Let Not The Light Of Freedom Be Extinguished!
American Home over 100 years of
serving
American-
Slovenians
Vol. 109, No. 31
American Home
Ameriška Domovina'
SLOVENIAN MORNING NEWSPAPER
USPS 024100
ISSN Number 0164-68X
AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA, DECEMBER 20, 2007
Phone:(216)431-0628	<C1 nn
E-mail: ahp@buckeveweb.net ^
Schengen Zone Expands to Include Slovenia
BRUSSELS, 6 Dec. -European Union interior minister gave the final green light on Thursday to the expansion of the Schengen noborder zone to nine countries, including Slovenia, which will create a 24-country area stretching over 3.6 sq. kilometers in which EU citizens will be able to travel without passports.
This is a “very nice Christmas present” and one of the most tangible benefits of EU citizenship, European Justice Commissioner Franco Fratini told reporters, referring to the dismantling of border checks to take place on December 21..
Similarly, Slovenian Interior Minister Dragutin Mate said people will actually feel “that we are part of Europe and equal citizens of the EU, which we felt for the first time with the introduction of Ihc _CUro.” „ According to Mate, the countries joining the zone have met all the criteria for the protection of land and sea borders. He said it felt good, in particular because Slovenia had contributed greatly to the success of the project.
The opening of the borders with the nine countries: Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic - will be marked with ceremonies at the four border crossings on Dec. 21, including the Škofije crossing between Italy and Slovenia.
When Slovenia enters the Schengen zone, border controls will be lifted on borders with Austria, Italy and Hungary. At the same time, the outer edge of the zone will shift to Slovenia’s 670-kilometer border with Croatia.
Demolition of checkpoints on the old Schengen border has already begun and is expected to be completed in March. Many of the buildings will, however, be left standing, some to be used by police and others by local communities and businesses.
When security checks on the borders with Austria, Hungary and Italy arc scrapped, Slovenia as well as other countries will carry out random inland checks.
—Embassy of Slovenia news
Staff of the 2007 St. Mary’s (Holmes Ave.) Slovenian School includes Kristina Sedmak, Maria Marsic, Ann Nemec, Maria Sedmak, Bine Lampič, and John Nemec. Officers are -President: Susie Hamilton, Vice President: Maria Sedmak, Vice President:	Mary Ann
Krevh, Treasurer: Chris Dolinar and Chris Vidmar, Recording Secretary: Cathy Clack, Corresponding Secretary: Irene Družina, Kitchen Manager: Marty Marsic. Event Concessions Manager: Frank Vidmar, and Representative to Slovenska Pristava Board: Rok Ribic.	(Photo and text by PHIL HRVATIN)
Logo of Slovenian EU Council Presidency
Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year
FROM STAFF OF
American Home newspaper
‘5-DIGIT 44081
^20*0'( o********************c
^arian mcmahon
f933 OHIO ST tRRY OH 44081-9552
On January 1, 2008, when the Slovenian Presidency of the European Union begins, Slovenia will also, as other countries have done before, present its presidency with a special visual image. The design concept, chosen from the work of 13 established Slovenian designers at the beginning of 2006, is the idea of Robert Kuhar.
The logo is, in its design, the choice of color and its motifs, a reflection of Slovenia’s new identity as an independent nation and a member of the European community. It conveys openness, movement, ambition and a sense of natural harmony between the old and the new.
The outline of the logo for Slovenia’s Presidency of the European Union resembles an oak leaf, which reflects the solid, persistent, dependable character of Slovenians, a people who are cool under pressure and thoughtful in their decisions.
Furthermore, the designer chose the combination of five classical elements -Fire, Earth, Air, Water and
Ether, to represent different aspects of Slovenian qualities, heritage and leadership.


Christmastime
Once again it’s Christmastime, Hear the far-off church bells chime, See the lighted Christmas trees, Feel the nippy sleep-laced breeze.
Listen to the carolers sing, Honoring the newborn King, Watch the shoppers in the stores, See the greenery bedecking doors.
Sense the fellowship that glows, the goodwill and the cheer that shows, Remember in the hectic pace,
The reason one should joy embrace,
Then honor Jesus’ birth anew,
At Christmastime and all year through.
AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA, DbOEMtstK
2	AMERICAN HOME
I	AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA
6117 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, OH 44103-1692 Telephone: 216/431-0628 - Fax: 216/361-4088
AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA (USPS 024100)
James V. Debevec - Publisher, English Editor Dr. Rudolph M. Susel - Slovenian Editor
Ameriška Domovina Permanent Scroll of Distinguished Persons:
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Periodicals postage paid at Cleveland, Ohio. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to AMERICAN HOME, 6117 St. Clair Cleveland, OH 44103-1692._______________
No 'll	December 20, 2007
The Christmas Shopper
Sixty members and guests attended the 2007 KSKJ St. Christine’s Lodge #219 Christmas celebration on Sunday, Dec. 2 in St. Christine parish hall in Euclid, Ohio. Officers and members arrived early to conduct a meeting prior to the party. Kristy’s food was delicious and the holiday spirit was felt by all. Top row, left to right, Helen Troha, Joanne Ash, Mitzie Urbanic, guest Loretta Brown, guest Mary Cooke, Agnes Cook, and Phil Hrvatin.
Bottom row, left to right, Betty Kusar, Tony Cek, Francis Prijatel, Gerrie Cek, Justine Skok and Ann Cooke.	(Photo and text by PHIL HRVATIN)
by RUDY FLIS
Gifts for Christmas are a great custom, for young people. In my youth, I thrived on shopping, mostly for my mom and dad, and my younger sister and brothers.
When my wife, Therese, and I started dating, I did truly enjoy getting gifts for her. Years later, I found out that if I bought her clothing as a gift, it was usually the wrong size, the wrong color and the wrong material. These first gifts were sent from far away as I was in the Army, and not home for Christmas in 1952 and ’53. That made it easy for Therese to send an oversized blouse with a sharp emblem on it that I thought she would look gorgeous wearing, but she sent it to her cousins in Ireland. She told me this after I was out of the Army and it was close to Christmas, and I think she was afraid of receiving another such gift.
The message got through my thick skull, so she picks her clothing. Now when Therese and I prepare for Christmas, her job is shopping for all the family. All our Christmas seasons have been very happy and non-combative because of this family custom and I’m usually out of town when the tree goes up, which has been a tremendous help in sustaining our excellent relationship through all these years.
Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.
--Bob Mills
You may feel sorry for my gorgeous wife, but don’t. She is the hero to all our kids who love the gifts they receive from us, gifts I don’t see until the kids unwrap them. The gifts aren’t oversize, gaudy or goofy because their mom has excellent taste, which I accept as a gift from God which enhances our relationship.
My mom and dad, Slovenians who came to this country in 1913 raised a family to know and love and serve God, to love each other, not always an easy task. This special lady I call mom, for Christmas 1952 came to Gamp Rucker, Alabama on my deceased dad’s railroad pass, to spend it with me because I was on orders to go to Korea. She also brought my girlfriend, Therese, who became my fiancee on Jan. 10, 1953, two days before I left for Germany. My orders had been changed, a day or two before Christmas. Another blessing from God.
After a tasty Christmas dinner spent at the army day room, the other soldiers surrounded my mom as she told stories and listened to the stories of the homesick soldiers, many who were experiencing their last Christmas on earth. With a terrific mom such as that, you know my childhood was special.
Today there are troops away from home who are just as homesick. Pray for them and their families, and for peace on earth.
How do sheep in Mexico say Merry Christmas?
Fleece Navidad.
100 Words More or Less
by John Mercina
One Boy’s First Christmas in America
For the first 11 years of the boy’s life, Christmas was not a complete family celebration. Missing was the father, who left the family when the boy was merely three months old. The boy’s father left the country of his birth to escape a certain death at the hands of the Slovenian Communist regime, which was responsible for thousands of deaths of innocent civilians, after completion of the war.
The boy’s father became a DP (Displaced Person), a political immigrant who spent the next five years in DP camps in Italy and Germany, away from his family.
Thanks to a caring American family, the boy’s father was sponsored for an entry into the United States. It took another six years, however, before the young boy and his mother were allowed to leave the country of their birth to join their husband/father, and begin their life as a family, in a country that promised them wonderful freedom and a new beginning.
It was a month before Christmas, the boy’s father was unemployed and had a hard
time making ends meet. A visit to a St. Vincent de Paul store was made to purchase oversized used clothes for the young lad and frequent trips to a nearby day-old bakery provided the inexpensive food for the family living in a one-bedroom apartment. It had no refrigerator, no TV, no games... but plenty of love.
Life was tough. The first midnight Mass in America and the first Christmas brought the first rewards for the young boy. Thanks to the good neighbors and friends, new clothes, shoes and toys were received in abundance. It was a Christmas to remember.
Every day, when yours truly gets up, I thank God for the opportunity to have been the young boy whose first Christmas in America is described in this article and whose story was typical of the thousands of young boys and girls from that era.
Merry Christmas and a Peaceful New Year to all the Readers of American Home. Bozic in srečno novo leto vam želim.
Roster
Updates
The 2008 rosters which are printed periodically in the American Home throughout the year are still only $30.00.
Please send $30 payment along with the names of your club’s 2008 officers and your meeting times and activity dates, to American Home Roster, 6117 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, OH 44103-1692.
Newspaper Schedule
Until further notice, the American Home (Ameriška Domovina) newspaper will be printed twice a month.
Deadline for all copy is a week before publishing date.
In January the next editions of American Home will be printed on Jan. 10 and Jan. 24.
In February, the American Home newspaper will be published on Feb. 7 and 21
In March, the American Home will be published on March 6 and 20.
In April, the American Home will be published on April 3 and 17.


3
Preserving Our Past for the Future
Members of the Ohio Chapter of the Slovenian Genealogy Society International, Inc., (SGSI) are on a mission. This mission is to capture oral histories of as many Slovenians from the Greater Cleveland area as they can.
Realizing that many of the first wave of Slovenian immigrants who came to America at the turn of the 20Ih century have already passed on, SGSI members felt the urgency to begin this Oral History Program now. Buoyed by a $1,000 start-up grant from the national SGSI organization, members attended a workshop to learn how to take oral histories. They have fine-tuned their skills and arc now working hard to accomplish their goal.
One of the first to volunteer with her life story is Martha Cohe Batich. Martha is 102 years old. To give you a glimpse of her life, she was born in Slovenia in 1905 and as a child, experienced World War I in her village of Coha in the Vipava Valley near Andovscina in Primorska. She has vivid memories of the Italian Army’s coming to her village and taking food from her home to feed their soldiers. She walked through her village wearing shoes with nails driven into the soles so she would not feel the impact of the rocky terrain. Carrying water buckets on her head from the village well was a daily chore. And learning the Italian language in school was required since Italy was awarded this section of Slovenia after World War I.
She emigrated to America in 1922 and reunited with her father and an older sister and her family in the Col-linwood area. Her sister died very young; Martha married her brother-in-law and raised his two children along with their own daughter.
Martha trained to be a seamstress while in Slovenia. Her mother vowed that each of her children would have a trade. She worked for Joseph and Feiss on Cleveland’s west side for many years. Her family practiced many Slovenian traditions in their home in Cleveland. And she still tends to her flower garden. Her words of wisdom for future generations are, “... Have a faith, Work hard, and enjoy your life.”
The question is, “Why bother taking oral histories of our Slovenian people?” The primary reason is to assure that future generations have firsthand knowledge ubout how Slovenians lived their lives and how they contributed to the cultural growth of the area. Passing
down stories and experiences from one generation to the next is the fundamental way a culture is preserved.
Historians have always written about great and powerful individuals who participated in political, economic, religious and social events. Individual lives of ordinary people were considered to be neither important nor interesting enough to deserve preservation. However, since World War II the world has come to realize that “all” people make up societies. “All” people actually shape a nation as it grows. And so it is with SGSI members and their mission - to take oral histories of “all” our Slovenian people.
In addition to the oral histories, interviewees are asked to complete a family history sheet that will be scanned and added to that person’s file with any other data the interviewee wishes to contribute. These family histories will be valuable to future genealogists.
All oral histories will be transcribed digitally into hard copy using the most up-to-date archival materials to assure longevity. Data will be archived at the developing
Slovenian Museum and Archives Center to be located at the Slovenian National Home on St. Clair Avenue in Cleveland and will be made available to genealogists as well as to others doing scholarly research. Indexing major subjects in each oral history will provide easy access for researchers.
Anyone wishing to have his/her life story recorded and preserved for the SGSI Oral History Program in the Greater Cleveland area can email kattvpe28@aol.com or call (440) 230-2251 to set up a time to have the oral history taken. Interviewees will receive a free CD of their oral history.
For those Slovenians living outside the Cleveland area and wishes to have their life stories recorded and preserved at the Slovenian Museum and Archives, SGSI will send a kit with instructions on how to transcribe an oral history with instructions of how to return the recording to SGSI. Also, if an oral history and/or a written history of any person of Slovenian heritage has already been completed, please consider making these a part of SCSI’s preservation program.

May the once-a-year joy of Christmas return to you in memories throughout the year, each time tugging at your heartstrings, each time bringing a smile.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Blagoslovljeni božič in srečno, zdravo novo leto vam želiva
Jože in Marinka Lah
Martha Batich, left, and Rose Marie Jisa
Merry Christmas
S Happy New Year
Vesele božične praznike in srečno novo leto
St. Joseph Lodge # 169

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St. Mary’s (Collin-wood) Holy Name Society Annual Reverse Raffle tickets are now available. Main board is $50; Extra Dinner $25.
The fun-filled dinner takes place Saturday, Jan. 26 in St. Mary’s Hall. Only 200 tickets sold.
For tickets call (216) 481-0993 or (216) 481-0800.
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AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA, DECEMBER 20, 2007
AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA, DECEMBER 20, 2007
4
On The Road to Auburn, Indiana
by PHIL PERME
The long discussed and finally planned road trip to Auburn, Indiana was under way. The crew consisted of Elmer (Dad), Phil, and Dan Perme. The targets of the trip were the ACD (Auburn, Cord, Duesenberg) Automobile Museum, WWII Victory Museum, and the Hoosier Air Museum. I’m happy to say all targets were acquired, experienced, and will be long remembered.
We would like to take you on our trip and share the sights we saw, places we enjoyed and the insights we gained. You’ll be glad you came along.
As with any vacation, especially a Perme vacation, relaxation is the rule. So we worked out a schedule that was very loose with a relaxed pace, decision-making as we went and a something for everyone approach. The leave time was Sunday, Sept. 23rd approximately 1 p.m. True to form we left when we were ready and felt like going - so 1 p.m. turned into 1:45 p.m. Our plan was to drive to Toledo and have early dinner at Tony Packo’s original waterfront restaurant.
The vehicle selected for this vacation was Dad’s Mercury Marquis circa 2001. Nice big car, great air conditioner and comfortable except for the backseat victim. With two big fellows up front, Dad was held hostage with little leg room after an hour’s worth of driving. So we switched off on the driving and it all worked out fine.
So we’ll pick it up from the best laid plans as we left Euclid, Ohio for the first leg of the drive and take you through the next two days. Then we’ll bring you back to Euclid and return you back to your life.
Tom-Tom Go gets an attitude
For the first trip Dad and I ventured in 2006 around Lake Erie. I had purchased a portable GPS road navigator by the brand name Tom-Tom Go. As fate had it, we didn’t use it because it did very little road navigation in Canada except for the big cities like Toronto. Since the thrust of the trip was the rural settings and towns, Tom-Tom-Go was left home for 2006.
Well, this was Tom-Tom’s chance to redeem itself. However, now the battery doesn’t charge and it takes a good few minutes before it finds satellites by which to guide us. Kind of its little revenge for not going on the first trip, I suspect.
Not to be outdone by a
mere machine, I waited it out after it was plugged into the car’s power to become functional. A lesson learned -tough to do while it is attached to the windshield and the car is in motion. Who puts the tiny touch screen print on these anyway?
Elves? In any event I found Auburn and set out a course.
It was kind of giving some strange directions but we ignored it since we knew we were taking Route 90 West then 2 West. After a pause at the rest stop on Route 90 near Lorain I punched in Auburn again once I got up to satellite recognition - a lovely feature but no battery memory. As I looked I realized it was looking at Auburn, Illinois, not Indiana. That could explain a few of the odd directions.
I programmed it correctly to Auburn, Indiana, but could not set it to the hotel’s location since it was newer than the map contained in Tom-Tom’s memory chip. So far Tom-Tom is winning. A second lesson learned -when you select non-toll roads, be ready for a much longer drive. Since it was a gorgeous day ripe for travel, we won that round.
To Tony Packos We Go
Since I had been to Tony Packo’s earlier in TomTom’s career - back in 2006 when I bought it, I had saved it as a favorite and selected it as the immediate destination. And happy to say, it got us there. Around 4 p.m. we were in the parking lot across from Tony Packo’s original waterfront restaurant. This is the restaurant about which Corporal Klinger from the MASH TV series raved. It is actually Hungarian by culture with a legacy reaching back to the early 1900s.
We ate well - Dad had the chili, I had the chili and hot dogs and Dan had a slaw dog. All was very good and tasty. The side dishes are interesting. Hungarian food is prevalent on the menu -paprika, dumplings, pigs in the blanket, and the like. So a bowl of chili, two hot dogs and a side of dumplings can be had. Ah yes, only in America can you get such authentic variety.
A quick word about their hot dogs is worth noting. It is actually a half of a six-inch sausage cut lengthwise. So a single dog is a quarter of the revered MOAD - Mother of All Dogs. The MOAD is a 12 in hot dog (sausage) approximately one and one-half-inch in diameter in a bun. Factor in, it is covered with chili and cheese and you can only imagine the night you have ahead of you. It is almost a dare to try the beastly menu item, but no takers this time.
An observation and word to American business is in order. Tony Packo’s has been around for a long, long time and is flourishing. It started out as a place for area workers to eat. By serving others it became successful. By partnering with local business it stays successful. I purchased a souvenir glass and it was made at the area’s Libby Glass plant. Not overseas like China or the Far East. Area business looking out for each other - take note corporate America. Good
business practices help one another.
We finished at Packo’s and headed for the open road again. Since temperamental Tom-Tom needs a few minutes to ramp up and get recognized by the satellites, we did the best we could trying to figure out which highway to take. Once Tom-Tom got recognized and became useful, it revealed we picked the wrong roads. I’m not sure but I thought I heard an electronic snicker from it. However, we got on the right roads and were headed south for a while to pick up the correct westerly highway.
(To Be Continued)
“The joy of brightening other lives, bearing each others’ burdens, easing others’ loads and supplanting empty hearts and lives with generous gifts becomes for us the magic of Christmas.” - W.C. Jones
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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Sterle's Slovenian Country House Restaurant
1401 E. 55 St.
(216) 881-4181____
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year With a vision to the future...
St. Vitus Lodge #25 KSKJ
(American Slovenian Catholic Union)
Spiritual Director - Rev. Joseph P. Boznar President - Joseph V. Hočevar Vice President: Joseph Baškovič Recording Secretary -Financial Secretary - John C. Turek Treasurer - Al Orehek Athletic Director - Ralph Prawdzik Auditors - Marty Turek,
Brian Fabo, Norb Zak Sgt.-at-Arms - Tony Baznik
Vesele božične praznike in srečno novo leto 2008
Dr. Mirko Vombergar, D.D.S.
Gentle Family Dentistry
6551 Wilson Mills Road Mayfield Village, Ohio 44143 440 473-4746
May Christmas Bring You and Your Family the gifts of love and laughter and the Blessing of Peace!
St. Christine Church
840 E. 222 St., Euclid, Ohio
Christmas Liturgy Schedule Confessions: •
Saturday, Dec. 22 - 3:00 - 3:45 p.m. Monday, Dec. 24 - 9:00 - 10 a.m.
Masses:
Christmas Vigil
Monday, Dec. 24th at 4:00 p.m.
Christmas Day Tuesday, Dec. 25 - at Midnight 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
5
Consulate General Žigon Recaps Year
Left to right, Ohio SNPJ Lodges President Joe Valencie, State Representative Kenny Yuko, Attorney Charles Ipavec Sr., Charles Ipavec Jr., and Ed Gabrosek on Nov. 20 at the Slovenian art exhibit at the Galleria on E. 9th Street in Cleveland. The art works will be on display until the end of December._________________________ (Photo by PHIL HRVATIN)
Dear Slovenians and friends of Slovenia:
For the third time during my assignment in Cleveland,, allow me to share with you my annual holiday ruminations, and a ‘report’ of this year’s work as the Consulate General of the Republic of Slovenia in Cleveland.
On December 26, Slovenia will celebrate its 17th birthday. On this day in 1990, official plebiscite results were announced indicating Slovenian independence. It was then that Slovenians gave the green light to a Slovenian people’s government in preparation for eventual complete political independence, which was officially celebrated six months later on June 25, 1991. Because this historical venture would not have been possible without the firm unity of the Slovenian people, December 26 is named Slovenian Independence and Unity Day.
The efforts expended in Slovenia during those days would not have meaning today had they not been internationally recognized. Slovenia gained international recognition in 1992, and here, Slovenians in the United States played a significant role. For this I thank iYou again.
As Slovenia entered the international political arena, she progressed strongly and rapidly. Already an equal member in NATO and the European Union (EU), Slovenia will enter the Schen-gan visa agreement later this month (December). Further, Slovenia was the 13th country and the first new EU member to adopt one of the strongest monetary systems on earth - the Euro. In the first half of 2008, Slovenia will assume the Presidency of the EU. It will be the first of the new EU members to do so. This means that Slovenia will represent and coordinate the politics and procedures of about 500 million
Europeans who live in 27 countries and speak about 22 different languages.
This hyper-activity in the Slovenian homeland is also reflected in the work at the Consulate General of the Republic of Slovenia in Cleveland. In October and November, we organized Slovenia’s presidential elections. (Danilo Turk was the victor and will assume his Presidential Office on December 23 this year.) We have received a great number of inquiries regarding compensation for refugees and victims of post-war injustices. In response, we organized information sessions in Cleveland and Lemont (Chicago). We also recently conducted a workshop in which I advised representatives of various Slovenian-American organizations regarding how to apply for grant monies from the Government of Slovenia, Office for Slovenes Abroad. In my travels,
I visited various American organizations and establishments, diplomatic colleagues representing foreign countries, and of course, fellow Slovenian countrymen in Chicago, IL and in some of the nine other states which fall under the jurisdiction of the Consulate General of Cleveland. This amount of consular work also increased this year. So far this year we have addressed over 2,000 various consular matters.
Regarding events and happenings, the Consulate General was active in organizing the visit of mezzo-soprano Bernarda Fink-Inzko, the Slovenian Armed Forces Band and Brass Quintet, and the piano duo Gorisek-Lazar. To celebrate the Day of Slovenian Culture, we independently organized an event which included a classical music concert, poetry reading and art exhibit which took place at the Slovenian National Home. The art exhibit was subsequently displayed for two weeks at St.
Mary’s Parish Hall. We organized a flag raising ceremony on June 25 before the Frank J. Lausche State Office Building in downtown Cleveland, a celebration of Slovenian Statehood Day on June 25 (in cooperation with Belokranjski Club, National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame, Slovenska Pristava, and the Slovenian Youth Group) and organized an ethnographic exhibit and performance of Folklorna Skupina Kres in Cleveland City Hall during Mayor Jackson’s month-long celebration of Eastern European Cultures. We initiated the establishment of the Cleveland Slovenian Ski Club and the	web	site
www.clevelandslovenian.com. which are both active.
Earlier this year, the Consulate General planned for the first convention of the Council for Slovenians Abroad (U.S.) which on November 24, met for the second time. We also initiated the establishment of the Slovenian Business and Professional Association, whose various profession-related sections each met separately at least once.
Our most notable projects are the establishment of the Slovenian Museum and Archives (SMA) and the Center for Slovenian Studies (CSS). At the time of this writing, SMA developments include obtaining official tax status, entering an agreement with Slovenian National Home and inviting applications for a part-time Executive Director. Archival materials have also begun to arrive, as well as first promises for financial support. The Center for Slovenian Studies, which will be officially and physically be stationed at Cleveland State University, will also soon employ an Execu-
tive Director, who will coordinate the activities of Slovenian researchers, professors and students from various universities in the U.S. At the beginning of the new school year, CSS should receive a professor of Slovenian language who will teach Slovene at U.S. universities and offer various forms of instruction to all who are interested. CSS plans also include the exchange of lecturers between the U.S. and Slovenia with various specializations.
Two happenings which occurred in May this year deserve special mention. First, the precious Slovenian wooden sculpture, Slovenian Lady, was re-dedicated to the City of Cleveland. Years ago, the Slovenian Lady decorated the Mayor’s Office, but was later mysteri-' ously lost. With the help of Cleveland City Councilmen Michael Polenšek and Joe Cimperman, the missing statue was found and once again dedicated to the Mayor of Cleveland. Second, the Ambassador of Slovenia to the United States, Samuel Žbogar, ran his first marathon in Cleveland to raise funds for child victims of landmines in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In Cleveland
alone, he was able to raise about $12,000.
All of the aforementioned accomplishments would not have been possible without the exceptional work of my Executive Assistant Johanna Bajc, Lisa Ovsenik during her time at the Consulate General office, and of course, the constant help and support of my wife, Irena. Many sincere thanks are owed to the representatives of Slovenian organizations and other individuals with whom I have met on countless evenings, plotting and realizing plans; and to those of you, who, year after year, and day after day, during countless sacrificed hours, volunteer your free time to realize your love of Slovenia.
Fellow countrymen, congratulations on this official Slovenian holiday — Slovenian Independence and Unity Day. Dear friends, I wish you and yours a lovely Christmas holiday and a New Year full of abundant health, lots of light and many reasons to smile.
--Dr. Zvone Žigon Consul General of the Republic of Slovenia in Cleveland, with my wife, Irena
Right to left, Rudy Knez, Mary Miklavčič, and Mary Zupančič congratulate Bernarda Fink after her concert at Severance Hall in Cleveland. (Photo by Phil Hrvatin)
Certificate Holders
Annual Meeting
SLOVENIAN NATIONAL HOME
6417 St. Clair Avenue Cleveland, Ohio 44103 Eddie Kcnik Room (annex) Rear Entrance
Sunday, February 3, 2008 at 2 p.m.
Wc invite all Certificate Holders and lodge representatives to attend.
The Board of Directors
AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA, DECEMBER 20, 2007
Sveti Miklavž Visits Milwaukee
Corning Events
Growing up in a Slovenian home, my mother taught my siblings and me many beautiful Christmas customs. Even though my father was American, he welcomed these traditions in our home and enjoyed them as much as we did.
One of my earliest memories of Christmas, as any young child, was the anticipated arrival of Sveti Miklavž. Not only for days, but for weeks mama would remind us that Sveti Milkavž was watching us and that if we were disobedient, we had better be beware of the “parkeljni.” She would say “They like taking naughty children away.”
As a youngster, patiently sitting in my seat next to my mom or dad, I could hardly wait for Sveti Miklavž to walk in with St. Peter and the angels. Suddenly, the bells began to ring, the stage curtains slowly opened and there as if the heavens were visible to us, we were ready to welcome the kind saint who would bring us gifts.
Sveti Milkavž was the most magical person I could ever imagine. He was very tall, wearing a bishop’s hat that covered his long white hair. He also had a long white beard, and he wore a gold and white robe and carried a staff. His voice when he spoke was so gentle and warm that you could only believe that he was truly sent by God. This wonderful man that played Sveti Miklavž for years and years was Mr. Frank Rozina. Mr. Rozina has long since left us, but each year as we carry on this tradition we still feel his presence among us and we are thankful for all the beautiful memories he gave us.
Back then, the hall was filled with many eager, wide-eyed children, dressed in their Christmas best, rosaries clenched in their hands and all the time wondering if perhaps just this year the devils wouldn’t make their appearance. No such luck.
Just as everyone was getting settled in their seats, out of the darkness came black and red bodies, slivering around the floor and growling in order to strike panic in all the children. I can still vividly sec Lucifer, played by Mr. Vladislav Kralj, sitting on the top step of the stage, his appearance said it all. He knew just how to let everyone know that he was bad with just his presence. There was no need to make a big fuss; his stature told the entire story. Mr. Kralj has also left us, but we will always be grateful to him for teaching us that your actions, appearance and movements can reveal the entire story.
This year, once again we
eagerly awaited the arrival of Sveti Milkavž. The program first began with a beautiful slide presentation that Mea-gan Strmšek put together for us. We looked back at the entire year and recalled many wonderful times spent
together with fellow Slovenians at Triglav Park. We were then entertained with beautiful piano playing by Nina Laube. Nina played three Christmas carols for us and showed us that musical talent definitely runs in the family.
Story telling is a gift, and I must say that Mrs. Dari Strmšek has that special gift. At 96 years young, she told us how she celebrated Christmas as a child, the songs her mother taught her and of her first Christmas in the refugee camp. As she spoke you could hear in her voice the sadness, but all along she spoke with such conviction and from her heart. As she ended, her new great-grandson, Bojan, was placed in her lap, and as she sang to him all sadness left her. She was passing on to the next generation her love for life and family.
Miklavž finally did arrive with his angels, and of course, there had to be a few devils that showed up. As the children’s names were called, they bravely walked up to the stage quickly running past the devils, and answered all the questions Sveti Milkavž had for them.
It has been over 50 years now since I first sat in the audience waiting to hear my name called. Since then I have been an angel numerous times, put the program together for many years and each time tried to rekindle what I was taught and what I
cherish. As the years go by, a little more of what was then
slips away and we find it is hard to carry on what we once found to be so important in our lives. The hall is less crowded with eager children, the old-timers are fewer and fewer, and those of us who are the carriers of this beautiful tradition are becoming less involved.
It is hard for outsiders who attend our program or hear about this custom to understand why we do this. I have heard many times, “I would never take my children to such a program; it is so scary, and the children will have nightmares for days.” Or, “Why would you want to put your kids through such nonsense?” Sveti Milkavž, St. Peter, his angels and devils, is not a scary event. It is a reminder to us of the power of good over evil in our world and it is a part of our Slovenian culture that we would like to preserve.
To all the Slovenian societies that still carry on this beautiful custom, I applaud you and thank you for your fortitude. May our children have the same magical memories as we had and let’s not turn this into some type of Santa Claus event. This is Sveti Milkavž.
To all readers and especially the members of the Slovenian Cultural Society Triglav, "Želim vam in vsem vašim blagoslovljene in milosti polne praznike Gospodovega rojstva. ”
-Helenca Coffelt-Frohna
Ancient Romans used to exchange evergreen branches as symbols of good luck.
Wednesday, Dec. 26 Slovenian National Home, 6409 St. Clair Ave., Monthly Social in main hall. Doors open 6 p.m. Music and refreshments.
Saturday, Jan. 26 Slovenska Pristava Dinner-Dance at Slovenian National Home, 6409 St. Clair Ave.
Saturday, Jan. 26 St. Mary (Coll.) Holy Name Society reverse raffle and dinner in parish center. Tickets $50 for main board; $25 for extra dinner. For further information or tickets call (216) 481-0993 or (216) 481-0800.
Wed., Jan. 30 Slovenian National Home, 6409 St. Clair Ave., Monthly Social in main hall. Doors open 6 p.m. Music and refreshments.
Friday, Feb. 1 Lenten Fish Fries at Slovenian National Home, 6409 St. Clair Ave., and every Friday in Lent.
Sunday, Feb. 3 Annual Meeting of Slovenian National Home, 6409 St. Clair Ave., 2 p.m. in Kenik Room. Shareholders.
Sat., Feb. 16 thru 24 Slovenian Ski Trip to Chamonix, France. $1,895. Call John Kamin for details 718-4242711.
Sunday, Feb. 24 St. Vitus Slovenian School annual benefit dinner 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in parish auditorium.
Wednesday, Feb. 27 Slovenian National Home, 6409 St. Clair Ave., Monthly Social in main hall. Doors open 6 p.m. Music and refreshments.
Saturday, Miarch 8 Federation of Slovenian Homes honoree banquet at Slovenian National Home, 6409 St. Clair Ave.
Sunday, March 16 St. Vitus Catholic War
Vets Post 1655 Corporate Communion.
Tuesday, March 25 St. Vitus Catholic War Vets Post 1655 Reverse Raffle in Slovenian National Home, 6409 St. Clair Ave. Wednesday, March 26 Slovenian National Home, 6409 St. Clair Ave., Monthly Social in main hall. Doors open 6 p.m. Music and refreshments.
Saturday, March 29 Primorski Klub Dinner-Dance at Slovenian National Home, 6409 St. Clair Ave. March 30 thru April 5 Slovenian Ski Trip 2008 to Sun Valley, Idaho. $1299. For information call John Kamin (718) 424-2771.
Friday, April 18 Night at the Races for Slovenian National Home, 6409 St. Clair Ave., in joint effort with St. Vitus Slovenian School.
Saturday, April 19 Korotan Concert, Slovenian National Home, 6409 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland.
Saturday, April 26 Zarja Concert, Slovenian Society Home, Euclid, Ohio.
Wednesday, April 30 Slovenian National Home, 6409 St. Clair Ave., Monthly Social in main hall. Doors open 6 p.m. Music and refreshments.
Sunday, May 18 St. Vitus Slovenian School graduation, during 10:30 a.m. Mass in church.
Sunday, May 25 St. Vitus Catholic War Vets Post 1655 Memorial Mass, 9 a.m. in St. Vitus Church.
Wednesday, May 28 Slovenian National Home, 6409 St. Clair Ave., Monthly Social in main hall. Doors open 6 p.m. Music and refreshments.
A Christmas Scene
in the Middle of the square The tree stood tall and glowing, Ornaments were placed with care On branches overflowing.
Silently the snowflakes fell On the Manger scene below, Church bells chiming in the air Set every heart aglow.
Everything at its Christmas best Awaits the Holy Birth, as with a Christ Child we are blessed -forever on this earth.
6

AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA. DECEMBER 20, 2007
Death Notices
ROBERT M. DEBEVEC
Robert M. Debevec, age 89, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007.
Beloved husband of Elaine (deceased); dear father of Carl (Barbara), Barbara (Tim) Gorka, and Diane Debevec; grandfather of Elisa and Jennifer Debevec, Emily (Frank) McGee, Renee Gorka and Claire (Martijn) Hilbers; great grandfather of Mattij s Hibers and Adalaide McGee; brother of Edward, Bertha (Ned) Drennan, Ralph, Jean Edwards, and James (Madeline) Debevec.
Mr. Debevec was a former Law Director for the city of Euclid and had his own law practice in Euclid. He was a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Force and was a B-17 pilot during World War II. Mr. Debevec was a member of St. Vitus Catholic War Veterans Post 1655.
He was also an accomplished writer having written books and articles for major magazines. One of his articles a true Civil War story was purchased by Jack Webb and made into a television program.
Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 14 at Immaculate Conception Church, Madison, OH.
Friends were received from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday at the Potti Funeral Home, 2726 Hubbard Rd., Madison, Ohio.
MILDRED ANN SRAY
Mildren Ann Sray beloved sister of Jean Ann Coon (Lloyd), Marcia Nystrom, Albin Sray (Jewel), and the late Joseph; daughter of the late Joseph and Jean (nee Dolenc) Sray; aunt of Joseph Sray, Sharon Coon, Albin Sray, Julie Stupi (Adam), Dennis Coon (Vicky); great aunt of three nieces.
Passed away on Monday, Dec. 3, 2007.
Private services were held for the family.
FRANK ZAMLEN
Frank Zamlen, age 80.
Beloved husband of Stefie (nee Habinc); dearest father of Sue, Frank, Judy, Barbie, Victor, Shirley, and Lily; dear brother of Stanley Zamlen, Ella Shaffer of Austria, Olga Lovšin, Tresa Borow; dear grandfather of Alexandra, Rosie, David, Jerry, Zak, Vic, Frank and Nick.
Family received friends on Thursday, Dec. 13 from 2-5 p.m. at the Zak Funeral Home, 6026 St. Clair Ave.
Funeral Friday, Dec. 14 with 9:30 a.m. chapel service followed by a 10 a.m. Mass at St. Vitus Church. Interment All Souls Cemetery.
ROSE J. INTIHAR
Rose J. Intihar (nee Zaubi), age 86.
Loving mother of Rudy (Elaine) Kužnik and Randy (Janet) Kužnik; dearest grandmother of Denise, Barbara and Michael; greatgrandmother of Danycll, Treavor, Jack and Corrine; sister of Frank Zaubi Jr. (deceased).
Rose was a talented musician with the button box and performed with button box groups for years at various charitable events.
Rose was a member of the American Slovene Club.
A Memorial Mass will be held on Sunday, Jan. 6 at 11 a.m. at St. Christine Church.
Zele Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
In Memory
Thanks to Mary Jackson of Willoughby Hills, OH who renewed her subscription and added a $15.00 donation in memory of her husband, John Jackson.
In Memory
Thanks to Dari Strmšek of Oak Creek, WI who renewed her subscription and added a $15.00 donation in memory of Frances Dragan.
In Memory
Thanks to Rezka Zupančič of Euclid, OH who renewed her subscription and added a $35.00 donation in memory of husband and father, Leopold Zupančič.
In Memory
Thanks to Anna Križman of Willoughby, OH who renewed her subscription and added a $25.00 donation in memory of her husband, Jože Križman. Anna says she enjoys the paper and wishes it came more often
In Memory
Thanks to Carl Debevec of Vacaville, CA who renewed his subscription and added a $65.00 donation in memory of his mother and father, Elaine and Robert M. Debevec.
In Memory
Thanks to Olga Dorchak of Sagamore Hills, OH who renewed her subscription and added a $25.00 donation in memory of her husband, Alex, “who loved my Slovenian heritage.”
In Memory
Thanks to Aggie Flanders of Yukon, PA who renewed her subscription and added a $15.00 donation in memory
of Albina A. Mršnik.
In Memory
Thanks to Maria Novak of Euclid, OH who renewed her subscription and added a $25.00 donation in memory of her husband, Ivan Novak.
In Memory
Thanks to Rose and Frank Ferkulj of Mentor, OH who sent in a $25.00 donation in memory of parents, Karol and Kristina Ferkulj.
In Memory
Thanks to Ed and Sonja Mejač of Willoughby Hills, OH who renewed their subscription and added a $25.00 donation in memory of Jakob and Julia Mejac.
In Memory
Thanks to Stane and Marge Kuhar of Wickliffe, OH who sent in a $25.00 donation in memory of Robert M. Debevec.
Large Donation
Thanks to Dr. Valentin and Patricia Mersol of
Chagrin Falls, OH who renewed their subscription and added a $165.00 donation.
Large Donation
Thanks to St. Anne Lodge No. 4 AMLA for their very generous Christmas donation of $125.00. Lillian Novak, secretary wrote a note in a beautiful Christmas card, “Thank you for providing news to our Slovenian community. May the meaning of Christmas bring you stronger Faith, brighter Hope, and deeper Love during this Holy Season. Merry Christmas to you and yours from members of St. Anne Lodge #4.”
Large Donation
Thanks to the Ohio Federation of K.S.K.J. Lodges for the $100.00 donation.
Donations
Thanks to the following for their donations to the Ameriška Domovina:
Alice Kuhar, Cleveland, OH -$15.00
Frank and Marie Mejac,
Milwaukee, WI -$15.00
Marilyn F. Vidmar, East-lake, OH -$15.00
Karl Valencak, Mentor, OH -$10.00
Terezija Teskac, Euclid, OH - $5.00
Cilka and Bob Dolgan,
Willoughby Hills, OH -$15.00
Tomislav and Paula Tamburin, Pompton Lakes, NJ -$15.00
Louis and Milena Drob-
- nic, Willoughby, OH — $15.00
Mirko and Jelka Hrovat,
Chesterland, OH — $15.00
Anne Cicciollo, Willoughby, OH — $5.00
Frances	Krnicar,
Redondo Beach, CA — $30.00
Frank Blatnik, Sandown, NH -$15.00
Joseph Slokar, Wickliffe, OH-$15.00
Maria and Hinko Zupančič, Cleveland, OH -$10.00
Donation
Thanks to Kathy and Miroslav Gorjup of Eastlake, OH who renewed their subscription and added a $15.00 donation. They write, “Appreciate all the work that goes into the American Home newspaper.”
Donation
Thanks to Bea Pestotnik of Madison, OH who renewed her subscription and added a $15.00 donation. Bea writes, “I enjoy reading the American Home newspaper. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year.”
Donation
Thanks to Mary and Anna Lunder of Cleveland, OH who submitted a $35.00 Christmas donation.
Christmas Donation
Thanks to St. Vitus Altar Society who renewed their roster for another year and added a $70.00 donation. President Ivanka Matic brought in a beautiful Christmas card with the message, “May the peace and joy of Christmas abide with you through the year. St. Vitus Altar Society wishes you all the best of health in the year of 2008.”
Large Donation
Thanks to John Dejak who sent in a $100.00 Christmas donation.
Slovenians ”R" Us
Zele Funeral Home
MEMORIAL CHAPEL
Located at
452 E. 152 St. Ph: (216) 481-3118
Family owned and operated since 1908
S.H.A. Birthdays
Happy Birthday to the fol- 7 lowing residents of the Slovene Home for the Aged who were bom in the month of December:
Dec. 2 - Louise Kozely, age 95, bom in Penna.
Dec. 4 - Frances Hočevar, 88, bom in Yugoslavia.
Dec. 5 - Agnes Jaras, 94, bom in Wisconsin Dec. 8 - Mary Prebevsek,
94,	born in Cleveland Dec. 9 - Sharon Ry-
cbacki, 59, bom in Cleveland
Dec. 12 - Phyllis Bau-moel, 84, born in Cleveland Dec. 12 - Helen Kostain-schek, 84, bom in Germany Dec. 13	- Lucille
Hennessy, 87, born in Cleveland
Dec. 21 - Štefanija Rozman, 97, born in Slovenia Dec. 25	- Valentine
Klodetsky, 89, born in Russia.
Dec. 25 - Jennie Phillips,
95,	born in Warsaw, Poland Dec. 29 - Emma Jurcak,
87, born in Illinois Dec. 30	- Lenore
Zoretich, 82, born in Euclid, Ohio.
Donation
Thanks to St. Vitus Alumni for the $50.00 donation. They write, “Thank you again from the St. Vitus Alumni for publishing Aggie Koporc’s great articles and keeping SVA in your regard. Also wishes for a Happy New Year.”
Donation
Thanks to John Žakelj of St. Paul, MN who sent in his Christmas greetings and added a $50.00 donation. He writes he attends the Twin Cities Slovenians club meetings and brings the American Home newspaper to interest Slovenians in this newspaper. Thanks again, John.
Donation
Thanks to Stephanie Polutnik of Elyria, OH who paid for a gift subscription and added a $5.00 donation.
Large Donation
Thanks to Belokranjski Klub who sent in a beautiful Christmas card along with a $100.00 donation.
Large Donation
Thanks to St. Vitus Slovenian School who sent in a beautiful Christmas card along with a $100.00 donation.
Donation
Thanks to TABOR DSPB for the beautiful Christmas card and the $35.00 donation.
(Continued on page 11)
AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA, DECEMBER 20, 2007
AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA, DECEMBER 20, 2007
St. Vitus Church
6019 Lausche Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44103
CHRISTMAS 2007
Dear Parishioners:
In a few days we shall be remembering the birthday of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Jesus the Christ, the fulfillment of God’s promises to the chosen people, the One who will take away the sins of the world.
May the joy of Christ’s birth come in great abundance upon our parish and neighborhood, upon our families and friends. May He continue to bless and watch over our city and neighborhoods. May His loving hand guide our fives and our labors throughout the coming New Year. A most joyful ^ Christmas to everyone, and many blessings in the New Year
“ 2008!
Your Priests and Parish Staff at St. Vitus Paris
Dragi Farani,
Čez nekaj dni bo Božič in spomin Jezusovega rojstva ^ v Betlehemu. Jezus Kristus, učlovečni Sin Božji, je Očetov M odgovor, da bo poslal na svet Odrešenika, ki bo spravil iv grešno človeštvo s Bogom. Njemu se zahvalimo za dar odrešenja.
Naj Božič podeli obilo nebeškega blagoslova, miru m radosti naši župniji, družinam, prijateljem in še prav posebej bolnikom in osamljenim. Naj božični mir vlada nad našim mestom in sosesko. Naj božja roka vodi vse naše ^ življenje in dobre napore v Novem letu 2008. Vesel Božič!
Vaši Duhovniki in Farno Osebje pri fari Sv. Vida
Saoiament of SUcondUation - Spovedovanje
SATURDAY - SOBOTA, December 22, 2007 7:30 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
SUNDAY - NEDELJA, December 23, 2007
8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
BOŽIČ 2007
MASSES - SV. MAŠE
CHRISTMAS EVE - SVETI VEČER
Monday, December 24 - No Vigil Mass
11:30 p.m. Christmas Prelude Music - božične pesmi 12:00 a.m. Midnight Mass - Polnočnica
CHRISTMAS DAY - SVETI DAN
Tuesday, December 25
9:00 a.m. Mass in English 10:30 a.m. Mass in Slovenian
FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY - PRAZNIK SV. DRUŽINE
Sunday, Dec. 30, 2007 4:00 p.m. Saturday Vigil 11:30 a.m. All Parish Mass 12:30 a.m. Christmas Concert - Božični koncert
NEW YEAR’S DAY - 2008 - NOVEGA LETA DAN - 2008
Monday, December 31, 2007 - New Year’s Eve 4:00 p.m. Vigil Mass
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
10:30 a.m. All Parish Mass - farna maša 11:30 a.m. Sung Litanies in honor of BVM Pete Litanije Matere božje
HAPPY NEW YEAR!-SREČNO NOVO LETO!	S
S	%
Christmas Eve Customs
When Slovenian people came to America, they brought with them many faith-based customs which are observed throughout the year such as the blessing of Easter foods on Holy Saturday afternoon, and the blessing of homes on Christmas Eve. These customs are not just folklore but rather actions which carry deep spiritual meaning for believing Catholics.
The blessing of homes on Christmas Eve, for example, takes place soon after dark when the family is finished with all the busy work of preparing for Christmas Day. Family members gather by the nativity manger to say the entire 15 mysteries of the Rosary in honor of God’s salvation of His chosen people. One person begins to bless the manger with holy water while another lights
the charcoal and bums the incense.
The person with the incense starts the procession followed by the person with holy water and other family rqembers following single file and reciting the Rosary. Every corner of the home is thus blessed.
The purpose of this twofold action of blessing and incensing the home is to bring peace and harmony to all in the family and to honor Christ the Savior, who was bom into the Holy Family.
Following this ritual, families usually eat together, sing Christmas carols and prepare to go to Midnight Mass.
Gifts are usually opened only upon returning from church. Many Slovenian people still observe the custom of going to another Mass on Christmas Day and to the litanies.
--St. Vitus Church Bulletin
Merry Christmas

Church of St. Mary of the Assumption
15519 Holmes Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44110
CHRISTMAS 2007
Dear Parishioners and Friends of St Mary’s,
May the peace and joy of Christ, the true light and life of the world fill your hearts as we draw near to the celebration of our Savior's birth. God from God and Light from Light dwells among us, dispelling our fears and sorrows with hope and peace. In the midst of our world, disturbed with warfare and terrorism and hatred, with discontent in our own nation, the only source for peace, for goodness, far reconciliation, for joy is still the Word Made Flesh - Our Infant Jesus.
We are most grateful to God for the many blessings we have received as a parish community. And in our gratitude and faith we can only offer our thanks to A Imighty God for the gif of salvation.
Come to celebrate with us the Nativity of our Lord, and may the peace, the jov, the hope of Christ be your special gift, through the Sacrament of Reconciliation and through the gif of the Eucharist at Christmas Mass. How truly blessed we are that earth has been kissed with Divinity, in the Savior who humbled himself to share in our humanity.
May the peace of Christmas be with you and with your families now and throughout our New Year 2008.
Dragi lupljani in prijatelji iupnije Marije vnebovzete,
Naj mir in radost Kristusa, ki je prava luč in življenje sveta, napolni vaša srca, ko se bližamo praznovanju rojstva našega Odrešenika. Bog od Boga, luč od luči, biva med nami, da prežene naš strah in žalost z upanjem in mirom.
V	sredi med našim svetom, ki je vznemirjen z vojno, terorizmom in sovraštvom in z nezadovoljstvom v naši lastni deželi, je edini vir za mir, za dobroto, za spravo in radost še vedno Beseda, ki je Meso postala - naše dete Jezus.
Hvaležni smo Bogu za neštete blagoslove, ki smo jih prejeli kot župnijska skupnost. In v naši hvaležnosti in veri, lahko samo izrekamo našo zahvalo Vsemogočnemu Bogu za dar odrešenja.
Pridite praznovati z nami Rojstvo našega Gospoda in naj mir, radost in upanje Kristusa bo vaš izreden dar po zakramentu sv. spovedi in po daru sv. Evharistije pri božični sv. maši. Kako smo resnično srečni, daje svet poljubljen z božanstvom Odrešenika, ki se je ponižal, da deli v naši človečnosti.
Naj Božični mir bo z vami in vašimi družinami sedaj in skozi Novo leto 2008.
V	Kristusu vam vdani,
Fr. Janez Kumše, župnik Fr. Stephen Spisak Deacon David Kushner
BOŽIC 2007
MASSES - SV. MAŠE
CHRISTMAS EVE - SVETI VEČER
Monday, December 24
5:00 p.m. Children’s Mass - Otroška maša 11:30 p.m. Christmas Prelude Music - božične pesmi 12:00 a.m. Midnight Mass - Polnočnica
CHRISTMAS DAY - SVETI DAN
Tuesday, December 25
8:00 a m. English Mass - angleška maša 10:00 a.m. Slovenian Mass - slovenska maša 12:00 noon English Mass - angleška maša
Friday, December 28
6:30 p.m. St. Vitus Christmas Choir at St. Mary’s
FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY - PRAZNIK SV. DRUŽINE
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Ordinary Sunday Mass Schedule - Običajen nedeljski umik 5:00 p.m. Saturday Vigil, 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., and 12:00 noon 11:00 a m. Sung Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary Pete litanije Matere božje z blagoslovom
NEW YEAR’S DAY - 2008 - NOVEGA LETA DAN - 2008
Monday, December 31, 2007 - New Year’s Eve 5:00 p.m. Vigil Mass - angleška maša
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
8:00 a.m. English Mass - angleška maša 10:00a.m. S lovenian Mass - slovenska maša 12:00 noon English Mass - angleška maša

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION ZAKRAMENT SV. SPOVEDI
MONDAY,	December 17, 2007
ponedeljek, 17. decembra
Communal Penance Service at Our Lady of Perpetual Help
7:00 p.m
FRIDAY,	December 21, 2007
petek, 21. decembra	7:00 a.m. - 7:30 a.m.
SATURDAY,	December 22, 2007
sobota, 22. decembra	4:00 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
SUNDAY,	December 23, 2007
nedelja, 23. decembra	11:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
TO
DWELL
Because It’s Christmastime
Because it's Christmastime again.
The time of peace - goodwill to men.
I/Ve marvel at the reds and green.
The ever-lovely Christmas scene;
The cards, the gifts, the treasured love And blessings rich from God above.
It's Christmas on each city street.
The country lane with snow piled deep. While children wait so patiently To trim that magic Christmas tree.
To tuck the packages a way A waiting one more Christmas day.
We greet our dear ones - far or near -To add our touch of Christmas cheer.
God bless each one - may joys increase -With new year happiness for each,
A world of peace, a heart sublime -Is my wish for you this Christmastime.
among us

AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA, DECEMBER 20, 2007
AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA, DECEMBER 20, 2007
1# This and that from Emilee
by EMILEE JENKO
Happy and Prosperous New Year to all.
To the family of James Logar, condolences on his passing. Thoughts and prayers to wife, Millie, and son and sister Florence Jak-sic and all family and friends. Arrangements by Cosic Funeral Home on Chardon Road.
January birthday celebrants are: Pauline Burya, Barb Knezevic, Mary Vadnal, my dear cousin Jean Sadowsky, and Ann Mocarski. Belated November birthday wishes to Sylvia Plymesser and Paul Rasper.
Get well wishes to Ed Kenik who is in Rehab at Euclid Hospital. A speedy recovery. He is missed by all.
The entertainment at the Slovene Home for the Aged on Tuesday afternoon was very entertaining. Danny Novinc and Friends were the stars. They had all the residents jumping and clapping and tapping their feet to the music. The group consists of the following:	Danny
Novinc, Andy Hočevar, Frank Sajn, Russ Imburgia, John Balabrush, and Peter Oberson. A lively group. Come join the residents.
SNH monthly raffle participants were surprised with some extra talent. On the button box were Robert Hopkins, Rick Godic and Alex Spinos, and surprise, surprise, Denny Bucar did a bit of vocalizing. One of the board members Debbie Davidson did a superb job singing a rendition of Patsy Cline’s song, “Crazy.” It was fantastic. The audience was very appreciative. We were surprised with the goodies. Ron Godic made his famous quiche, and it was sooo good. Thanks for the treat.
Belated November wedding anniversary to Hank and Lillian Pugel. 59 years as a wonderful couple. Zivio.
The members of St. Anne’s #4 lodge AMLA had a delightful and delicious sit down luncheon Christmas party on Dec. 5lh at the St. Vitus Village. Father Vic Cimperman opened our luncheon with prayer.
Fr. Boznar arrived a little late. Linda Plečnik prepared the meal, a very appetizing luncheon. The table was adorned with beautiful china and glistening glassware via St. Vitus Village. Many deli-
cious pastries were baked by Linda. They had our mouth watering and our lips smacking. Wine on the table, good food, good friends and good conversation. You can’t ask for any more. It was a delightful afternoon. Lil Novak, secretary of Lodge #4 presented a check to Fr. Boznar, Fr. Vic Cimperman. Joanne Stinziano accepted a check for Fr. John Kumse, pastor of St. Mary ‘s parish in Collinwood. Two children were present, Faith Anne Tomsick, granddaughter of Ken and Anne Tomsick and Connor Krause, grandson of Tom and Dolores Krause, all members of St. Anne’s. A fun time was had by all.
Happy Belated birthday to Angie Shine. Hope you had a
wonderful day on Dec. 8lh. Luv ya.
I met two lovely ladies at Bishop Pevec’s St. Nicholas Night at Borromeo Seminary, Vida Strukel and Florence Rotovic. Florence will be celebrating a birthday at Christmastime, 90-ish. Thank you both for all your compliments and a very, very Happy Birthday to Florence.
Just heard that Mildred Sray passed away after a lengthy illness. She was known as “Polka Millie” at the Polka Hall of Fame. Private services. Keep her in your thoughts and prayers every time you hear a polka.
One of our members of the American Slovene Club passed away, Rose Intihar. It was a private service, Dec. 10th. God be with you.
The AMLA Children’s Party at the Slovenian National was on Dec. 9. It was a busy area for the youngsters. They are so anxious to see Santa and very eager to taste all the cookies. I know because I was on the Cookie Brigade with my friend Mimi Stibil and Gert Menart. I want to thank Mimi for the lovely cross she had blessed and presented to me. Thank you so much. After the SNH’s Children’s Party I attended the St. Vitus Altar and Rosary party at St. Martin de Porres auditorium. The ladies spared nothing. The food was delicious and plentiful. The pastry table was laden with goodies. Only the Altar Ladies can do that. Also, they presented a check in the amount of $10,000 to Fr. Boznar. A benefactor matched the amount. The check came from all the “krofe” they fried up. Ladies, you are blessed many times over for your wonderful work each month. A great big thank you.
The second in a series of four concerts given by the City Music of Cleveland was held on Wed., Dec. 12 in St.
Vitus Church. Julian Kuerti was quite energetic with his directing. The orchestra received many ovations. Megan Levine, the harp soloist was delightful. Maybe next time we will hear more of her great talent. Let’s hope so. The reception prepared by Joe Tavčar in St Vitus auditorium was very colorful and appetizing. My hats off to you, Joe.
See you at the next concert.
Santa Jokes
I just returned from flying around the world. My arms are really tired. I wrote my mother that I’d grown another foot since I was last home. So she knitted me another sock.
★
There were three elves sleeping in the same bed. It was so crowded that one got out and slept on the floor. After a while, one of the elves said, “You should get back in bed with the rest of us; there’s lots more room now.”
*
Once the elves were playing football. The bench jockey asked the coach if he would flood the field so he
could go in as a sub.
*
One elf snored so loud he kept waking himself up. He solved the problem by sleeping in another room.
*
Santa’s elves like to stay clean. The first one in the tub is called the ring leader.
*
If a bee and a doorbell got married their children would
be called humdingers.
*
The biggest elf had onions and beans for lunch. He
ended up with teargas.
*
People ask me about my reindeer. For example, they want to know why reindeer wear bells. I tell them, “It’s because their horns don’t work.”
IVORY CITY PIANO SERVICE
Albert J. Koporc, Jr.
446 East 152nd St. Cleveland, OH 44110 216-486-1105
Paintings for Sale
Landscape, “Medno” by Rihard Jakopič; “Dekle Pred Zrcalom” by Matej Sternen; Copy of a Goya painting “Dve Ženski in Moški by Zoran Mušič, Provenance. Inq. Robert Louis Sheehan, 99 Brackett Street, Apt. 432, Quincy, MA 02169.____
The Garlic Ornament
Garlic, that tasty, pungent herb, has been used for centuries as a flavorful spice and miraculous healing drug. Used by Samarians, Hebrews, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and every known civilization since, garlic is credited with various powers such as neutralizing a scorpion’s sting, curing earaches,
increasing bravery in soldiers, and warding off vampires.
Garlic is still eaten as a savory, healthful herb that is good for the heart.
The lifelike garlic ornament, lacking only in smell, carries a good health blessing to the home of every Christmas tree it adorns.
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HAPPY HOUGMYS
Dr. and Mrs. Chrzanoski
M. J. Chrzanowski, DDS, Inc. Family Dentistry 782 E. 185 St. Cleveland, Ohio 44119 692-2(110
cdLjctn ColS Lc: Funeral Home 28890 Chardon Rd. Willloughby Hills, OH 44092
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Joe Zevnik, Licensed Funeral Director
Dignified, Professional arid Personal Service
The immensely popular SLOVENIAN LANGUAGE MANUAL,
Volume I,
authored by award-winning professional language teachers Milena Gobetz and Breda Lončar and edited by Prof. Edward Gobetz, has been reprinted for the last time and will be available until the supply lasts.
This 333-page Slovenian language textbook has been used by schools, adult education classes and thousands of self-taught students throughout the USA, as well as in Canada and Australia and even by foreign diplomats and businessmen in Slovenia.
ORDER WHILE THE SUPPLY LASTS AT UNBELIEVABLY LOW PRICE OF ONLY $14 PER COPY (POSTAGE INCLUDED)
FROM
SLOVENIAN RESEARCH CENTER OF AMERICA 29227 Eddy Road Willoughby Hills, Ohio 44092
Continued from page 7)
Large Donation
Thanks to Pensioners Club of Slovenska Pristava
who sent in a beautiful Christmas Card and added $100 donation.
Donation
Thanks to AMLA Lodge #9 who renewed their lodge roster for 2008 and added a $45.00 donation. They write, “We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Healthy, Happy New Year.”
Donation
Thanks to Jože and Mici Košir of Kirtland, OH for the $20.00 donation.
Donation
Thanks to Slovenska Pristava, Inc. who sent in a $60.00 donation.
Donation
Thanks to American Slovene Club who renewed their roster and added a $50.00 Christmas donation.
Donation
Thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Henry Skarbez of Euclid, OH who sent in a $40.00 donation along with a note, “May God reward you with good health and happiness for all the wonderful things you both do.”
Donation
Thanks to Tony and Tina Štepec of Richmond Heights, OH who sent in a beautiful Christmas card along with a $25.00 donar tion.
Love never dies as long as there is someone who remembers.
In Loving Memory
of the 6,h Anniversary
of the death of our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother
Antoinette Gerbec
Entered into eternal rest: Dec. 12, 2001
In our hearts your memory lingers,
Sweetly, tender, fond and true.
There is not a day, dear mother,
That we do not think of you
Sadly missed by: Family
Old Quiz, New Quiz
by James V. Debevec II
OLD QUIZ: On Dec. 25, 1643, Captain William Mynors of the British East India Company discovered what island in the Pacific?
ANSWER: He named the uninhabited land “Christmas Island.” Correct responses were provided by Stan Žakelj, Broadview Heights, OH, Gene Kogovšek, Highland Hts., OH, Anthony Goršek, Cleveland, OH, Joe Burya, Euclid, OH, Rudy Sterk, Manager of St. Vitus Village, and Michael A. Sušnik, Willoughby, Oh.
NEW QUIZ: What is the name of the world’s biggest, first and only trillion dollar company?
Send your answers to ahp@buckeveweb.net or regular mail to: JVD IPs Quiz, c/o American Home, 6117 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, OH 44103-1627.
Church Joke
The minister was preoccupied with thoughts of how he was going to ask the congregation to come up with more money for repairs to the church building. He was also annoyed to find the regular organist was sick and a substitute had been brought in.
The substitute wanted to know what to play. “Here’s a copy of the service,” he said. “But you’ll have to think of something to play after I make the announcement about the finances.”
During the service, the minister said, “Brothers and Sisters, we are in great difficulty: the roof repairs cost twice as much as we expected and we need an extra $4,000. Any of you who can pledge $100 or more, please stand up.”
At that moment, the organist played, “The Star Spangled Banner.”
And that is how the substitute organist became the regular organist.
Christmas - that magic blanket that wraps itself about us, that something so intangible that it is like a fragrance. It may weave a spell of nostalgia. Christmas may be a day of feasting, or of prayer, but always it will be a day of remembrance - a day in which we think of everything we have ever loved . -Phil Hrvatin
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1
Just for a few hours on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day... we permit ourselves to live according to untrammeled common sense, the unconquerable efficiency of good will.
-Christopher Morley
W. Maier Services Garage Doors & Ogeners
Electrical & Small Misc. Repairs Walter Majer 216-406-8483 Home 440-286-7177
On behalf of all of us at Catholic Cemeteries
we wish you a holiday season filled with good health, prosperity and the blessings of Jesus.
We would also like to remind you that when you purchase a vault or a grave marker from your Catholic cemetery you
receive the best possible value.Your purchase from your
Catholic cemeteries includes a written guarantee that covers anything that could go wrong with your marker.
You will be pleased to know that proceeds from your purchases at Catholic cemeteries are invested back into your cemetery. We utilize these proceeds to beautify, enhance and maintain your cemetery.
We know that readers of “American Home” are strong believers in Catholic cemeteries. These cemeteries are truly YOURS. We thank you for your support and welcome your suggestions.
AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA, DECEMBER 20, 2007
AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA, DECEMBER 20, 2007
Tivas The Week Before
Christmas
‘Twas the week before Christmas,
I was feeding a mouse,
fattening it up,
for our cats in the house.
The wife’s stockings hung
on the shower curtain rod with care,
The drain is clogged;
Probably big globs of hair.
The children were playing, jumping on beds.
Bits of chewing gum stuck on their heads.
Wife sneezing in a kerchief; me, I’m ready for a nap,
Her nerves quite unsettled, we need a nightcap.
When out of the bathroom there arose such a clatter, the toilet is shaking,
Don’t know what’s the matter.
Away to the bathroom I flew like a flash,
Tore open the door, then fell with a CRASH.
My wife yelled up the stairs,
“What seems to be the matter?”
“I fell on the kids toys, the water keeps flushing; I’m getting madder.
So I dialed 911,
didn’t know what else to do.
With a house full of water, and screaming kids, too.
As I drew my finger alongside my head,
I knew I had nothing to dread.
In came Sergi Yukohama, a good plumber,
He fixed the leak, our family resumed its slumber. As he drove his panel truck out of sight,
He waved and shouted, “Merry Christmas And to you all a good night, and laka noč."

VESELE BOŽIČNE PRAZNIKE IN SREČNO NOVO LETO
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR
from
Michael Polenšek and Family
Cleveland City Council
216-664-4236	|
%
Probably the reason we all go so haywire at Christmas time with the endless unrestrained and often silly buying of gifts is that we don’t quite know how to put our love into words. -Harlan Miller
The time draws near the birth of Christ: The moon is hid; the night is still; The Christmas bells from hill to hill answer each other in the mist. - Lord Tennyson.
What did the ghost say to Santa Claus?
I’ll have a boo Christmas without you._______________
Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart.
-Washington Irving
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(216) 486-6424
It is Christmas in the mansion Yule-log fires and silken frocks; It is Christmas in	the cottage,
Mother’s	filling little
socks.
It- is Christmas in the highway, In the thronging, busy mart; But the dearest, truest Christmas Is the Christmas in the heart.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Tom, Margie
Tom, Julia, Vic and Claudia Žnidaršič
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Ray and Florence Stopar
655 N. Elmwood Dr.
Wickliffe, OH 44092	__
I HAPPT HOLIDAYS
I SHELLI'S RESTAURANT
6106 St. Clair Avenue
(216) 431-1126	4
Take Out Available	$
HAPPY HOMDAYS
To All Our Members and Friends and to All American Slovenians
Slovenian
American
Heritage
Foundation
Best Wishes for a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year
SUNSET INDUSTRIES, INC.
EUCLID, OHIO

Seasonal Sacred Songs Concert
St. Vitus Christmas Choir will perform its annual “Concert of Sacred Songs” on Sunday, Dec. 30 in St. Vitus Church, 6019 Lausche Avenue, Cleveland, following the all-parish 11:30 a.m. Mass.
Immediately following the Mass, the Concert of Sacred Songs will be performed. The St. Vitus Christmas Choir consists of nearly 60 persons able to sing in multiple languages of English, Slovenian, Latin, and Italian. The choir is under the direction of John Srsen. Accompanying the choir will be string musicians (I Violin, II Violin, Viola, and Cello, as well as
organist playing the church’s historic Holt-kamp organ.
The St. Vitus Christmas Choir has been presenting Concert of Sacred Songs for more than 25 years. Compositions such as “Hallelujah Chorus,” “Božji Nam Je Rojen Sin (Bom Unto Us Is His Son), “Polnočni Zvon” (The Midnight Bell), are some of the more familiar songs that have been performed in the past.
The concert is free with good-will offering accepted. A social will follow in the parish auditorium.
Tradition of the Christmas Tree
Snowmen Ornaments
It’s estimated that more than 30 million families will celebrate Christmas with a live tree at home this year. It’s a tradition that dates back for centuries.
The National Christmas Tree Association says the Christmas tree is a symbol of life that engages one’s sense of tradition, hope and good will.
Long before there was a Christmas,	Egyptians
brought green palm branches into their homes on the shortest day of the year, to illustrate life’s triumph over death. Romans decorated their homes with evergreens during Saturnalia, an ancient festival in honor of their god of agriculture. And Druid

priests decorated oak trees with golden apples for their winter solstice festivals.
But the first recorded reference to trees being a part of the Christmas celebration came in the 16th century. In Strasbourg, Germany, families decorated fir trees with colored paper, fruits and sweets.
The tradition spread throughout Europe and into the United States. President Franklin Pierce brought the Christmas tree tradition to the White House. And in 1923, President Calvin Coolidge began the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, now held every year on the White House lawn.
--Stane Kuhar
Four voices of four hamlets round,
From far and near, on mead and moor.
Swell out and fail, as if a door
Were shut between me and the sound.
Each voice four changes on the wind,
That now dilate, and now decrease,
Peace and goodwill, goodwill and peace,
Peace and goodwill, to all mankind.
--Alfred, Lord Tennyson
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Snowmen in the villages of Slovenia have always been children’s special friends. A time long ago, when toys were scarce and the closest neighbors could be miles away, children looked forward to the year’s first snowfall with great anticipation.
Snow, this wonderful gift from heaven, afforded children a chance to go sledding, but even more exciting, it gave them the opportunity to create a new
companion - their very own snowman.
Each of the jolly fellows had its own distinct expression and “life expectancy.” With a carrot from the pantry, coal from the furnace, twigs from the yard, an old hat, and perhaps a pipe borrowed from grandfather, a child could build a snowman. Their friend of snow would disappear when the weather warmed, but would live on in childhood memories.
HAJPIPTif HOtlDAYS
To All Our Members and Friends and to All American Slovenians

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Slovenian
American
Heritage
Foundation

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Vesele božične praznike in srečno novo leto!
WARD 13 COUNCILMAN
JOE CIMPERMAN
“Working for the Ward”
City Hall: 664-2691 Residence: 687-6772
601 Lakeside Avenue, Room 220 Cleveland, Ohio 44114

13
V
AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA, DECEMBER 20, 2007
AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA, DECEMBER 20, 2007
The Chronicle of Louis R.
(Continued from last issue)
Life Goes On
St. Vitus church and the community around it were a part of Louie’s life from the time he emigrated to America. Moving to the Old Brooklyn area of Cleveland was considerably farther from St. Vitus, but Louie and Rose continued to be faithful parishioners, participating in many activities like the Catholic Order of Foresters and the SDZ, which became The American Mutual Life Association.
As said earlier, Louie and Rose were both active in these groups and in the course of events Louie bought a raffle ticket for one of their fund-raising activities and was fortunate enough to win an RCA console color TV. Till then the only television set they had was a black and white Motorola Lou had purchased in 1951. Now they had their own TV and it had color, too.
The 1950s were busy years for Louie. He was 64 years old when the family moved into a house that needed extensive work and although most people would have been at retirement age, Louie didn’t even think about retirement. He had a mortgage to pay and remodeling the house took more than labor, it took cash. So Louie went right on working in a most physically difficult foundry job without thinking much about it, just being happy he could do it.
When moving to Schiller Avenue, son Lou got a Plain Dealer newspaper delivery route which had to be done every morning, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Being an early riser, Louie noticed Lou going out on Sunday mornings with his dog
Joke
Three elderly ladies were discussing the trials and tribulations of getting older. Once said, “Sometimes I catch myself with a jar of mayonnaise in my hand while standing in front of the refrigerator, and I can’t remember whether I need to put it away or start making a sandwich.” The second lady chimed in with, “Yes, sometimes I find myself on the landing of the stairs and can’t remember whether I was on my up or down.” The third one responded, “Well, ladies, I’m glad I don’t have that problem, knock on wood,” she said as she rapped her knuckles on the table. Then she said, “There must be somebody knocking at the door. I’ll get it.”
—Phil Hrvatin
Sharpie and his wagon full of newspapers. This seemed like good exercise so one Sunday morning Louie asked if Lou minded him walking along. It wasn’t long before Louie was pulling the wagon while Lou delivered the newspapers. This trio (Louie, Lou and Sharpie) worked together every Sunday morning for the three remaining years of Lou going to high school. As Lou got bigger and bigger paper routes, Louie became an invaluable asset to the effort, learning to drive Lou’s car to carry the multiple number of newspapers to go with all the new customers, 350 in total. Louie had never driven an automobile with the gearshift mounted on the steering wheel column prior to that. And true to form, Louie never asked for a penny of pay for his contributions, although he could have used it. But for Louie helping family was an accepted practice.
Louie had a strong sense of helping family. He practically supported Rose’s mother for the 20-odd years after her husband’s death,
although it should be said that Rose’s brothers, especially Charlie, contributed financial help occasionally. Besides that, Louie and Rose wouldn’t even consider moving to a house that didn’t have accommodations for Vi and her family since they had very little, and prospects weren’t the greatest.
As young Lou went through his teen years he used his paper route money to buy a car, and then a better car, and then a better car still. In the meantime though, he managed to bump and scrape a lot of cars, which wasn’t all that unusual in those days since cars were built to withstand a lot of punishment. One time, on Broadway Avenue, Lou rear-ended a car that had an angle iron framework for a trailer hitch. That angle iron contraption went right over Lou’s front bumper and smashed his entire grill. Lou bought a new grill and Louie helped him install it. (Had he known better, he probably could have made a case against the owner of the other car since the angle iron structure extended behind
the car with no red light or flag. But in those days people didn’t make a fuss, they just took care of their own problems.) Later on, with his same 1940 Plymouth sedan, Lou slipped on the red brick pavement on Jennings Road and smashed into the side of a 1946 Chevrolet and did quite a bit of damage. Louie helped Lou every weekend until they got the Chevrolet repaired. Louie was always willing to help people.
(To Be Continued)
Friendship., is a union of spirits, a marriage of hearts, and the bond of virtue.
Erste
SCC Ski Trip
Departing	Slovenian i
Catholic Center on Jan. 18 at 7 p.m. to La Crosse, WI. | Leaves Mt. La Crosse on | Sunday, Jan. 20 at 5 p.m.
Trip includes Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites - La Crosse, Deluxe guest room for 2 nights, two-day lift tickets, two day breakfast buffet, 2 day grill lunch, Saturday dinner buffet at Holi- I day Inn, use of indoor pool, | whirlpool, exercise room. { For further information call I SCC Ski Line at (708) 469-6527 or e-mail to P 1 V 0@vahoo.com
It’s Cool Being Slovenian
HAIL Newborn Babe
Come let us hasten to adore And be the first to kneel before A newborn babe.
With kings and shepherds we will pray
While angels sing a tender lay HAIL! Newborn Babe.
For praise and honor, glory, too, From all on Earth today is due The newborn Babe.
from Poems and Such of Joseph Zelle
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR
from
Jean Edwards and Family
Phoenix, AZ 85048_
American Home
Ameriška Domovina _ __________ —— r*
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Front the Directors, Officers and Members of American Mutual Life Association

19424 South Waterloo Road Cleveland. OH 44119-3250 Telephone 216-531-1900
.1 Slovenian Fraternal Insurance organization originally organized on Xovember 13. IV10 as the Slovenska Dobrodelna Zveza


^ MERRY CHRISTMAS H AMD HAPPY MEW YEAR
S
I
Peter, Sue, David, and Michael
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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Emilee Jenko, Rikk, and Dawn
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MBRRTf CHRISTMAS AMR A HAPPT NEW TEAR
Marcie and Bob Mills
and Family
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Joseph S. Baškovič
MERRY CHRISTMAS AMD HAPPY HEW YEAR
Joke
An elderly woman was telling her daughter about a date she had with a 90-ycar-old man. “Believe it or not, I had to slap his face three times,” said the woman. “Do you mean the old guy got fresh with you that many times?” “Oh, no; I slapped him to wake him up.”
—Phil Hrvatin
Senior Joke
An older Slovenian man met an older woman at a Slovenian National Home dance. He chose a bench under the lipa tree to propose to her.
In the old-fashioned style, he got on his knees in front of her and said, “I have three questions. “First, can you make a tasty potica?”
“Yes I make a delicious potica,” she said.
“ Second, will you marry me?”
“Yes, I will,” she answered. “And what is your third question.”
“Will you help me up.”
Joke
Little Johnny asked his grandma how old she was. Grandma answered, “39 and holding.”
Johnny thought about it and said, “How old would you be if you let go?”
—
... the star rains its fire where the Beautiful sing, for the manger of Bethlehem cradles a king.
—Josiah G. Holland
The whole world is a Christmas tree, And stars its many candles be. Oh! Sing a carol joyfully, The year’s great feast is here.
Jo Ann Kaifesh
s
Kirtland, OH	^
MERRY GHRISYMAS j| AMD HAPPY NEW YEAR'^
“Heinz Mikota, D.D.S.^
6420 St. Clair Ave. Tel.: 431-3772
Cleveland, Ohio 44103
Cleveland Public Radio WCPN 90.3 FM
Tony Ovsenik:
31731 Miller Ave. Willoughby Hills, Ohio 44092 Phone: 1-440-944-2538 e-mail: tony.ovsenik@sbcglobal.net
&
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Foster ^

Saturdays 9-I0pm
CONTRIBUTOR TO:
RADIO OGNJISCE-LJUBLJANA

Merry Christmas to all our relatives and friends in Slovenia, USA and Canada Vesele božične praznike in srečno novo leto želita vsem sorodnikom, prijateljem in znancem
MARIA and ANNA LUNDER
1150 E, 60 St., Cleveland, Ohio
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
We Are As Near As Your Phone
(216) 486-4343
Terri Jarem
BIG BOUQUET
FLORIST
480 East 200 St., Euclid, Ohio 44119
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Joyce E. Plemel
4 Gateway Apt. 226
Euclid, OH 44119
Happy New Year
Mrs. Dorothy URBANCICH
Euclid, Ohio
The German prince, Albert, after his marriage to Queen Victoria, brought the custom of decorating a Christmas tree to England and German immigrants brought it to America.
$	Vesele božične praznike in
^ srečno Novo leto vsem prijateljem ^	in znancem želijo
| Ani, Helen Hočevar |
H	Willoughby Hills, Ohio	V
Look at a day when you are supremely satisfied at the end. |> It’s not a day when you lounge around doing nothing; it’s A: when you’ve had everything to do and you have done it. J
iS
-Margaret Thatcher
May the Peace, Love and Joy of the Christmas Season Remain in your hearts $1	throughout the year.
u Jim, Madeline
g and James V. Debevec, II

ŠKA DOMOVINA, DECEMBER 20, 2007
Slovenian Inflation Should Slow
16 Food, Fuel Prices Up in Slovenia
Nov. 30 - Slovenia’s inflation rate rose to the highest level in more than 4 years as oil and food costs kept pressure on consumer prices.
The inflation rate rose to 5.7% from 5.1% in October, the highest since July, 2003 and highest among the 13 countries sharing the euro. That exceeded the median estimate of seven economists in a Bloomberg survey, who expected the annual rate to remain unchanged, g Oil and food price in-^ creases, which are being felt < across the 13-member euro region, have had a stronger impact on consumer-price growth in Slovenia than in other euro region members, leaving it with the zone’s fastest price growth, the Finance Ministry said.
The inflation rate, “Is not yet ' affecting Slovenia’s competitiveness,” said Finance Minister Andrej Bajuk after release of the data. “The shock is not on the demand side so this is my answer to those who say our economy is overheating.”
Food and non-alcoholic drink costs rose 11.7 percent, the most in a year, followed by catering and lodging, which rose an annual 9.6%. Only durable goods fell, slipping an annual 1.2%.
“The November contribution of high oil prices to inflation was the most in the last two years,” Boštjan Vasle, director of the government’s Institute for Macro-economic Analysis said.
The $34.5 billion economy will next year expand at twice the pace of the average 13-nation euro zone, according to Bajuk. He dismissed the link between inflation and fiscal policy after European Central Bank executive board member Lorenzo Bini Smaghi criticized Slovenia’s fiscal policy “as too lax” and may cause “a boom-and-burst” cycle.______________
This news came from Phil Hrvatin.
What do monkeys sing at Christmas?
Jungle Bells, Jungle Bells, Jungle all the way.______
What is Christmas called in England?
Yule Britania.
What did the bald man say when he got a comb for Christmas?
Thanks, I’ll never part with it.
In the sweetness of friendship, let there be laughter and sharing of pleasures. -Wally Turk
Dec. 3 - Slovenian inflation, the highest among the 13 countries sharing the euro, will slow in March or April unless wage accords push prices up, government’s Institute for Macroeconomic Analysis and Development forecast, STA newswire said.
Wage negotiations are expected to result in raises that don’t fuel inflation as prices for food and oil decline, easing pressure on inflation,
said Director Boštjan Vasle of the institute in Ljubljana.
There is a worry that high inflation expectations will be built into wages, so wage agreements are crucial to prevent high inflation from becoming a permanent phenomenon,” Vasle said.
Slovenian November inflation quickened to 5.7% the highest since July, 2003.
This news came from Phil Hrvatin.
Brazil Nut Cookies
1 lb. nuts ground	2 eggs
VA cups sifted flour	2 cups light brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
Beat sugar into well beaten eggs. Add flour and baking powder sifted. Add nuts. Chill dough overnight. Make sticks and place on greased cookie sheet. Bake 350° for about 10 to 15 minutes. When still warm, roll in powdered sugar.
—American Slovene Club Cookbook
Pecan Balls
3 tablespoons brown sugar 1 cup flour lA lb. butter
‘A teaspoon vanilla	i
1 cup chopped pecans
Cream butter and brown sugar, add flour, pecans and : vanilla. Drop off spoon. Bake at 350°. Bake on buttered :
sheet about 15 minutes.
—American Slovene Club Cookbook j
Filled Horns
6 egg yolks	Vi lb. butter
Vi lb. flour (2 cups)
Mix well, form into small balls and chill overnight. Roll lengthwise, and fill with the following:
Vi lb. ground nut meats Vi lb. confectioners sugar 4 egg whites, stiffly beaten
Shape into horns and bake in moderate oven (350°). Makes about 50.
—American Slovene Club Cookbook
Chocolate Snowballs
1	1/4 cups margarine Vi teaspoon salt
2/3 cup sugar	Vi cup cocoa
2	teaspoons vanilla	2 cups silted flour
2 cups finely chopped pecans
Cream margarine, sugar and vanilla until fluffy. Sift together flour, salt and cocoa and add to creamed mixture, blending thoroughly. Add pecans and mix well. This is a pastry-like mixture. Form small balls and place on well-greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350° for about 15 minutes. Cool thoroughly and roll in confectioners sugar.
—American Slovene Club Cookbook
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A Merry and Blessed ^ Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year!
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AMERICAN INSPIRIT FOREIGN IN LANGUAGE ONLY
SLOVENIAN
MORNING NEWSPAPER
AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA (USES 0241 00) Thursday, December 20, 2007
- Vesti iz Slovenije -
• _________
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Jutri, 21. decembra, bo Slovenija vstopila v schengenski prostor - Sl. januarjam bo za prvih šest mesecev 2008 predsedovala
celotni SOO-miljjonski Evropski uniji
Z jutrišnjim vstopom v Schengen bodo meje med Slovenijo in EU sosedami Avstrija, Italija in Madžarska odpravljena, isto-časno bo pa slovenska meja s Hrvaško postala hkrati tudi zunanja meja EU. O pomenu schengenskega prostora je objavljen članek na str. 20.
Dogodek, ki bo prišel z letom 2008, bo še večjega pomena za Slovenijo. Od 1. januarja do 30. junija bo Slovenija dejanska predsednica Evropske unije. V vladi so zatrdili, da so priprave na predsedovanje končane. Prihajajoča vloga pri EU utegne biti za Slovenijo kar precej zahtevna, kajti je že prisotna kriza v zvezi s statusom Kosova, kjer nameravajo Albanci v pokrajini proglasiti svojo neodvisnost, skrajno proti temu je Srbija, da o srbski manjšini v Kosovu ne govorimo.
Opozicija v Slovenyi ne bo pomagala vladi pri predsedovanju EU
V zadnjem času, še posebej po nedavnih predsedniških volitvah, so opozicijske stranke v Sloveniji odrekle vsakršno sodelovanje z vlado pri predsedovanju EU. Predsednik stranke Socialnih demokratov Borut Pahor, ki je v preteklosti veliko govoril o nujnosti sodelovanja vseh političnih strank pri predsedovanju EU, zdaj premiera Janeza Janšo kritizira, da je začel politično krizo v Sloveniji in s tem kampanjo za parlamentarne volitve, ki bodo jeseni 2008. Jasno je tudi, da se Pahor smatra za vodjo celotne slovenske opozicije in zatrjuje, da bo slednja na parlamentarnih volitvah zagotovo zmagala. Pogosto tako izjavlja tudi, da bo ravno on predsednik prihodne vlade.
Na svoji strani je premier Janša dejal, da bo vlada sprejela odločne ukrepe zoper novodobne bogataše in preprečila da bi t. i. “tajkuni” (tycoons) na cenen način prevzemali velika nekdaj družbena podjetja in postala njihovi lastniki. Omenjeni tajkuni pa se že branijo in imajo močan, če ne odločujoč vpliv pri najmočnejših medijih.
Janez Janša na obisku v Italiji in pri Vatikanu - Premier povabil papeža Benedikta XVI., naj obišče Slovenijo
V prvem tednu tega meseca je bil slovenski premier na obisku v Italiji. V pogovorih z italijanskim kolegom Romanom Prodijem sta se dotaknila vprašanja hrvaške ekološke cone na Jadranu in se nanašala na hrvaško obljubo, da bo to zadevo usklajevala skupno z EU, Slovenijo in Italijo.
Papež Benedikt XVI. je Janeza Janšo sprejel kot prihodnjega predsedujočega EU. Papež in Janša sta se strinjala, da so odnosi med državama prijateljski in da obe strani v zadnjem času še poglabljata medsebojno sodelovanje. Janša je papeža povabil na obisk in omenil pri tem, da bi bila primerna priložnost za to morebiti 10. obletnica razglasitve škofa Antona Martina Slomška za blaženega, torej leta 2009.
Novoizvoljeni predsednik Slovenije Danilo Turk in premier Janez Janša sta se prvič uradno srečala. Oba sta rekla, da sta bila s srečanjem zadovoljna. Turk bo zaprisegel to nedeljo, 23. decembra, za pet let.
KNJIGA O LJUBLJANSKIH ŠKOFIH - v zadnjem času je izšla izčrpna knjiga
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Vsem dragim naročnikom, bralcem in sodelavcem želi Ameriška Domovina vesele božične in novoletne praznike in da bo naglo približajoče se leto 2008 uspešno in zdravo za vsakega in vsako od vas! Na svidenje 10. januarja 2008!
A A A A A -A A A A A A A
Iz Clevelanda in okolice
Skupna božičnica—
To nedeljo pop. ob 5. uri bo v novi dvorani pri Mariji Vnebovzeti božičnica kulturnih društev Korotan, Kres, Lilija in Fantje na vasi. Prav posebno sta povabljeni obe slovenski šoli, članstva omenjenih organizacij in njih prijatelji. Pridite, da se srečate s svojimi znanci in prijatelji in si voščite vesele praznike!
Novi grobovi
Robert M. Debevec
Umrl je 89 let stari Robert M. Debevec, vdovec po Elaine, oče Carla, Barbare Gorka in Diane Debevec, 5-krat stari oče, 2-krat prastari oče, brat Berthe Drennan, - Jean Edwards, Ralpha, Jamesa (Madeline) in že pok. Edwarda, veteran 2. svetovne vojne, v kateri je bil med drugim pilot B-17 bombnika, nekaj let pravni direktor mesta Euclida. Pogreb je bil 14. decembra s sv. mašo v cerkvi Brezmadežnega Spočetja v Madisonu, O.
Rose J. Intihar
Umrla je 86 let stara Rose J. Intihar, rojena Zau-bi, mati Rudija Kužnika in Randyja Kužnik, 3-krat stara mati, 4-krat prastara mati, sestra že pok. Franka. Pogreb je bil privatnega značaja in v oskrbi Zelotovega zavoda. V nedeljo, 6. jan. 2008, dop. ob 11. uri bo spominska sv. maša v cerkvi sv. Kristine.
Frank Zamlen
Umrl je 80 let stari Frank Zamlen, mož Stefie, roj. Habinc, oče Sue, Franka, Judy, Barbie, Victorja, Shirley in Lily, 8-krat stari oče, brat Stanleya, Elle Shaffer in Olge Lovšin Tre-sa Borow. Pogreb je bil 14. decembra v oskrbi Zak zavoda na St. Clair Ave. s sv. mašo v cerkvi sv. Vida in pokopom na Vernih duš pokopališču.
Izredna udeležba—
Večer s škofom Pevcem, ki ga je 7. decembra zvečer priredil Slovenian American Heritage Foundation, je zelo lepo uspel. Udeležba je bila veliko večja od lanskega in predlanskega, čeprav je svojo pozitivno vlogo letos igralo prijetno vreme. Udeležence večera je navdušilo tudi petje zbora Glasbena Matica.
Korotanov DVD—
Korotanov DVD “Pozdravljena zemlja”, dokument komemoracije ob 60. obletnici povojnega eksodusa in holokavsta, je še vedno na razpolago, še vedno cenjeni dar za slovenske družine. Naročite jih lahko, če pokličete 440-256-8993 ali na e-pošti:
mirakosem@vahoo.com
Društveni imeniki—
Ob poravnavi vsote $30 za objavo društvenega imenika v letu 2008 pisarna prosi, da priložite tudi natančen seznam društvenih odbornikov.
Naši dobrotniki—
Dr. Valentin in ga. Patricia Meršol, Chagrin Falls, O., sta nam poslala $165 v podporo listu. Klub upokojencev Slovenske pristave je poklonil $100. G. John De-jak, Chagrin Falls, O., je podaril $100. Slovenska pristava Inc. je darovala $60. Društvo Tabor DSPB je darovalo $35. American Slovene Club je daroval $50. Društvo št. 9 AM LA je darovalo $45. Slovenska šola pri Sv. Vidu je darovala $100.
G. Ed in ga. Sonja Mejač, Willoughby Hills, O. sta poklonila $25, v spomin Jakoba in Julije Mejač. G. Stane J. in ga. Margaret Kuhar, Wickliffe, O., sta darovala $25, v spomin na Robert M. Debevca. G. Jože in ga. Mici Košir, Kirt-land, O., sta darovala $20. G. Tony in ga. Tina Štepec, Richmond Hts., O. sta darovala $25.
Najlepše se vam vsem vsi pri AD zahvaljujemo!
Bog s človeškim obrazom
(Ta uvodniški članek je za bralce decembrske številke avstralskih “Misli” pripravil dr. p. Viktor Papež, provincialni minister slovenskih frančiškanov, tekst pa je primeren tudi za naše bralce.)
Spoštovani bralci, dragi prijatelji MISLI,
danes popoldan, 17. novembra 2007, sem vstopil v večjo ljubljansko trgovino, da bi kupil neko malenkost za otroke, ki jih želim obiskati jutri. Začuden sem obstal, ko sem videl, da se trgovina že vsa blešči v božičnem in novoletnem vzdušju: od okraskov, plastičnih božičnih drevesc, polnih svetlikajočih se lučk, pa vse do vsemogočih daril Miklavža, Božička, Dedka mraza, itd. Človek težko razumsko vzkladi vso to praznično “šaro” z vpitjem “delavskih množic” prav danes po ljubljanskih ulicah, kako da “smo lačni kruha in da živimo od drobtinic”. Če ta praznična “šara" ne bi šla v denar in prodajo, če je ne bi pokupili in v predprazničnem času izpraznili trgovske police, bi jo tudi proizvajalci in trgovino ne prodajali in bi jo kmalu pospravili tja, kamor spada.
Da, tudi “raj pod Triglavom” je preplavil val zahodne 'kulture nakupovanja in potrate brez resnične potrebe tistega, kar za človeka dostojno življenje potrebujemo.
Tako naši trgovski giganti že mesec in pol pred prazniki prepričljivo in privlačno “oznanjajo” adventno pričakovanje božičnih in novoletnih praznikov, s tem pa božič v taki porabniški družbi postaja le še pravljica za otroke in spomin odraslih na izgubljeno otroštvo, daleč od resničnosti in zahtevnosti, ki jo adventni čas, jaslice, polnočnica in zaključek leta pomenijo. Ker nam nenehno na ves glas trobijo, naj uživamo te pravljične dneve in praznike, kupujte si čim več, obdarujte se z vsem mogočim, četudi nepotrebnim, odklopite se od resničnosti življenja, smo zato nesposobni začutiti prevaro, ki nam jo ponuja porabniška družba.
Kristjani (še) vemo in (še) verujemo, da je božič zgodba o Jezusu, da sta vsa božična skrivnost in romantika obseženi v besedi: Emanuel - Bog z nami, Bog na naši strani.
Bog s človeškim obrazom in srcem vstopi v naše življenje in postane neločljivo povezan z našo življenjsko usodo v vsem in za vedno. Z učlovečenjem se je združil z vsakim človekom. Kristjani (še) verujemo, da božič pomeni tudi brezdomstvo Emanuela, pomeni beg Emanuela v tujino za golo preživetje in begunstvo v Egipt, da si reši življenje pred Herodom, ki s svojim strahom, ljubosumnostjo in krutostjo širi kulturo smrti in ubijanja najbolj nedolžnih bitij - betlehemskih otrok. Kristjani (še) verujemo, da je božič tudi Emanuelova trnjeva krona na njegovi glavi, okrvavljen škrlatni plašč in opljuvan obraz, težko leseno bruno v obliki križa, ki si ga sam nosi in na njem do kraja daruje svoje življenje v “odkupnino" za mnoge.
Hočemo ali nočemo, smo del te božične zgodbe o Besedi, ki je v določenem času postala človek, naš brat, prijatelj, naš Odrešenik. Božično zgodbo lahko “razumemo” in jo sprejmemo za svojo le z otroškim srcem: “Resnično povem vam, ako ne postanete kakor otroci, ne boste vstopili v Božje kraljestvo” (Mk 10,15).
Vzemimo nekoliko časa in najdimo nekoliko miru v sebi ter v celoti, v naši notranjosti, obnovimo to božično zgodbo o Otroku, ki je postal za vedno Bog z nami.
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iz Nase lepe Slovenije

Radirki Druži im Ctovlpifd
Ob svetovnem dnevu človekovih pravic ...
Premier Janez Janša: Spomnimo se žrtev režima
“Vsem, ki ste živi in me slišite, izekam opravičilo.” - Janez Janša
Ljubljana (Delo/STA, 11. dec. 2007) - Predsednik vlade Janez Janša se je v sinočnjem (tj. 10. dec.) slavnostnem govoru na državni proslavi ob svetovnem dnevu človekovih pravic v Cankarjevem domu v imenu slovenske države opravičil vsem preživelim političnim preganjancem, ki so trpeli preganjanje v drugi polovici 20. stoletja. Obenem jim je izrekel priznanje:
"Bilo je krivično, kar so vam storili. Imeli ste prav. Tisti, ki so vam sodili in vas preganjali, pa so ravnali narobe.”
Premier Janša je v govoru poudaril, da je v nasprotju z obdobjem pred letom 1990 slovenska država utemeljena na človekovih pravicah.
Pojasnil je, da je leta 1988 pojem človekovih pravic “obšel Slovenijo”. Po njegovih besedah je bil to ključen pojem slovenske pomladi.
“Vse takrat nastajajoče zveze in gibanja, ki so nastajala konec osemdesetih let, so človekove pravice posvojile kot bistvo svojih političnih programov,” je dejal Janša in dodal, da je tudi del takratne vladne enopartijske politike začel uporabljati to govorico, del te politike pa se je pridružil gibanjem za spoštovanje človekovih pravic.
Človekove pravice so spremenile tok politične zgodovine in so tudi bistvena dediščina slovenske ustavne zgodovine, je dejal Janša.
“A prej žal ni bilo tako,” je opozoril in dodal, da je osrednja tema državne proslave Izginuli spomin posvečena spominu na posameznike in družine, “na tisoče in de-settisoče naših sorodnja-kov, ki so v drugi polovici prejšnjega stoletja hudo trpeli.”
Janša je ob tem poudaril, da država, ki je nastala po koncu druge svetovne vojne, in katere
Prijatel’s Pharmacy
St. Clair & E. 68 St. 361-4212 IZDAJAMO TUDI ZDRAVILA ZA RAČUN POMOČI DRŽAVE OHIO - AID FOR THE AGED PRESCIPTIONS
del je bila tudi Slovenija, ni bila utemeljena na človekovih pravicah.
Generalna skupščina ZN je 7. decembra 1948 sprejela univerzalno deklaracijo o človekovih pravicah. Ob tem je predsednik vlade opozoril, da je istega leta vodja takratne politične policije v Sloveniji zapisal v poročilu tajne komunistične policije Udbe, da so zaradi političnih deliktov aretirali 6985 ljudi. Naslednje leto, ko so civilizirane države uveljavile določila deklaracije o človekovih pravicah v svoje pravne rede, pa je Udba aretirala kar 8762 ljudi, je še dodal.
Predsednik vlade je pojasnil, da politična represija ob koncu druge svetovne vojne in po njej ni imela temelja v odporu proti okupatorju, temveč je šlo za revolucijo in razredni boj. Prav tako je spomnil na dejstvo, da je v prvih letih po drugi svetovni vojni Slovenijo zapustilo med 50.000 do
100.000	ljudi, med leti 1955-1990 pa približno
210.000	ljudi.
“Za narod, ki ne šteje niti dva milijona prebivalcev, je to ogromna števil-
ka,” je dejal premier in dodal, “da so odhajali pogumni in pokončni ljudje, ki so si upali tvegati.”
Janša je izpostavil, da je še leta 1985 izšel priročnik za delo ljudske milice, v katerem je oblast milici nalagala, naj zbira podatke o tistih, ki kritizirajo oblast. Predsedstvo Socialistične federative repubike Jugoslavije (SFRJ) pa je 19. julija 1989 izdalo smernice za izredne razmere, med ukrepi pa so predvidevali tudi taborišča in represijo, je še dejal in dodal, da je bilo s slovensko osamosvojitvijo leta 1991 konec takšnih groženj kršenja človekovih pravic.
Janša je dejal, da je Slovenija po osamosvojitvi podelila kar 200.000 državljanstev vsem tistim, ki so si hoteli urediti status. O t. i. izbrisanih je pojasnil, da je vlada pripravila ustavni zakon, s katerim bi popravila vsako krivico posebej. Ob tem je poudaril, da ne gre podeljevati državljanstva tistim, ki ga niso hoteli. Dodal je še, da ne gre za kršenje človekovih pravic, če nekateri ob osamosvojitvi niso hoteli izkoristi ponujenih možnosti in si urediti statusa v Sloveniji.
Glede Romov pa je premier povedal, da je pravica Romov ustavna kategorija. Spomnil je na to, da je Slovenija sprejela poseben romski zakon,
(DALJE na str. 19)
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Silvestrovanje na Slovenski pristavi
Odbor Slovenske pristave vabi vse člane in prijatelje na prvo silvestrovanje (31. decembra) v novi dvorani na Pristavi. Za večerjo bodo poskrbele pristavske kuharice, za ples in zabavo pa Pristav-ski muzikantje. V slučaju slabega vremena bo zabava v dvorani pri Mariji Vnebovzeti v Collinwoodu.
Začetek bo ob 6. uri zvečer. Večerja bo deljena ob 7. uri.
Za rezervacije in več informacij, pokličite go. Elizabeto Žalik na tel. št. 440-537-1941. Važno: zaradi omejenega parkiranja, sprejemamo naročila samo za 200 oseb, zato pohitite z rezervacijo!
Odbor SP (M.R.)
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Cleveland Pubuc Radio WCPN 90.3 FN
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Premier Janez Janša: Spomnimo se žrtev režima
(NADALJEVANJE S STR. 18)
Vesele božične praznike in srečno Novo leto 2008 želi
Tinka Vombergar z družino
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Vesele in blagoslova polne božične praznike ter srečno in zdravo novo leto
želita
vsem rojakom in rojakinjam
Stanko in Ivanka Vidmar
6114 Lausche Ave., #214 Cleveland, Ohio 44103-1590
s katerim se uresničujejo pravice romske skupnosti.
“Države z bistveno večjo romsko populacijo nimajo posebnega zakona o Romih,” je še poudaril.
Predsednik vlade je govoril tudi o kršenju človekovih pravic v današnji Sloveniji. Ob tem je zlasti opozoril na sodne zaostanke. “Nismo še iznašli načina, da bi si zagotovili takšen pravosodni sistem, ki bi delil pravico v realnem času,” je poudaril in dodal, da je to ključna naloga, ki čaka Slovenijo v prihodno-' sti. Glede revščine in socialne izključenosti pa je dejal, da tega ne more odpraviti le država, ampak vsi državljani s splošno medčloveško solidarnostjo.
Po njegovem je potrebno na problem revščine gledati tudi širše: “V zadnjih letih smo tudi v Sloveniji doživeli nekaj resnih opozoril, da smo preveč zaprti vase, da ne znamo pogledati po svetu, da ne vidimo, kako je je drugod, in da se zaradi tega premalo vključujemo v akcije mednarodne razvojne pomoči ali svetovne solidarnosti.”
Prav predsednik Janez Drnovšek pa je po mnenju premiera tisti, ki je še posebej deloval v tem duhu: “Če je treba kaj priznati predsedniku države, ki se mu mandat
izmika, potem je treba priznati, da je opozoril na to dejstvo. Njegov prispevek v tej smeri je dragocen.”
Nekdanji zaporniki in udeleženci o proslavi ob dnevu človekovih pravic
Franci Zavrl, eden izmed političnih zapornikov četverice JBTZ, je v ponedeljek (tj. 10. dec.) po proslavi ob dnevu človekovih pravic poudaril, da je bila sicer včasih ogrožena svoboda govora, danes pa bi bilo potrebno večjo pozornost nameniti šibkejšim in socialno ogroženim.
Minister za kulturo Vaško Simoniti je izpostavil, da se je s sistemom, ki je zaznamoval generacije, potrebno soočiti.
Duhovnik in nekdanji politični zapornik Stane Okorn pa je na proslavi “pozdravljal vseh tistih 50 let zatiranja”. Obžaloval je, da tisti, ki so takrat zatirali in počenjali vse te krivice, tega niso slišali.
Kot je po proslavi dejal Simoniti, “smo živeli v nekem sistemu, ki je zaznamoval generacije in ki je obremenil s hudim bremenom vse, tudi mojo generacijo, s čimer še je potrebno soočiti." Po njegovem mnenju je preteklost sicer tiha, toda če ji dobro prisluhnemo, lahko vidimo, da dejansko kriči.
Minister se strinja s tem, da sta dan človekovih pravic obeležila tako varuhinja človekovih pravic Zdenka Čebašek-Trav-nik kot tudi vlada z državno proslavo. Tematika človekovih pravic se mu namreč zdi pomembna za širšo javnost.
Duhovnik in nekdanji zapornik Okorn pa je poudaril, da revolucija morda le ni bila tako čista, kot nekateri še danes poudarjaj o.
“Brisanje zgodovinskega spomina ne bo pripeljalo do sprave,” je dejal in dodal, da je sovraštvo do domobrancev pretirano. Po njegovem mnenju bi bilo bolje, da si podamo roke in gremo naprej. “Vendar nasprotna stran še ni zrela za to,” je prepričan Okorn.
Franciju Zavrlu pa se je proslava zdela kombinacija preteklosti in prihodnosti. Meni, da tega ni nikoli dovolj: “Ne vidim v tem neke patetike, mislim pa, da mora biti poudarek na prihodnosti.” Prepričan je, da so danes razmere precej drugačne kot v osemdesetih, ko je bil sam obsojen.
“Takrat je šlo za svobodo govora, danes pa so ogrožene druge pravice,” je povedal in dodal, da gre pri tem predvsem za pravice, ki izhajajo iz socialnih razlik in iz razlik v družbeni moči. Zato bi bilo treba po njegovem mnenju večjo pozornost nameniti šibkejšim in socialno ogroženim. Prav tako se strinja, da z varuhinjo človekovih pravic, ki je opozorila na probleme iz družbenega okolja, kot je nasilje v družini.
V BLAG SPOMIN
Ob 5. obletnici
Karl Klesin
Umrl 30. decembra 2002
Dragi mož, ata in stari ata. Prosi sedaj za nas Boga, da večno slavo bi Njemu peli. (Njegova prošnja)
Žena, otroci, vnuki, vnukinje. Cleveland, New York, 30. dec. 2007.
Glede kratenja svobode govora danes pa je Zavrl dejal, da je absoluten zagovornik imperativnega vztrajanja vsakega posameznika. “Ko sem bil sam v takšnih situacijah, sem si to pravico vedno izboril,” je poudaril in dodal, da pravice svobode govora v današnji Sloveniji ni možno omejiti.
O spornosti dveh proslav je Zavrl dejal, da se je na koncu vse dobro izteklo, “varuhinja je bila tu, premier je bil tam”.
Granda: Največji aktualni problem so plače delavcev
Predsednik programskega sveta RTV Slovenija in zgodovinar Stane Granda je po proslavi povedal, da je bila tema zelo dobro izbrana, kar kaže tudi obisk. Izbor teme je opravičil z dejstvom, da se je v zadnjem času odkrilo veliko novih resnic in dokumentov. Meni, da ljudje to težko sprejemajo, ker je prisotnega veliko trpljenja. Vendar se njegovem vseeno ne smemo zatiskati oči.
Največji aktualni problem kršenja pravic se (dalje na str. 21)
Jože Kristanc 1919-2003
V blag spomin ob četrti obletnici smrti, ki si nas zapustil 18. decembra 2003.
Odšel si, in Te ni več nazaj, k sinu v večnost. Tudi mi bomo odšli,
Kadar Bog pokliče nas.
Ob četrti žalostni obletnici smrti, Dragega moža, ata in starega ata.
Tvoji žalujoči: žena Francka,
Sin Mirko, hčerke Fanika, Jožica, Marjetka z družinami in ostali sorodniki.
V BLA G SPOMIN
obletnice smrti naših dragih staršev
57. obletnice našega dragega očeta, starega in prastarega očeta
JOSEPH MIHEVC
ki je umrl 28. decembra 1950
Preteklo je 57 let že, ko hladna zemlja krije Te, zelo vsi smo Te ljubili, in prezgodaj izgubili.
25. obletnice smrti naše ljubljene matere, stare matere in prastare matere

ANTONIA MIHEVC
ki je umrla 29. dec. 1982.
Srčno ljubljena nam mama, šla prezgodaj si od nas; dobra, skrbna si nam bila, vdano motimo za vas.
Oba prosita za nas vse Boga, da življenje nam srečno da, ko bomo tudi mi k Vam prišli, veselili bomo se vsi.
Žalujoči ostali:
Sylvia Plymesser - hčerka
vnuki in vnukinje ter ostali sorodniki.
Odpravljene bodo meje z Avstrijo, Italijo in Madžarsko
Trst - V Sloveniji vlada nestrpno pričakovanje za vstop slovenske države v schengenski prostor, to je na območje brez notranjih meja. (Op. ur. AD: To bo ravno jutri, 21. decembra 2007.) Vendar javna občila temu dogodku zagotovo zgodovinskega pomena doslej niso namenile toliko prostora in pozornosti, kolikor bi ju zaslužil.
Priprave na Schengen so najbolj obsežne in intenzivne na notranjem ministrstvu, kjer poteka reorganizacija policije, ki bo sicer še zmeraj zagotavljala mir in varnost občanov in varnost pre-
V BLAG SPOMIN
OB 25. OBLETNICI SMRTI NAŠEGA DRAGEGA OČETA
Alojzij Zupančič
ki je umrl 27. dec. 1982.
Petindvajset let je že minilo, odkar Te več med nami ni.
V naših srcih še živiš, in boš živel do konca naših dni.
Žalujoči:
Andrej in Lojze - sinova Marija Sever - hči ter ostalo sorodstvo tu in v Sloveniji.
Euclid, Ohio, 20. decembra 2007.
moženja.
Znatno število policistov pa je odšlo na mejo s Hrvaško, kjer bodo nadzorovali državno mejo v imenu in pooblastilu Evropske unije (EU). V občinah ob mejah z Avstrijo, Italijo in Madžarsko, državami, ki bodo tudi vstopile v schengenski prostor, pa pripravljajo najrazličnejše slovesnosti in druge dogodke, s katerimi bodo zaznamovali ukinitev državnih meja.
Pomembnost vstopa Slovenije v schengenski prostor ponazarjamo s podatki, da je meja slo-
V Blag Spomin
ob osmi obletnici
Ciril Štepec
ki je umrl 20. decembra 1999
Osem let je že minilo, od kar te več med nami ni. Pogrešamo te in prazno je, a v duhu z nami še živiš do konca naših zemskih dni.
Žalujoči:
Žena	- Urši
Sinovi	- Viktor, Daniel
in Robert z družinami
Brat in sestre v Clevelandu in sestra v Kanadi ter ostali sorodniki.
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Hvala vsem, ki ste se letos spomnili na podjetje
LAVRISHA
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Upam, da ste zadovoljni z delom, ki sem vam ga napravil.
Voščim vsem vesele božične praznike in srečno Novo leto!
PAVLE M. LAVRISHA
A note of thanks for all your calls during this past year.
Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
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venske države z Avstrijo dolga 330 km, Italijo 232 km in Madžarsko 102 kilometra.
Meja kmalu ne bo več, ker bodo vse štiri omenjene države vstopile v schengenski prostor, ostala pa bo 102 km dolga s Hrvaško, ki bo postala zunanja meja evropske povezave.
Na meji z Avstrijo je bilo doslej skupaj 37 mejnih prehodov različnih kategorij. Na meji z Italijo je na kopnem in na morju delovalo 36 mejnih prehodov. Na kopni in delno tudi vodni meji z Madžarsko je delovalo osem mejnih prehodov za mednarnodni promet.
Promet na večini prehodov med Slovenijo in omenjenimi tremi državami, ki bodo vstopile v Schengen, je bil tudi doslej velik in sproščen, tako glede potnikov kot tudi tovorov blaga.
Na slovenski strani na nekaterih prehodih ni več policistov, carinsko nadzorstvo pa je bilo odpravljeno že pred leti ob vstopu Slovenije v EU. Zelo poenostavljeni so tudi prehodi za kmetovalce dvolastnike.
Sicer pa se je število prehodov potnikov med Slovenijo ter zlasti Avstrijo in Italijo v zadnjih letih zelo povečalo, zdaj jih naštejejo okoli 30 milijonov na leto.
Dodajmo, da bo z vključitvijo Slovenije v schengenski prostor prenehala veljavnost prepu-
stnic, dokumentov, ki so jih izdajali pristojni organi Slovenije, Avstrije in Italije za maloobmejni potniški promet med temi državami. M.
Novi glas, 6.XII.2007
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Blagoslovljen Božič in srečno leto 2008 vam želijo
Ivan in Donna Tomc ter hčerke Dorothy, Irena in Michelle z družinami
Odbori, upravnik in uslužbenci želijo vsem članom, njihovim družinam in vsej slovenski skupnosti, da bi bili božični prazniki napolnjeni z dobroto in da bi bilo leto 2006 blagoslovljeno.
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Grandi želijo plače delavcev. “Tistih direktorjev, ki so pri tem aktivni, pa ni bilo tu,” je dejal. O spornosti dvojne proslave je menil, da je bil pri varuhinji zgolj sprejem, proslava pa na državni ravni v Cankarjevem domu.
Umetnostni zgodovinar Milček Komelj je pojasnil, da je to zelo pomembna proslava, ker je počastila spomin še živih. “Žrtve lahko tako najdejo neko zadoščenje,” je dodal. Tisti, ki menijo, da je danes več aktualnih kršenj pravic, pa po njegovem mnenju pretiravajo. Tudi ta del zgodovine je potrebno spraviti v zavest, kot vso ostalo zgodovino, je poudaril. “Sicer jo je potrebno gledati iz distance, hkrati pa ne prikrivati,” je sklenil svoje misli Komelj.
Zgodovinar Jože Dežman pa je poudaril, da je bil skrajni čas, da se tudi na vladni ravni ta problem obeleži. Nauk te proslave je po njegovem mnenju v tem, da si na teroristični način ne sme prisvajati oblasti. Izbor teme je po njegovem dober, dodal pa je, da so odkrili že toliko novega, da bi se dalo še marsikaj hujšega povedati.
Do sedaj po njegovem Slovenija še ni bila sposobna opraviti s svojo dediščino. “In jaz bi vladi čestital, da je uporabila medij, ki ga ima na razpolago, da opozarja na te probleme,” je poudaril. Hkrati pa Dežman ocenjuje, da bi bilo spodobno, če bi prizadeta populacija dobila tudi kakšen spomenik. ■
V BLAG SPOMIN
OB 18. OBLETNICI
Franka Kastigar
ki je umrl 25. dec. 1989
Že osemnajsto leto je minilo, odkar Te več med nami ni, o misel nate še vsaki čas bedi.
Žalujoča družina Euclid, Ohio, 20. decembra 2007.
Vesele Božične Praznike in Srečno Novo Leto!
Lojze in Silva Lončar in družina
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Vesele božične praznike in srečno Novo leto
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Dr. in ga. David Turk in družina
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Vese! in blagoslovljen Bo ič ter srečno in uspehov polno leto obiskovalcem naših prireditev, našim sotrudnikom in vsem Slovencem
eli
Dramatsko društvo LILIJA
Cleveland, Ohio
Blasoslovljen Božic in srečno, zdravo Novo leto
Milan in Marie Dular
Cleveland, Ohio ____
'Vsem sorodhifam, prifatetfem in znancem žefim vesele Hažicne praznike ter srečna in zdravo čA{pvo leto
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Stani, Matt Grdadolnik, Družine Grdadolnik & DiMare Family

Odziv Vatikana na Milan Kučanov predlog glede škofa Rožmana
Takratni predsednik Slovenije Milan Kučan je 6. oktobra 2001 ob obisku v Sloveniji državnega svetnika Svetega sedeža kardinala Angela Sodana predlagal Vatikanu, naj dovoli prekop posmrtnih ostankov škofa dr. Gregorija Rožmana iz ZDA v Slovenijo. Naslednji mesec je takratni veleposlanik Slovenije pri Sv. sedežu dr. Karl Bonutti Vatikanov odgovor v pisni obliki posredoval Kučanu. Tekst sledi kot je bil objavljen v tedniku Demokracija 1. XI. 2007:
Njegova pastoralna služba se je morala odvijati v težavnem obdobju slovenske zgodovine. Leta 1907 je bil posvečen v duhovnika, po diplomi iz teologije na Dunaju leta 1912 je opravljal svojo dejavnost prvenstveno v Ljubljani kot profesor kanonskega prava na državni univerzi. Bil je član cerkvenega sodišča, cenjen pridigar, organizator katoliške mladine.
Leta 1929 so ga imenovali za pomožnega škofa v Ljubljani, avgusta 1930 pa je postal škof ordinarij v Ljubljani. Za svoje družbeno delo je dobil navdih v nauku papeža Pija XI. Enciklika Divini redemptoris, ki je obsojala brezbožni komunizem in prepovedovala katoličanom vsakršno sodelovanje s komunističnimi režimi, je nato usmerjala njegovo nasprotovanje prevzemu oblasti komunistične partije v Jugoslaviji.
Med drugo svetovno vojno je moral ljubljanski škof pogosto posredovati
V BLAG SPOMIN
NAŠEGA MOŽA, ATA IN STAREGA ATA
Šestnajsta obletnica smrti
MILAN DOLINAR
ki je umrl 14. decembra 1991
Šestnajst let Te zemlja krije, v temnem grobu mirno spiš. Srce Tvoje več ne bOje, bolečin več ne trpiš;
Nam pa žalost srca trga, solze rosijo nam oči;
Dom je prazen in otožen, odkar Te več med nami ni.
Žalujoči ostali:
Pavla — žena
Rozi, Milena — hčerki, in zeta Miran, Gregor — sinova, in snahi
vnuk in vnukinji
v javnem življenju tudi zato, ker je ljudstvo veliko pričakovalo od njega, saj ga je imelo v času vsesplošne delitve skoraj za “očeta naroda”. Dejstvo. da je moral sodelova-
ti z okupatorskimi silami (italijanskimi in nemškimi), da je lahko pomagal ubogim, beguncem, internirancem, ločenim družinam, žrtvam represalij, so mu nato očitali kot kolaboracijo.
Proti koncu vojne, točneje 5. maja 1945, so ga duhovniki zaradi hudih groženj s smrtjo prosili, naj zapusti mesto in se odpravi v Celovec, da bi mogel posredovati pri angleških in ameriških silah za Slovence. 9. maja so partizani prišli v Ljubljano z namenom, da med drugim "obračunajo" tudi s škofom. Vendar je bilo
(dalje na str. 23)
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DRUŽINA
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AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA, DECEMBER 20, 2007
ODZIV
VATIKANA
(nadaljevanje s str. 22)
že prepozno. Na škofiji so medtem zaprli 56 duhovnikov skupaj s skoraj osemdesetletnim generalnim vikarjem "iz političnih in narodnih razlogov”, kot so rekli. 30. avgusta 1946 so škofa obsodili v odsotnosti na 18 let prisilnega dela, zaplembo premoženja in odvzem državljanskih pravic.
Škofu Rožmanu so svetovali, naj se iz Avstrije odpravi v Švico, od tam pa so mu 1. julija 1948 omogočili odhod v ZDA, v Cleveland, kjer je obstajala in se še danes obstaja velika slovenska skupnost. Leta 1957 je papež Pij XII. mons. Rožmanu ob 50-letnici njegovega duhovništva poslal lastnoročno napisano pismo, v katerem mu je čestital za njegov zgled pomembnega pastoralnega dela. Umrl je v Clevelandu 16. novembra 1959
(dalje na str. 24)
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otroci: Frank, Edward, Stane, Anica Kmetich z družinami brata in sestra z družinami v Sloveniji in ostalo sorodstvo v Ameriki in Kanadi
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IN ŽELI
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ir
ODZIV
VATIKANA
(nadaljevanje s str. 23)
in je pokopan na pokopališču slovenskih frančiškanskih redovnikov v Lemontu v Illinoisu.
Mnoge dosedanje študije so razkrile, da je bil proces 1. 1946 političen kot mnogi drugi, ki so potekali v tistem tragičnem zgodovinskem obdobju-
Namera, da bi zdaj prenesli posmrtne ostanke častitega prelata nazaj v domovino, je na prvi pogled gotovo zelo plemenita. Šlo pa bi vendar za kontraproduktivno dejanje, če bi pred vrnitvijo škofovih posmrtnih ostankov v domovino ne prišlo do izjave o ničnosti omenjenega procesa iz leta 1946. Slednji je bil. kot je znano, krivičen proces, ker ga je izvedlo vojaško sodišče, ki ni moglo obsoditi civilista, toliko manj v njegovi odsotnosti. Šlo je za krivičen proces predvsem zaradi navedenih utemeljitev, ki so bile brez vsakršne podlage.
Če procesa in krivične obsodbe ne bi želeli revidirati, bi se zdela najboljša rešitev, da se ostanki objokovanega škofa pustijo na mirnem pokopališču frančiškanov v Lemontu v Illinoisu, drugače bi prišlo do kontra-produktivnih razprav in
V BLAG SPOMIN
>
ob drugi obletnici
Anton Teskač
ki je bil poklican od nas za vedno.
Vsi bomo enkrat zaspali, v miru počivali,
Delo za vedno na
zemlji končali,
Pri Bogu odgovor dajali.
V trajni spomin:
Žena in otroci, sestri Anica Kurbos, Marija Kodrič, bratje (vsi že pokojni), vnukinja Danielle, vnuk Frankie in ostali sorodniki v Clevelandu in Sloveniji.
polemik, ki bi samo škodovale odnosom med Cerkvijo in državo. V primerih obsodb kardinala Mindszentyja na Madžarskem, kardinala Stepinca v Zagrebu, kardinala Be-rana v Pragi kot tudi v drugih podobnih primerih v Vzhodni Evropi je prišlo do revizij procesov ali vsaj uradnih objav vlad, ki so omenjene dogodke označile za krivične in brez podlage.
V vsakem primeru bi morali odločitev o morebitni vrnitvi posmrtnih ostankov sprejeti soglasno z ljubljanskim nadškofom, naslednikom mons. Rožmana na istem nadškofijskem sedežu.
Novembra 2001. na dan spomina na vse verne rajne. ■
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