Youth Volunteer of the Year Award Nominations

Youth Volunteer of the Year Award Nominations are due June 1, 2010.

The Youth Volunteer of the Year Award is an honor presented by Catholic Aid Association to recognize a young adult, between ages 16-30, within the Catholic Aid Association who, through example and accomplishment, provided outstanding volunteer service to his or her community and/or council during the past year. Please contact Heather Vargo for more information or to receive a nomination form.

Click here for a nomination form. (Please note: This link takes you to issuu.com)

Who Reigns? Christ Reigns at NCYC 2009

There’s a palpable energy when a sports team fills its arena to capacity, but when it’s God who’s drawing the crowds, Catholic Aid members who attended the National Catholic Youth Conference will tell you it’s a whole new ballgame.

The experience of singing and celebrating the Lord among 21,000 other proud, young Catholics was a singular opportunity that youth members of the Catholic Aid Association took part in Nov. 19 – 21 at the 9th Biennial National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) in Kansas City, Mo.

The theme of this year’s conference was the ways in which Christ reigns this world: in, among, and through us. Each session explored aspects of this theme while workshops helped participants explore the concept further between sessions.

“NCYC changes lives,” wrote David Bursack of Canby, Minn. “No different with me. On this trip I came closer to God just knowing I can pray and be religious around these people freely…The effect on my life is that I will be willing to show my faith around my friends and if they look at me differently, I now know that at least 25,000 other people have my own same beliefs!”

Catholic Aid’s Fraternal Youth Liaison Heather Vargo and Fraternal Director Kathleen Moriarty worked through 2009 to make these scholarships a fraternal benefit available to eligible members.

“Like World Youth Day, we felt this was a unique opportunity for our young members to get out and meet others like them,” Moriarty says. “You can’t practice your faith in a vacuum, so we wanted to provide chances for our young Catholics to see they’re not alone out there.”

The National Catholic Youth Conference is orchestrated by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM) and according to that body, the conference is the single largest gathering of Catholic young people in the United States.


With special emphasis on the general sessions that addressed the entire multitude, the conference ran for three days. Between the general sessions, the participants broke out into group leader briefings, daily liturgies, concurrent sessions and workshops. Between sessions and workshops, youth could attend Eucharistic Adoration, the thematic park, confession or just hang out with other young Catholics from around the country.

Shawn Polman of Cottonwood, Minn., says, “I realized that when I go home, I know there is that girl way over in California that is praying to the same God…After NCYC, I will know that the Catholic Church isn’t just here in Minnesota, but all over the U.S. and the world too…When I face an obstacle, it will give me the strength that I am not alone. God is with me.”

In addition to the sessions and breakouts, hundreds of displays, interactive and experiential exhibits populated the “Reign Forest” thematic park in the Kansas City Conference Center. Youth were able to talk with Catholic colleges and universities, learn about service projects, play games, check out the technology lounge and learn about vocations. The Reign Forest was open prior to and throughout the conference, but even with three days to work with, pilgrims had difficulty making it to all the booths in the 200,000-square-foot space.

The general sessions were held in the cavernous and state-of-the-art Sprint Center and filled every seat with more than 21,000 exuberant youth spilling into overflow seating. Following the general sessions, a mass exodus of youth poured out of the Sprint Center, engulfing entire streets in downtown Kansas City.

The number of participants and their enthusiasm left a lasting impression on the 17 scholarship winners from Catholic Aid.

Andrea Mayer of Stacyville, Iowa, wrote, “They helped me understand better what it means to be Catholic. They all knew we were there to strengthen our faith and that made it so much fun, that they all wanted to be there and explore their faith.”

The Catholic Aid participants are already looking forward to NCYC 2011 in Indianapolis and until then, they’ll try to hold on to that feeling of community and kinship they described, and the pride they felt among the multitude.

“The most memorable moment was when everyone left the general session and walked together while praising God,” Rachel Kollar of Canby, Minn., says.

“It had a huge impact on me, personally, to be among so many youth open to praising Him for everyone to see. It opened my eyes to see that it’s okay to let your faith show in all aspects of life, not just while at church.”

Copyright 2010 Catholic Aid Association. Content and photos in this story may not be republished in any medium without the express, written consent of Catholic Aid Association.

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.

CAA to Help Youth and Young Adults Attend WYD 2011

by Susan F. Detlefsen, Staff Writer and Heather Vargo, Youth Fraternal Liaison

The phrase “the opportunity of a lifetime” might be a cliché, but it’s a cliché that applies when a young person takes part in World Youth Day. This international gathering attracts hundreds of thousands of young people every three years as they come together to express and experience their Catholic faith.

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. The pilgrims returned from the experience with an energized zeal for their spirituality.

Alisha Hafner of Mahtomedi, Minn., said of the pilgrimage, “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.”

Matt Kuettel of St. Paul, Minn., said seeing the Pope at World Youth Day was “an experience that will not be forgotten.” Kuettel said 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.”

The most valuable lesson of the trip for Andrew Vandal of Sykeston, N.D., was “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 face that they were ready to meet St. Peter’s successor and proclaim their faith with him.”

All three of these young members received grants from Catholic Aid. “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,” Kuettel said.

While the event is a little less than two years away, groups are making plans and gathering funds to attend World Youth Day in Madrid, Spain, on August, 15-21, 2011. Catholic Aid will again offer young adults $500 scholarships to aid in their travel expenses.

“The interest from our members for World Youth Day 2008 grants was extremely enthusiastic,” said Heather Vargo, Youth Fraternal Liaison. More personal reflection from WYD 2008 pilgrims can be found on Heather’s blog: catholicaidyouth.blogspot.com. “We’re excited to offer these grants to our young members again and assist them in attending such a faith-building and eye-opening experience.”

Potential pilgrims can apply for one of 60 grants that will be given out in 2011. Vargo expects to receive more applications than grants, so the recipients will be determined by lottery.

Click here for more information about the World Youth Day 2011 Scholarships.

This article is republished from the November-December 2009 issue of Catholic Aid Journey Magazine. Content and photos are not to be reproduced in print or online without the written permission of Catholic Aid Association.

Scholarships for World Youth Day 2011!

Catholic Aid will be offering scholarships for World Youth Day 2011!

Catholic Aid Association encourages young people in their Catholic spirituality and volunteerism. World Youth Day encourages these same values. Since groups are already forming for World Youth Day 2011, Catholic Aid wanted to announce that there will be 60 scholarships in the amount of $500.00 each for pilgrims. The scholarship recipients will be chosen randomly in a lottery style drawing. All Catholic Aid young people are encouraged to apply for this scholarship between now and November 2010. Please email Heather Vargo at hvargo@catholicaid.org if you would like a copy of the application and guidelines for this scholarship.

Catholic Aid is pleased to offer this benefit to our members. Please feel free to contact Heather Vargo if you have any questions about this scholarship opportunity. You can reach Heather by email at hvargo@catholicaid.org or by phone at 1.800.568.6670 ext 187.

Catholic Aid & the National Catholic Youth Conference

Catholic Aid offered scholarships for the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC). NCYC is the single largest event organized by the Catholic Church in the US. Sponsored by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM), this bi-annual conference will bring together over 20,000 Catholic teenagers from throughout the United States to a wonderful venue in Kansas City November 19-21, 2009.

Catholic Aid is pleased to announce that the following young people have received scholarships to NCYC 2009 (listed according to council):

Holy Family Catholic Aid Council #017, Mankato
Taylor Clements, Blake Matuska, Brooke Matuska, Rachel Wendlandt

St. Leo Catholic Aid Council #099, St. Leo
Ben Bossuyt, David Bursack, Rachel Kollar, Shawn Polman

St. Theresa Catholic Aid Council #146, Johnsburg
Jordyn Bissen

St. Willibrord Catholic Aid Council #275, Gibbon
Brady Forst, Heather Horning, Ryan Horning

St. Philip Catholic Aid Council #312, Litchfield
Kate Carlson, Jon Carlson

Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Aid Council #337, Spicer
Leah Salisbury, Shannon Salisbury

Visitation Catholic Aid Council #371, Stacyville
Andrea Mayer, Tyler Thome

CAA scholarship program reaches $2 million

by Susan F. Detlefsen, Staff Writer

In a legacy spanning 54 years, Catholic Aid Association’s scholarship program reached a special milestone this year. The program awarded $164,500 in scholarships to members in 2009, bringing the program’s cumulative award total to more than $2 million.

“We’re proud of our membership for having the vision to start this program five decades ago, and for supporting it for so many years,” said President and Chairman Michael McGovern. “This is truly a milestone worth celebrating.”

Establishing a scholarship legacy

The front page of the June 22, 1955, issue of the Catholic Aid News announced the first appeal ever for scholarship applicants. “Boys and girls” who were members of the Association and were high school graduates were invited to apply for teaching scholarships to any Catholic college in the Midwest.

Applicants had to demonstrate financial need, an interest in the teaching profession and have an academic record that proved they could succeed at college study.

The scholarships were renewable for all fours years a student was enrolled in teacher’s college, provided that their “scholastic record was satisfactory.” Demonstrating a need of the times, the program’s purpose was “to increase the number of properly qualified Catholic lay teachers for the elementary and secondary schools of this area.”

Dr. Gordon T. Tierney, president of the Men’s Council, recommended establishing a scholarship program at the 1954 annual convention. The original motion states that the program would award 10 to 15 scholarships to students graduating from high school in June of 1955. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved. Tierney also served as the chairman of the first scholarship committee, advised by Archbishop R. J. Connolle, superintendent of schools of the then Archdiocese of St. Paul.
Eight scholarships were awarded in August of that year to three men and five women: Francis Brawn of Glencoe, Minn.; Pamela Douglas of Cannon Falls, Minn.; Robert W. Skillings of St. Paul, Minn.; Bernetta Lieser of St. Martin, Minn.; Patricia Schwab of Comfrey, Minn.; Loretta Sieben of Hastings, Minn.; Dennis Wagener of Glencoe, Minn.; and Dolores Wagner of New Market, Minn. Photos of the winners were published on page seven of the August 22 edition of CA News, a tradition that continues 54 years later as you’ll see on pages 11 through 19 of this magazine.

The unanimous passing of the program at the 1954 convention demonstrated its popularity among Catholic Aid members, who then took active steps to make sure the program succeeded. Just two months after the first scholarships were awarded, the Catholic Women’s Union gave a donation of $1,000 to the fund, roughly equivalent to nearly $8,000 in adjusted dollars today. In the years to come, the scholarship fund continued to receive regular donations from members.

Marie Schwantes, scholarship chairman and executive board member of the Catholic Women’s Union, wrote in the Dec. 22, 1955 issue of Catholic Aid News that “Catholics have a right to take pride in our schools and an obligation to demonstrate a desire and capacity to meet the major problems facing Catholic education. Therefore, the Scholarship Program, which we undertook at our Convention in September, is most worthy and necessary.”

Ten years later, in an appeal for donations in the April 22, 1965 issue of Catholic Aid News, President Tierney described the thriving program as “one of the most important projects to engage the attention of the members of our organization.”

Changing to fit into a changing world

Change is inevitable, and the scholarship program has changed over time to reflect the cultural, religious and education movements prevalent in Catholic and American society. The scholarship is no longer restricted to students intending to enter the teaching profession. Also, the scholarship has changed to a one-time only award, rather than a renewable scholarship.

One thing that has stayed the same for the last few decades is the scholarship amount. While the total giving amounts for the entire program have continued to go up steadily in the past 20 years [see graph below] the actual amount of awards has stayed consistent: $500 for students attending Catholic colleges and universities, $300 for those attending non-Catholic institutions. Considering the skyrocketing cost of post-secondary education these days, the amount of the awards has been revisited several times by the Fraternal department and Catholic Aid’s officers. Each time the amount has been reviewed, CAA has decided to keep the awards the same. Why?

“There are two reasons,” explained Kathleen Moriarty, director of the Fraternal Department. “First, we want to help as many members as we can through this program. We consider the scholarship program to be a member benefit, which means if you are a Catholic Aid member and you meet the basic criteria of the program, then you receive the benefit.

“Second, the program continues to grow almost every year. While the amount of the individual awards hasn’t gone up, the total amount of awards we give out has increased every year in the last 10 years. In 1999, we awarded 154 scholarships. This year we awarded 491, for a total of $164,500 awards given in 2009. That is an amazing number of lives impacted by this program.”
In the last 54 years, more than 5,700 Catholics have received a CAA scholarship to defray tuition costs.

Little-known facts about the program

There are aspects to the program that aren’t as well known. The average scholarship recipient is 18-years of age and has recently graduated from high school. While this is typical, scholarships aren’t limited to this type of student. There is no age limit in the application guidelines, which means a student of any age can apply and potentially receive a scholarship, just as long as they are enrolled for their first or second year in an accredited program with the intention of earning an undergraduate degree or certification.

Typically, most scholarship recipients are planning to attend a four-year school, such as a college or university. But again, the scholarship guidelines aren’t limited to just the big institutions. Students who choose to attend community colleges, vocational-technical institutions or job training are also eligible for a scholarship, as long as the program is accredited and the student is on track for a certification or undergraduate degree.

The future of the scholarship program

Moriarty says the scholarship program is going strong, and, like all Catholic Aid Fraternal programs, is under constant scrutiny to maintain the program’s effectiveness and continuity. In the future, Fraternal may add scholarships that will be awarded to students based on merit and Catholic service. Also, the Fraternal staff intend to keep in contact with scholarship winners and offer them guidance on several topics, including thriving in a college environment, maintaining a faith life through college and serving as a young leader to their Catholic communities.

“There is an enormous link between educational success and financial success,” Moriarty said. “We are proud to help provide some of the means to help our members get the tools that will help them be successful in their careers, which translates to a stronger Catholic community and a stronger Catholic Aid Association.”

This story may not be reproduced in part or in full without the express written consent of Catholic Aid Association.

Youth Volunteer of the Year is Outstanding Student & Servant

Youth Volunteer of the Year winner Kayla Yarusso is involved in so many volunteer activities that her accomplishments filled the entire award nomination form!

An active member of St. Jude’s Council in Mahtomedi, Minn., Miss Yarusso has been a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, Feed My Starving Children, JOIN HANDS DAY as well as many Catholic Aid fund-raising events at her parish. During the past year, she traveled to Guatemala to volunteer at a children’s mission, and she is a regular youth ministry and children’s ministry worker at St. Jude’s parish. An outstanding student and athlete, Kayla has been on the ‘A’ Honor Roll for the past four years.

Youth Volunteer of the Year Award is an honor presented by Catholic Aid Association to recognize a young adult member who, through example and accomplishment, provided outstanding volunteer service during the past year.

Recent News

Congratulations to Kayla Yarusso, Youth Volunteer of the Year award winner. Kayla was presented with this award by CAA to recognize her outstanding volunteer service to her community and council during the past year. More information about Kayla is on the way.

Scholarships applications are in for the National Catholic Youth Conference 2009. More information is on the way!

Event: College Information Session

Meet other college students who are going to college for the first time! We’ll take a look at the basics of what to expect when you are going away to college. College students will be at the session to answer your questions and offer advice to first time students.

The workshop will address the following questions:

:: What Can I Expect the First Year? ::
How Will the Relationships With My Parents and Friends Change?
Lisa Schulte, Assistant Director of Housing Programs at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

:: Who Am I and What Do I Believe? ::
Building a Catholic Identity.
Fr. Tim Biren, Director of the St. Thomas More Newman Center at Minnesota State University - Mankato

:: Who will I Surround Myself With? ::
Surrounding Yourself with Good Friends and Connecting with Other Catholics.
Father Peter Williams, Pastor of Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Vocation Director

:: Student Panel on the Practics ::
Important Advice from Other College Students!

$10 registration includes materials and lunch, payable to Catholic Aid Association. Online registration available June 15 at www.catholicaid.org.

Date: Saturday, August 8, 2009
Time: 8:45am - 12:00pm
Location: The University of St. Thomas
Street: 2115 Summit Avenue
City/Town: Saint Paul, MN

Parent Evening: Teaching our Children CHASTITY & VIRTUE

THURSDAY, MAY 21 -6:30-9:30 PM Church of St. Joseph Great Room – West St. Paul, MN*

Join The Church of St. Joseph’s for this unforgettable evening that is guaranteed to assist in the formation of our children in chastity, virtue and Christian friendship. Refreshments provided. Please RSVP by Wed (5/20) ann.osendorf@churchofstjoseph.org or 651.789.8357. This event is FREE & open to the public. Sponsored by the Junior High Youth Office with the generous assistance of CAA Foundation.

SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKERS:

Fr. Thomas Loya: “This is MY Body” ~Speaking a Lie or Telling the Truth Understanding the “language of the Body” as articulated in John Paul II’s Theology of the Body.

Father Thomas Knoblach: “The WHY-NOT Culture ~Developing Character & Self-Discipline in our Media-Driven World” The confusing messages of the culture and emerging problems facing the Family and our youth...And what we can do!

Young Adult Advisory Panel

Catholic Aid realizes that it is essential to include youth/young adults as active participants in any development initiative. They have to be equal partners in the process. Their involvement presents a great challenge to adults and charges them to rethink how they have engaged in planning, program development and implementation. Therefore, the Fraternal Department will pilot a Young Adult Advisory Panel of 8-10 young adults or youth ministers.

Description of the Panel:
The Young Adult Advisory Panel will be focused on how Catholic Aid can increase visibility, promote volunteerism, and foster spirituality in Catholic Aid young people. The panel will assist councils in strengthening relationships with youth.
The panel will consist of 8-10 young adults or youth ministers. Members of the panel will be compensated for their time.
Locations for panels: St. Cloud, MN & St. Paul, MN

Eligibility:
The nominee should be available to meet 2-3 times per year.
The nominee should be between the ages of 17 and 30, or a Catholic youth minister.

Deadline:
Nominations for this panel will be accepted in the Fraternal Department until May 1st, 2009.

To request a nomination form, or if you have questions or comments, please contact:
Heather Vargo, Youth Fraternal Liaison
3499 Lexington Avenue North
Saint Paul, MN 55126
hvargo@catholicaid.org

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.