Tuesday, December 9, 2008

NCCYM: National Conference on Catholic Youth Ministry


I just spent the last week and a half in Cleveland, OH. I was there for Thanksgiving with my family, I was also there for the The National Conference on Catholic Youth Ministry (NCCYM). The conference is the largest adult conference for Catholic youth ministers in the country; this year was almost 2500 participants. The next conference is in New Orleans in 2010. Here's a couple pictures from Cleveland. See more pictures on Facebook.



Tuesday, November 25, 2008

St. Cloud Diocesan Youth Rally

The St. Cloud Diocesan Youth Rally took place November 23, 2008 at St. John's University in Collegeville, Minn. The gathering had over 400 youth and youth leaders from throughout the St. Cloud Diocese.

Catholic Aid was glad to partner with the St. Cloud Diocese on this wonderful event. While at rally, Catholic Aid lead a workshop for teens titled, "Survival Guide: Your Cash, Your Credit."

Click here to see more pictures from this event.

Winona Diocesan Catholic Youth Conference


The Winona Diocesan Catholic Youth Conference (DCYC) took place November 22-23, 2008 at the Holiday Inn, Mankato, Minn. The gathering had over 370 youth and youth leaders from throughout the Winona Diocese. Catholic Aid was glad to partner with the Winona Diocese on this wonderful event.

While at DCYC, Catholic Aid lead a workshop for teens titled, "Survival Guide: Your Cash, Your Credit."

Catholic Aid supported the Kids Against Hunger Service project where 10,000 meals were bagged.

Over forty Thanksgiving Day Baskets were created and distributed to needy families in the Mankato area. The home office of Catholic Aid, along with parishes in the Winona Diocese collected canned goods for this service project.

Click here to see more pictures from this event.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Project: Volunteer (Formerly Youth Parish Program)

We have doubled this benefit! This program promotes youth volunteerism in parishes among youth ages 19 and younger. A benefit of $2 per hour, up to $400 with a minimum of 25 hours required, will be paid to parishes. To receive this benefit, complete the Project: Volunteer Application and return it to the Fraternal Department by Dec. 31, 2009. Please note, parish liturgy services and volunteer work done in conjunction with other Catholic Aid youth programs like Project: Multiply do not count toward this benefit.

Purpose:

Combines youth volunteers and valuable assistance to the pastor and parish.
Encourages youth to become involved in their parish.
Promotes volunteerism.

Benefit:

$2 per hour worked by Catholic Aid youth (ages 19 and under) up to a maximum of $400.

Guidelines:

Complete the ‘Project: Volunteer Application’ and return to the Fraternal Department by December 31. (The application is a list of Catholic Aid youth, ages 19 and under, who have participated in service projects and how many hours of service were performed)
Minimum combined total of 25 hours is required to apply.

Not included in hours of service performed:

Parish Liturgy Services.
Volunteer work done in conjunction with other Catholic Aid youth programs like ‘Project: Multiply.’

Project: Multiply (Formerly Youth Grant)

We’ve increased the matching portion of this program from $100 to $500. Catholic Aid provides $25 seed money to help raise funds for the youth programs and provides 20% bonus on monies raised (minus the $25 seed money). Catholic Aid will match 20% of the monies raised up to $500 maximum per council. In addition, the Fraternal department will give two $100 awards annually to groups with the ‘Most Creative Idea.’ This replaces the random drawing that was done in years past. Creativity is judged by event publicity efforts and the unique attributes of the fundraiser. New forms for this program are required both before and after the event.

Guidelines to this program have changed as well, there is a ‘Project: Multiply Seed Money Request Form’ that must be completed six weeks prior to the event to request the seed money and to inform the Fraternal Department about the event. Also, after the fundraiser is completed, there is a ‘Project: Multiply Completion Form that must be filled out and sent to us after the event.

Purpose:
Fund raiser for local youth programs.
Increase awareness of Catholic Aid.

Benefit:
Provides $25 seed money to help raise funds for the youth programs
Provides 20% Bonus on monies raised (minus the $25 seed money) up to $500
Two $100 prizes will be awarded to councils for the 'Most Creative Idea.' Creativity is determined by the creativity demonstrated in publicizing the event and the creativity in planning a unique fundraiser.

Guidelines:

Before the Event: Complete the ‘Project: Multiply Seed Money Request Form’ six weeks before the event.
After the Event: Complete the ‘Project: Multiply Completion Form.’

Examples of Project: Multiply:
Grow Vegetables and Sell Them
Bake Sale
Brat Stand
Holiday Bingo
Ask Parishioners to Fill M&M Tubes with Quarters
Silent Auction
Mother’s Day Brunch
Plastic Easter Egg Sale
Valentine Card Sale
Valentine’s Day Dinner
Soup or Chili Supper

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

CAA Youth Member Making a Difference...



Catholic Aid member, Kelly M., is making a big difference as she is working on her Girl Scout Gold Award Project. The Gold Award Project is “the culmination of all the work of a Girl Scout. It is something that a girl can be passionate about in thought, deed, and action.” The project is intended to fulfill a need in the community and create change. The award has high standards which include getting 65 hours of community service and the individual earning the award must take a leadership role in the project showing that she can delegate tasks and motivate all who are involved. Through her Gold Award Project, Kelly is creating change in her community.

Kelly lives in Rogers, Minn. and attends Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church. She sought the direction of her parish priest, Fr. Moriarty, who suggested that Kelly create a project that helps youth get more involved and senior citizens get the help they need. She created a phone line where senior citizens can call in and ask for help with a variety of projects like moving patio furniture, weeding, raking, and cleaning windows.

Kelly brainstormed and created task lists to get it all done. She said that “the hardest thing is staying on task.” Of course with being a senior in high school and having two Advanced Placement classes, and working; staying on task can be difficult!

Kelly worked with her Catholic parish, Mary Queen of Peace, and the Lutheran church across the street from her parish, Word of Peace and the phone lines opened up in Mid August. To get the word out about the project, Kelly addressed both congregations during the weekend of October 4-5 where she spoke at every service at both churches. She wanted to address the entire congregation of each church because she wanted to recruit volunteers for the service projects and she wanted to let the seniors know that there is a phone line they can call to get the help they need.

Service projects took place October 22, 25, and 29. Over 50 volunteers were involved in the projects and seniors got the help they needed. At the end of each service project there was a pizza party for the volunteers involved. The pizza was donated by a parishioner of Mary Queen of Peace.

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Financial Seminar for Teens, A Survival Guide to Finances!

As part of the ongoing support of youth and young adults, Catholic Aid will be partnering with the St. Cloud, MN Diocese and the Winona, MN Diocese for their Annual Youth Rally and Youth Conference.

The St. Cloud Diocesan Youth Rally will take place at St. John's University on November 23, 2008.

The Winona Diocesan Catholic Youth Conference will take place at the Holiday Inn - Mankato November 22-23, 2008.

Catholic Aid Association Credit Union President Nicholas Jaeger will give a financial workshop at each of the events. Organizers say the St. Cloud Diocese event alone could attract more than 600 youth. The purpose of the diocesan gatherings is to encourage 9th through 12th graders to think of their Catholic teachings in their everyday lives. Jaeger will present, “Survival Guide: Your Cash, Your Credit.” Discussion will help teens learn ways to start managing finances. Teens will leave with practical ideas about debt management, credit cards, debit cards, and savings.

If you are interested in a financial seminar for teens at your parish, contact the Youth Fraternal Liaison, Heather Vargo at 1.800.568.6670 ext 187.

Monday, September 8, 2008

Bringing B16 to your Inbox on Xt3…

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has decided to use Xt3 to send a message for youth and young adults (marking the 50 day WYD08 reunion). Just imagine, checking your inbox on Xt3 to find a message from the Pope!

Everyone that is registered with Xt3 will receive a special message from the Holy Father today, the 8th of September. Why not log on and invite your friends so they too can receive this historic message and share the journey on Xt3.

In other news, Xt3 is off to an incredible start, with tens of thousands of young people already registered! There are awesome debates going on in our newly improved discussions and over 1000 groups, the new mega ’Prayer Wall‘ is already popular, and thousands of you have been enjoying free podcasts and video from WYD and beyond. Xt3 is still growing and improving - watch this space and don‘t forget to invite your friends!

Also, if you didn't know, Xt3.com has been chosen as the first ever official social networking platform for World Youth Day. The name ‘Xt3’ comes from bringing ‘Xt’ (Christ) into the 3rd Millennium. Xt3.com is a modern, slick and easy to use social networking platform similar to Facebook and Myspace etc. You have the opportunity to network with peers who share your interests, beliefs, values and desires to make the world a better place. Each diocese will have a network, plugging you back into what’s going on in your area.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Catholic Aid Council Youth Liaisons

What’s a good way to involve the youth and young adults of your parish in Council events? Recruit a Youth Liaison. This position is not required, but recommended for every council. This person maintains a connection with the parish youth group, confirmation class, school and religious education coordinator. The person in this position also has a hand recruiting project team leaders, and acts as the liaison between youth project teams and local council officers.

The Youth Liaison does NOT have to be an officer or a member of Catholic Aid. The youth liaison can be a young leader who is in high school or college. Also, the youth liaison can be an older individual, perhaps a youth minister, or confirmation class teacher. We encourage you to choose a Youth Liaison who is a younger person in touch with the younger members of the council and parish. If you need help recruiting for this position, give me a call. I’d love to help.

Here are some ways we can connect:
-Let me know about your council events that are focused on youth and young adults, because I’d really like to come and connect with your young leaders.
-If you are meeting with a priest or a school principal, I’d be happy to come along to explain our youth programs to them.
-If you are interested in adding a council youth liaison to your council, I’d be glad to talk with your council and the potential youth liaison to increase understanding of the council position.

Call to Action: Remember 9/11 at myGoodDeed.org

Catholic Aid is dedicated to volunteerism, here is a great way that we can all log our good deeds and volunteer together for a great cause. Let's continue to remember the victims, families, friends, and heroes of 9/11.

9/11 is increasingly being recognized as a day of service and an act of memory. For volunteers, 9/11 remembrance offers a unique way to give back by getting involved.

Check out myGoodDeed.org, an organization that is leading an effort, to strengthen the tradition of citizen service during a time of year many of us look inward. Founded shortly after the terrorist attacks to honor the victims, family members, and survivors, myGoodDeed has been a leader in the national movement to honor the victims and heroes of 9/11 with a day of giving back.

The organization asks visitors to observe the week of 9/11 as a period of voluntary service by logging voluntary "good deeds" on its Web site, and the organization is working to make 9/11 an annual event and season of service.

To log your good deeds, create a profile at www.mygooddeed.org. VolunteerMatch.org provides more than 54,000 active opportunities and is a great place to find ways to make a difference.

Source: Volunteer Newsletter - August 2008, VolunteerMatch.org

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Theology on a Stick

Theology on a Stick was a great success! The Most Holy Father (the life-size stand-up edition) came to the event on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday (August 27, 29, 30) and was greeted warmly by volunteers, priests, and fair-goers. The life size stand-up of the Pope helped lighten the atmosphere and made Theology on a Stick more approachable to fair-goers. You can see pictures of the event here. More event photos will be uploaded on the Catholic Aid website by September 8 at www.catholicaid.org/life.

Monday, August 25, 2008

CAA on YouTube!

Check out Catholic Aid's all new YouTube channel here.

Going Off to College?

Getting Going: What Every Freshman Needs to Know
By ANDREA COOMBES
August 24, 2008

If you're about to start your freshman year in college, you're likely fretting over the homework load and how to avoid embarrassing yourself in front of your classmates.

Meanwhile, your parents' fears as you take this major step toward adulthood are running as rampant as their imagination will allow.

But now that the first tuition bill is paid, the one thing likely neither you nor your parents is focusing on is money. You should. Here's one reason why: Almost one-fourth of undergraduates had credit-card debt in excess of $3,000, according to a study of students' credit histories in 2004 by loan provider Nellie Mae.

That's a chunk of money to owe on an entry-level salary, and worse if you're paying off student loans, too.

To start your adult life on the best financial footing possible, consider these 10 rules while you're in school.

1. Be specific. Talk with your parents about who is paying for what, and how. When David Robinson, who teaches a personal-finance class at the University of California at Berkeley, asks students who is paying, for instance, for their semester of study abroad, many college students have no idea.

Not knowing details can lead to unrealistic expectations. Parents, if you're struggling with your own finances, discuss your situation with your student. Don't worry about looking bad. She already knows you're not perfect.

2. Create a budget. Come up with categories, estimating a monthly spending amount for each. Note to parents: Help your kids with this, but don't be judgmental. "It's really helpful for them to come up with their categories," says Susan Bruno, a personal financial specialist in Rowayton, Conn.

Your budget may change once you're on campus, so revise as needed. Send a weekly email update to your parents -- it'll help you track spending.

3. Set up accounts. And pay attention. Create a checking and savings account -- even if the balances are low -- to get the hang of balancing a checkbook. Once a week, before your daily visit to Facebook, visit your accounts online. Check to ensure that transactions are yours -- sad to say, but identity theft happens, and young adults' "friends" often do the stealing.

4. Learn from mistakes. It's inevitable: You will trip up with your finances -- just ask your parents! -- and those errors may cost you money. Don't beat yourself up. Figure out where you went wrong and move on. Credit-card late fees are a common problem.

Gerad Soman, a senior at Loyola University, Chicago, solved it by setting up automatic payments from his bank account.

5. Practice with plastic. First off, realize that it's possible to live without credit cards. Many people do. That said, if you decide credit cards are a good idea -- for emergencies or to create a credit history -- then start slowly. Craig Watts, spokesman for Fair Isaac Corp., creator of the FICO credit score, says his three teenagers started with gas cards (the type that work only for gas). "They had to pay those bills. That teaches kids in a hurry," he says. Or, become an authorized user on a parent's account, with an agreed-upon maximum limit. (Note that the latest FICO model gives fewer "good credit" points to piggyback users, Mr. Watts says.) Or, get your own card with a low limit to ensure you don't overspend. Pay your full balance monthly.

6. Work part time. It's nice if the job is somehow related to your career goals, but even if it isn't, work anyway. "It gives them a little structure it teaches them some responsibility and gives them some experience handling money," says Gary Buffone, founder of a family-wealth consulting firm in Jacksonville, Fla. Some universities advise freshmen to delay employment, so check with your adviser first.

7. Educate yourself. If your school doesn't offer a personal-finance class, then take an accounting class. Mr. Soman says doing so "taught me about balancing assets and liabilities."

8. Just say no. There will be times -- when friends head out for a nice dinner, say -- when you will want something you cannot afford. Practice resisting the urge to spend anyway, says Mr. Robinson, the University of California lecturer. He has students imagine their friends going to Lake Tahoe for a weekend. "I get 250 kids to stand up and say out loud, 'I'm sorry, that sounds lovely but I just can't afford it.' "

9. Start a Roth. If you work, ask your parents whether you can borrow $4,000 to fund a new Roth IRA. Then pay them back over time, says Linda Lubitz, a financial planner in Miami. Note that you can't put more than your taxable compensation into a Roth, up to $4,000 a year.

10. Learn how to cook. Eating out is one of the fastest ways to bleed money, so learn to cook. Mr. Soman's dad taught him over the phone how to barbeque food. "Ever since then I'll buy food early in the week," he says. "I'll do one big BBQ of steak and chicken and it'll last me about a week."

Write to Andrea Coombes at andrea.coombes@dowjones.com

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Rule #9 mentions starting a Roth IRA. Contact your Catholic Aid field representative about starting a Roth IRA!

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

New Member Appreciation Event

Catholic Aid Association is hosting a New Member Appreciation Night with the Saint Paul Saints! The event is taking place on Monday, August 18. The pre-game events (dinner) starts at 5:00 PM and the game starts at 7:00 PM.

Whether you are a new member, or you've been with Catholic Aid your entire life, you are invited, please contact Heather Vargo if you would like to attend!

Here's Heather's contact information:
hvargo@catholicaid.org
651.490.0170 ext 187
800.568.6670 ext 187

Reflections on World Youth Day

Alisha Hafner of the St. Jude of the Lake Council in Mahtomedi, Minn. said, “World Youth Day was simply AMAZING! Words cannot describe how I felt from the enthusiasm of all the pilgrims around me. It was such a moving experience to see so many young people gathered together for the same reason.”

“The most valuable lesson I learned at World Youth Day was to just take a step back from everything going on and remember the reason I was there… It was so easy to get caught up in the excitement of everyone that sometimes I forgot the reason for everyone's excitement. Being in such a beautiful place, such as Sydney, added so much to World Youth Day, while at the same time sometimes distracted pilgrims from the message of World Youth Day. Overall, World Youth Day was a spiritual growing experience for every pilgrim present.” - Alisha Hafner

Here is a photo Alisha submitted of her group. This is the Saint Helena WYD Group, Minneapolis, Minn.

Alisha Hafner and her tour guide, Simon.

Reflections on World Youth Day


Jacqueline Noggle of the Saint Helena group says that “Adoration at the vigil was my most favorite moment because I could feel the holy spirit more powerfully then I have ever felt Him before. I felt this overwhelming sense of joy and hope I couldn’t stop smiling.” Above is a photo of Jackie's World Youth Day group from Saint Helena's Parish in Minneapolis, Minn.

Reflections on World Youth Day

Matt Kuettel of St. Anthony and Maria-Hilf Council in Saint Paul, Minn. said, "While seeing the Pope was an experience that will not be forgotten, I think that hearing his words has affected me more. The Pope is a very holy man, and while he is the vicar of Christ, he is not Christ. His words, however, are more important because he has been given the authority to speak for the Church, and under the guidance of the Spirit, his words are never wrong."

Matt says that his favorite moment of World Youth Day "was praying in front of Christ in the Eucharist at our Catechesis site. There was a real peace and beauty in the church and prayer was easy. Listening to Christopher West and other speakers were also great opportunities to continue my conversion to Christ."

"I am very grateful to Catholic Aid for all they did to help me go to Australia. Their financial support helped me acquire the funds necessary to make the lengthy trip and I am a better person because of it; thank you Catholic Aid." - Matt Kuettel

Reflections on World Youth Day

Kelsey Schlichting of the St. Joseph in Miesville, Minn. said, "Upon arriving in Sydney, the excitement grew more and more with each new country flag I saw. We finally came to Olympic Park which was the location which would be our home for the next week and a half. It wasn’t just our home, but also the home of 5,000 others from around the world. The dome we stayed in housed people from all around the world -- All the way from the unfamiliar country of Togo, all the way to our neighboring state of Wisconsin. This was a defining point of the trip for me. Walking into this dome, (it resembled an air plane hanger), and see sleeping bags and air mattresses, and rows and rows and rows of people upon more rows of people. To realize that this was only a small fraction of how many people were attending this event, and I was part of it. I was part of it all. Every night when we came 'home' to the dome, there was a relief that flooded over me kind of, to see all the other people there, knowing that I wasn't alone in this. I wasn't the only other person on this pilgrimage to strengthen my faith. I wasn't alone."

Kelsey talked, too, of her faith being strengthened, "My faith was strengthened immensely on this trip. I didn't realize during the trip itself, but afterward, I realized how much closer the trip and its excursions had brought me to Jesus Christ himself. The priest we traveled with preached to us one day about getting closer to Jesus and knowing Him. He told us that Jesus knew us so well, and he loved us so much… we don't know him like he knows us. Once the priest had said this, my eyes opened a little bit wider to everything. I brainstormed ways for me to gain a closer relationship with Jesus. This is only one of the ways my faith was strengthened in this journey I took."

Reflections on World Youth Day


Andrew Vandal is from the SS Joseph & Elizabeth Council in Sykeston, ND. Here's what he had to say about his experience:

My favorite moment was when we started meeting the other WYD pilgrims. The most memorable was when I started making international friends with my light-up Frisbee.

My most valuable lesson I learned is that no matter what race you are from, or the color of your skin, all the pilgrims in Sydney believed in the same risen Christ. I could see it in every pilgrim’s faces that they were ready to meet St. Peter’s successor and proclaim their faith with him.

It was a thrill to see the Pope. I could feel the Holy Spirit radiating from him. You could tell from his smile that he was happy to be there. I got close to fifteen feet away from him when he came to the Randwick Racecourse.

It was fun to be around other people from other nationalities because then you could find out who was the first missionary of their country and other things about them. I also had fun trading trinkets with the different countries.

What I was reminded of again about my Catholic Faith is that no matter who you are or where you are from, somewhere in the world someone is praying for you.

Monday, August 11, 2008

Catholic Aid Association Names Youth Volunteer of the Year


Two outstanding, young individuals were recognized with a first-of-its-kind award by the Catholic Aid Association Saturday, August 2, for the hours of service and fellowship they have given to their peers, community and Catholic Aid local council.

Kevin Young, of Avon, Minn., and Lori Overman of Freeport, Minn., were named the winners of the 2008 Youth Volunteer of the Year Award and received their plaques and gifts in front of the 400-delegate body of the 125th Annual Convention of The Catholic Aid Association at St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minn.

“The award is the first of its kind in recent memory by Catholic Aid. These young adults are so generous with their time and energy. We want to recognize and encourage these traits in all of our members,” Fraternal Director Kathleen Moriarty said.

Catholic Aid asked for nominations of young members (ages 18 - 30), who have, through example and accomplishment, provided outstanding volunteer service to his or her community and/or council throughout the past year. Both winners exceeded expectation in their involvement, and Catholic Aid was proud to honor them.

Kevin Young is a recent graduate of Albany High School and a successful athlete. He was a member of the Huskie’s state runner-up football team in 2006 and 2008, and has represented his school at the state track and field meet.

“Kevin is a team motivator and team leader,” Huskie Track Coach Scott Daninger said. “He’s a great role model and contributes to the success of each person on the team by his encouragement and commitment.”

In addition to athletics, Young is also an honor student and a member of the National Honor Society, with which he assists in organizing service projects with the student body. He also balances a part-time job and a leadership role with the youth group at St. Benedict’s parish, where helps teach religion to sixth-graders and contributes to his Catholic Aid Council activities. St. Benedict Youth Group Leader Geralyn Nathe-Evans nominated Kevin and described him as “A young man of integrity and an amazing witness to others.”

Kevin plans to attend North Dakota State University in September to study civil engineering.

Overman too, is a recent high school graduate and academic luminary. Lori graduated Valedictorian of Melrose High School and held numerous leadership roles within her class. She was Captain of the Speech Team, President of the National Honor Society, Treasurer of the Band Council, a leader in the 4-H Club and was crowned a Stearns County Dairy Princess in March of 2008. She continues to be a promoter of dairy products, including as a dependable helping hand on her parents’ dairy farm.

Lori’s exceptional service is given not only to the local community, but to the global community as well. She has completed two mission trips to San Rafael, Mexico, inventoried the books of the Sacred Heart Elementary School library, walked for MS, given in Project Give a Gift, and more.

“Lori is dedicated to her family, school, community, and parish,” said Overman’s nominator, Kathy Welle. Lori will also attend North Dakota State University in the fall, to study accounting.

Thanks to the efforts of Overman and Young, it’s a high bar that has been set for future winners of the Catholic Aid Youth Volunteer of the Year Award. The Catholic Aid councils and communities that have benefited from their efforts thank them, as does the entire Association, for the example they set. Congratulations.

About The Catholic Aid Association

The Catholic Aid Association, founded in 1878, in St. Paul, Minn., is one of the largest fraternal life insurance companies in the upper Midwest. Serving more than 74,500 members and 160 active councils, Catholic Aid has a presence in Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa and Wisconsin. It offers life insurance, annuities and IRAs to its members and strives to be the provider of choice for their financial well-being. Catholic Aid is also a leader in support of the whole Catholic community, offering fraternal benefits such as fundraisers, youth events, scholarships and matching grant programs for Catholic parishes, schools and religious education programs throughout its territory. Through programs like these, Catholic Aid helps every generation of the Catholic community thrive and grow.

For more information about the Catholic Aid Association, call 651-490-0170 or 1-800-568-6670, or visit the Web site at www.catholicaid.org.

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Theology on a Stick? What is it?


Catholic Aid became an official sponsor of 'Theology on a Stick.' This is a really great event that is presented by the Cathedral Young Adults (CYA) of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. They have brought spirituality into the pubs through their successful “Theology on Tap” series. Now they’re bringing faith to the fair for five nights.

Dubbed “Theology on a Stick,” the evening event features an exciting mix of questions about God, the meaning of life, and how to enter fulfilling relationships. Each topic is followed by a question and answer session and the CYA’s traditional “grill the priest” open Q&A. All events take place at St. Bernard’s diner, The Bulldog Lodge, located just inside the Snelling Avenue entrance to the fairgrounds, at the southwest corner of Dan Patch and Cosgrove Avenues. CYA volunteers will be handing out “Theology on a Stick” souvenirs each of the days the evening event will be held which include Friday, Saturday and Wednesday nights of the fair from 7 to 11 p.m.

Friday, August 22
Saturday, August 23
Wednesday, August 27
Friday, August 29
Saturday, August 30

Monday, July 28, 2008

Volleyball and Theology of the Body

Heather Vargo went to visit a great group of young people in Cold Spring, MN. Gabriel Walz lead Theology of the Body for Teens and his family welcomes up to 80 young people to their home every week during the summer for volleyball.

The Theology of the Body for Teens presents the teachings of John Paul II to teens in a way that is relevant, easy-to-follow, and entertaining. It follows the 12 segments presented in the Theology of the Body for Teens DVD Set and Leader's Guide.

This group received an abstinence and chastity grant from the Catholic Aid Foundation to purchase the textbooks.
The Catholic Aid Association Foundation was founded in December of 1977 by the Catholic Aid Association (CAA) to assist individuals with their charitable giving. In our complicated and fast-paced lives, it is often difficult to believe, we, individually, have the power to deeply affect the world around us. However, we can have a profound effect by working together.

To contact Heather about other youth events, please email her at hvargo@catholicaid.org.

Friday, July 18, 2008

Youth Grant Program

Catholic Aid Association offers a Youth Grant Program for local youth programs. Has your council organized one yet? If not, let's work on it together! Do you have any ideas on fund raisers? There's some examples below - What fundraisers does your parish do?

Youth Grant Program for Catholic Aid:

Purpose: Fund Raiser for local youth programs

Benefits:
1.) Catholic Aid Association provides $25.00 seed money to help raise funds for the youth programs.
2.) Catholic Aid Association provides 20% bonus on monies raised (minus the $25.00 seed money) up to $100.00 maximum per council.
3.) Four $100.00 prizes will be awarded to councils just for participating.

Guidelines:
1.) $100.00 prize in a random drawing of all the participating Local Councils.
2.) $100.00 prize in a random drawing in each of three participating councils (Small, Medium, and Large)
3.) For payment: Fill out the Fund Raiser Completion form and send it to the Fraternal Department.

Examples:
Grow and Sell Vegetables, Bake Sale, Silent Auction, Mother’s Day Brunch, Fill M & M Tubes with Quarters, Plastic Easter Egg Sale, Raffle, Valentine Card Sale, Soup or Chili Supper, Holiday Bingo, Pie Sale, Brat Stand, Sell Ice Cream at a Parade.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Basilica Block Party


Block On! We secured a 10’x10’ "Picture with the Pope" booth at the Basilica of St Mary in Minneapolis on July 11 and 12. An estimated 1,000 partygoers
took the opportunity to take their picture with a life size cut-out of the Pope in exchange for their contact information. We sent each person an email with a link to download the photo from our website. The event was a blast, even though it was 95 degrees and stormy on Friday!

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Going to the Basilica Block Party?

If you are going to the Basilica Block Party in Minneapolis, stop by the Catholic Aid Association booth (at the corner of West Laurel and N. 16th St, across from the Basilica) and get your picture with the Pope! Also, take some time to meet your Youth Fraternal Liaison, Heather Vargo (picture of Heather below).

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

What is the Catholic Aid Association?

The Catholic Aid Association is a fraternal benefit organization serving more than 74,000 members in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Iowa. Our financial products provide our members with the life insurance and retirement savings options they need while allowing them the opportunity to impact their Catholic parishes, schools and community.

Youth Fraternal Liaison

My name is Heather Vargo. I’ve been working for Catholic Aid since October 2007.

This position is a great opportunity to use my experience as a youth leader and speaker, as well as my experience with college campus ministry and volunteerism.

I welcome your phone calls and emails. Please call me at 1.800.568.6670 ext 187 or email me at hvargo@catholicaid.org. I hope to meet some of you at the Annual Convention in August! Thanks.