Wednesday, January 20, 2010

The Catholic Aid Association Foundation and Haiti Relief

The Salesian Catholic Missions in Haiti is an organization that The Catholic Aid Association has supported financially for over 20 years. The missions operate orphanages, shelters, hospitals, clinics, nurseries, youth centers, parishes, and schools.

If you are interested in making a financial contribution to the Salesian Missions, please donate by cash, check or credit card directly to the Catholic Aid Association Foundation, Attn: Haiti Relief. The check from the Foundation will be sent to Fr. Mark Hyde and the deadline for donations is February 5, 2010.

The Catholic Aid Association will match up to $1,000 in donations to the campaign.

For more information, please contact Paul Naumann, Executive Director of the Catholic Aid Association Foundation at 651.765.6548 or 877.275.7145 or pnaumann@catholicaid.org.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Catholic Aid Youth and Young Adults Update

World Youth Day Scholarships:
Catholic Aid is offering scholarships for World Youth Day 2011! Attached is a flyer. Catholic Aid is offering 60 scholarships in the amount of $500 each. More information and applications are available online at www.catholicaid.org/links/wyd2011. Also, you can join the Catholic Aid group on Facebook by searching “WYD 2011: Catholic Aid Association.”

Post High School Tuition Scholarships:
Scholarship applications are due February 15, 2010. For more information on our Post High School Tuition Scholarships, check out www.catholicaid.org/links/scholarships.

Salute to Youth:
If you know a high school senior (including a student in your family) who has a balanced life, pays back the community, and keeps at least 2.75 grade point average, the student can be nominated for Salute to Youth, a national recognition program to honor high school seniors who give of their time, energy and talents to serve others and to improve themselves. This award is not monetary; students and their guests attend a dinner in Saint Paul on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 and receive a plaque and recognition at the banquet.

While Degree of Honor is the official host of Salute to Youth, Catholic Aid partners with them on this effort. Both Catholic Aid and Degree of Honor are fraternal benefit societies, societies that conduct fraternal programs, are not for profit, have a representative form of government, have a system of local lodges (Catholic Aid’s are called councils) and provide insurance, along with other member benefits.

Nomination forms should be submitted to Catholic Aid Association by March 12, 2010 at 3499 Lexington Avenue North, Saint Paul, MN 55126. Heather Vargo, the Youth Fraternal Liaison is available for questions or comments regarding this program. You can reach Heather by phone at 800.568.6670 ext 187 or by email, hvargo@catholicaid.org. The Nomination Form is attached to this email.

Youth Financial Workshop:
The financial literacy of high school students has fallen to its lowest level ever. About 75 percent of young American adults are likely to lack the skills needed to make beneficial financial decisions.**

Catholic Aid offers a financial workshop for teens. The workshop covers the basics of spending, saving and budgeting. Heather is happy to work with youth ministers to do a one-time workshop in your parish. Contact Heather for more information.

Theology On Tap:
Catholic Aid is sponsoring two series of Theology On Tap. Theology on Tap is a great opportunity for young Catholic adults to meet in a comfortable setting to explore faith and how it affects their lives. Upcoming dates for Theology on Tap:

Saint Paul Theology on Tap is on the corner of Lexington and Energy Parkway at Gabe’s Roadhouse. 991 North Lexington Parkway, Saint Paul, MN. The evenings begin at 7:00pm, with a speaker from 7:30-8:45pm and the rest of the evening for further discussion and fellowship.

January 13th - Prof. Faith Pawl
Will & Grace: Human Willpower and God’s Grace

January 20th - Fr. Thomas Wilson
Men in Black

January 27th - Fr. Joseph Johnson
Grill the Priest

February 3rd - John Crudele
Young Adult: From Young to Adult

February 10th - Bishop Lee Piche
Is God txt u? His mssg to u via SS- the Sacred Scripture

Robbinsdale Theology on Tap is at the Eagle’s Nest Lounge at 4106 Lakeland Ave., Robbinsdale. The evenings begin at 6:30pm with a speaker starting at 7:00pm.

January 18th - Jeremy Stanbary, Actor
Using the Media to Engage the Culture

January 25th - Dr. Arthur Hippler, Theology Chair Providence Academy
Engaging Atheism

February 1st - Drs. Catherine and David Deavel, University of St. Thomas
What is marriage? How to defend marriage with natural law!

February 8th - Dr. William Stevenson, Director of Theology Providence Academy
The Church , the Modern World, and the Whole of Reality.

February 16th - Grill the Priests– Q & A with Priests of Local parishes!
Have a question about the faith? Come get an answer?

Catholic Mavs Day at MSU Mankato:
Catholic organizations and religious orders will be at Minnesota State University (Mankato) on February 1 in the Student Union. Catholic Aid will be there and students will have an opportunity to get their picture with the Pope from 10:00am to 2:00pm!

**National Jump$tart Coalition Survey of High School and College Students

For more information contact Heather Vargo, Youth Fraternal Liaison, Catholic Aid Association at hvargo@catholicaid.org or 651.765.6540.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Updates From Your Youth Liaison @ Catholic Aid


Youth Financial Workshop:
About 75 percent of young American adults are lacking the skills needed to make good financial decisions. One fifth of the students with credit cards are carrying more than $10,000 in debt. Some students are “refinancing” their credit card debt with student loans, leading to an average of $20,000 in college loan debt.* Catholic Aid has a solution for your youth and young adults! Our financial workshop will help teens learn ways to start managing their finances with practical ideas about checking accounts, debt, credit cards, and savings.

Here are some suggestions for a successful workshop:
• Contact me at (651) 765-6540, or email hvargo@catholicaid.org to schedule a workable date and time.
• The workshop is designed for students in grades 9-12, but the content can be tailored to young adults, ages 18-30, as well. Parents are also invited to attend.
• The workshop is about 1½ to 2 hours in length. Providing refreshments is appreciated.

Young Adult Advisory Team:
The first meeting of the Young Adult Advisory Team was Nov. 14, 2009 and the group was ambitious and engaged. The team consists of Reba Bisciglia, Vinnie Floeder, Abby Huebsch, Paula Minell, Jorden Taveirne, Gabriel Walz, and Cari White. The meeting was facilitated by Heather Vargo, Youth Liaison. The group covered a lot of material, including Catholic Aid’s name update, youth programs, and youth financial workshop and scholarship programs. The team’s primary purpose is to explore how Catholic Aid can increase visibility, promote volunteerism and spirituality, and to look at how young people can assist Catholic Aid councils in strengthening relationships with youth.

World Youth Day Scholarships:
In 2008, Catholic Aid helped young adults attend World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia, by providing nearly $34,000 in grants to 70 young members. While the next World Youth Day is less than two years away, groups are making plans and gathering funds to attend World Youth Day in Madrid, Spain, on Aug. 15-21, 2011. Catholic Aid will again offer young adults $500 scholarships to aid in their travel expenses. Potential pilgrims can apply for one of 60 grants that will be given out in 2011. More information is available at www.catholicaid.org/links/wyd2011.

*Source: National Jump$tart Coalition