JourneyNovember/December 2010 Vol. 115 Issue 6

Official Publication of the Catholic Aid Association

Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Company Name &Raffle UpdatesRaffle UpdatesRaffle UpdatesRaffle UpdatesRaffle UpdatesRaffle UpdatesRaffle UpdatesRaffle UpdatesRaffle UpdatesRaffle UpdatesRaffle UpdatesRaffle UpdatesRaffle UpdatesRaffle UpdatesRaffle UpdatesRaffle UpdatesRaffle UpdatesRaffle UpdatesRaffle UpdatesRaffle UpdatesRaffle UpdatesRaffle UpdatesRaffle UpdatesRaffle UpdatesRaffle UpdatesRaffle UpdatesRaffle UpdatesRaffle UpdatesRaffle UpdatesRaffle UpdatesRaffle UpdatesRaffle UpdatesRaffle UpdatesRaffle UpdatesRaffle UpdatesRaffle UpdatesRaffle Updates++++++++++++++++++

Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry 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++++++++++++++++++ Gather4Good Fraternalism in action

Members on aMission++++++++++++++++++

we Catholics enjoy today. Of course, through the years there have been many attacks on our schools from all corners of society, not the least of which has been financial woes. Today, as in the past, the Catholic Aid Association has taken on a serious role in helping our schools survive. Since 1985 we have supported our local councils through the Matching Grant programs that have raised literally millions of dollars for Catholic education at the parish level. We have participated in many low-interest building loans for our schools. Over the past several years, we have adopted a program to support new schools and major remodel projects through grants of up to $25,000 where Catholic Aid has a strong presence. And who can forget our highly successful scholarship program?

We have long recognized the importance and impact a good Catholic education has on the perpetuation of our Church as well as our American society. Over the years, local priests have told me many times that without the support of the Catholic Aid Association and the direct involvement of our local councils, their Catholic school could not have survived. It makes you stop and realize the impact we have had and the foresight of our founders when they established Catholic education as an emphasis for our membership. A true fraternal story.

This issue of the Journey chronicles our next new venture into support of Catholic education. Last year we implemented a raffle

Catholic Aid AssociationPresident/Chairman Michael F. McGovern, Northfield Senior Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer Dennis L. Olson, Vadnais Heights Lead Director Frances M. Barten, Union HillBoard of Directors Bernard B. Bastian, North Mankato; George Gmach, Rogers; Joseph F. Kueppers, Mendota Heights; John W. Maile, Cold Spring; Deborah M. Pauly, Jordan; Gary E. Polaczyk, Woodbury

Magazine StaffPublisher Michael F. McGovern Editor Jared Roddy Staff Susan Detlefsen, Rebecca Redlin Marketing Manager Steve Wendorf

Office of Publication: Catholic Aid Association, 3499 Lexington Ave. N., St. Paul, MN 55126-8098; 651-490-0170 or 1-800-568-6670. Postmaster: Send change of address notice to above. Periodicals postage paid at St. Paul, MN. Subscription price is 50 cents a year. Published bimonthly.

Publication No. 093500/Official Publication of the Catholic Aid Association

Photo: Kelsey Smith

John Nelson of Yankton, S.D., and his aunt, Elsie, organized a holiday food drive for a food shelf in November (see page 6).

On the Cover

“We have long recognized the importance and impact a good Catholic education has on the perpetuation of our Church...”

Catholic Aid AssociationPresident/Chairman Michael F. McGovern, Northfield Senior Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer Harald Borrmann, St. Paul Lead Director Frances M. Barten, Union HillBoard of Directors Bernard B. Bastian, North Mankato; George Gmach, Rogers; Joseph F. Kueppers, Mendota Heights; John W. Maile, Cold Spring; Deborah M. Pauly, Jordan; Gary E. Polaczyk, Woodbury

Magazine StaffPublisher Michael F. McGovern Editor Jared Roddy Staff Susan Detlefsen, Rebecca Redlin Director of Marketing Steve Wendorf

Office of Publication: Catholic Aid Association, 3499 Lexington Ave. N., St. Paul, MN 55126-8098; 651-490-0170 or 1-800-568-6670. Postmaster: Send change of address notice to above. Periodicals postage paid at St. Paul, MN. Subscription price is 50 cents a year. Published bimonthly.

Publication No. 093500/Official Publication of The Catholic Aid Association

From the President

Photo: istockphoto.comPeace on Earth during this blessed season. Merry Christmas Catholic Aid, and Happy New Year Catholic United Financial! For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the LORD.

On the Cover

JourneyNovember/December Vol. 115 Issue 5

Official Publication of the Catholic Aid Association

Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!Merry Christmas!& Happy New Year from Catholic Aid& Happy New Year from Catholic Aid& Happy New Year from Catholic Aid& Happy New Year from Catholic Aid& Happy New Year from Catholic Aid& Happy New Year from Catholic Aid& Happy New Year from Catholic Aid& Happy New Year from Catholic Aid& Happy New Year from Catholic Aid

++++++++++++++++++ Gather4Good Fraternalism in action

Members on aMission++++++++++++++++++

www.catholicaid.org2 November/December 2010

When the Catholic Aid Association was established in 1878, the members set as one of their primary goals the support of Catholic education. At this point someone might be saying to themselves, “I thought we had a different name when we started.”

You are correct, of course, but the old name was quite long and, as you can see from this edition of the Journey, the new name, Catholic United Financial, will not become official until January 1, 2011. So, for the sake of expediency we will stick with The Catholic Aid Association for this column. Ah yes, where were we? Catholic education was the topic…

If you were to read one or both of our history books, you would see whole chapters dedicated to our support of Catholic education. You cannot read about the history of our faith in America or the Midwest without gaining a deep appreciation for the importance of a true Catholic education to the growth and strength

“You cannot read about the history of our faith in America or the Midwest without gaining a deep appreciation for the importance of a true Catholic

education to the growth and strength we Catholics enjoy today.” Michael F. McGovern

news@catholicaid.org November/December 2010 3

program in selected Catholic schools. In many cases it became the major fundraiser for the school last year. The results were impressive: 18 schools participated and earned more than $128,000. The schools that raised that money kept 100 percent of the proceeds.

The day of the drawing, Msgr. James Habiger, our spiritual director and a veteran of the Catholic Schools systems of Minnesota, told me that this was the most exciting event he had seen. Many years ago, the Monsignor was involved in the kick-off of the Catholic Schools Marathon, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. He told me that in their first year that event raised between $20,000 and $30,000 for Catholic schools. The Marathon is a classic example of a fundraising success that has grown substantially over the years. We hope the raffle will grow with similar success and longevity.

This winter we will be launching our second Catholic United Financial Catholic Schools Raffle, in what we hope will become an annual event. There are 46 schools committed to participate, and we are planning on some significant returns to those schools. If this program continues to grow as we anticipate, it could soon hit the $500,000 mark — and who knows, maybe a $1,000,000 a year could be the standard of the future.

These are exciting times around here as we continue our support of Catholic Education in the areas we serve.

I received some exciting news this week, regarding an old friend of ours and of the Catholic Church. Archbishop Timothy Dolan, the current Archbishop of New York and former Archbishop of the Milwaukee Diocese, has just been named the new president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the leadership arm of the Catholic Church in the USA. Basically, the protectors of our Faith. Archbishop Dolan has been a close friend of the Catholic fraternal world for many years, and still serves as Spiritual Director of the Catholic Financial Life fraternal — formerly the Catholic Knights and Catholic Family, in Milwaukee. I have met him many times and found him to be orthodox, energetic, and with a great sense of humor. He will have a significant impact on our Church here in America. It’s nice to know that our industry, especially we Catholic fraternals, have friends in high places.

May the Lord bless you all in every way,

Contents FeaturesScrapbookMember stories, CAA tidbits and news headlines.

4-5Sections

12 On a Mission from GodJake and Elwood aren’t the only ones who were called to serve. CAA Members are working to help others wherever they are.

14 Gather4GoodThis year, Catholic Aid celebrates two successful new fraternal events. Read about the results of our Gather4Good activities.

20 Youth LeaderMeet Nate Lamusga, CAA’s new Fraternal Youth Liaison.

16-19

Business as UsualRecipes, Announcements, Board Minutes, Memorials & more.

2010 Class of Field RepsMeet the new Field Reps.

8

10 Association Update Progress on the name change and our plans for the 2010-2011 Catholic Schools Raffle

Catholic Aid’s new Fraternal Youth Liaison Nate Lamusga tries to blend in with a mob of wallabies. Learn more about Nate on p. 20.

www.catholicaid.org4 November/December 2010

Scrapbook

Volunteers! The Catholic Aid Association Foundation is looking for volunteers to lead teams of di-saster respondents. Fill out the card inside this issue to be called upon when disaster strikes near you.

100 and counting

That Matching Grant was WACS!

Community ServiCe AwArdS

The whole community of Comfrey, Minn., showed up to tell SS Paul & Mary council fraternal secretary Kurt Eischen that he is a pretty big deal. More than 750 donated pork cutlet sandwiches (with all the fixin’s) gave their lives to the cause. And more than 100 items were auctioned. Kurt was injured in a farm accident this summer. His fellow council officers pictured here are: Vice President Mary Ann Schumacher, member Carol Hayes, President Arlene Helget, Treasurer and wife JoAnn Eischen, and Secretary Bernetta Helget.

The Winona Area Catholic Schools and Catholic Aid partnered last spring for a “Fun Night” for St. Stan’s Elementary School grades K through 2. The St. Stan’s student council planned the activities and Catholic Aid members chaperoned the event. All funds raised went to the WACS Scholarship Fund.

Fr. Rick Coletti and St. Stan’s Student Council President Olivia Flanagan accept the check from Field Representative Keith Jereczek.

Big turnout no small comfrey

Gobble Gobble GrantThe annual Turkey Bingo hosted by the Annunciation council of Mayhew Lake, Minn., sends lucky winners home with Thanksgiving dinner. The event also raises money for the par-ish’s religious education. Here, Field Representative Gary Gall presents the check to Fraternal Treasurer Donna Poganski and Parish Pastor Fr. Tim Wenzel.

Peggy Wilson (above) was honored by the SS Theresa & Wendelinus council of Luxemburg, Minn., especially for her work writing and editing the Parish 150-year his-tory book. She also recently gave a parish tour to descendents of the original parish founders from several other states. Below, Rick Christiansen (on left) received his Community Service Award for his commitment to the Youth Choir of the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm, Minn. Congratula-tions, and keep up the good works!

Second Distinguished Service Award For Springfield Member

news@catholicaid.org November/December 2010 5

How to Contact your Field Representative:Look on the back cover of this magazine. Your Field Representative’s name and contact information

should be listed with yours. Otherwise, visit www.catholicaid.org, or call 1-800-568-6670.

Turn to page 23 to see your Field Rep Contact the Fraternal Department at 651-490-0170 to have

your event listed in an upcoming issue of CA Journey.

In His Plan

Welcome to the Family, Sacred HeartMurdock, Minn.

Web Link: www.catholicworkout.comAll you need is a rosary, set of

dumbbells and 30 minutes three times a week to build your body, and your faith.

Foundation Executive Director Paul Naumann (left) and Field

Representative Dawn Walker (right) deliver a Chastity & Abstinence Education Grant for the “All in God’s Plan” education series administered by St. Croix Valley Faith Formation. Accepting the dona-tion are Annie Foctman, Jennifer Samec and Fr. Michael Miller from St. Michael’s and St. Mary’s of Stillwater, Minn.

Thanks to Hilary and Elizabeth Mohr of Springfield, Minn., the catechists of the Diocese of New Ulm should find their education more affordable. They were honored this year with a Diocesan Distinguished Service Award for creating the Hilary and Elizabeth Mohr Scholarship Fund to educate catechists in their diocese. The scholarship has separate components for parishioners of the Mohr’s own parish, St. Raphael in Springfield, and for those of the Diocese of New Ulm at large.

Dr. (Theodore) Hilary Mohr and his wife, Elizabeth, pictured here, also received the Diocesan Distinguished Service Award in 1990.

The Catholic Aid family just got a little bit bigger. On October 3, 2010, Sacred Heart Council #362 was chartered in Murdock, Minn. A total of five new councils will have been chartered by year end! At left, President McGovern speaks during the Holy Mass at Sacred Heart Parish. Below, Mc-Govern with Senior Vice President Harald Borrmann (far right), presents the official Charter to Fr. Bill Sprigler, Kevin Lundberg, Gerald Swenson, Judy Hoffer, Elaine Wentzel, Gina Kelly-Wiltz and Harmon Wiltz.

www.catholicaid.orgwww.catholicaid.org6 November/December 2010

Credit Union membership

approves name changeA name change, a logo upgrade,

and terrific benefits for members are all in store for the Catholic Aid Association Credit Union.

On Nov. 9, 2010, the membership of the Credit Union voted to change the institution’s name to Catholic United Financial Credit Union to reflect the name change of the par-ent organization, Catholic United Financial. The name change will be official starting on Jan. 1, 2011.

What does this name change mean to our members? President Terri Maloney gives some answers to frequently asked questions about their business and transactions that could be affected.

Question: Are my loans, certificates and accounts going to change be-cause of this name change?

Maloney: No, the name change will not affect the status of your loans, certificates and accounts. The name change will not affect the way you do business with us. You might see the new name and logo

on statements, our website and oth-er materials, but the change will be visual and not procedural.

Question: Can I still use checks that have the old name on them?

Maloney: Yes, your checks will be valid. Our members can wait until they use up the checks they have on hand. When a member reorders new checks, they will receive checks with the new name printed on them. CUFCU will retain the rights to our old name, and will still honor valid checks that have the old name.

Question: Is the website going to change?

Maloney: Yes. Our website ad-dress, known as a URL, will change to www.catholicunitedcu.org, but our old address, www.caacu.org, will still work for the near future. Up-date your bookmarks and web browsers accordingly. Other than swapping out the new logo and name on the site, there are no plans to change the site either visually or structurally. You will still receive the

convenient all-hours access to your accounts that you have always had through ItsMe247 Online Banking.

Question: Are membership fees changing along with the name?

Maloney: No, our fees are not changing. See the most recent issue of the Values newsletter for a current fee schedule, or view our website, www.caacu.org.

Question: My loan payment cou-pons still have the old name on them. Will they be accepted?

Maloney: Yes, we will accept pay-ment coupons with the old name on them.

Question: My debit and/or check card has the old logo printed on it. Will it be accepted?

Maloney: Yes, your card will con-tinue to be valid. When your card expires, a new card with the new logo and name will be issued to you.

Send any other questions you have on this subject to info@caacu.org.

on statements, our website and oth convenient all-hours access to your

CREDIT UNION

www.catholicaid.orgwww.catholicaid.orgwww.catholicaid.orgwww.catholicaid.orgwww.catholicaid.org

CAACU is offering low rates on new auto loans and auto loan refinancing. Do you currently have a car loan at another credit union or bank? Refi-nance that loan with CAACU for a pos-sible better rate and a lower payment.*Rates subject to change at any time.

Low auto loan rates are here!

as low as

2.89%used*as low as

2.79%new*

Shopping for a new or used car? Or, want to lower your current car payment?

November/December 2010 7news@catholicaid.org

Next spring, when you’re cleaning the basement and dragging the Gymnasifun-Octibrainulator out to the curb — the very same Octibrainulator your children or grandchildren could not live without for Christmas — consider how much more use a term life insurance policy would get. And how much better your back would feel.

Life insurance for kids. It’s something a lot of parents don’t want to think about. But why not?

“The biggest thing is people think it’s morbid, or don’t want to have the feeling like they’re going to profit from a child’s death,” Sales Director Tom Schisler says. “Nothing could be further from the truth.”

Term Life insurance’s greatest gift (besides that to your lumbar region) is the gift of peace of mind. Most Catholic Aid policies have conversion privileges, which means while the policy is in-force, it can be converted to permanent insurance like Whole or Universal Life without having to re-qualify.

“No one knows how their kids are going to turn out,” Schisler reminds. “They could get sick and become uninsurable, they may make some bad decisions and become uninsurable, they could even have a bad driving record and become uninsurable. Whatever the case, an inexpensive juvenile term policy can protect against that.”

Setting up a term policy for a child or grandchild also makes them a member of Catholic Aid, making many fraternal benefits available to them throughout their life. From volunteer

An unexpected gift for Catholic Aid this holiday season has been an exceptionally strong year in sales, despite a depressed life insurance market.

The Life Insurance Marketing and Research Association (LIMRA) reported in its Global Update, April 2010 that the U.S. market has shown a precipitous decline in life insurance sales since 2007. The Catholic Aid Association, however, has shown a remarkable increase in Life sales over that same time.

According to the LIMRA Report, there has been a small uptick in Whole Life sales in the U.S., but Term, Universal and Variable Life have all taken significant hits. This time frame correlates strongly to the recession and with the trend in Catholic Aid sales statistics that show between October 2008 and October 2010, year to date Net Life Premium has increased an incredible 61%.

“I think the biggest reason for what we’re seeing is that like in economic downturns of the past, people turn to Catholic Aid because our track record is consistency, safety and security,” Sales Director Tom Schisler says. “I would say the second thing is that we have added some very qualified new Field Reps.”

Catholic Aid has also increased its training regimen substantially. “We do a lot more training than when I was a rep,” Schisler says.

Other factors include “direction from the top” and an increased focus on marketing.

“Mike [McGovern] and the board have been emphasizing our core mission, which is enrolling members and providing financial security for their families. Life insurance is at the heart of what we do and we’ve focused on that the past few years,” Schisler continues.

New marketing has also contributed in spreading the message and making Catholic Aid more visible throughout its territory.

As for members and how they’ve participated in the CAA life insurance boom, Schisler says that’s simple. In the 132 years of CAA’s existence there’s been one marketing technique that has sustained it and provided members throughout the generations: referrals.

“If you like what we do, if you feel like we’re taking care of you or if your Rep did something special for you, let someone else know. There’s nothing in business more effective than a referral.”

Sales News

opportunities, to travel grants, to college scholarships.

Deciding what your kids or grandkids can really benefit from for Christmas isn’t easy with the 24-hour Christmas marketing machine out to turn every living room into a toyland town on Christmas day. But as the father of two teenaged daughters, Schisler

offers his last bit of advice. “When my kids were young,

I put a little money into some insurance policies for them. Now they’re getting older, there is no doubt in my mind it was the best gift I ever gave them,” he says. “Far better than some of the toys I spent every spring carrying from the basement to the curb.”

Industry Down, Catholic Aid UpGive a gift that won’t get old

www.catholicaid.orgwww.catholicaid.org8 November/December 2010

Sara BartoshHometown: Heron Lake, Minn.

Parish: Sacred Heart Church in Heron Lake, Minn.Serving: Luverne, Adrian, Edgerton, Lismore, Worthing-ton, Lakefield, Jackson, Heron Lake, Windom, and BrewsterFamily: Married to Jeremy, three childrenHobbies: Spending time with family, scrapbooking, pop-corn and movie nightsWhat do you hope to accomplish in t he next year? I hope to bring the Catholic Aid story to as many as I can in my area. We are a wonderful company with a lot of benefits for so many people. We can change peoples lives and give them a true peace of mind, both financially and spiritually.

David StangHometown: Watkins, Minn.

Parish: St. Nicholas Church, St. Nicholas, Minn.Serving: St. Nicholas, Watkins, Marty, Kimball, Paynesville, Roscoe, Lake Henry BelgradeFamily: Married to Annette, two daughtersHobbies: Woodworking, hunting, fishing, sportsProfessional training? In Stage 3 of my Fraternal Insurance Counsellor training.What does t he ‘Cat holic Aid difference’ mean to you? I like the fact that Catholic Aid is faith-orientated. My faith and the faith of my members is our common bond. That bond helps us trust each other and unite to help our Catholic communities.

Hometown: Wausau, Wis.Parish: St. Matthew Parish, Wausau, Wis.Serving: Wausau, Schofield, Wisconsin Rapids, Stevens Point, Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls, Cadott, Thorp, Augusta, MarathonFamily: Married to Henry, daughter, son and two grandkidsHobbies: Crocheting, reading, spending time with my grandchildrenWhat is your best financial advice right now? Keep your thoughts positive; things will change. Save for your future and protect your family so that when the worst happens, they will be able to continue on the way they are accustomed to.

Mary Holm, F ICF

Family NewAddit ions

news@catholicaid.org November/December 2010 9news@catholicaid.org

Tom Eggert Hometown: Deerwood, Minn.Parish: St. James in Aitkin, Minn.

Serving: Aitkin, Brainerd, Baxter, Crosby, IrontonFamily: Married to Joy, two children, seven grandkidsHobbies: Amateur radio, computers, geocaching, sand

carving and engravingWhat led you to join Cat holic Aid ’s field force? I liked being able

to help fellow Catholics with their finincial and estate planning, and I wanted to work in an environment

that requires a ‘win-win’ outcome.What does t he ‘Cat holic Aid difference’ mean to you? Being able to

sleep at night knowing that your finances are safe and aligned with your faith.

Kevin ChaffeeHometown: Watkins, Minn.Parish: St. Casimir, Wells, Minn.

Serving: Clarks Grove, Ellendale and surrounding areaFamily: Married to Marjorie, son, daughterHobbies: Fishing, archery, huntingWhat does t he ‘Cat holic Aid difference’ mean to you? It means building relationships with families and not just selling products.What is your best financial advice right now? Like all hard times we must remember that there is always light at the end of the tunnel. Also, in hard times, we must remember that God will never abandon us and will watch over and keep us and our families.

Maggie SchlauderaffHometown: Litchfield, Minn.

Parish: Church of St. Philip, Litchfield, Minn.Serving: Eden Valley, Manannah, Grove City, Darwin,

Forest City, and LitchfieldFamily: Married to Ben, one son

Hobbies: Playtime with my son, bike rides with Ben, weekends with my girlfriends, and being outdoors with

my familyWhat was your previous posi t ion? I worked for Hanratty &

Associates, Inc., an insurance broker in PlymouthWhat does t he ‘Cat holic Aid difference’ mean to you? Being part of

a faith-based community that is willing to go the extra mile for its members.

to OurFamily TreeAddit ions

www.catholicaid.org10 November/December 2010

New name, same valuesHave you heard? The Catholic Aid Association is in the midst of a name change. Approved by the delegates at

the 2010 Annual Convention, we are updating the company name to Catholic United Financial. Now, the process that took years to get rolling now has eight weeks to complete. Let us fill you in on just what

Catholic Aid is doing and what you can expect from us in the near future.

“Before we can legally use our new name,” Catholic Aid Compliance Specialist Paul Lindemann says, “it must be approved by the insurance departments of all the states in which we’re licensed to do business.”

Insurance is regulated at the state level, and Catholic United Financial was approved by the Minnesota Department of Commerce in September. We currently await approval from other states.

“We’re also doing the necessary filings to change the names of the Credit Union, Foundation and Catholic Aid Association General Agency, LLC,” Lindemann says.

[The LLC allows Catholic Aid Field Representatives to sell members products that are not in Catholic Aid’s portfolio, such as long-term care and disability coverage.]

“As far as the State of Minnesota is concerned,” Lindemann adds, “we are now Catholic United Financial. However, we felt it best to wait to use our new name until January 1. By then, we should have all the necessary approvals in place.”

The attitudes and mission of the Association are not changing. So many of the changes to come are cosmetic, involving illustration work, graphic design and page layout, tasks that most appropriately fall to the Marketing Department directed by Steve Wendorf.

“Deciding to wait until January first gives us a little time to get ready, but it’s also like putting together a big event,” Wendorf says. “There are so many little things that are getting added to the task list that it seems we’ll run out of time before we even get started.”

The first thing necessary to update the name was a new logo. The officers and board of Catholic Aid have directed Wendorf to

retain the ring and cross emblem of the old Catholic Aid logo. It has been, but with the adjustment to the words within it saying now, “United since 1878.”

The new typeface on the name has been updated to a fresher font, while still maintaining strong lines evocative of strength and stability. The logo on this page is one variation. It has been generally embraced with the hope that the more descriptive company name combined with the modern typeface will have a positive impact on our brand identity.

That identity takes its shape in all of our communications, and you should expect to start seeing different materials as early as January.

Letterhead, envelopes, business cards and forms all need to be updated. To streamline the process and maximize savings, Wendorf brought in Catholic Aid department heads and presented them with a wall of every communication piece currently in circulation.

“What do you need? What do you want? What can we get rid of?” Wendorf asked.

Some materials will have the logos swapped out and be left mostly alone, but many will be updated, improved or eliminated. Some entirely new projects are already getting off the ground after these

Official Name: Was: Catholic Aid Association Will be: Catholic United Financial

Website:Was: www.catholicaid .org Will be: www.catholicunitedfinancial.org

Emails: Were: jdoe@catholicaid.org Will be: jdoe@catholicunited.org

Address: Catholic United Financial 3499 N. Lexington Ave, St. Paul, MN 55126

Envelopes, communications, etc.: New! Look for our logo and open them up.

Logos: Available on website for councils early December.

Council Banners: All councils will receive new banners

Questions: Call your field rep! Name and number on the back cover of this magazine.

Name Update Cheat sheet

news@catholicaid.org November/December 2010 11

New name, same values The Catholic Aid Association is proud to announce that the planning for the 2010-2011 Catholic Schools Raffle is in full swing!

Readers may recall that in 2009, we began a new fraternal program designed to stuff the coffers of our Catholic schools, at no expense to the schools themselves. Catholic Aid (by the time the raffle kicks-off the name

will be Catholic United Financial) will purchase all the prizes. We will print all the tickets, advertising and informational materials. Our Field Reps will collect the

tickets and deliver them to the Home Office. And in mid-March, we will draw the winners.

Schools should have their materials before Christmas.

This year’s raffle is already more than twice the size of the 2009 version, with 46 schools participating (last year there were 18). Entries are closed for this year, but as we report the results, we’re sure more will want to sign up in the future. Last year, the raffle raised more than $128,000 for the schools. And the schools kept every penny!

Raffle tickets will be available from a school probably near you beginning around Catholic Schools Week at the end of January. Keep an eye out for opportunities to buy tickets and support your local Catholic school.

brainstorming sessions. Councils should not fear that the name change costs will

affect their budgets. We are also minimizing waste. Having anticipated the change for the past year, we have purposely bought less of items we knew we’d be replacing.

As value-added components of the Catholic United Financial Family, the Credit Union, Foundation and LLC are also undergoing name updates. Expect the Foundation to maintain its colors and appearance in general. The board of trustees meets to vote on the proposed name of Catholic United Financial Foundation later this month.

The Credit Union, on the other hand, has approved the new name Catholic United Financial Credit Union and an entirely new logo and color scheme, one more in keeping with Catholic United Financial’s new appearance. See page six for more details and a look at the new Credit Union logo.

Our website is also one of our primary forms of communication. This will be updated and reorganized again. This update will include content and design, leading to a more enjoyable browsing experience. To see the new web address and email domain names, see the sidebar of this story.

The magazine you’re reading is also a major part of Catholic Aid’s communications plan, and it too could see some changes. However, those meetings are scheduled for late November and the results were not available at press time. Expect, however, that you will continue to receive this magazine in a very similar shape and format.

Finally, we want to celebrate…just not quite yet. After this year is over and the change is official, look for more details. Some sort of Home Office homecoming may be in the cards. The 30-year-old Home Office was beginning to show signs of her age, so some remodeling has been done this fall. With the newly remodeled office and the new name, we’ll have plenty to be happy about in the New Year.

As Senior Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer Harald Borrmann explains, we are part of a 132-year-old company that just changed its name. We recognize and anticipate some publicity from it. We embrace it. Our goal is to reach more people and attract new members. Publicity and brand identity can bring about those ends as long as our message is clear.

“The fact that we will try to focus on in our message,” Borrmann says, “is that we have acted from a position of strength rather than re-acting from a position of weakness. While many in our industry struggled over the past years, Catholic Aid has enjoyed some of the best revenue in its history. And we have a large and growing base of active members. That’s the story we want to tell.”

www.catholicaid.org

Out Comfortof My

Catholic Aid member Maricela Radke and her husband Armand turned their Mexican vacations into opportu-nities to serve. Each year, the couple leads a team to sites in Mexico where they conduct eye clinics for local peo-ple. (Editor’s note: Thanks to Field Representative Becky King)

he Radkes’s mission began eight years ago; the cou-ple was investigating the purchase of a timeshare property in Mazatlan, Mexico. They shared with the property manager their desire to serve the needy in the community. He connected them to some local con-tacts. After visiting and connecting with more local people, including a local member of the Lions Club, the Radkes set up a temporary clinic in the La Familia Community Center in a neighborhood on the edge of the city. Word of mouth spread through the community about the clinic, and within a few hours the line of peo-ple waiting for an exam was out the door.Inside the clinic, Armand conducts an exam with an individual, then selects and fits him or her with a pair of glasses that matches the prescription. The glasses come from donations given by the Lions Club in the U.S. Maricela said they’ve been able to fit people with complex prescriptions, while others simply need read-ing glasses that can be purchased in the U.S. at dollar stores.Maricela says the average patient they serve is 20-years-old, and the majority of their eyesight prob-lems can be solved with pairs of reading glasses. For most of the patients, the clinic run by the Radkes is the

Catholic Aid members aren’t afraid to step outside their comfort zones and serve in the name of Jesus Christ. Here are two stories of Catholic Aid members helping themselves and others get out of their comfort zones.

www.catholicaid.org12 November/December 2010

Armand Radke (left)

Maricela Radke (center)

Tonly access they have to vision care.

On one trip to a neighboring town, a malfunctioning bus

and a missing box of glasses delayed the Radkes and their

volunteers for two and a half hours. When they arrived on

site at 11:30 a.m., they found a line of patients waiting for

them; some had been in line since 5 a.m.“Their life is so much tougher. There’s more dirt, the sun

is so bright. There are so many little things to take into con-

sideration,” says Maricela of their patients. “Sometimes if a

prescription is really, really bad my husband will bring it

home and we’ll try to find something here and we’ll send it

back.”Back in Minnesota, word of the Radkes’ mission work has

been circulated around Detroit Lakes, and people often

request to come along on the trips. Groups as large as 30

have traveled with the Radkes each March and served pa-

tients at the clinics. For the last couple of years, high school

seniors from the Radkes’ home parish of Holy Rosary have

served on the trip, performing cleaning, painting and clinic

services.Maricela estimates that over the eight years that they’ve

been making the trip to Mexico, they’ve been able to assist

over 10,000 people with eye exams and glasses fittings.

“We’ve been going to the same church for the last seven

or eight years and you do see one or two people that you’ve

seen before. Mostly, they’re all new people. There’s a lot of

people to help, still.”

news@catholicaid.org

ornings at Catholic Heart Work Camp

(CHWC) began with hearty breakfasts followed

by a morning program in the gym -- highly spir-

itual and extremely active all at the same time. Every-

one was “pumped” as we left the gym to break off into

our work groups. Our larger youth groups were divid-

ed into 22, six-member teams who were sent off to

their work sites. We found this really takes us out of

our comfort zone, but in the end was very good for us.

We came together as a team and made contacts with

new people who will be our “friends forever.” The

main purpose of the week was simply to go out and be

the hands and feet of Christ to everybody in need, and

to let our youth serve others.

In the evenings, the youth took part in team build-

ing, praise and worship, and skits and talks in the

school’s gym. Both the morning and evening pro-

grams were highly interactive. Everybody danced

with the high-energy music. It was impossible to just

sit and not interact; the young CHWC team had a way

of getting everyone to participate.

They hosted one special night when “the people we

work for” were invited to come and join us. CHWC

encourages us at our work sites to spend time inter-

acting with the people we work for, so we really get to

know these people and they get to know us and love

us. We discovered we are all God’s children and

sometimes our brothers and sisters need help, and so

we help them. Many powerful testimonies were

Comfortof My Zone

shared that night of how much they appreciated what was done for them. Over and over they marveled at the “wonderful teens” who came to help them and even to pray with them. On the work site, the adult leaders guided the youth to a beginning prayer and then the work be-gan. It was amazing how everyone worked together and used their talents to get the job done. There were food breaks and discussions that were guided by the adult leaders. We found that there was something very powerful about working together to help those in need. It is very bonding and we became very good friends with those in our work groups. Our 18 participants were sent off with different groups and had very different experiences. We did dry wall, painting, yard work and landscaping, nurs-ing home visits, day care and fixing up playground equipment, tornado damage repair of homes, food kitchens, food banks, and the list goes on.Steve Schmitt, a ninth-grade religion teacher from our parish, who was on his second CHWC mission trip, said he saw a change in the young volunteers.“Many of the kids from last years CHWC came back with a deeper faith and wanted to go again, and they talked others into coming. CHWC gives you a better perception of why we’re here on earth. There’s a big-ger perspective than just your personal stuff.”

news@catholicaid.org November/December 2010 13

M

stories compiled by Susan F. Detlefsen

Our Lady of Grace Council of Manannah, Minn., helped a group of 13

young Catholics and three adults from Church of Our Lady parish to step

out of their comfort zones and into a week of service at Catholic Heart Work

Camp in Billings, Montana. The council provided the group with a $300

donation. Team leader Judy Haag describes the trip below in her own words.

(Editor’s note: Thanks to Field Representative Maggie Schlauderaff)

The Church of Our

Ladygroup from

Manannah, Minn.

at the CHWC camp.

www.catholicaid.org14 November/December 2010

Celebrating community, country and family.

There was no question this past year that something was shining down on the Catholic Aid Association’s Gather4Good events, be it a glowing sun, community cheer or maybe even the Lord’s good graces.

During two separate events held in New Ulm, Minn., and Sauk Rapids, Minn., Catholic Aid members, local Catholics and CAA Field staff worked together to build hundreds of care packages for American soldiers serving overseas.

The events, dubbed Gather4Good, were the culmination of months of planning by the Fraternal Department. The goal was to bring together the Catholic community through a large-scale service project, and for the two events there was only one result: Mission Accomplished.

Preparation and PlanningThe real seed of the idea began at

the 2009 Catholic Aid Convention, when it was announced that instead of a full two-day convention in 2010, the Association would experiment with the new format of a day-long business meeting.

“The shorter convention gave us the time and resources to plan events for members and non-members closer to home,” says Fraternal Director Kathleen Moriarty. “We wanted to do something that involved more members, but also showed non-

members what we are about.”By April, a theme was

solidifying. A service project where everyone could participate, centered around something most everyone could appreciate.

After deciding on a care package drive, Moriarty worked with her

team and the local field force to narrow down locations and plan the campaign to raise awareness for the event. It was decided that two events could be held in 2010. One at German Park in New Ulm on July 12, and one at Molitor’s Quarry in Sauk Rapids on September 26.

A modest goal of 200 participants and 100 care packages at each was set, and an awareness campaign began. As the event approached, and the online signup

Celebrating community, Celebrating community, Celebrating community, Celebrating community, Celebrating community, Celebrating community, Celebrating community, Celebrating community, Celebrating community, Celebrating community, Celebrating community, Celebrating community, Celebrating community, Celebrating community, Celebrating community, Celebrating community, Celebrating community, Celebrating community, Celebrating community, Celebrating community,

news@catholicaid.org November/December 2010 15

began to fill, there was still some trepidation about the outcome.

“We had no idea what to expect,” Moriarty says. “We received RSVPs from more than 100 people, but it was a summer Sunday afternoon and we know people are very busy.”

German Park, New UlmUpon arrival at German Park,

the first thing to hit an observer, besides the mid-nineties heat, was the milling mass of participants.

People swarmed under several tents. The pile of empty boxes was quickly depleted as Catholic volunteers — some members and some not — filed through the sundry lines and picked up their supplies.

Research had been done to determine what soldiers liked best in their care packages. The list looked something like: gum, coffee, mints, lip balm, jerky, socks, and powdered drink mixes for canteens.

Adult volunteers added a personal touch by writing letters, while children drew pictures to thank the servicemen and women for their sacrifice.

Marlys Wenier received a postcard and decided to attend with her granddaughter. “I think its great,” she said. “I wish there were more like it, so that everyone would get the feeling. My daughter is over serving in Afghanistan – her mother,” Marlys said.

Activities like a jumping house, face painting, giant checkers and child ID kits kept the younger participants like Marlys’s granddaughter from realizing that work was being done.

Catholic Aid also brought in a band to entertain from the raised pavilion, and provided lemonade, locally brewed root beer and popcorn to placate the participants prior to the catered lunch of sandwiches with all the trimmings.

Despite the heat, more than 225 people arrived to support the military, and put

together 125 care packages.Michael Webster brought his

entire family for the opportunity to do a volunteer activity together.

“We think it’s great. It very much shows the people serving our country that we do care, and we are thinking about them,” he said.

“Yes,” his wife, Bonnie, added, “we’re keeping them in our thoughts, all the time.”

Molitor’s Quarry, Sauk RapidsAny fear that New Ulm’s blessed

weather (almost too blessed, according to some) would not be visited upon the fall event was quickly dispelled, as September 26 dawned bright and beautiful.

Molitor’s Quarry is a sprawling complex complete with trout pond, hay rides and miniature golf. Catholic Aid added face painting, pictures with the pope and all the materials for the care packages.

After the success of the New Ulm event, sights were set higher at 175 care packages and 300 participants, and again, the Catholics of Sauk Rapids (and many surrounding communities) did not disappoint.

National Guard Fox Company 134th Brigade Support Battalion Sgt. 1st Class Ryan Wensmann, a Catholic Aid member out of St. Joseph, Minn., heard about the event from his Field Representative Greg Gall. He said he decided to come in uniform and bring an Army Humvee to say thank you from the men and women receiving the gifts.

“They mean the world to a lot

of the folks over there,” he said. Dozens of young families

poured out for the activities, particularly enjoying the hayrides.

Among the events, however, nothing proved as fulfilling as putting together the packages themselves.

“We received the postcard and sat down and talked about

Photos, left top: a child’s drawing is packed on top of the contents of a care package in Sauk Rapids, Minn. Left page cluster: New Ulm, Minn. Stacking the care packages after prepping them for delivery; face painting for the little ones; two youngsters draw pictures for the soldiers. This page: Sauk Rap-ids, Minn. Top: In the sundries line, volunteers grab the items to go into the care packages. Bottom: Sauk Rapids Mayor Mark Campbell, Catholic Aid Field Representative Gregory Gall, CAA Sales Direc-tor Tom Schisler, Former Mayor of St. Cloud (And CAA member) Chuck Winkelman, Kay Halverson of St. Paul, Minn., Joyce Griebel of Searles, Minn., CAA Field Representative Gary Gall, CAA Regional Manager Peter Spaniol.

Gather4Good, continued on back cover

www.catholicaid.org16 November/December 2010

Cheesy Hash Browns

Ingredients:3 1/2 cups hash browns1 can cream of chicken soup2 cups shredded cheese3/4 cup sour cream1/4 cup onion1/4 cup melted butter

topping: 1 1/2 cups crushed corn flakes2 Tbsp melted butter

Preparation:Mix together hash browns, cream

of chicken soup, shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped onions and melted butter in a bowl. Grease your 9x13 pan and spread mixture in baking dish. Then sprinkle crushed corn flakes and top with melted butter. Bake at 350o for 45 minutes.

Prep Time: 1 hourServings: 8

Walleye on the Grill

Ingredients:12 walleye fillets12 oz jar of mayonnaise4 small tomatoes1 onion, sliced2 Tbsp Italian Seasoning2 aluminum foil sheets

Prep Time: 30 minutesServings: 4

Preparation:Lay down one sheet of foil. Put

a thin layer of mayo down and then fillets of fish. On top of the fish put the rest of the mayo. Then slices of onion, diced tomatoes and Italian Seasoning. Close the foil and place on the grill with the thin layer of mayo side down. Open the foil occasionally to check if fish is done.

You can bake this recipe in the oven as well at 350o and open foil to check when done.

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Ingredients: 2 8 oz. bricks of cream cheese3 lbs. chicken cooked & cubed 16 oz. Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing 23 oz. Frank’s Red Hot Sauce8 oz. brick of pepper jack cheese, shredded Preparation: Cube cream cheese and melt in microwave. Add chicken, hot sauce and dressing. Put it in a crock pot. Stir occasion-ally. Stir in pepper jack cheese. Serve with chips or celery.

Prep Time: 15 minutesServings: 5

This year work on your holiday cooking and party-planning skills. Instead of relying on grocery store prepared foods or catering companies to supplement your holiday meal, consider saving money this year by cooking some traditional family meals or take a look through the cookbooks in your cupboard. Be ambitious with your holiday cooking, this year make it healthy and save money! If your family has a recipe that you or your friends rave about, send it to us

to share with the whole CAA neighborhood: news@catholicaid.org

From our kitchen to yours!

CAA Cookbook

About These Recipes: Here are a few recipes to help you through your holiday parties or just try out for family dinners. The Cheesy Hash Browns make a large dish and go over well. You’ll rarely have leftovers. The Buffalo Chicken Dip is a great recipe to use as an appetizer; it is spicy so look out! This new recipe, Walleye on the Grill is fantastic, you do not need tartar sauce for this one!

September 2010 Mary Andruzzi, 79 Madelia, MN St. Joseph

CordeliaBecker, 98Richmond, MNSS. Catherine/Joseph

John Bickett, 82Wilmont, MNSt. Kilian

Antoinette Bork, 86Winona, MNSS. Joseph/Elizabeth

Harold Brotherton, 82Duluth, MN

Barbara Buckner, 91Pine City, MN Immaculate Conception

Eleanor Chanaka, 81St. Cloud, MNSt. Augustine

Donald Decann, 79Osakis, MNImmaculate Conception

Chad Dehmer, 37St. Michael, MN St. Michael

Susan Dickhausen, 43St. Bonifacius, MN St. Boniface

Paul Ebert, 65St. Bonifacius, MNSt. Boniface

Bernard Fischer, 79Parkston, SDHoly Cross/St. Mary

Joanne Foley, 82Rogers, MN Mary Queen of Peace

Mildred Foss, 80Hampton, MNSt. Mathias

Olive Haggerty, 99Waite Park, MNSt. Joseph

John Heinen, 99Spring Hill, MNSt. Michael

Bernice Kalkhoff, 87Morgan, MNSt. Michael

Marjorie Kieffer, 77Hastings, MNSt. Eliz Ann Seton

Michael Lamatsch Jr., 69New Brighton, MNSt. John the Baptist

Donald Lambrecht, 78Jordan, MNSt. John the Baptist

Mary Mayer, 68West Union, MNHoly Family

Harry McCartney,86Whitehall, WISt. John & St. Ansgar

Herman Meyers, 74Hampton, MNSt. Mathias

Gordon Rieke, 86Fairfax, MNSS. Mary & Joseph

Viola Rooney, 89Alexandria, MNOur Lady/Runestone

Richard Schaefer, 57Searles, MNSt. John the Baptist

Evelyn Schons, 92Mankato, MNHoly Family

Marie Schutz, 92Eden Valley, MN SS. Joseph & Mary

Willibalda Seifert, 84New Ulm, MN St. Elizabeth

Theodore Silvers, 85Farming, MNSt. Catherine

Edward Stacken, 84Waconia, MN St. Joseph

George Vonderharr, 91Madison, MNSt. Michael

George Weinhandl, 81Hampton, MNSt. Mathias

Cletus Wendinger, 82St. George, MN St. George

October 2010Edmund Adamczak, 84Wabeno, WISt. Ambrose

Agnes Baillon, 95St. Paul, MNSS. Matthew/Cecelia

Caroline Baltes, 78West Union, MNHoly Family

Isabelle Barthel, 86St. Michael, MNSt. Michael

Lavern Biebl, 82St. George, MNSt. George

Natalie Borzych, 87Wabeno, WISt. Ambrose

Barbara Brickner, 90Hoven, SDSt. Anthony of Padua

Sylvester Brown, 79Madison Lake, MNAll Saints

Donald Bungert, 71Bloomington, MNSS. Ann & Wendelinus

Margaret Denn, 93Hastings, MNSt. Eliz Ann Seton

Bernieda Domeier, 84New Ulm, MNSt. Elizabeth

Esther Domeier, 92New Ulm, MNSt. Elizabeth

William Drexler, 78St. Paul, MNS. Anthony-Maria Hilf

Dorothy Ebert, 91Mankato, MNHoly Family

Richard Ernste, 70Faribault, MNSS. Lawrence & Anna

Joseph Geers, 94Richmond, MNSS. Catherine/Joseph

Stanley Goblirsch, 85St. George, MNSt. George

Delores Haas, 89New Ulm, MNSt. Elizabeth

Bernard Hackenmueller, 87St. Michael, MNSt. Michael

Cyril Hartung, 80Holdingford, MN St. Joseph

Walter Heltemes, 89Wadena, MNSt. Joseph

Vernon Hinderscheit, 87Union Hill, MNSt. John

Catherine Hoen, 89Waconia, MNSt. Joseph

Leslie Hollingsworth, 88Skyeston, NDSS. Joseph/Elizabeth

Lucy Hughes, 97Mankato, MNHoly Family

Everett Huiras, 92Leavenworth, MNHoly Family

Genevieve Jelen, 95St. Leo, MNSt. Leo

Stephen Kalenberg, 86Glencoe, MNHoly Family

Melinda Kappel, 88Winsted, MNHoly Family

Delores Kimmes, 90New Trier, MNSS. Nicholas/Theresa

Ricky Klingelhutz, 52Victoria, MNSt. Victoria

Joseph Landsteiner, 91New Ulm, MNSt. Joseph

Harriet Leifeld, 96Hastings, MNSt. Eliz Ann Seton

Magdalen Maciej, 91Minneapolis, MNSt. Ann’s

John Mack, 90Belta, NDSt. John Nep.

Avita McWhorter, 99Alexandria, MNOur Lady/Runestone

Naomi Nimis, 91St. Paul, MNSS. Peter/Clemens

James Rachel, 90Maple Lake, MNSt. Francis Xavier

Elvera Sanftner, 83Mankato, MNHoly Family

Laverne Scheeler, 91Luxemburg, MNSS. Theresa/Wendelin

Gerald Schiminski, 78Minneapolis, MNSt. BonifaceSteven Schmidt, 59Morgan, MNSt. Michael

Judith Schmitt, 72Stillwater, MNSt. Joseph

Charles Schneider, 89Minneapolis, MNSt. Boniface

Severin Schwieters, 85St. Cloud, MNSt. Michael

Rachel Simon, 18Bloomington, MNSS. Ann & Wendelinus

Marie Sperl, 90New Ulm, MNSt. Elizabeth

Anna Tauer, 89New Ulm, MNSt. Elizabeth

Marjorie Thomas, 69St. Cloud, MNSt. Augustine

Patricia Tillman, 55Little Falls, MNTri Parish

Alfred Volkenant, 95Rosen, MNSS. Anthony/Monica

Cletus Wendinger, 82Litomysl, MNHoly Trinity

Roman Zangel, 100New Ulm, MNSt. Mary

Frank Ziegler, 87Fairfax, MNSS. Mary & Joseph

Julius and Alice Friedges

Julius and Alice Friedges, of Prior Lake, Minn., recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. They were married on May 3, 1950, at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in New

Market, Minn. They have 6 children, 10 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. Their family enjoyed a dinner together at Julius and Alice’s home. Julius and Alice are parishioners of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Prior Lake, Minn.

Announcements

November/December 2010 17news@catholicaid.org

In loving memory of our deceased members

Send us your announcements!

If you have an anniversary, jubilee or announcement that you want to share with your Catholic Aid family, mail it to Catholic Aid Journey, 3499 Lexington Avenue N., St. Paul, MN 55126, or email it to news@catholicaid.org.

A special thank you to all who have served and are serving!

Veterans Day, observed on November 11th, is a special day in America. We recognize and thank all the individuals who served in the military for their gift of service in defending our freedom in this great country. We are very proud to have so many of our employees and members among this distinguished group of Americans.

Minutes of the CAA Board of DirectorsThe 2010 Board of Directors: President & Chairman Michael McGovern, Senior Vice President & Secretary/Treasurer Harald Borrmann, Lead Director Frances Barten, Bernard Bastian, George Gmach, Joseph Kueppers, Deborah Pauly, Gary Polaczyk and John Maile.

August 6, 2010The August Board meeting was held at the

Northland Inn in Brooklyn Park, Minn., in conjunction with the Catholic Aid Association’s Annual Delegate Convention. The meeting started at 3:10 p.m. with Director George Gmach leading the Directors in the Opening Prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. All directors were present.

Approval of the agenda, subject to a minor re-ordering of two items, was moved by Director Bernie Bastian, seconded by Director Joseph Kueppers and passed unanimously. Mr. Kueppers moved and Mr. Bastian seconded that the minutes for the June Board meeting be approved subject to a friendly Amendment regarding the discussion of the Pension Plan; this motion was approved unanimously.

The Investment Reports for June and July were discussed by Mr. McGovern and Secretary/Treasurer Harald Borrmann. The Catholic Aid Association follows its policies strictly and its investments remain sound. CAA’s cash position continues to decrease as more cash is being put into low-yielding but relatively short-term investments. This approach has allowed the overall investment yield to increase slightly due to the very low yields on cash/money market investments. We will continue to maintain adequate cash positions to afford appropriate liquidity. The number of securities on the “watch list” continues to decline, and the loan portfolio remains stable. A motion to remove CAA’s “sterile” CD from being on deposit with the CAA Credit Union was made by Mr. Kueppers, seconded by Mr. Gmach and passed unanimously. Approval of the June Report was moved by Director Fran Barten, seconded by Mr. Bastian, and the motion was passed unanimously. Approval of the July report was moved by Mr. Bastian, seconded by Mr. Kueppers and also passed unanimously.

Secretary Harald Borrmann discussed briefly the By-laws for the new St. John Bosco Council in Pipestone, Minn. A motion to approve them was made by Mr. Bastian, seconded by Mr. Kueppers and passed unanimously. During the discussion of this item, Director John Maile mentioned that he has been asked about servicing councils in

the Battle Lake/Fergus Falls areas; Chairman McGovern pointed out that we have recently changed Field Representatives in that area in hopes of providing better

service.CAA’s General Counsel, Peter Thrane, provided

an update of the Securities Lending situation. The Board continues to follow and approve of management’s direction in addressing this issue.

Mr. Borrmann led a review of the second quarter financial report. CAA continues to grow its assets and surplus. Premium levels remain strong, and management is closely watching annuity premium growth to make certain it remains at optimal levels. Profitability and building surplus continue to be principal goals for CAA.

Mr. Borrmann then presented a report, tabled from the June meeting, showing how CAA compares to its peers in several important categories. As the number of similarly sized fraternals shrinks, Mr. Gmach noted that we may want to include some like-sized mutual life insurers in future peer studies to provide a larger and perhaps more relevant comparison. Mr. Borrmann will do some research into this matter.

Mr. McGovern and Mr. Borrmann led a discussion of a new business opportunity. After an in-depth discussion, Mr. Kueppers moved and Director Deb Pauly seconded that CAA management purse a due diligence process to move forward with this process. It was agreed that a special Board meeting may be called for late August in which to further discuss this matter to avoid waiting until the September Board Meeting (which is delayed a week due to the NFCA Annual Meeting). The date for such a meeting will be arranged in due course.

In the interests of time, a new donation request was tabled until the September Board Meeting.

Mr. McGovern provided an update of the Annual Delegate Convention. Attendance is expected to approximately match the attendance from last year’s Convention.

The Board was shown a video about the Name Update; the same video will be shown to all Convention delegates. The Board expressed its view that the video is accurate, compelling and very relevant to the issue.

Again in the interests of time, the Risk Management update was tabled until the September Board Meeting.

Mr. McGovern and Mr. Borrmann provided a brief review, and Board members were provided minutes, of the first meeting of the Ad Hoc Succession Committee

President’s remarks are as follows:• 2010 NFCA handbooks were distributed to all

Board members• Board members were briefed on the status of a

member complaint; CAA is reviewing strategies with Legal Counsel to obtain the fairest possible outcome

• Status reports on two commercial loans were provided with no material changes since the last update

• The merged Catholic Knights and Catholic Family Life entities have a new name, Catholic Financial Life

• We will contact Mr. Hank Shea, professor at the University of St. Thomas, to address the Board on Succession Planning and certain governance issues

• The baseball outings over the summer for members and prospective members were very popular and successful

• The priests’ golf outings have also had good attendance and are very much appreciated by all who attend

• The remodeling project continues relatively on schedule

• The next Gather4Good event will be in Sauk Rapids on September 26

• Net membership is up by 98 members, year-to-date

• Both life and annuity sales remain strong, with management vigorously pushing life sales

It was suggested by Mr. Kueppers and agreed that the September Board Meeting be held at Mr. Kueppers’ home in Wisconsin.

Ms. Barten led the closing prayer and the meeting was adjourned at 6:30 pm.

September 16, 2010The September Board meeting was held at the

Home Office in St. Paul, Minn. The meeting started at 9:30 a.m. with Director Deb Pauly leading the Directors in the Opening Prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. All directors were present.

Approval of the agenda, subject to the addition of the Audit Committee report, was agreed by all present. Director Bernie Bastian moved, Director Gary Polaczyk seconded and that the minutes for the August Board meeting be approved with two minor editorial corrections; this motion was approved unanimously.

The Investment Report for August was discussed by Chairman Mike McGovern and Secretary/Treasurer Harald Borrmann. The Catholic Aid Association follows its policies strictly and its

news@catholicaid.org18 November/December 2010

news@catholicaid.org

investments remain sound. CAA’s cash position continues to decrease as more cash is being put into low-yielding but relatively short-term investments. CAA’s cash position is now closely approaching a level viewed as optimal for managing cash flow and operating expenses. CAA will continue to maintain adequate cash positions to afford appropriate liquidity. The number of securities on the “watch list” has reduced to a level commensurate with historical norms and the loan portfolio remains stable, with management providing an update of the two commercial loans under close scrutiny. Management reported on its recent regular quarterly meeting with 21st Century Bank, where their financial condition continues to strengthen. Approval of the report was moved by Director George Gmach, seconded by Director Fran Barten and passed unanimously.

With regard to Policy Governance, Mr. McGovern led a discussion on the following items:

• Compensation and Benefits• Participation on Governing Boards• Board Job Description, and• CEO/Board Linkage; (see President’s Remarks)Mr. Borrmann reviewed the revisions to the

Investment Policy that has been adopted and agreed to at an earlier meeting. Mr. Bastian moved, Mr. Polaczyk seconded and the Board unanimously agreed to accept this document as presented.

Director Joe Kueppers presented the report of the Audit Committee. They had met September 14 and the report of the Committee is attached to these Minutes. Of particular note is that both Mr. Bastian and Mr. Polaczyk will be leaving the Audit Committee due to their Board retirements, and Mr. Gruenes will have to step down due to the new requirement of each Audit Committee member having to be a Board member. Mr. Gmach is considering joining the Audit Committee in 2011 and there is a possibility that new Board member Mr. Robert Krattenmaker may have an interest as well.

Mr. McGovern led a discussion of the NFCA Annual Meeting held the previous week in

Chicago. Along with Mr. McGovern and Mr. Borrmann, several Board members also attended.

Following is a summary of the comments:• Overall attendance was quite good and the

sessions were well attended.• There was a strong panel of expert speakers

with generally good relevance.• Harald Borrmann has joined the NFCA Board

of Directors for a three-year term. • The NFCA membership voted unanimously to

change their name to American Fraternal Alliance effective January 1, 2011.

• The Presidents’ and Secretaries’ section breakfast meetings were led by Mr. McGovern and Mr. Borrmann, respectively.

Mr. McGovern presented to the Board a new donation request from St. James Basilica (Jamestown, N.D.) and the Board voted to support this worthy cause.

Mr. McGovern and Mr. Borrmann led a discussion of a new business opportunity. There continues to be progress made in the information gathering process, and there will be another update provided at the October Board meeting.

Mr. Borrmann provided the Risk Management report. Notable efforts being made include the following:

• CAA is testing and refurbishing our backup DR site in Blaine as soon as the virtualization server project is complete; this should occur shortly.

• CAA is participating in a small ad-hoc NFCA Secretaries’ group putting together a best practices archive of ERM issues and considerations

• CAA will be re-charging its Risk Management Committee upon completion of the remodeling project; as a part of the remodeling, management will be reviewing design options for replacing the concrete pad entrance to the Home Office building.

• Long necessary roofing and tuckpointing repairs will begin shortly.

The Board Christmas dinner will be held December 8, prior to the December 9 Board meeting, at the Lilydale Pool and Yacht Club. Mary Froberg will arrange details.

President’s remarks are as follows:• 2010 NFCA Board membership has shown a

strengthening with more operating and executive officers of member societies.

• The Old-Timers luncheon will again be at Dellwood on October 13.

• The status of any pending/potential litigation was discussed.

• Pete Thrane and Doug Boettge will update the Board on Securities Lending matters at the October meeting.

• MIFSC continues to try to maintain visibility with both Minnesota House and Senate members.

• Hank Shea will present to the Board at the October Board meeting on the topic of CEO/Board linkage in preparation for further discussion at the January Board retreat.

• CAA chartered a new council in Marshall, Minn.; former House minority leader Marty Seifert is an officer.

• Annuity and Life sales remain strong and membership continues to slowly increase.

• The building remodeling remains on track despite a few minor delays.

• We have had no further requests from any Board candidates about the August 2010 election.

• Mr. McGovern and Mr. Borrmann are meeting with representatives of Catholic Financial Life and Catholic Life about the possibility of formalizing a relationship with Wellington Investment Management; more information to be discussed in October.

• The last two Priests’ Outings were a big success and they continue to benefit both the priests and CAA (and our membership) a great deal.

Mr. Bastian led the closing prayer and the meeting was adjourned at 1:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Harald E. Borrmann

Board of Directors Minutes

November/December 2010 19

More than just selling a product, Catholic Aid Field Representatives support the Catholic faith in our communities! We’re looking for connected Catholics with good sales skills.Advantages:

• No cold calling• Great home-based business• Flexible hours and scheduling• One person per territory means no competition with

other Catholic Aid Field Reps• Employment (not contracts) and benefi ts• Starting compensation up to two years• One of the fastest growing careers for women in the U.S.

New Field Representatives needed in these areas:

A sales career with meaning,purpose,community,and faith

Join Catholic Aid’s Field Force

Duluth, Minn.Eau Claire, Wis.Owatonna, Minn.

Red Wing, Minn. Sioux Falls, S.D.Winona, Minn.

Call 651-490-0710 ext. 154 for more information. Fax resumes to 651-765-4153.

20 November/December 2010

Youth

Youth Liaison joins Fraternal Department

www.catholicaid.org

Nate Lamusga brings experience in youth outreach, ministry and music

The newest member of the Fraternal Department was on tour last year with

an Americana band playing to English and Scottish audiences. To Nate Lamusga, “hobby” doesn’t do justice to what music is to him, but after spending weeks on the road in dilapidated motels and seedy pubs, he says it was an awesome experience, and one he’s ready to put behind him.

Lamusga, 29, will have his hands full as it is, as he takes over the role of Fraternal Youth Liaison vacated in September by Heather Vargo. Nate was hired on November 4, and has spent the first few weeks of his new job trying to get his arms around the multi-faceted role.

“It’s been a brain dump,” Lamusga says. “It’s been lots of meetings, staying close to Kathleen [Moriarty, fraternal director] and trying to get to know the programs. And I’ve already got dates on my calendar to go out to the councils and start meeting the people I’ll be working with there.”

Nate comes to Catholic Aid from Twin Cities Teens Encounter Christ (TEC) where he was an

executive director. TEC is a local division of a regional youth outreach program, a nonprofit that Lamusga had managed since 2007. TEC and Catholic Aid’s fraternal programs have a lot of crossover, he says, which is how he knew Heather Vargo and how he found out about the available position.

“Nate has a lot of unique skills that fit extremely well with the requirements of the Fraternal Youth Liaison position, and that aren’t readily available in the talent pool out there,” Moriarty says. “We think he’s an excellent fit and will do a lot of good here.”

That skill set includes experience as a youth minister for several years at the Church of St. Michael in Prior Lake, Minn.; as an adjunct guitar professor at Crown College in Waconia, Minn.; and as a student campus minister at the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, Minn. Since 2004 he’s been a member of SONAR, a Catholic band that leads worship for churches and events throughout the Midwest.

It’s his experience on stage and in organizing youth and volunteers at TEC that he believes will be of great value at CAA.

“I was in front of people

a lot in both those roles. A lot of relationships and relationship building,” he says. “My main job at TEC was to build community, and I think to a certain extent, that’s what the job of the Fraternal department is too.”

The change from a one-man organization as at Twin Cities TEC to a 130-year-old company with almost $2 billion of life insurance in-force is a big one. But Lamusga, for his part, is excited at all the possibilities Catholic Aid has to offer.

“I’m coming from TEC, where it was me and one other employee and we had to do everything…we were so lean that I knew about every copy that we made,” he says. “So coming to an environment where there are so many resources, a marketing department, a five-state field staff, and all the council volunteers — just being part of something bigger is exciting to me.”

Nate Lamusga, 29, is a 2003 gradu-ate of St. John’s University and a native of Prior Lake, Minn. He and his wife, Hilary, were married this year and are expecting their first child.

November/December 2010 21

Catholic Aid Kid

s

Amazing Saints artwork and games ©2010 Mario D. Macari. All rights reserved. mario@incrediblesaints.comnews@catholicaid.org

Catholic Aid Kids

Youth Liaison joins Fraternal Department

Name: Blake MinkeAge: 11 Hometown: Harris, Minn.School: C.E. JacobsonElementary, 6th gradeThe Brouhaha on Blake: Blake is a small-business entrepreneur. With his little brother Hunter, he collects and sells eggs from their two dozen chickens. They also take care of their goat, Eddie, and two dogs, Cade and Tundra. Blake loves the outdoors, hunting, fishing and playing hockey with Hunter. He’s an altar server at church and plays clarinet. Even though he loves Catholic camp and summers on the houseboat, he says he’s looking forward to ice fishing, sledding and snowball fights! Congratulations, Blake!

Cool Kid

Harris, Minn.

Blake is a small-business entrepreneur. With his little brother

Be the January/February 2011 Cool Kid! Fill out the puzzles on this page as best you can and submit them to the Catholic Aid Journey. One winner will get a Catholic Aid T-shirt and a special prize! Include your name, age and phone number and send to: Catholic Aid Association, 3499 Lexington Ave. N., St. Paul, MN 55126.

www.catholicaid.org22 November/December 2010 www.catholicaid.org

ye on the IndustryYour sneak peek into current trends of the fraternal life insurance industry

At a time when growing numbers of Americans are in

acute need of economic help, a new Georgetown University study finds that fraternal benefit societies are providing billions of dollars in direct and indirect economic support to allay community needs and support social structures. Not-for-profit mu-tual aid organizations like Catholic Aid Association, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, and others were cre-ated more than a century ago to serve the financial and social needs of U.S. communities. Today, these fraternal benefit societies give back $68 to society for every dollar that the federal government invests to help support their operations, con-cludes the study’s author, Phillip Swa-gel, a Georgetown professor and for-mer Assistant Secretary of Economic Policy for the U.S. Treasury Depart-ment.

The study’s economic analysis shows that fraternal benefit societies are a highly effective private sector economic and community support system that could not be easily repli-cated by government. From assisting families struggling with medical bills to providing financial literacy initia-tives to acting as a first response net-work in the face of natural disasters, the Georgetown study finds that fra-ternal benefit societies and their ex-tensive networks of members gener-ate $3.4 billion of economic value annually through charitable contri-butions, volunteerism and generated social capital by meeting growing community needs that might other-wise go unmet if fraternal benefit organizations did not exist.

“In the face of an enormous fiscal

challenge, fraternal benefit societies work to strengthen families and com-munities across the country” said Swagel. “These unique community-based networks provide a structure

that supports volunteerism and builds social capital. This gives im-mense benefits to communities and a huge return to American taxpay-ers.”

According to the study, for public sector agencies to fill the needs that are currently being met by fraternal

benefit societies, the cost to govern-ment would far exceed the current government investment in sustaining fraternal benefit societies.

“This study quantifies the services and extraordinary volunteerism that fraternal benefit societies and their members provide each day across America,” said Joe Annotti, presi-dent and CEO of the National Fra-ternal Congress of America (NFCA). “While there is no numerical value that can be placed on service to one’s neighbors, this study demonstrates that fraternal benefit societies de-liver tangible results by combining local energy and knowledge with na-tional infrastructure and resources. The original social network, the fra-ternal model provides relevant value in meeting community needs today as it did well over 100 years ago.”

Source: NFCA

Study: “Fraternals return billions to society”

“...Fraternal benefit societies and their

extensive networks of members generate

$3.4 billion of economic value annually...”

LIMRA questions WSJ life insurance articleMost life insurance policies sold in the U.S. benefit average Americans,

not solely the wealthy. So says, LIMRA, an insurance industry trade organi-zation of which Catholic Aid Association is a member, in response to an ar-ticle published on Oct. 3, 2010 in the Wall Street Journal.

Using sales data from a LIMRA research report, the authors of the article “Shift to Wealthier Clientele Puts Life Insurers in a Bind” asserted that life insurance companies “gradually have shifted away from their broad histori-cal base of middle-class households” and give “the tax benefits of life insur-ance goes to the well-off, not to the middle class that once was the indus-try’s backbone.” The authors stated their support for proposed federal tax-es on life insurance death benefits because life insurance was no longer serving its primary purpose of “protecting widows and orphans.”

LIMRA President Robert A. Kerzner stated that data from the same study shows that the majority (72 percent) of life insurance policies sold in the U.S. are purchased by consumers who earn less than $100,000 per year.

“This is not the time to make buying life insurance less attractive,” wrote Kerzner in a Letter to the Editor published by the Journal on Oct. 11, 2010. “Collectively, we should be finding more ways to encourage consumers to get the coverage they need.”

Field Representatives in Your AreaDirectory

news@catholicaid.org November/December 2010 23

Mike Bredeck, FICF612-910-0731mbredeck@catholicaid.orgRegional Manager, North

Lyle Turbes, FIC320-222-6422lturbes@catholicaid.orgHutchinson, Willmar, Kandiyohi

Denise Degerstrom, FIC320-384-0339ddegerstrom@catholicaid.orgBraham, Cambridge, Isanti, Mora

Mike Kirchhoff, FICF218-391-9444mkirchhoff@catholicaid.org Grand Rapids, Hibbing, CloquetRegional Manager, Northeast

Candee Cloos, FIC605-862-6134ccloos@catholicaid.orgMilbank, Ortonville, Watertown

Donna Cushman, FIC218-739-1617dcushman@catholicaid.orgFergus Falls, Breckenridge, Elbow Lake, Pelican Rapids

Luke Bauman, FIC320-763-4835lbauman@catholicaid.orgAlexandria, Glenwood, Brandon, Osakis

John Klocke, FIC888-274-0459 jklocke@catholicaid.orgFargo, Moorhead, Grand Forks

Dan Markell507-530-6433dmarkell@catholicaid.orgPipestone, Marshall, Ivanhoe

Becky King, FIC 218-841-4600bking@catholicaid.orgDetroit Lakes, New York Mills, Perham

Maggie Schlauderaff612-240-2303mschlauderaff@catholicaid.orgLitchfield, Eden Valley, Darwin, Grove City

North/Northeast

Victor Friesz701-471-6576vfriesz@catholicaid.orgBismarck, Minot, and surrounding areas

From: Your Catholic Aid Field Representatives

and Independent Agents

From our homes to yours, have a blessed

Christmas and a prosperous New Year!

3499 Lexington Ave. N., St. Paul, MN 55126-8098

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CAA 2010 FRATERNAL TRACKERCAA 2010 FRATERNAL TRACKERCAA 2010 FRATERNAL TRACKER

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it as a family,” Julie Reberg said, standing with her husband and two daughters. “The girls were very excited to be able to participate because for some volunteer positions, you have to be a certain age to volunteer.”

Like the previous event, it began after Sunday Mass and ended around 3 p.m., with several volunteers staying late to help clean up, then throwing a line in at the trout pond.

From the number of packages created and sent out, to the sheer strength of the volunteer force and the sense of community that pervaded the atmosphere, the event was an unmitigated success.

Sgt. Wensmann explained the significance of the effort.

“The amount of community support that I see is just overwhelming,” he said. “Each unit has an FRG, a family readiness

unit, and they do kind of the same thing you’re doing here today but not nearly the turnout. Those FRGs you’re seeing ten to twenty people at each event. they’re only building a handful of shoeboxes. So what you’re doing here, the volume is supporting an entire company, so it’s great.” Afterwards

All packages were sent to a military chaplain, who distributed them to the units with the most need. Volunteers who had family members or friends serving could also address packages directly to their loved ones.

In all, more than 300 packages were made and at nearly 600 members of the community participated in the event.

Moriarty says she’s hoping that Gather4Good becomes a fixture in Catholic Aid’s stable of Fraternal activities.

Events like this one are a part of our future,” she says, “not only because they’re a celebration, but because they speak to the common bond we have as a fraternal organization. Our bond is our family, our faith, and doing good from within our community so they’re very much a part of our core values for the association.”

Gather4Good, continued from page 15

Sgt. Wensmann’s Humvee was a popular attrac-tion for kids and adults alike, who were able to check out the view from behind the wheel.