Pasarét Community Hall - the essential space

A gap-filling community space was created in Buda with the opening two years ago of the Pasaréti Community House operated by the Franciscan Order, which filled the second district and its surroundings with cultural programs, and also functions as a unique family support center, Éva Ugron, the former head of the institution, told our portal.

Author: Tamás Császár

Pasarét Community House was opened almost two years ago, and you worked a lot to create it. What were the goals of opening the community space in II. in the center of the district?

At the time, many people asked why a community center of this type was needed where the community was functioning well, thanks to the Franciscan fathers and the residents living here. As then, I answer now: on the one hand, the programs no longer fit, and the culture was also missing from the area. And what I felt was a matter of my heart, after being the mother of four teenagers, that it is essential to have a space where young people can meet: play, do sports, have fun. All this safely.

Then the Pasarét Community House is not an ordinary "arthouse".

A gap-filling community space was created in Buda, because the house, in addition to giving young people and parents an opportunity to get together, filled the second district and its surroundings with cultural programs, and it also functions as a unique family support center. Throughout the year, we wanted to treat the people of Buda with high-quality theater and music productions. The first program in the large hall of the community center with a capacity of 180 people and equipped with a children's playground was the evening of András Berecz and his son, István Berecz, the Father-son, I think that said a lot about our goals. In addition to the morning events for small children, social evenings, business breakfasts, podium presentations, music concerts were included in the programs, and the revitalization of club life was also an express objective of the Pasaréti Community House operated by the Franciscan Order.

What other services were offered to the people of the district and those living in the agglomeration?

Community building was an important goal of ours, which is why we also created a gym equipped with the most modern machines, which creates an opportunity for local youth to spend their time meaningfully. There are more than forty faith groups working in the house, and we thought of them in particular when we designed the fitness room. In all cases, we hold group lessons, with a trainer, according to the timetable. We even created a roof terrace on top of the four-story building, where you can have a barbecue and even play foosball in the garden.

How could the life of faith be synchronized with education and entertainment? Was it even necessary?

The religious events played and play a decisive role in the community center in the same way as before, when only a kindergarten and the house of providence provided space for the parish programs. Bauhaus on the outside, modern on the inside, the building also houses a chapel, which is excellently suited for prayer and mass for communities and theology groups, as well as a place for baptisms and wedding anniversaries. I am proud of the fact that we were able to create a family pastoral care center where well-known specialist psychologists, family therapists, church lawyers, and Franciscan fathers welcome the needy, regardless of age, completely free of charge. They hold group sessions and lectures, and you can also talk individually and ask for help. Today, it is no longer possible for a fellow human being who has been divorced or had an abortion to feel excluded from the community, to remain alone with his problem.

People in need can also meet psychologists at the crisis center. How much demand was there for this type of service?

The Pasarét Community House is not only a cultural center: young people preparing for an abortion, teenagers struggling with identity problems, married couples on the verge of divorce, divorcees, grieving widows use the free Family House programs. Family therapists and specialist psychologists deal with people of all ages. The groups for the TeenStar - adolescent sexual education program were constantly full, and in the framework of this, they discussed topics that they did not dare to bring up at home. Sexuality, contraception, porn prevention, self-esteem disorders are all part of the program. The life protection crisis center for young people facing or forced to have an abortion was very much needed in the II. also in the district. Here, not only adolescent girls, but also their relatives have turned to the mental health specialists of the "Elfogádó hely" for help to ease their burdens.

What kind of help can couples use?

Married couples with relationship problems can sign up for four types of couples therapy, and more and more people are also requesting appointments for group training or personal support. Divorced people are helped by church lawyers to organize their lives, and Franciscan fathers and specialist psychologists help them process the trauma, so that they can thrive as single parents.

Which one does not seek advice and spiritual support?

While in the past it was good if there was a man in the show, today a quarter of the applicants are representatives of the stronger sex. 98 percent of those who come to the Madocsai Bea AVE course are victims of divorce, but during the retreat, usually after three weekends, 100 percent of the participants have new hope for life. As part of another session, we gave useful tips to families on a timely and valuable topic every month. To mention just one: such was, for example, the course on the smart use of smart devices.

Why was the latter considered important?

Because four out of five parents believe that the smart device has a beneficial effect on their child and develops it. At the same time, in addition to being really useful in certain cases, they produce dopamine, i.e. an internal doping agent that can cause serious addiction. That's why you have to learn to handle the device well, and its design is a serious, if not the most serious, challenge in a family these days.

What problems do the older generation have in the house?

The most common problem of the older age group, grief, is dealt with by grief therapists and, of course, they are also supported by the monks of the Franciscan order who maintain the community center.

Does every age group find support, practical or spiritual help in addition to meaningful programs?

The main goal of the investment was evangelization, with the new kind of programs we opened up a living space for quality meetings and deepening of faith for the elderly, young people and entire families alike. We attracted the civilian population of the area to a place where everyone can be a part of the community, many of whom have not even been around the church until now. Good examples of this were the morning babysitting sessions, various exercise-developing exercises, outdoor fairs, music and theater evenings, and family days.

For all ages, at all stages of life

"Together, in community - this idea is still at the heart of the daily life of the Pasarét Community House, just as our former leader, Éva Ugron, carefully established it when the house was opened," emphasized Orsolya Huszár, the institution's current director. He pointed out: today the Pasarét Community House is the II. became one of the most important community and cultural centers of the district. The management feels an unwavering responsibility towards the residents of the neighborhood and the district to provide a colorful, value-creating, healthy community life for people of all ages and at all stages of life, in addition to religious life.

"The house is self-sustaining, yet we can invite those interested to our cultural, leisure, mental hygiene and family pastoral care programs free of charge," emphasized Orsolya Huszár. This year, the institution became a certified barrier-free location, which means that the building can be visited without obstacles by strollers, wheelchairs, and guide dogs.

Their plans for the next semester include starting an English language club, through which foreigners living in the area can join the community, and Hungarian-English language practice can also be easily implemented. They are considering launching gastronomic programs and building long-term relationships with Hungarian communities beyond our borders.

"With our local history series, which is the II. is organized by the district municipality, and with the help of interns studying tourism, we are also preparing for Pasarét anniversary events," the director mentioned their plans. With their goals to be achieved, they want to confront perhaps the most acute social phenomenon of the 21st century, loneliness, keeping in mind the "lifesaving" and sustaining role of community building, he added.

Front page photo: Photo: Pasaréti Community Hall Facebook