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.

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.

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!

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).

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.