Source: The United Church of Canada Jubilee Album, 1926-2001,
Published by the Session, 2001.
By: Lajos Vincze (Translated by: Julie Nyisztor)
One of the projects dearest to our founding minister, Reverend Dr. Michael Feher was the religious and Hungarian language teaching of the children. How exactly was this carried out? Rev. Feher described this in a Ref. Hirado dated June 1966.
The Sunday School Report: At the Elders meeting held June 6, Vincze Lajos, principal, gave a very encouraging report of the Sunday School activities. In September 1965, there were 112 registered. The average attendance per week was 70-80 children, with a noticeable drop after Christmas. The teaching for 12 classes was done by volunteer teachers and the programme was based on “New Curriculum” from the United Church. Mr. Vincze and his wife wholeheartedly sacrificed their time and effort to the spiritual teaching of the children. The teachers too teach with love and devotion and because of this the children are happy to attend.
The Sunday School and Hungarian School joined together for the Christmas pageant and the Mother’s Day programme. Ida Jenei Uskerth, Julie Varga Nyisztor, Viola Palko Soos, Lili Vincze and Peter Huszty were some of the teachers worthy of special mention. Thanks and gratitude to all. This spring the Elders renovated and painted one of the rooms for the use of the youngest children. Mr. Vincze expressed thanks to the Elders, the Bethlen Kata Ladies and to the parents for their interest and help. The Church executive thanks Mr. Vincze and the teaching staff for their efforts. On June 12 a picnic for the children will be held at the Hungaria farm where the teachers would like to meet and greet the parents.
Closing Ceremonies for the Hungarian School
It is Saturday afternoon and the closing ceremonies for the Saturday Hungarian School are about to start. Bright-eyed children are ready to pass their tests—to recite and to sing. On one of the tables I see a lovely display of Hungarian embroideries prepared during the course of the year by the young girls. Magda Toka is the proud teacher. Rev. Feher and Endre Mecs, President of the school committee arrive. Rev. Feher opens with a prayer and the examinations are set to begin. He questions the children regarding religious teachings. The children respond in fluent Hungarian. Then Magda Ihasz, the teacher, questions the children...reading, writing, oral presentations and recitations. The children’s responses are followed by loud applause. Then it’s time for Mrs. Janos Kover, Matild neni’s class to respond. These are the older children and Rev. Feher beams, no doubt envisioning these children preparing for their confirmation, expressing faith in Hungarian in a Hungarian church before a Hungarian minister and Hungaran congregation in Canada. The examination draws to a close. Endre Mecs in his closing remarks thanks the teachers, Ida Uskerth, the church council, various church groups for their financial assistance and all who contributed to the smooth running of the school.
In closing, the Hungarian and Canadian national anthems are sung and refreshments are served. At the parents’ request I say—“Thank you, thank you.”