Its establishment resulted from a meeting of two bishops representing the Dioceses of Scranton, PA and Cleveland, Ohio, 36 priests, and approximately 200 lay people, wishing to unify Slovak Catholics in the United States. The Zdruenie Slovenskych Katolifov, as it is kown in Slovak, became incorporated in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, on December 30, 1912.
The Slovak Catholic Federation
FOUNDED ON FEBRUARY 22, 1911 BY REVEREND JOSEPH MURGAŠ
The Purposes of the Federation
To promote Slovak Catholic heritage and its awareness among Slovak Catholics in the United States.
To continue the apostolic tradition of Saints Cyril and Methodius by promoting the proclamation of the Gospel through works of faith, charity, education and Pilgrimage.
To establish and maintain the bonds of fraternal cooperation among Slovak Catholic societies and Slovak Catholics in the United States and to foster such bonds by the promotion and sponsorship of religious and social activities.
To support vocations to the ordained ministry and religious life, both in the United States and Slovakia.
To assist the Catholic Church in the Slovak Republic, primarily by supporting the Pontifical College of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Rome, Italy and by rendering financial support for the formation of both clergy and religious.
To maintain structures which foster gatherings of Slovak Catholics in various areas of the United States.
The Standing Committees of the Slovak Catholic Federation
Membership Committee
This committee helps to encourage the development of Local Chapters of the Federation, by providing resources for the development of these Chapters. The chair of this Committee is the 2nd National Vice President of the Federation.
Finance Committee
This committee reviews the financial procedures of the Federation and aids in the development of financial reporting which is understandable. The annual financial report is published in The Good Shepherd. The chairperson of this Committee is the National Secretary-Treasurer of the Federation.
Evangelization Committee
This committee seeks to develop spiritual resources available for distribution. Special attention is given to a deeper reflection on the lives and ministry of our holy patrons, Saints Cyril and Methodius. This Committee will continue to plan Pilgrimages of Faith.
Communications Committee
The Communications Committee strives to publicize events of general interest to Slovak Catholics by means of the Federation’s Facebook page, other social media, and the publications of the four Slovak Catholic fraternal organizations. The Committee aims to keep information on the Federation website up to date.
Heritage and Culture Committee
This committee seeks to celebrate Slovak heritage, especially through promoting the use of Slovak language and song, on the local level. This Committee encourages local sponsorship of Slovak language classes and songs fests with both folk songs and religious hymns (with translations). Local Chapters, in seeking to celebrate Catholic faith and preserve Slovak heritage, can work towards sponsoring events such as Days of Reflections; Pastoral Seminars; a Vilija Supper, an Easter meal or other holiday-related activities.
National Board Members
Elected, (2026-2029)
| Moderator/Protector | Abbot Gary Hoover, O.S.B. |
| President | Rev. Andrew Hvozdovic |
| Immediate Past President | Msgr. Peter Polando |
| First Vice President | Rev. Thomas Nasta |
| Second Vice President | Loretta Ekoniak |
| Secretary-Treasurer | Ms. Dolores Evanko |
| Spiritual Advisor | Rev. Michael Brunovsky, O.S.B. |
Representatives of Fraternal Societies
| Slovak Catholic Sokol | |
| Supreme President | Larry Glugosh |
| Supreme Secretary | Scott Pogorelec, F.I.C. |
| Supreme Chaplalin | Rev. Andrew S. Hvozdovic |
| Ladies Pennsylvania Slovak Catholic Union | |
| National President | Theresa Kluchinski |
| National Secretary | John Andrzejewski |
| Spiritual Advisor | Rev. Aron Maghsoudi |
| First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association | |
| National President | Michael Agan |
| National Secretary | Kimberly Graham |
| National Chaplain | Msgr. Peter Polando |
| First Catholic Slovak Union | |
| National President | Kenneth Arendt |
| National Secretary | Kevin Collins |
| National Chaplain | Rev. Thomas Nasta |
Conference of Slovak Clergy
| Chairman | Msgr. Robert Siffrin |
| Representative | Rev. Paul Lisik |
Conference of Slovak Religious
| President |
| Representative |
Religious Communities
| Benedictine Order of Cleveland | |
| Representative | Brother Gabriel Balazovic O.S.B. |
| Representative | Rev. Gerard Gonda O.S.B. |
| Representative | Rev. Michael Brunovsky, O.S.B. |
| Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius | |
| Representative | Sr. Barbara Sable, SS.C.M. |
| Representative | Sr. Michael Ann Orlik, SS.C.M. |
| Representative | Sr. Thomas More Dzurnak, SS.C.M. |
Members at Large
Elected, (Not to exceed 8)
| Sue Ann Seich |
| Steve Hudak |
| Michael Ekoniak |
| Michael Horvath |
| Cynthia Maleski |
| Margaret Jollimore |
Executive Committee
| Moderator/Protector | Abbot Gary Hoover, O.S.B. |
| President | Rev. Andrew Hvozdovic |
| Immediate Past President | Msgr. Peter Polando |
| First Vice President | Rev. Thomas Nasta |
| Second Vice President | Loretta Ekoniak |
| Secretary-Treasurer | Dolores M. Evanko |