President

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Eva Papai (President of the Hungarian Catholic Mission)

Born and raised in Budapest, Hungary; Eva moved to the United States in 1988. By trade, Eva is a Medical Technologist. She had spent 19 years in the medical field and worked at Stanford University Hospital Clinical Laboratory for 12 years and the last 4 years as a Supervisor. Eva made a carrier change in 2002 and became a Real Estate Agent. In 2005 she completed the program of Graduate of the Real Estate Institute and in 2007 she earned her R. E. Master degree. Eva is currently employed by Century 21 Alpha, in Campbell, California.

Since moving to the United States, Eva has been a valuable member of the Hungarian Catholic Mission in Portola Valley, California where was voted to became the President in February 2015. She had been the vice president for the past 10 years. Eva with Father Maurus have been instrumental in improving the membership of the Hungarian Catholic Mission to include maintaining its mission emphasis of Faith, Culture and Charity.

Eva routinely coordinates Hungarian cultural and fund raising events in the San Francisco Bay Area. These include Hungarian concerts and Hungarian National Holiday celebrations. Her goal is also to educate the younger generations in understanding their Hungarian identity. The money raised from the Hungarian Catholic Mission supports needy Hungarians in Hungary and Transylvania. Eva has been very effective in organizing fundraisers for the Hungarian Boy and Girls Scouts of the San Francisco bay area. She has been a member for the past 15 years.

When Eva is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her family. She has been married to Zoltan for the last 17 years and they have two children. Both children are attending Catholic schools and are a part of the scout group since they were 4 years old. Their entire family is a part of our Hungarian Catholic Mission.

Ildiko Zentai (President of the Hungarian Catholic Mission from 2005 to 2015)

In her 10 years as President of the Hungarian Catholic Mission, Ildiko Zentai tirelessly and enthusiastically worked on cultural, religious and charity events, greatly impacting the lives of our members and of the lives of our beneficiaries.

She has spent countless hours ensuring a steady flow of great music and theatrical performances, enabling the healthy development of Hungarian social and cultural life in Northern California. She has hosted numerous distinguished Hungarian guests and performers.

Ildiko masterfully coordinated Hungarian cultural and fund raising events in the San Francisco Bay Area. These included Hungarian concerts and Hungarian National Holiday celebrations. She has been instrumental in holding fundraising events, benefitting needy Hungarians in Hungary and Transylvania, from flood victims and orphans to the formation of priests in the Hungarian Central Seminary in Budapest. She also fostered a great working relationship with the Hungarian Reformed Church, and other local cultural groups.

Under her presidency the Mission became a magnet for people of Hungarians origin in the San Francisco Bay area. Our membership has grown, and it also includes people from the younger generation who enjoy our programs and want to maintain their Hungarian heritage.