This
year’s 74th Slovak Day in Milton threatened to be a wet one; all
around us the clouds were darkening. On the way to the Croatian Park, a few
raindrops hit the windshield and once we reached the park, we had to keep
windows closed for a while because it did rain. However, the sky cleared up,
the sun came out and all threat of rain disappeared.
Slovak
Days start with a liturgy or a mass; this time it was a Byzantine Liturgy where
the main celebrant was H.E. Bishop John S. Pazak, C.Ss.R., Eparch of Slovak
Byzantine Eparchy of Sts. Cyril & Methodius in Canada. Concelebrating with
him were: Fr. Jozef Mucha (Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Slovak
Byzantine Catholic Church in Hamilton), Fr. Miroslav Cajka, C.Ss.R.,
(Michalovce Vice Province in Slovakia), Fr. Jaroslav Lajciak (from Rome,
currently serving St. Michael the Archangel Slovak Byzantine Catholic Church in
Windsor) and Fr. Sub-Deacon Winsen Zouzal from Windsor. Liturgy was celebrated
in Slovak with many parishioners from Oshawa, Hamilton, Welland, Toronto,
Windsor and Thornhill singing the responses. More than a hundred parishioners
and guests (including many from Slovakia) listened intently to Fr. Jaroslav who delivered the homily. He very
appropriately focused on the two men who were instrumental in bringing
religion, faith and culture to our
forefathers: Sts. Cyril & Methodius. He reminded us a bit of the history
associated with the two saints and recounted their trek to Rome to meet with
Pope Hadrian. Through it all he brought
to our attention that just like Sts. Cyril & Methodius, we are also urged
to spread the faith to all around us. We need to focus on delivering that same
faith to our children, friends and neighbours.
The liturgy concluded with singing of “V sedmobreznom kruhu Rima”
(Mnohaja lita) to our Holy Father, Benedict XVI, “Mnohaja lit” to our Bishop John Pazak and to
all clergy and guests present. Everyone then went to enjoy their lunch and
spend time with friends and acquaintances one always meets at Slovak Day. The
beautiful sunshine only made things that much nicer.
See you next year at the 75th Slovak Day.
Mary Siroky - Snell
