous clergymen and all of the delegates who came to participate in the convention. The Right Reverend Valentin Kohlbeck, abbot of the Saint Procopius Abbey in Lisle, Illinois, was the celebrant, and he was assisted by Reverend Mikulasek, Reverend Liska, and Reverend Cerveny of Cleveland, Ohio. Reverend Frantisek W. Jedlicka was the preacher.
Immediately after the High Mass all the officers and delegates went to the Bohemian-American Hall where the convention was called to order. Reverend F. W. Jedlicka offered a prayer, and Mr. Jan Straka welcomed the delegates with a brief speech. The manager of the Alliance headquarters, Mr. Antonin V. Tesar, read the names of the officers. Then the committee on credentials was appointed. Mr. Frank H. Bicek was appointed president, and Mr. K. Dvorak and Mrs. Anna Bicek were named members of the said committee. Mr. Hynek Dostal, editor of the Hlas (Voice) of St. Louis, Missouri, and member of the second mission which was sent to Czechoslovakia by the Narodni Svaz Ceskych Katoliku v Americe, then related his experiences. Soon afterward the session was adjourned and most of those present went to the Palace Inn for lunch.
The afternoon session was called to order by the chairman at 2 P.M. He requested the committee on credentials to read the names of the delegates. The report showed that 14 officers and 72 delegates were present. [There follows the list of delegates].
The constitution and bylaws committee: Dr. M. E. Lorenz, chairman; Reverend K. Dvorak, Mr. Frank Pintner, Mr. Karel Prochazka, Mr. Frank H. Bicek, Mrs. Marie Hynek, and Mrs. Marie Yurka. The grievance committee: Mr. Pavel Pastyr, chairman; Mr. Joseph Kratochvil and Mrs. Anna Sevcik. The resolutions committee: Reverend Oldrich Zlamal, chairman; Reverend V. F. Mikolasek, Mr. V. F. Jelinek, Mr. A. J. Kallus, and Mrs. Karolina Tuhacek. The finance committee: Mr. J. L. Masek, chairman; Mr. J. Kesner, Mr. J. L. Kapoun, Mrs. Terezie Nouza, and Mrs. A. Holub. The press and publicity committee: Mr. Frantisek Sindelar, chairman; Mr. Hynek Dostal and Mr. V. B. Havel. The committee on petitions: Reverend Leo Steffl, chairman; Mr. F. J. Fencl, and Mrs. Alzbeta Souhrada. All the appointments were unanimously approved.
The chairman, Jan Straka, then read his own report and message, at the conclusion 4of which he made a few remarkable recommendations. His speech was rewarded by noisy applause. The report was approved as read. Also approved was the report of the secretary, Jan Vohler. The report of Mr. Frantisek Sindelar, former manager of the Alliance headquarters, was very interesting; he is far better posted on the activities and office routine of the Alliance headquarters than either of the two men who succeeded him. His report showed that he managed the headquarters' office until November 15, 1919, when he was succeeded by Mr. A. Rezek. Mr. A. Rezek was recently succeeded by Mr. Antonin V. Tesar of Halletsville, Texas, who just returned from Czechoslovakia and who now resides in Chicago. In his report Mr. Frantisek Sindlar, who is now editor of the American (American), a Bohemian daily newspaper in Cleveland, Ohio, mentioned first the reorganization of the National Alliance and the Alliance headquarters. The last meeting of the Narodni Svaz Ceskych Katoliku executive committee was held March 7, 1919. On that day the officers who were elected at the plenary 5conference were installed. The old executive committee was authorized to take care of the subordinate foreign department as per decision of the plenary conference. The sum of $5,000 was transferred into the treasury of the new National Alliance, and the rest of the money was transferred to the "Zahranicni Odbor Narodniho Svazu Ceskych Katoliku v Americe (Foreign Department of the National Alliance of Bohemian Catholics of America). The aid activities were taken care of by the new executive committee, and the political activities will be taken care of by the foreign department. The new officers immediately commenced to work on problems, especially that of organization, which was the greatest and most difficult. This work was very extensive and should now be accomplished by the convention.
"The total amount contributed by the Narodni Svaz Ceskych Katoliku v Americe toward the aid activities is the sum of $90,000....."
In concluding his report Mr. Sindelar mentioned the various small contributions of the National Alliance which are impossible to trace or to record. He expressed the hope and is convinced that, in the future, the National Alliance will broaden its activities not only in the interest of the Catholic people in the United States, but also in the interest of all Czechoslovakia.
Then the financial report of Mr. Joseph Kopecky, who was not present, was read.
The report, which the auditing committee found to be correct, reveals the generosity of our Bohemian Catholic people of the United States. The reports of the treasurer and the auditing committee were read and approved.
The second session was adjourned at 6 P.M.
Denni Hlasatel, June 3, 1920.
Denni Hlasatel, June 4, 1920.
The fifth session was called to order by the chairman at 9 A.M. Mr. Masek presented the report of the auditing committee, according to which the total assets of the Narodni Svaz Ceskych Katoliku v Americe amount to $31,550.89. The books were audited and found to be correct. The report was approved. Reverend Dvorak then urged the Narodni Svaz Ceskych Katoliku v Americe to do something for the poor Bohemian parishes in the United States. In answer to his request, the chairman remarked that he had presented the same recommendation in his message and that this matter falls into the sphere of the department on religion. Dr. Lorenz advocated that the same department should 11encourage the activities of the district and parish alliances by arranging series of lectures for social programs. The matter was referred to the resolutions committee for the preparation of a resolution. It was recommended that the Narodni Svaz Ceskych Katoliku v Americe co-operate with the Bohemian free thought organizations in all problems which fall under the jurisdiction of the Ceskoslovenska Narodni Rada v Americe (Czechoslovak National Council of America). Reverend F. W. Jedlicka advocated the publication of a new journal which would inform the parish alliances about the activities of the national and district alliances; about what is going on in Czechoslovakia; and one which would create a better and closer contact between the national and subordinate alliances. The idea was approved and the National Alliance was authorized to inform the subordinate alliances in the best possible way and as often as necessary. The chairman then recommended the publication of a new book similar to Tomas Capek's Czechs in America, because although this book is not anti-Catholic, it is not just, for it does not mention the Narodni Svaz Ceskych Katoliku v Americe at all. The matter was referred to the executive committee. Mr. Radous informed the delegates that the organization 12of which he is the representative authorized Mr. Sindelar to write a book describing the activities of the Bohemian Catholics of America during the liberation period. Reverend Nekola recommended the publication because such a book is wanted in Czechoslovakia.
The chairman then read a communication from the Narodni Sdruzeni Slovenskych Katoliku v Americe (National Alliance of Slovak Catholics of America). In this communication co-operation and aid were requested, because the organization was founded to promote the same principles among the Slovak people which the Narodni Svaz Ceskych Katoliku v Americe advocates among the Bohemians. Reverend Rehor Vaniscak spoke about this request and gave a more detailed explanation. The motion of Reverend Oldrich Zlamal to promote closer contacts with the Narodni Sdruzeni Slovenskych Katoliku v Americe in problems of religion and of morals was adopted. Questions of politics, especially questions concerning autonomy, should be set aside. Because of this decision the future executive committee will take the necessary measures.
Reverend O. Zlamal and Mr. Fr. Sindelar then demanded of the Narodni Sdruzeni Slovenskych Katoliku v Americe that discipline be introduced and enforced in its own ranks and especially among the various Slovak newspapers which grossly attacked the Bohemians a short time ago.
Reverend Innocent Kestl, honorary chairman of the National Alliance, then received the pledges of the newly-elected officers.
The chairman then thanked the Bohemian newspapers for publishing reports of the convention and also expressed his thanks to the delegates for their co-operation and enthusiastic work.
The convention was adjourned about 1:30 P.M.
Slovak // Contributions and Activities > Avocational and Intellectual > Intellectual > Publications > Newspapers (II B 2 d 1) ?
The Patronat Svobodomyslnych Ceskych Skol v Ciceru (Trustees of the Bohemian Free Thought Schools of Cicero), after many years of peaceful work, is undertaking a difficult task--the erection of a new building for the Bohemian Free Thought schools, the urgent need of which requires quick action. More than six hundred children, pupils of the Bohemian Free Thought school, are anxious to find out whether there is a possibility of learning the language of their parents in a regular school building, and not at places where the children suffer both moral and bodily harm.
In the name of these children, the Patronat Svobodomyslnych Ceskych Skol v Ciceru is urging all friends of the Bohemian language to contribute toward the building fund in order that this project may be financially secure. We ask all the Bohemian organizations--they will receive our letter with the request for monetary help--not to lay this letter aside with the remark "Zase zebrota" (More beggary), but to help us to the best of their abilities.
This project is for the benefit of our Bohemian children. It is for a new school building from which they cannot be ousted by any of the Cicero School Board moguls, as happened some time ago. At the same time we urge the organizations to send delegates to the meetings of the Patronat Svobodomyslnych Ceskych Skol v Ciceru regularly and to participate in this gigantic work which is ahead of us. Furthermore, we ask the Bohemian societies of Cicero to appoint the greatest possible number of collectors from their ranks and report their names to the secretary of the building committee.
For the building committee of the Patronat Svobodomyslnych Ceskych Skol v Ciceru: Jan Sebek, chairman; Vaclav Kesl, secretary, 5321 West 25th Place, Cicero; Frantisek Suchy, treasurer, 5522 West 24th Street, Cicero, Illinois.
Bohemian // Attitudes > Education > Parochial > Contributions (I A 2 c) ?
The Narodni Svaz Ceskych Katoliku (National Alliance of Bohemian Catholics), an organization founded at the time of our [Czechoslovak] revolution, and today perhaps the most important and most influential institution of our Catholic countrymen in the United States, opened its third national convention yesterday. The convention was attended by sixty-seven delegates.....So many important tasks will face this convention, that it is doubtful whether it will be able to conclude its deliberations within the time specified.
The program of the convention was preceded by a high pontifical Mass celebrated in the St. Vitus Roman Catholic Church at 10 A.M. yesterday. The celebrant was the Very Reverend Valentin Kohlbeck, O.S.B., abbot of the Benedictine monastery at Lisle, Illinois. Immediately after the church service all delegates assembled in the Ceskoslovenska Americka Sin, (Czechoslovak-American Hall), 1436 West 18th Street, where, after they had been officially welcomed by the president of 2the Svaz, Mr. Jan Straka, they took their places and began their deliberations. At the morning session a committee was appointed to examine the credentials of the delegates. The committee consisted of Mr. Frank Bicek, Mr. Cyrill Knotek, and Mrs. Karolina Tuchacek. After this necessary ceremony was completed the convention adjourned until 2 P.M.
the Reverend Father Janecek, Mr. Roderes, Mesdames Nedved and Masin, and the Reverend Father Polacek; the committee to inspect the records [of the Svaz]: Messrs. Mares, Kofron, and Marousek. When this necessary convention business was completed, the president read his very extensive report, in which the blessing....of the Holy Father was mentioned first of all. The president again welcomed all the delegates and guests to the convention, and made mention of the work which lies before them. He alluded to the Bohemian Catholic youth, who must be saved for the nation, and said that the slogan "All for our youth" is to become the slogan of this convention. He warmly recommended the support of the St. Cyrill and St. Methodius apostolate, and of the Bohemian college at Rome. He ended by thanking the delegates and all other workers for the work already performed, and expressed his hope that they would continue it at an undiminished tempo.
This report was followed by another one submitted by the manager of the central office of the Svaz, Mr. A. V. Tesar. Since this report was too extensive, we shall have to mention only its salient points. According to Mr. Tesar, the Svaz 4has grown remarkably during the last few months, thanks to the efforts of its many tireless members. He mentioned the activity of the official organ of the Svaz, the Hlidka (Sentinel), which was founded in August, 1920; he touched upon the publicity work of the press bureau of the Svaz, the influence of which is noticeable everywhere. This bureau has made contacts with the Republic of Czechoslovakia, and is thus able to furnish news to many local newspapers; news concerning conditions in the old homeland. Mr. Sindelar (the first office manager of the central office), has written a history of this organization. The book will have more than three hundred pages and will soon be published. Mr. Tesar also mentioned the gifts and aid contributed by the central office in a struggle with the enemies of our mother tongue. These enemies endeavored to eliminate that tongue from our parochial schools--in Nebraska, for instance. This move led to the institution of the Svatovaclavska Dan (Saint Wenceslaus tax), which netted us more than $21,000. He announced the opening of an immigration bureau in New York, pointing out the fact that more Slovaks than Czechs pass through it, and that consequently the Sdruzeni Katolickych Slovaku (National Alliance of Slovak Catholics) ought to help in meeting some of the 5expenses of the bureau. A sizable sum was also sent to Rome for the benefit of the Bohemian college in that city. The organized tour to Czechoslovakia [which took place this year] was made at the request of a great many members of the Svaz, and by invitation from the old homeland. This tour was in conjunction with the one arranged by the Catholic Sokol, and netted us about seven hundred dollars. Part of that profit was turned over to the Catholic Sokol as previously agreed. After having finished his report, which indicated a colossal amount of work done by the central office, Mr. Tesar was complimented and thanked by the president and enthusiastically applauded by the convention.
The president then requested the Reverend Father Bozenek, secretary of the central office, to submit his report also. The latter thereupon stated that his own report was contained in the one read by Mr. Tesar, and that he, in fact, had prepared it in toto. The Reverend Father Bozenek has been acting as secretary of the central office for about two and a half years; during that period, said he, there were 105 meetings of the central office. Contacts were made with 6Slovak Catholics. That contact resulted in a lessening of the violent attacks made by the Slovak press upon the Czechoslovak Republic.
The treasurer of the Svaz, Mr. Josef Kopecky, then read his report. This revealed that from May 1, 1920, to December 31, 1920, the receipts [of the Svaz] were $32,044.31 and the disbursements for the same period $30,752.22. For the year 1921 the receipts were $30,742.96 and the disbursements $28,433.34. For the year 1922, that is, up to and including the month of August, the receipts, inclusive of a balance from the year 1921, were $27,027.30, and the disbursements for the same period were $22,034.43. The above treasury report was in printed form and was therefore distributed among the delegates. It also gave detailed account of all financial transactions, and the purposes for which the disbursed amounts were used. The correctness of the report was also attested to by Mr. Vaclav Kozojed, a certified public accountant. The books will, nevertheless, be subjected to the scrutiny of the proper committee, which will make its report to the convention later.
There was an intermission lasting twenty minutes, followed by reports from the 7various district and parochial organizations, men's and women's unions, etc. All of these reports but two sounded favorable. A note of discouragement crept into the report made by the Reverend Father Janecek of Michigan. His report covered the Bohemian Catholic clergy of that state. The small number of Bohemian Catholics in Michigan, and the fact that they live in widely separated and scattered localities, makes any attempt at unified action impossible. Because they are sparsely settled and widely separated, the condition of the Bohemian Catholic parishes is anything but satisfactory. Another, equally unsatisfactory report was given by the Reverend Father Kreuser of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The latter clergyman complained about the lukewarm attitude of our countrymen there, and about a certain lack of organization which resulted.

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