Catholic Aid Journey Official Publication of the Catholic Aid Association
January 2008 Vol. 113 Issue 1
Youth Issue
Forum
follies &
Family fun
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CAA Youth Grants add up to Success
Opening Words
From the President Welcome to the first edition of the Catholic Aid Journey. Four times a year, you’ll get the CA Journey instead of the CA News. January of 2008 ushers in a new era in the history of the monthly communication of the Catholic Aid Association. For over 100 years, we have produced a paper that keeps all our members current on the news of the Association, and also provides several feature articles of interest to us all. The recipes by Betty Krenner have been a big hit for years and in the January issue of 1998, I began my monthly column. In December of 1997, just before I officially took office as President and Chair of the Board of the Catholic Aid Association, I met with Dave Brown, our communications vice president at that time. I suggested to him that I would like to write a monthly column. President Spanier had had a column in the News for years and I thought it was a tradition I wanted to continue. Our first task was to come up with a name. I remember we racked our brains for hours looking for the word or phrase that would convey our purpose. Dave asked me what I hoped to accomplish through the column. Was it to be a travelogue of events, a business
journal, a personal column? Well, that was easy. I knew I wanted to write about topics that would be of interest to our members and also give my personal flavor and style. Dave suggested the phrase “A journey through life”, or “A journey around the Association.” We went back and forth and then he looked at me and declared, “I’ve got it! How about just the word Journey?” Many of our readers have commented about the unique style of my column. The Journey is a travel through thoughts and events that make up all our lives as well as the living history of the Catholic Aid Association. Today, we venture out of the box a bit by producing a magazine rather than our traditional paper. It is not called the Catholic Aid News. However, it is still an official publication of the Association. It is named the Catholic Aid Journey, for many of the reasons we chose that name for my column. And its goal is to highlight the thoughts and activities of our members. It will supplement the Catholic Aid News four times a year so that you will be receiving eight monthly papers and four magazines. Our publications staff has worked long and hard to create this first edition, and we think they did a On the Cover great job. May God bless you in every way.
Michael F. McGovern President
Catholic Aid Association President/Chairman Michael F. McGovern, Northfield Senior Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer Dennis L. Olson, Vadnais Heights Lead Director Frances M. Barten, Union Hill Board 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 Staff Publication No. 093500/Official Publication of the Catholic Aid Association
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January 2008
Publisher Michael F. McGovern
Editor Jared Roddy
Staff Susan Detlefsen
Director of Marketing and Fraternal Kathleen Moriarty Office of Publication: Catholic Aid Association, 3499 Lexington Ave. N., St. Paul, MN 55126-8098; 651490-0170 or 1-800-568-6670. Postmaster: Send change of address notice to above. Periodicals postage paid at St. Paul, MN, and at additional offices. Subscription price is 50 cents a year. Published monthly.
Photos by Brent Schacherer Litchfield Independent Review The Hansen family, in the seats and on stage at the Bernie Aaker Auditorium in Litchfield, Minn. Seated from left: Jessica, Phil, Roseanne, Mary, Pat, Shawn, Margo, Becca. Photo compilation.
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Send your letters to:
From Our Readers
Catholic Aid News/Journey 3499 Lexington Ave. N. St. Paul, MN 55126-8098 or news@catholicaid.org
Contents Features
Big Happy Family 6 1Eight-member Hansen family of Darwin, Minnesota has learned how to have fun and stay close with family activities.
Let’s get local
As a current member of Catholic Aid, I see that the newspaper puts a lot of effort in to the bigger cities. So here’s what I would like to see more of. 1. Coverage of what small town reps are doing to recruit members, especially in towns like Askov, Sandstone, Hinckley & Pine County. 2. Coverage of what Catholic Aid is doing in other states and how those events are being promoted. 3. How Catholic Aid helps families that need extra money but don’t or can’t get it. At least these are my thoughts. I hope to enjoy next year’s edition. Mike Schultz Askov, Minn.
Give us tools I enjoy the Catholic Aid newsletter. It would be nice if the spiritual director [Msgr. James Habiger] could pick a different topic of Catholic faith each month and write about it. Say, spiritual gifts one month, and so on. That would be a great teaching tool for all of us in Catholic Aid. Also, I think it would be a good idea to remind all of us that when someone retires from their company, their supplemental retirement program can be rolled into Catholic Aid. Ron Rysavy Sioux Falls, S.D.
We Want to Hear from You! Let us know what you think about the new Catholic Aid Journey.
Thanks and Praise Schuler Grants
World Youth Day
I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your financial support. Without your contributions, the seminary would not be possible for me. I am very blessed to be at the St. Paul Seminary, for we have a wonderful staff and a lot of great guys. I thank you again for this opportunity, and know that you all will continue to be in my prayers. God bless and have a very happy Advent. Sincerely, Tom Hofmann Jr. St. Paul Seminary, St. Paul, Minn.
Thank you so much for the $500 World Youth Day Scholarship! I am really looking forward to the trip and seeing Pope Benedict XVI. I will keep you and the Association in my prayers during the pilgrimage. Thanks again, and God bless. Julia McGreal Roseville, Minn
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Thank you so much for the World Youth Day grant! It has helped me greatly to pay for the trip. I am so excited for World Youth Day. Thank you for helping me go! Kelsey Minten Shoreview, Minn.
Someone do something special in your community? Let us know! Correspondence will appear in the April Catholic Aid Journey.
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A Lesson in Multiplication
A look at four successful, unique or seasonally appropriate Youth Grants that made money and smiles.
Sections
2
Opening Words
4
Scrapbook
From Mike McGovern and from you.
Member stories, CAA tidbits and news headlines.
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Board Minutes
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To Your Health
From December 2007.
Recipes and health tips.
Aid Kids 15 Catholic Don’t miss this, kids! Activities, contests and more, a whole page for our young members.
Column
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CAA Youth
The Director of NET Ministries suggests a New Year’s resolution. January 2008
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Scrapbook
Member Spotlight:
Name: Murl McGrane Hometown: Bluffton, MN
Did You Know?
Council: St. John/Holy Family Achievement: Since 1968,
Murl has donated 128 pints of blood. That equals 16 gallons of blood in 39 years.
Volunteer Story: Murl decided to give blood after his son, Tim, died of leukemia in 1968. Now 86, he thinks it’s time to retire. “I hope others will continue to give back by giving blood,” Murl says.
Web Link: www.volunteermatch.org Resolved to volunteer more in 2008? Just select what type of volunteering you’d like to do, enter your zip code, and you’re on your way!
Don’t forget to turn in scholarship applications!
World Youth Day Grants Catholic Aid has given 70 young members the chance to see the Pope in Sydney, Australia next year. CAA provided travel grants of up to $500 to help pilgrims attend World Youth Day 2008. More than $33,700 was given in 2007. “World Youth Day is a marvelous experience for young people,” Director of Fraternal Kathleen Moriarty says. “Catholic Aid is pleased to provide this support to our youth members!”
They are due to the Fraternal Department by February 15, 2008!
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January 2008
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How to Contact your Field Representative: Look on the back cover of this magazine. Your Field Representative’s name and contact information should appear next to yours. Otherwise, visit www.catholicaidrep.com, or call 1-800-568-6670.
CAA News
Look to the “Old Favorite” if you’re worried about retirement Are you prepared to plan for your own retirement? Perhaps it’s time to look at an “old favorite:” the Traditional IRA. You can contribute up to $5,000 in 2008 (or up to $6,000 if you’re over 50,) and you may be eligible for an income tax deduction. The Traditional IRA grows tax deferred until you withdraw funds, which you can start doing when you’ve reached 59 ½ years. The Traditional IRA is a great way to plan for your retirement. After all, if you don’t plan for it, who will? Contact your Field Representative for information on Catholic Aid products.
CAA Datebook: Jan.
Jan.
6
Membership mass and officer election, 10 a.m.
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Joint installation and Regional Workshop at St.
Mass at St. Michael’s church in Buckman, Minn.
Augustine Church, 5:30 p.m. Mass in St. Cloud, Minn. Matching Grant at All Saint’s Church in Medicine Lake, Minn. at 11 a.m.
Jan.
27
Jan.
Grant chicken 27 Matching dinner.
Holy Family Council in Glencoe, Minn. will kick off Catholic Schools Week with a 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. dinner at St. Pius X School Cafeteria.
CAA News Pedaling for Priests Nearly 30 members participated in the second annual “Pedaling for Priests” in Holdingford, Minn. in late September. The St. Joseph Council sponsored the pedalers by buying treats and drinks for the ride down the Lake Wobegon Regional Trail. The participants seek to raise awareness for priestly and religious vocations.
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January 2008
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1
BIG Happy Family
Play together,
Pray together,
Stay together.
By Jared Roddy
The Hansen family is one CAA family that can’t seem to get enough of each other’s company. Besides Mass on Sunday, daily study sessions and nightly meals, they’ve found other ways of staying close. 6
January 2008
The holiday season, one of the few times of the year that most parents do not have to worry about knowing where there kids are, has passed. For many parents, the New Year heralds the return of meals on the run, passing hellos exchanged with their children, and the uphill battle to stay current with their kids’ busy lives.
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But there are exceptions. It’s 6:30 p.m. in Darwin, Minn. and it’s already dark, of course. Light comes from three places on Main Street tonight: The Saloon, the glass gazebo holding the world’s largest ball of twine, and the Hansen family home, situated across the street and between the other two. The 300 or so residents of Darwin are snug in their homes on this frigid December night; sitting down to meals, curling up on the couch, and finishing projects and homework. In the Hansen house all of these activities are going on at once. The family of eight, that until recently lived under one roof, still share it frequently. Even with Shawn, 20, in his own apartment and Roseanne, 19, in a dorm at the College of St. Benedict, many nights and weekends will still find the whole family congregated in the home they built six years ago. Pat and Mary Hansen, the heads of this brood, strive to get the family together for a meal every night and for the most part succeed. But it’s hard to keep six children, all different ages and all headed in different directions, together. Harder still is making sure they make it to all their commitments, stay on the straight-and-narrow and still have some freedom to have fun. Enter the family activity. Or in the Hansens’ case, the almost ubiquitous peppering of family members at every event or activity. In 4-H for example, most activities require parental involvement, and since their kids are enrolled together, they end up spending a lot of time in close proximity. “I wasn’t in it as a kid,” Mary says. “So when we first signed them up, I told Pat he was going to do it all. But I think I do more than he does.” What they both do is help
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their kids complete and compete in projects at the county level every month, attend meetings and activities, even adopt “exchange children” from all around the country. “4-H has the connotation of being a farm thing, but it involves just about any aspect of education – robotics, science and so forth.” Pat says. Family Mass is also required. Mary quips, “We just didn’t give them a choice!” Pat and Mary say they believe it’s very important to get the whole family to church on Sunday. Roseanne, now at St. Benedict’s, continues to attend and goes with the family when she comes home. And Shawn, who recently moved to his own apartment, joins the family every week and even sings in the Christmas choir. Being more than just a warm body in the pew is something they’ve striven to teach their kids as well. Service has been instilled in Pat and Mary, just as they try to instill it in their children. Mary’s parents, Ruth and Vince Caron, were extremely active Catholic Aid members. Vince is the secretary of his council, and
Reminder
2008 Catholic Schools Week When: Jan. 27–Feb. 2, 2008 What: A joint project between
the National Catholic Educational Association and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. This year’s slogan is “Catholic Schools Light the Way.”
Why: To provide Catholic schools with the support, guidance and resources they need to increase enrollment, teacher recruitment and awareness of what Catholic schools do for their students.
A typical evening after dinner. Pat considers an extra-credit math challenge for Becca, while the children finish their daily assignments.
January 2008
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Ruth was the president for many years before she died of cancer in 2007. Vince calls his kids and grandkids “activity people.” “If they’re asked, they’ll be there. And they’re usually all there together,” Vince says. “Sometimes it’s a competition between them, you know, who can get the better part in the play, or who gets
the biggest ribbon. But they all help each other get there.” Through 4-H service projects, Catholic Aid activities and parish involvement, the Hansens are no strangers to the liberal application of elbow grease. Mary says dragging the kids along and showing them the value (and enjoyment) that is possible in helping others
Phil Jessica Pat Becca Margo Vince 8
January 2008
Mary
Pat
is the only way to do it. “That’s how they learn. If they didn’t go along, they wouldn’t learn how important it is to be involved and become responsible adults,” she says. But if they’ve tried to lead by example, they also know when to follow. Just this summer, the Hansens had an opportunity to test their family mettle in dealing with stress, handling deadlines, working toward a shared goal and as Mary puts it, “getting along when we’re all real crabby.” That’s because in July, the Litchfield Community Theatre’s production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum was starred in, directed by, lighted by and decorated by one very large and involved Hansen clan. Rebecca caught the acting bug first. But after a couple seasons of going to rehearsal and spending time in the theatre, the other kids got interested. “It was kind of annoying,” Rebecca says. “It was my thing.” Mary’s frequent presence brought her into the act, while Pat’s profession as an electrician made him an easy pick for handling the lighting. Shawn and Rebecca acted, Roseanne decorated the sets and helped with cues, Mary was the assistant director, Phil and Becca ran the spotlights and Pat wired the whole thing together. Only Margo, who says she “just wanted to help because everyone else was in it,” lacked an official role. Though she was at her mother’s hip most of the time. Pat says that’s exactly the type of enjoyment in camaraderie they’ve tried to pass along. They just want to be around each other, and to help in reaching a shared goal. “Our parents were involved so we learned it from them,”
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he says. “We’re passing it on to our kids and hopefully, our children will pass it along, too.” The production was a success, though “nothing got done anywhere else!” according to Pat. And “the family activity” continues, whether competing in 4-H, as they had to the day after the final performance of their play, or working together on homework every night, it was just another example of how a family can stay close just by being close by. +
Introducing...
There’s a new, simple way to view your policy and annuity information any time and from any where. SecureView Member Access is a new service from Catholic Aid that gives members access to their policy information. It’s simple, fast and secure. SecureView Member Access provides instant, online access to member policy and annuity information 24 hours a day. Most importantly, the system is safe for members to access and private information stays private. Members can view detailed information about their CAA insurance policies and annuities, such as loan value, death benefit and rider information. Parents can also use this system to view the details on insurance policies in the names of their children under age 18. Members also have the ability to change their contact information online if they change their address or telephone number. If you have a question about the information in SecureView Member Access, you can call the Customer Service department, or click on a link that will immediately email an alert to your Field Representative. This new Web site is accessible 24-hours a day, seven days a week. +
news@catholicaid.org
To sign up: 1. Click on the SecureView Member Access link on www.catholicaid.org. 2. Complete a simple on-line verification form. 3. Check your email inbox. Open the verification email and click on the link within. It will take you back to the web site. 4. Enter a password that you won’t forget. 5. You will then be in the Policy Directory, where you can select your policy or annuity information to view. 6. If you have problems accessing the system, contact the Customer Service Department at 651-490-0170 or 1-800-568-6670, for help.
January 2008
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A lesso
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his past Christmas marked the second year for the annual Jingle Bells Shop run by the youth of St. Mary’s Council in Fosston, Minn. Their $25 went to purchasing items to sell in the Jingle Bells Shop, a special store set up in the church specifically for kids ages 12 and younger. Since most kids don’t get the chance to purchase gifts for mom and dad by themselves, the Shop is a special place just for them. On Dec. 9, youth escorted three or four children into the shop at a time to help them pick out a special gift for a family member. Items for sale in the Shop were new and ranged in price from $1 to $5. After a selection was made and paid for, the kids got help wrapping the presents from the young adults. “It’s fun to see the kids get excited about it,” said Sister Debra Berry, a coordinator of the Jingle Bells Shop. “It is
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January 2008
something just for them.” When the kids were finished, the adults were let in to shop as well. Berry says the Jingle Bells Shop usually sells out every year. Receipts from the Jingle Bells Shop in 2006 earned over $346. The money raised will help pay for a future youth event.
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n the summer of 2006, the youth of Holy Trinity/Litomysl council used their $25 seed money to reserve booth space at the City of Hope Centennial celebration. The group, led by Tara Jones, had put on a number of successful children’s carnival fundraisers and was so successful that planners of the Hope Centennial festival asked them to run a children’s carnival at their city celebration. Youth and adults from the Holy Trinity council operated fun children’s games, including a ring toss and the perennial favorite
The Youth Grant was inspired by the parable of the talents, told by Jesus in the Book of Matthew.
on In Multiplication By Susan Detlefsen
Catholic Aid’s Youth Grant challenges youth groups to take $25 in seed money and multiply it through hard work and creativity. The results these young people generate are amazing.
T
Fish Pond. Businesses from Owatonna, Minn. generously supplied the prizes for the games. Young people also sold soda pop to make some extra cash; in the end, the group had a total income of $545. They again produced such a great event that members of the Steele County Historical Society asked the group to run a carnival at their fall festival. The money raised by the youth was given to the St. Isidore Catholic School in Owatonna, Minn. and helped the students celebrate the Christmas holiday with a bowling and pizza party.
here’s lots of amoré to go around when the youth of the Church of St. Philip in Litchfield, Minn. host their annual Spaghetti Dinner. Held in February since the late 1990s, the event is put together by youth and their families, reports St. Philip youth minister Tifani Luschen. The parish social hall brims with ambiance provided by the candlelit tables, ivy greenery, a faux brick restaurant façade, special lighting and the smiling young people who greet guests at their tables in matching uniforms. Patrons enjoy spaghetti and sauce made from a secret church family recipe. “The hallmarks of our dinner are service and the Italian dining environment,” says Luschen. Over 20 young people assisted with setup, cooking, serving and clean-up last February, and had an excellent customer turnout – so excellent that they group has reserved Feb. 23, 2008 for another night of excellent Italian cuisine and youthful service. The money raised helps pay for youth trips and events.
January 2008
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he season for pumpkins and pumpkin pies has passed, and the young people from St. Mary’s parish in Sleepy Eye, Minn. have finished another successful Pumpkins and Pumpkin Pies Sale for the third year in a row. Their first year, the youth used the $25 in seed money from Catholic Aid to buy pumpkin seeds and to rent a quarter-acre for a pumpkin patch on the Hoffmann family farm outside of Sleepy Eye. With the help of youth leaders Shawna and Rich Moldan, the young adults raised the pumpkins, weeded the patch, then
Board Minutes: December 13, 2007
The meeting started with a prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Motions to approve the October Board Meeting minutes and the Investment Report were made and approved. Secretary Olson provided the 2008 whole life dividend recommendations from actuary Howie Heidorn. $445,833 was allotted as dividends in 2008 as recommended. Local council bylaws for St. Mary’s, Upsala; St. Augustine, St. Cloud; Sacred Heart, Sauk Rapids; and St. Mathias, Hampton, were approved. Governance policies on Communication and Support, Monitoring CEO Performance, Cost of Governance and the Privacy Resolution were reviewed and approved. All director committee assignments were reviewed and will remain the same except Director Bernie Bastian, who will move from Compensation to the Audit Committee. Fran Barten was unanimously re-elected as lead director.
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January 2008
To learn more about the Youth Grant, contact the CAA Fraternal Department at 651-490-0170. harvested the pumpkins to help sell them to the public. The youth also helped bake pies and sold them after Mass. The Moldans estimate that this year’s pumpkin effort raised over $1,200. The pumpkin money will help the youth spend a week in Willmar at the SonShine Music Festival in July of 2008. These great examples of the Youth Grant, and many more that we didn’t have space to include in this article, are being carried out through partnerships between young adults, their parents and the youth ministers of their parishes. Thank you to everyone who participates. +
Dennis L. Olson
The report of the Compensation Committee, presented by Director Deborah Pauley, was approved and will be published in the February issue of the Catholic Aid News. The Audit Committee Report was presented by Joseph Kueppers who reported no ethics or business violations and no pending potential violations. The Audit Committee had approved the continuance of the Directors’ and Officers’ Liabilities Policies with the addition of an internet liability rider. It also recommended engaging the services of Strohm Ballweg in 2008. A motion was made and approved. Secretary Olson’s resolutions regarding the Association’s pension plans were approved as presented. He reported the IRS audit reaffirmed the Association’s 501(c) 8 status, and that the State Insurance Department audit would be completed by year-end. The technology audit will be completed soon after yearend. His work on the 2008 operating
budget continues. Paul Naumann, executive director of the Foundation, provided an update. Secretary Olson gave a brief summary of the Association Disaster Recovery Plan. All directors and officers signed the Code of Ethics and Conflict of Interest statements. Succession planning for Secretary Olson will be an agenda item for January board retreat. Chairman Mike McGovern provided updates on sales, staffing and fraternal activities. A motion to adjourn was made and accepted. The meeting closed with a prayer. The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, January 9, 2008, at a site and time to be determined. These board minutes have been shortened for space, but are available online at www. catholicaid.org, or by request by calling 651-490-0170 or 1-800-568-6670.
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New Year’s Resolution: Get closer to God
Mark Berchem
Think of your best friend. How did you get to be best friends? By spending time together; by talking and listening to one another, by sharing what’s important to you and hearing what’s important to your friend. Prayer is the vehicle for you and God to get to know one another.
Founder and Executive Director of NET Ministries
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any of us see the New Year as a good time for resolutions about making a new beginning or a new start to make yourself a better person. Let me suggest a great New Years Resolution: “Pray every day.” How old fashioned and boring, you may think! Quite the contrary! If you understand prayer and the purpose of prayer, you would be all over “pray every day.” From the beginning of time, God’s plan and desire was to be in union with the men and women He created. He desires to share a personal relationship with you! The very beginning of the Catechism says so, “God ... in a plan of sheer goodness, freely created man to make him share in his own blessed life. For this reason, at every time and in every place, God draws close to man.” Did you hear that?! God, the creator of the universe, from whom all life and goodness, comes wants to draw closer to you. Why? Because He loves you, He wants to share His life with you, He wants you to know Him both now and in eternity. That’s why He sent His son Jesus to tell you and me that God loves us and wants to be close to us. So why pray? Because prayer is one of the main ways that God can draw
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closer to us. Think of your best friend. How did you get to be best friends? By spending time together; by talking and listening to one another, by sharing what’s important to you and hearing what’s important to your friend. Prayer is the vehicle for you and God to get to know one another. I challenge you to give Him 30 days. Right now, decide to pray 20 minutes a day for a month. Our God has promised that when we pray, we will discover Him already with us. “When you look for me, you will find me. Yes, when you seek me with all your heart, you will find me with you, says the Lord.” (Jeremiah 29:3) “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8) God wants us to find Him. In fact, He is looking for us. So are you willing to take a chance? Twenty minutes for 30 days to meet the One who loves you best? Don’t know how to pray? That’s all right. If you are serious about learning, the Holy Spirit will guide and teach you. Ask Him now and pray with me now. “Lord Jesus, I want to get to know you. I have heard that you love me. I want to learn how to pray so that I can better know your love. Please help me. Amen.”
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CAA Guest Column
h! t u o Y Let me end by giving you a few
practical pointers that will help you get started. Pick a consistent time to pray. It is much easier to pray every day if you pick the same time every day. It kind of becomes a habit. Pick a place where you won’t be distracted. Find a quiet place away from the phone, TV and computer. God normally speaks quietly in our hearts, but we won’t hear Him if there is a lot of noise. Having a crucifix to look at may be helpful. Pick a good posture. Don’t fool yourself. If you lie down for prayer, you will probably fall asleep. It probably works best to kneel, stand, or sit for prayer. Think of your 20-minute prayer time as a football or basketball game with four quarters. In the first quarter, quiet your brain. Don’t think about school or parents or friends. Ask God to help you pray. In the second quarter, read something from the bible. It’s God’s word, His speaking to us directly. I suggest starting with Luke’s Gospel. In the third quarter, think about what you just read. Imagine yourself in the scene you just read. Ask what God is trying to say to you. Then, in the fourth quarter, tell God what you need. Ask Him to guide you through your day, and tell Him what concerns you. He wants to know. Enough said! God really does want to speak with you and love you. But it won’t happen because you read a newspaper article. It will happen when you take time each day to be with Him. Will you make prayer your New Year’s resolution? Give God 20 minutes for 30 days and see what happens. +
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Have a question for CAA? Call Customer Service at:
Twin Cities Metro: 651–490–0170 Outstate: 800–568–6670
January 2008
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To Your Health
From the Kitchen of: Name: Betty Krenner
5 ways
To Live Healthier
It’s never too late to start living a more healthy lifestyle. According to Preferred One Health Insurance, the following simple steps can help improve health at any age.
1
Fruits & veggies
Eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day.
smoking 2 Quit Lung health can show signs
of improvement immediately after a smoker quits.
3 Exercise Add 2.5 hours of exercise a week to your routine to improve your health.
weight 4 Manage Maintaining a healthy
weight will help you avoid heart disease.
Modest change
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About These Recipes: “Enjoy these delicious treats during 2008. Both recipes make crunchy snacks, one sweet and the other spicy. Happy New Year!” Pistachio Biscotti Ingredients 3/4 cup butter, softened 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp vanilla 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 2 tsp chopped orange peel 1 tbsp shortening 1/2 cup sugar 1 egg 1 cup cornmeal 1 1/2 cups chopped pistachio nuts 5 oz. white chocolate, chopped
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In bowl, beat butter on medium speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar and baking powder; beat until combined. Beat in egg and vanilla. Beat in cornmeal and as much flour as you can with the mixer. Stir remaining flour, nuts, and orange peel. Shape dough in three 8 x 1 ½ loaves. Place 4 in. apart on large ungreased sheet, flattened slightly. Bake 20 minutes. Cool on sheet for 1 hour. Reduce oven heat to 325 degrees. Cut each loaf in 1/2 in. slices. Bake 8 minutes. Turn cookies, bake 8-10 minutes more. Cool on rack. Melt white chocolate and shortening in saucepan. Dip cookies in melted chocolate, sprinkle remaining nuts. Let cool. Yields 42 cookies.
Tex Mex Snack Mix Ingredients 1 bag (3.5 oz.) microwave popcorn
Research shows that even modest change can result in measurable improvement in health.
1 tbsp chili powder
Source: Preferred One
1 can (12 oz.) cocktail peanuts
January 2008
Preparation
1 bag (22 oz.) small pretzels 1 box (15 oz.) nacho-flavored
cheese crackers
Preparation
Pour popcorn into a very large container. Immediately sprinkle with chili powder and toss to coat. Add remaining ingredients; toss to mix. Let cool completely, then pack in air-tight containers. Store at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
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Catholic Aid Kids On the Map
Cool Kid
The Diocese of St. Joseph of Irkutsk, in Russia is the largest diocese in the world - 10 million square miles! And did you know that 3 percent of the Iraqi population is Roman Catholic? Catholicism has been in Iraq for 400 years.
Joke of the Month A little boy was listening to a long sermon in church. Suddenly the red sanctuary lamp caught his eye. Tugging his father’s sleeve, he said, “Daddy, when the light turns green, can we go?” Send us your best joke!
Name: Kennedy Heinen Age: 7
Meet a Saint
Hometown: Richmond, MN School: Cold Spring Elem. Keep up with Kennedy!
Kennedy was the December Catholic Aid Kids T-shirt drawing winner. She has two sisters. She is in the second grade at Cold Spring Elementary and goes to St. Boniface Church. She likes dancing, figure skating and playing with friends. Her favorite hobbies are playing crazy eights with her grandparents, and collecting pandas. Nice to meet you, Kennedy! Tell us about your grandparents!
Send a photo and a note describing why you love your grandma or grandpa (or both!) Include your name, phone number and home address. If we print your note, we’ll send you a Catholic Aid T-shirt! Send to: Catholic Aid Association, 3499 Lexington Ave. N., St. Paul, MN 55126-8098.
If we print it, we’ll send you a Catholic Aid T-shirt! Send to: Catholic Aid Association, 3499 Lexington Ave. N., St. Paul, MN 55126-8098. Include your name, phone number and home address.
Service Challenge What have you done to help a neighbor this year? What about your parents or your church? Make a New Year’s resolution to be a helper this year. Here are some ideas to get you started!
your neighbor’s side1. Shovel walk. Or, call your friends and
2. 3.
shovel every walk on the block! Do a Ministree card for your parish, or if your church doesn’t have a Ministree, try to get one started through CAA! Collect toiletries, food or clothing for the homeless and have a parent help you donate them.
Puzzle
Send your answer to:
3499 N. Lexington Ave., St. Paul, MN 55126 and include your name and phone number to be the next CA Kids winner.
Catholic Aid Association Mission and Vision Mission Statement → → → →
To promote fraternalism and charity among our members through a Local Council system and a representative form of government. To provide our members with life insurance, annuities and other products, services and benefits that will contribute to the financial well-being of our members and their families. To support the Roman Catholic Church in extending the faith, especially by commending and encouraging Catholic schools and religious education. To be a good employer and contributing member of our community.
Vision Statement Bound by our Catholic faith, we will: → Be the provider of choice in contributing to the financial well-being of our members. → Be a visible leader in support of our Catholic communities.
To learn more about the Catholic Aid Association, call 1-800-568-6670 or go to www.catholicaid.org.
January Devotion: A New Year’s Prayer May God make your year a happy one! Not by shielding you from all sorrows and pain, but by strengthening you to bear it, as it comes; Not by making your path easy, but by making you sturdy to travel any path; Not by taking hardships from you, but by taking fear from your heart; Not by granting you unbroken sunshine, but by keeping your face bright, even in the shadows; Not by making your life always pleasant, but by showing you when people and their causes need you most, and by making you anxious to be there to help. God’s love, peace, hope and joy to you for the year ahead.
Catholic Aid Association 3499 Lexington Ave. N. St. Paul, MN 55126-8098