The joint academic year opening ceremony of the Debrecen-Nyíregyháza Diocese's public education institutions was held on 25/08/2025 in the Church of the Incarnation in Debrecen.
The following were present at the solemn occasion: Ferenc Palánki, Bishop of Debrecen-Nyíregyháza, Dr Zoltán Krakomperger, Vicar General, István Heidelsperger, Vicar responsible for education, Dr István Németh, Episcopal Secretary, school chaplains of the diocesan public education institutions, Julianna Némethné Székely and István Kovács, EKIF education organisation directors, Nándor Béres, diocesan economic director, Dr Diána Béres, diocesan legal advisor, the heads and staff of the diocesan public education institutions, and employees of the episcopal office.
At the academic year opening ceremony, Bishop Ferenc Palánki celebrated Holy Mass, and then those present listened to a presentation by Dr Norbert Vajda, Director General of the Catholic Charities, the main topic of which was the presentation and operation of the Catholic Charities.
The choir of the St. Joseph's Kindergarten, Primary School, Grammar School and College participated in the Holy Mass.
At the event, Bishop Ferenc Palánki presented higher management appointments and, in recognition of the work of teachers, awarded the St. Gerard Medal in gold and silver.
The following received higher management appointments:
Erzsébet Csománé Zahorák for the management of the Blessed Brenner János Catholic Primary School and Kindergarten in Nyírkércs for a period of 1 year from 01/09/2025 to 01/07/2026.
Regina Molnár for the management of the St. Anne Catholic Kindergarten and Primary School in Geszteréd for a period of 1 year from 02/07/2025 to 01/07/2026.
Zsolt Csapos for the management of the Széchenyi István Catholic German Nationality, Hungarian-English Bilingual Primary School, Kindergarten and Crèche in Mátészalka for a period of 1 year from 02/07/2025 to 01/07/2026.
Irén Horváth-Bócsi for the management of the St. Anne Catholic Primary School in Nyírtelek for a period of 5 years from 02/07/2025 to 01/07/2030.
Éva Tamás for the management of the St. Imre Catholic Grammar School, Bilingual Primary School, College, Kindergarten and Primary Art School in Nyíregyháza for a period of 5 years from 11/07/2025 to 10/07/2030.
The St. Gerard Medal of Merit was founded by the Hungarian Catholic Bishops' Conference to provide an opportunity to recognise outstanding work in Catholic public education.
With their human qualities and professional knowledge, the awardees set an example to be followed by the body. Being an awardee is a responsibility, because one must live and work accordingly in the future as well.
The St. Gerard Medal of Merit in gold is awarded to:
András József Törő, retired Director General of the St. Anne Catholic Kindergarten and Primary School in Geszteréd. He considered it his fundamental goal to operate his school with democratic management methods, in a partner-centred and child-centred manner. Every aspect of his educational work served the interests of the children. He created a successful, competitive and homely school, and developed an attractive school atmosphere. He set as a goal that the students of the school should acquire long-term, valuable knowledge, acquire the skills and abilities necessary for a constructive way of life, as well as the moral norms necessary for a positive way of life. As head of the institution, he did everything possible to develop the school's infrastructure and to create a Catholic spirit.
Béla László Dienes, retired Director General of the Széchenyi István Catholic German Nationality, Hungarian-English Bilingual Primary School, Kindergarten and Crèche in Mátészalka. As director and director general, he performed exemplary management work. He successfully, outstandingly and innovatively implemented the standard and effectiveness of educational work with conscious planning and implementation activities, in a way that was also attractive to parents. His management measures and activities fundamentally served quality work and raising the standard of professional pedagogical work. His work was characterised by excellent professional work, exemplary human behaviour, a reliable personality and a commitment to the spiritual development of the institution.
The St. Gerard Medal of Merit in silver is awarded to:
Zsuzsanna Mató, teacher at the St. László Catholic Grammar School, Technical School, Bilingual Primary School, College, Kindergarten and Crèche in Kisvárda. As a German language teacher, college educator and class teacher in the institution, she has been serving the transmission of Christian values for almost 10 years. Her commitment and spirituality are a real guide in everyday life for the community. Her honest personality, credibility and humanity play an important role in her teaching profession. She is very precise in her work, and she expects this from her students as well. She believes that the work invested bears fruit, and with her commitment and perseverance she is a true role model. Based on her work and human values, she receives the Silver Grade of the St. Gerard Medal of Merit.
Éva Lajtosné Krajnyák, teacher at the St. Imre Catholic Grammar School, Bilingual Primary School, College, Kindergarten and Primary Art School in Nyíregyháza, who has been practicing her teaching profession with great dedication, excellent results and commitment to Christian and national values since 1998. Since 2015, she has been a member of the community of the St. Imre public education institution in Nyíregyháza. As a subject teacher and class teacher, she has always placed great emphasis on the moral education of our students, guiding their career choices and community activities. She has developed good working relationships with external organisations. Her professional development is characterised by continuity and awareness, and her goals are closely related to the work of the professional community, as one of the outstanding areas of the institution is the mathematics department. Building on her previous experience as a training teacher, she helps the professional community, and is also able to further develop and enrich the professional development of the institution.
Éva Tardiné Virág, teacher at the St. John Catholic Crèche, Kindergarten, Primary School and Primary Art School in Egyek, who is retiring after 40 years of faithful, dedicated teaching career. A lifetime of work is tied to Egyek, to the school, which was her second home, and where she raised, taught and shaped generations. She always performed her work with dignity, patience and exceptional expertise. Her personality, humanity, empathetic presence and wisdom provided her with natural authority. She was a sure point for her colleagues - whether they needed good advice, a word of encouragement, or simply an understanding look. Even as she approached the end of her career, she showed the same enthusiasm and love for the students and fellow teachers as she did as a beginner.
