President

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Éva Pápai (President of the Hungarian Catholic Mission)

Éva Pápai was born and raised in Budapest and emigrated to the United States in 1987. She earned her degree as a Registered Nurse (RN) from the College of Health Sciences in Budapest and later qualified as a Medical Technologist, specializing in hematology prior to her immigration. She began her professional career at the First Department of Internal Medicine of Semmelweis University.

Following her arrival in the United States, her first position was in New York City at the Atkins Laboratory, founded by diet pioneer Robert Atkins. She went on to build nearly two decades of experience in clinical laboratory science. Of those years, she dedicated 12 years to the Clinical Laboratory at Stanford University Hospital. During her final four years there, she served as Shift Supervisor, leading laboratory personnel and overseeing daily clinical operations.

In 2002, she began a new professional chapter in the real estate sector, where she quickly built a stable, successful, and professionally respected career. She has continuously pursued advanced education: in 2005 she earned the Graduate, REALTOR® Institute (GRI) designation, and in 2007 she received the R.E. MASTERS™ real estate certification, both of which reflect a high level of professional expertise and ethical commitment. She currently works as an independent contractor with Century 21 Masters in San José, California.

Alongside her professional work, Éva is a dedicated volunteer of the Hungarian Catholic Mission and the Hungarian community of the San Francisco Bay Area.

• Active member of the Mission since 1988
• First elected President of the Mission in 1998
• Served as Vice President from 2005 to 2015
• Re-elected President in 2015
• Éva still holds this position as a testament to her continuous and dedicated service.

In her leadership role, she works closely with Father Maurus, supporting the spiritual and communal life of the Mission, strengthening membership, and preserving and passing on the Catholic faith, Hungarian culture, and Christian values.

Éva plays a defining role in organizing and coordinating Hungarian religious, cultural, and charitable events. Her work includes:

• Organizing Hungarian national commemorations (March 15, August 20)
• Coordinating Hungarian church feasts and liturgical celebrations
• Organizing classical, folk, contemporary, and jazz concerts
• Supporting folk dance and folk music performances
• Hosting theatrical evenings, literary readings, and book presentations
• Welcoming guest artists from Hungary and the United States
• Organizing community fundraising events, including the annual Hungarian “Disznótoros” Dinner

Through her service, she consistently works to preserve the Hungarian language, traditions, faith, and historical heritage, with particular attention to strengthening the identity of children and youth.

Since 1999, she has also been an active member of the Hungarian Scout movement in the San Francisco Bay Area, regularly organizing community and charitable programs. Her volunteer service includes coordinating fundraising efforts in support of Hungarian communities in Hungary, Transylvania (Romania), and Transcarpathia (Ukraine), including assistance to parishes, orphanages, seminaries, and families in need.

Awards

• 2023 – Hungarian Silver Cross of Merit, in recognition of her decades of volunteer service to the Hungarian community
• 2014 and 2016 – Certificate of Recognition from the Consulate General of Hungary in Los Angeles for her outstanding diaspora service in the San Francisco Bay Area

Personal Life

Éva has been married to Zoltán Egyed since 1998. They have two children who attended Catholic schools, were active members of the Hungarian Scout troop from the age of four, and both earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Today they are established in their professions, while the entire family remains committed and active supporters of the Hungarian Catholic Mission.

The Pápai-Egyed family is widely recognized as a strong and defining pillar of the Mission community, setting an example in faith, service, and community commitment.

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

In her 10 years as President of the Hungarian Catholic Mission, Ildikó 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.

Ildikó 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.