What’s Inside
Board of Directors
John Borgen, Hubertus, Wis.
President and CEO
Amy Bellows, Eagan, Minn.
Corporate Secretary
Sandra Dempsey, Menomonee Falls, Wis.
Jim Gibbons, Lake Elmo, Minn.
Mike Giffhorn, New Berlin, Wis.
Coral Grout, Winchendon, Mass.
Jim Hunsanger, DeWitt, Mich.
Joe Kopinski, Greenfield, Wis.
Kari Niedfeldt-Thomas
New Brighton, Minn.
Bill O’Toole, Pleasant Prairie, Wis.
Jeff Pedretti, Rochester, Minn.
Bill Stone, Brookfield, Wis.
Jeff Tilley, Franklin, Wis.
Jim Wensel, Rice, Minn.
Spiritual Director
Archbishop Emeritus Jerome E. Listecki Milwaukee, Wis.
Radiant
There are six hidden black Radiant Crosses throughout the magazine. Correctly identify the location of at least four of the crosses and we’ll enter you in a drawing to receive a $25 gift card. Please note: the Radiant Cross above doesn’t count!
Submit your answers at cfl.org/radiantcrossgame or Radiant Cross Game, Catholic Financial Life, Attn: Marketing 1100 W. Wells St. Milwaukee, WI 53233
Be sure to include your name, address, phone number, email address and the locations of the Radiant Crosses. The submission deadline is January 20.
President’s Message
Something historic took place September 26–27 in Milwaukee, Wis. For the first time ever, members and chapter leaders from all four brands gathered as the Trusted Fraternal Life family.
We gathered not just to celebrate, but to recognize the good you do to serve the poor, the hungry and those in need. Members may come from different backgrounds and places, but we all share the same fraternal heart—dedicated to living lives of service that touch others’ hearts.
Some of you roll up your sleeves to organize pancake breakfasts, Easter egg hunts and park cleanups. Others support fundraisers, donate time or simply show up for neighbors in need. Even if you’ve never been part of one of our chapters, your membership alone contributes to a ripple of good—because together, we are building strong communities.
I believe these acts of service are more important than ever as we face division in society. Strong communities don’t happen by chance—they happen because members like you create an impact that spreads gently yet widely, inspiring others to do the same. As Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
In this issue of Radiant Life, you’ll learn more about what took place at the Fraternal Celebration. You’ll:
• Hear stories of everyday members making an impact.
• Meet the winners of Chapter of the Year, Chapter Event and Impact Team Awards.
• Learn how a Gather4Good® service project helped local non-profit organizations.
• Get retirement financial advice from a popular podcaster, and more!
In Matthew 20:28, Jesus told the Apostles James and John: “Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many.”
I thank God for chapter leaders and members who say yes to service and show up repeatedly to lend a hand. Keep that ripple of good going!
God Bless,
Strong communities don’t happen by chance—they happen because members like you create an impact that spreads gently yet widely, inspiring others to do the same.
John T. Borgen President and CEO
A Life of Love Is a Life of Service
This past May, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee graciously celebrated my anniversaries—50 years as a priest, 25 years as a bishop and 15 years as an archbishop. The celebration started with Mass. What better way to celebrate an anniversary than with family and friends at Mass—with Christ—whose sacrificial love brought us together and whose food sustains us in our journey.
I looked at those gathered in the Cathedral, and in my heart, I felt the memories of those I was privileged to serve—the family God had given me. God’s love was present, and His blessings were clear.
I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
John 13:34-35
The patron of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee is St. John the Evangelist. In my pastoral letter to the archdiocese, I wrote about St. John and how, toward the end of his life, he was invited to preach to a Christian community. Just imagine, this is one of the original Apostles, the beloved of Jesus himself, who was to address them. They waited with bated breath. What would he say? What would he share with them? As the time came for him to speak, the old man simply looked at them and said, “Love one another.”
Members from the Trusted Fraternal Life family recently gathered for the triennial Fraternal Celebration to celebrate the love members have poured out upon your friends and neighbors through acts of service. Just as the love of our Savior has rippled through this world for more than 2,000 years, so can the love from your acts of service impact communities for generations to come.
Your acts of service are a living witness to God’s love. As you continue to be inspired and to inspire others, remember the gift we share in family, friends and community. This is our common purpose: to follow Jesus’ command to love one another and to live inspiring lives of service.
God bless you and keep you,
Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki Archbishop Emeritus of Milwaukee Catholic Financial Life, Spiritual Director
¡Buenas noticias!
Ahora puedes disfrutar de la revista Radiant Life en español—¡porque tu experiencia nos importa!
En Catholic Financial Life, creemos que todos nuestros miembros merecen sentirse informados, inspirados e incluidos. Por eso, lo hemos hecho más fácil que nunca que nuestros miembros hispanohablantes como tu puedan disfrutar de todas las historias que inspiran, los consejos útiles y reflexiones significantes que ofrece Radiant Life —en el idioma que más te representa.
Ya sea que estés leyendo sobre historias de miembros, consejos financieros o el impacto en la comunidad, ahora puedes hacerlo todo en español. ¡Es el mismo excelente contenido, solo más accesible!
Estamos emocionados de compartir esto contigo—y aún más emocionados de seguir creciendo juntos, historia tras historia.
¿Listo para empezar?
Simplemente escanea el código QR o visita cfl.org/revista para comenzar a leer la edición en español de Radiant Life hoy mismo.
2025 Fraternal Celebration Ignites Spirit of Service
The 2025 Fraternal Celebration was more than a gathering—it was a powerful reminder of what it means to belong to something greater than ourselves. Members from all four brand families—Catholic Financial Life, Degree of Honor, Woman’s Life and Catholic United Financial—came together in a vibrant display of unity, purpose and shared values.
Trusted Fraternal Life holds a celebration every three years to honor the volunteers who bring our mission to life—the people organizing local service projects, fundraisers and community events that strengthen neighborhoods and build belonging. This year’s theme, Inspiring Lives of Service, captured that spirit perfectly.
This hallmark event of fraternal life was filled with moments that moved hearts and sparked action. It was a time to reconnect, to celebrate the difference we make, and to honor those who go above and beyond. We applauded our Chapters of the Year, celebrated outstanding Chapter Events, and heard stories that stirred our souls.
But this celebration was more than recognition. It was a call to action—a call to live lives that inspire, to be the neighbor who shows up, the friend who says yes, and the member who makes a difference.
Together, we imagined communities where: Every family feels supported. No one feels alone.
· Strength flows from the simple act of stepping up.
And we reflected on the alternative—what happens when no one answers the call.
We were reminded that lives of service matter. That one act of kindness can ripple outward in ways we may never see. So let this celebration be your spark. Take inspiration from your fellow members, and try one of these service ideas shared at the event:
Remember 9/11: Assemble and deliver packages filled with treats and thank-you cards to local police, fire departments, hospitals and ambulances.
Create a Mystery Box: Set a theme and then sell raffle tickets to win the whole box at school fundraisers.
Sponsor a Family Dinner: Find a local nonprofit that hosts a weekly family dinner, provide the food and drinks and serve dinner.
Sew Quilts: Donate the quilts to those in need, such as veterans or individuals at homeless shelters.
Hold a Rummage: Collect items and then donate the sales proceeds to a local nonprofit.
Make Meals: Provide a meal for new moms or struggling families.
Assemble Mother’s Day Bouquets: Sell the bouquets after church and donate the proceeds to a local pregnancy resource center.
Organize a Soup Contest: Charge a fee to taste and vote for the best soup, and donate the proceeds to help find a cure for Alzheimer’s.
Thank you to the members who submitted these ideas during the Fraternal Celebration.
Are you feeling inspired to make an impact, but you’re not sure where to start?
Reach out to Member Engagement, at memberengagement@cfl.org. They’ll connect you with a local chapter leader who can help you find the perfect way to get involved or guide you in organizing your own Impact Team.
When we serve together, small acts become something greater.
2025 Fraternal Celebration Service Project Packs Kits to Aid Milwaukee’s Homeless
The Friday afternoon service project at the Fraternal Celebration was an inspiring demonstration of our members’ dedication to lives of service. And it rocked!
The scene at the Gather4Good® Service Project for the Homeless looked more like a conga line dance party than a service project. With music pumping in the background, Ballroom D at Milwaukee’s Baird Center was an organized mass of moving people and supplies. Attendees of the 2025 Fraternal Celebration formed into two assembly lines near tables covered with boxes and goods. The goal was to assemble thousands of personal care kits for people facing tough times due to homelessness, poverty or natural disasters.
At the start of the lines were stacks of empty cloth bags, and at the end were volunteers holding open several large white sacks. As they went through the lines, volunteers placed toothpaste, combs, washcloths and other personal care items into individual cloth bags, cinched them closed, and then dropped them into the sacks.
Every kit packed is a small act of love and a powerful reminder of what we can do when we come together.
“This was a great way to start off the weekend,” said Susan Meyer, a Woman’s Life chapter leader. Meyer, Tracy Ollech and two other leaders from Woman’s Life Chapter 72 in the Kaukauna, Wis. area joined the lines to assemble kits.
On the far side of the room, volunteers wrote out personal messages of encouragement and support for each kit destined for the hands of someone in need. Messages like “May the Lord comfort your heart as only He can” and “Wishing you brighter skies and better tomorrows” were slipped into the cloth bags next to hairbrushes and sample-sized shampoo bottles.
In true fraternal style, Meyer, Ollech and the rest of the volunteers from Woman’s Life, Catholic Financial Life, Degree of Honor and Catholic United Financial assembled 2,000 care kits in less than two hours! The kits were then packaged and delivered to the Milwaukee office of Catholic Charities, Milwaukee Homeless Veterans Initiative, and three other local charities.
“Every kit packed is a small act of love and a powerful reminder of what we can do when we come together,” said Nate Lamusga, Director of Mission Fulfillment for Trusted Fraternal Life.
It’s the fraternal way for members to help with projects and the causes that make a difference in their communities. Especially local events that benefit organizations that feed, shelter and care for the homeless.
The Gather4Good program was launched by Catholic United Financial in 2010. The intent of the program was to provide a large-scale service event that would unite a local community in compassionate service to aid people suffering from the effects of poverty and homelessness.
How can a care kit donation make a real difference to a person in need? Charity leaders report that personal care item supply is often the entry-level step in a relationship between a charity and an individual needing help. The kit provides what leaders call “supplemental help” to a person struggling to find permanent housing. Items in the kits are consumable and must be replaced constantly. Instead of paying for these items, individuals can direct their dollars to rent and utilities. This helps them take steps towards independence and self-sufficiency.
Once this relationship between individual and charity is established through kit donations, the individual often engages with the charity to continue to improve their situation, such as attending personal finance classes or using job placement services. When basic needs are provided for, people can work on more complex issues, like housing, education and financial security. The ripple effects of this service project mean more stable homes for families and children in the Milwaukee metro area.
Ripples
I see the ripples in the pond from the stone cast from anger felt.
Anger of injustice, discrimination and inequality. The ripple grows and spreads, enveloping all within its reach.
What if the ripple wasn’t angry and was filled with love and hope instead?
Smother out the anger with rose petals and laughter.
Dispel the darkness and loneliness, fill it with hope and truth and light.
Cast stones across the world to spread love, peace and joy.
Cast out in puddles, ponds, rivers, lakes and oceans far and wide.
Cast them far as you can reach, and watch the ripples grow from two to four to hundreds more.
Washing away all the anger, injustice and discord.
Filling hearts with happiness, love and perfect harmony. Be inspired, be courageous and be brave.
Pick up the stone and start the ripple today!
by Theresa Sanders Chapter 310 Muscoda, Wisconsin
Celebration Replay!
You can view video recordings, and purchase and download photos from the Celebration on our secure event site or scan the QR code.
TrustedFraternalLife.org/
Password: Inspire2025
Money Matters: A Holistic Approach to Retirement Planning
Reaching your financial goals takes resilience. During the Fraternal Celebration, that was just one of the valuable insights shared by Jean Chatzky, best-selling author and host of the HerMoney podcast.
Here’s more of Chatzky’s guidance to help you stay on track for a confident retirement.
Personal finance is more personal than finance.
It’s important to make financial decisions that are right for you. That might mean keeping more cash in the bank so you can sleep easier at night, working a few more years to maximize Social Security or purchasing an annuity to ensure a steady income for the rest of your life. Whatever choices you make, the key is to be thoughtful and stick to your plan.
Money is simple, people make it complicated. Behavioral finance uncovers how psychology influences financial decisions—often in surprising and irrational ways. For instance, people tend to rush to buy a lottery ticket as the jackpot grows and the odds of being the sole winner shrink. Another insight explains why people struggle to save for the future. It turns out we feel disconnected from our future selves, making us less motivated to save. Having a financial plan can help us avoid irrational choices and make smarter financial decisions.
Financial plans don’t fail people, people fail to plan.
A recent study of baby boomers revealed that they are more fearful of outliving their money than of dying. More than half of all Americans have never even tried to calculate how much money they will need for retirement. It’s easy to tell yourself that everything will be OK , but that can be dangerous. Creating a financial plan is the best way to ensure future financial stability.
Hope is not an investment strategy.
Instead of crossing your fingers and hoping for the best, consider these two questions: 1) How long will you live? and 2) How long will you keep working? In the past three decades, life expectancy rates for men in this country have jumped from 70 to 76, and for women from 77 to 81. It turns out that the longer you live, the longer you’re likely to live. The average 65-year-old will live to about 84 years old. And half of those 65-year-olds will live beyond 84 years old! The general rule is to replace 70–80% of your pre-retirement income. Whether that’s enough depends on your personal goals. If you want
to travel around the world or start a new business, you might need more. The key point is, when you consider these two questions and establish a plan, you’re more likely to achieve your financial goals.
You won’t get where you’re going unless you know where you are.
To move forward financially, you must understand where you are right now, which means knowing how much money is coming in and going out. You’ve probably heard the saying, “What gets measured gets managed.” It’s true—when we track our finances, we’re likely to improve in reaching our goals.
You can recover from any financial mistake by saving more.
The generation of the Great Depression saved money consistently. The personal savings rate in this country spiked in the 1940s and slowed a bit in the ‘50s and the ‘60s. Even in the mid-’80s, we were still saving 10% of whatever we made in this country. But by 2005, we spent more than we made. Today, the personal savings rate is only around 4%—indicating that few people are positioned to weather a financial emergency.
Emergencies happen.
Emergencies are going to happen, which is why, despite low interest rates, your emergency fund should be kept in the bank because it needs to be stable and accessible. An emergency fund should cover three to six months of your annual income, at a minimum. But if you’re retired, you need at least two years worth of income.
If you can’t see it or touch it, you won’t spend it.
The best way to rebuild an emergency fund is through automatic and recurring transfers. Why choose automatic? Because if you can’t see it or touch it, you won’t spend it. This is why saving in a retirement plan like a 401(k) works so well—the money never lands in your checking account.
Get help when you need it.
Having a financial advisor as a sounding board is always beneficial. They serve not just as a portfolio manager but also as a therapist—someone who reminds you of essential things, like factoring charitable giving into your annual budget and keeping your priorities at the forefront.
It’s not about having it all, it’s about having what you value most.
Ultimately, your financial plan is about helping you achieve what you value most and recognizing that money is a tool to help you get the most out of life.
To learn more about financial planning, life insurance and annuity products, contact your Advisor or call (800) 965-2547.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide any specific advice. Consult with your personal financial Advisor for advice specific to your goals and needs.
Event Recognition Grant
We greatly appreciate the award, but most of all, we like giving back to the community by helping out local groups.
Kids Fish N’ Fun, May 18, 2024 | Wisconsin Chapters 151 Kenosha, 202 Racine & 278 Paris
Members of Wisconsin Chapters 151 Kenosha, 202 Racine and 278 Paris partnered for the first time with Kenosha Sport Fishing and Conservation Association (KSFCA) for a Kids Fishing Clinic—and hooked the 2025 Event Recognition Grant at the Trusted Fraternal Life celebration.
“I grew up fishing, so it was fun to pass on some of the knowledge,” Chapter 202 President Brian Fonk says. “I loved working with the conservation warden to remind the kids to throw back any fish they don’t plan to eat to preserve the resources for future generations. We also demonstrated boat safety tips. I’m a fisherman and a hunter, and Wisconsin has multiple drownings every year, typically because people aren’t wearing their life preservers, so we emphasized that with the kids.”
The spring 2024 event at Anderson Park in Kenosha taught kids and families about the importance of fishing, conservation and the local environment. About 200 children who participated in a safety and education session received a fishing pole and supplies, were taught to fish and enjoyed a hot dog meal. Over 400 people attended in total. The Catholic Financial Life logo was displayed on sponsor signs in the park area, and the event was advertised in local newspapers and mentioned on the radio and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources website.
“Having an associate degree in freshwater resources from Gateway Technical College, I have a good understanding of how important it is to maintain the fishing population in the Great Lakes, the world’s second largest freshwater resource,” Chapter 278 President Todd McMahon says. “We greatly appreciate the award, but most of all, we like giving back to the community by helping out local groups.”
The chapters each donated $500 from their treasury to help pay for fishing poles and supplies. The organization also collected $525 in donations—matched by Catholic Financial Life—to fund future KSFCA Kids Fish ‘N’ Fun events.
“Receiving the grant and recognition during the Fraternal Celebration in front of all our peers made me proud that the chapter volunteers and KSFCA put together such a large, successful, fun-for-all event,” Chapter 151 President Joseph Kiser says. “The volunteers enjoyed helping and teaching the young people just as much, if not more, than the young people learning and fishing. It’s inspiring when you see others enjoying themselves, making new friends and learning something new—all because volunteers came together to make a difference.”
Serving God Through Serving Others
We want to feature your chapter activity in the Radiant Life magazine and on social media. Please email high-quality photos and a descriptive write-up to memberengagement@cfl.org.
Chapter N084 – Pelletier-Gardner, Mass. and Chapter N296, Leominster, Mass., collaborated to support the St. Vincent de Paul Parish Fundraiser, helping to raise over $15,000. The event featured a variety of exciting activities, including a popular basket raffle, cash prizes, a meat raffle, a luncheon and more. Their collective efforts made a meaningful impact and brought the community together in the spirit of generosity and fun.
Chapter 223 – St. Anna, Wis., gathered every Tuesday from January through March to sew and tie quilts. The completed quilts were sent to the Salvatorian Center in New Holstein, where they’re shipped to developing countries to support those in need.
Chapter 32 – Kewaunee, Wis., made tie blankets and collected non-perishable food items to donate to their local food pantry.
Chapter 54 – Oshkosh, Wis., sponsored a conservationthemed activity during Birdfest at Menominee Park in Oshkosh. Attendees were invited to create their own bird feeders using toilet paper rolls, peanut butter, birdseed, and string, making it a creative and hands-on experience for families.
2025 Fraternal Celebration
Chapter of the Year Award
Receiving this award was very humbling, and it shows appreciation not only to our officers but to other chapter volunteers.
Chapter 307 | Eaton, Wisconsin
Chapter 307 Eaton, Wis., has lived the mission and values of Catholic Financial Life for decades, but 2024 was particularly special. The chapter raised a record of over $32,000 and sponsored two dozen civic activities, earning the well-deserved Chapter of the Year Award at the Trusted Fraternal Life Fraternal Celebration. The chapter’s activities demonstrate the event’s theme—to inspire ripples of goodness by helping others in need.
“Receiving this award was very humbling, and it shows appreciation not only to our officers but to other volunteers throughout the year who continue to step up to the plate to help,” President Fran Stahl says.
Chapter 307’s first fundraiser dished out Booyah—a unique Belgian soup of chicken, beef and vegetables that became a repeater. To highlight a few other projects, the chapter has hosted multiple collections of food, hygiene products, diapers, books, and back-to school items for homeless individuals, children in foster care, and those impacted by natural disasters. It put on a bowl-a-thon fundraiser to help special needs individuals, a Memorial Day Mass and graveside service with Veterans of Foreign War Post 9677 Winiecki (Bellevue, Wisconsin) and fundraisers and service work for Saint Vincent de Paul. A signature co-hosted event is an annual golf outing to raise funds to help those with cancer and other emergency needs. Cash raffles and candy bar sales have also been successful ways to raise money for good causes.
In addition to service, the chapter organizes social events, including a multi-chapter winter tubing party for families and a few Big Impact activities each year. A popular family event at Bay Beach Amusement Park features carnival rides, games and live entertainment; and a fundraiser at the Pizza Ranch is always a hit.
“Continuing to co-sponsor joint chapter activities has turned out to be cost-effective, and smaller neighboring chapters appreciate this option,” Secretary/Treasurer Phyllis John says. “It’s amazing how much people help each other. There are so many heartwarming stories, and our members are great at pitching in.”
Though not extremely large, Chapter 307 makes a lasting impact in the community that is quite worthy of the Chapter of the Year Award. The chapter reminds us of what Catholic Financial Life is all about: protecting families, strengthening communities and living our faith through service. It is proof that when we live our mission, the impact multiplies.
Making a Difference in the Community
We want to share your chapter’s service projects with other members. Send your details and high-quality photos to memberengagement@cfl.org.
The encouragement I received—not only from this scholarship, but also from God, my family, and my friends—gave me strength throughout college and shaped me into the person and police officer I strive to be today. —Alexis P.
For this scholarship recipient, serving her community became her calling. Alexis, a member of Chapter 705 in Dubuque, Iowa, used her scholarship to pursue higher education. After graduating, she completed her training with the Cedar Rapids Police Academy and now serves as a police officer for the City of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
“Receiving this scholarship not only helped me achieve my educational goals,” Alexis shared, “but it also reminded me that hard work and community support can open doors to serve something greater than myself.”
Celebrating Our Members
Chapters gathering to celebrate membership anniversaries.
Chapter N441 – Westport, Mass., celebrated a special milestone—honoring Mrs. Elaine Margarida for her 50 years of membership. A lovely evening was enjoyed by all!
Chapter N053 – Taunton and Bridgewater, Mass., celebrated a remarkable milestone by honoring Francois Bovin for 75 years of membership.
2025 Fraternal Celebration Impact Team Award
I am truly humbled that my little acts of service were recognized in such a big way.
Veronica Meinholz
Veronica Meinholz of Blue Mounds, Wis., has brought practical support, joy and unity to those around her, earning her the 2024 Catholic Financial Life Impact Team Award. Since 2022, she has led three Impact Teams and participated in a fourth. Guided by her parish community at Saint Therese Chapel in Waunakee, each project has been rooted in her faith and dedication to helping others.
Meinholz’s first Impact Team project provided homemade meals for expectant mothers in her parish community. She and her team of volunteers prepared and delivered casseroles and desserts to five local mothers. The project held special meaning for Meinholz, who shares, “I am the oldest of a large family, so I know how helpful it is to receive meals.” She also credits her heart for the pro-life movement, explaining how supporting pregnant mothers is important to her from that angle as well.
Later that same year, Meinholz led a second Impact Team that collaborated with her parish’s youth group to create 30 handmade rosaries for the annual St. Joseph’s Table Fundraiser, which supports families in need. The team of 8–12 young adults spent 60 hours crafting rosaries from glass beads, eye pins and wire. As a deeply held Catholic devotion, creating the rosaries through the work of their hands was meaningful to all involved.
In 2024, Meinholz organized another Impact Team to assemble Movie Night-themed baskets for the following year’s St. Joseph’s Table. Each included family-friendly films like “Therese and The Reluctant Saint,” along with snacks and treats. The group also created a St. Joseph-themed basket, complete with devotional items and symbolic tools including the “Terror of Demons” book, an Ite ad Joseph (Latin for Go to Joseph) hat and a hammer. “I enjoyed picking out my favorite items to put in the baskets,” Meinholz says. “Hopefully, they help other families start traditions like my family’s.”
Most recently, Meinholz joined a Mother’s Day Impact Team that raised $600 for the Women’s Care Center through the sale of pink daisies and roses beautifully arranged in vases. Meinholz’s favorite part was seeing husbands, fathers and children purchase arrangements for the lovely women in their lives.
Meinholz felt surprised and grateful to receive the Impact Team Award. “I am truly humbled that my little acts of service were recognized in such a big way,” she adds. Her motto perfectly encapsulates her work: Ad Jesum per Mariam (Latin)—to Jesus through Mary.
Do Good Things
Jesus calls us to a life that values and serves others. There are endless opportunities to perform acts of service in your community once you start to look for them. Here are some recent Impact Team initiatives to inspire you!
Back-to-School Fun
With the excitement of the new school year in the air, this team from Bristol, Conn., made sure kids and families felt supported. They handed out school supplies and raffled off backpacks, encouraging children to choose their favorite colors, all while spreading kindness and positivity!
The most gratifying part was seeing the conversation and laughs among those who attended. Serving them and seeing how grateful they were was amazing.
—Regan C.
A Hearty Breakfast of Appreciation
The team from Appleton, Wis., showed love and appreciation to the Deacons and Ushers of St. Thomas More Parish with a hearty breakfast.
Park Refresh in Action
This team from Larsen, Wis., rolled up their sleeves to refresh their local park! They painted picnic tables and benches and relabeled recycling bins—creating a more welcoming and sustainable space for the community.
Organize Your Own Impact Team! Let us help you do good things in your community. Gather a team to put on a service project or fundraiser. We’ll provide the resources you need to get started, T-shirts and $150 in seed money. Then you and your Impact Team can get busy doing good things. Go to cfl.org/impactteams for service ideas and information on how to get started.
Start Them Young Teach Kids About Money
Good financial habits should start early in life—from a child’s first lemonade stand to saving their first $20 bill. Being open about money habits with kids can help them grow into financially confident adults who will be equipped to make smart financial decisions. Starting the conversation while they’re young can be both fun and educational. Here are a few simple ways you can teach your kids about smart money habits!
Have Open Conversations About Money
Kids are naturally curious, so when they ask questions about money, don’t shy away from answering. Talk to them about how you budget, what things cost and how you make choices about spending and saving. You don’t have to get into every detail but being honest builds trust and creates a strong foundation for financial literacy. Even something as simple as explaining why you’re choosing to cook at home instead of going out to a restaurant can be a great teaching moment.
Allowance and Budgeting
Give your kids a weekly allowance and encourage them to budget their money for different purposes, such as saving for a toy, spending it on treats and donating to a cause. Managing their own money teaches kids the value of budgeting and prioritizing their spending.
Interactive Games
Use board games like Monopoly and Life to introduce concepts like earning, spending, saving and investing. Games make learning about money enjoyable and interactive, helping kids understand financial principles through play.
DIY Projects and Entrepreneurship
Help your kids to start a small business or DIY project, or to organize a Catholic Financial Life Impact Team, see page 21 to learn how. Guide them through the process of planning, budgeting and pricing. These activities foster creativity, responsibility and an understanding of how money is earned and managed—not to mention the lesson of how hard work is an important component to earning money!
Tell Them About Life Insurance
This one may not seem like a typical “kid conversation,” but introducing the idea that adults plan ahead to take care of their loved ones is important. Explain in simple terms what life insurance is and why it matters. These early conversations help normalize smart financial planning and show kids that being prepared is part of life.
2025 Give Back Contest winner, Sarah Hodkiewicz, poses with her students who were excited to learn she was a Give Back Contest winner!
Give Back to Catholic School Teachers
Help us recognize the best of the best by nominating a Catholic School teacher! The top three teachers will receive a $500 cash prize and their school will receive a $4,000 donation! Contest winners are announced during Catholic Schools Week, January 25–31, 2026 and are featured in the 2026 Spring Radiant Life magazine.
Nominations are due, December 8, 2025. Visit cfl.org/givebackcontest to submit a nomination and for additional details.
Apply for Scholarships
We are now accepting scholarship applications for the 2026-2027 school year!
We offer tuition scholarships for members who are students in elementary school through college. Members attending a Catholic grade school are eligible for $200, Catholic high school $500, and any college or university $500 or a $1,000 depending upon whether a member attends a two-year or four-year institution. Over the last five years, more than $1.1 million has been awarded to nearly 3,000 members!
The deadline for the 2026-2027 school year is March 31, 2026. Visit cfl.org/scholarship for additional qualification information and application details.
Traditional Estate Planning Doesn’t Work for Special Needs Families, So What Does?
What keeps you up at night? If your child has a cognitive or physical disability, the question that likely keeps you awake is, “What’s going to happen to my child when I get old, or after I die?”
That question kept Harry Eherenberg tossing and turning night after night. Caring for his autistic son, Morris, was a lifelong calling Harry and his wife embraced, but time wasn’t on the Ehrenbergs’ side.
Harry knew that age and health conditions would one day prevent them from caring for Morris—or Mo as his parents called him—but there were so many unanswered questions. How could they direct money to pay for Mo’s daily needs for food, clothing and a place to live? How could they leave resources behind for their replacement caregiver? Should they leave money to their daughter to pay for Mo’s needs after they pass?
Special needs families face unique financial questions when planning for the future. Conventional wisdom suggests setting up an inheritance or a life insurance policy to provide resources for them, but a financial hurdle complicates their situation.
Most families with disabled children rely on assistance from federal programs like Medicaid to pay for the incredibly high costs of medical care. Recipients of Medicaid are required to be impoverished in order to receive benefits. These limits mean that, for the rest of his life, Harry’s son can’t earn more than $967* a month in income, and he can’t own more than $2,000 in total assets.
How do those limits affect the Ehrenbergs’ estate planning options? If Harry were to leave an inheritance for Mo in a will or name him as the beneficiary of a life insurance policy, the increase in Mo’s assets would exceed the $2,000 limit. This could potentially delay, decrease or outright cancel the care that he receives with help from Medicaid.
There is also a danger of disqualification if Mo’s parents pass without a will in place. In the absence of a will, the state takes over and, depending on state law, the probate court could potentially grant Mo a legal inheritance above the $2,000 limit and jeopardize his eligibility.
If the Ehrenbergs leave money to their daughter for Mo’s care, that could lead to several complications. First, the government might see this as potential Medicaid fraud. Second, since the funds would legally belong to her, their daughter would be responsible for taxes on the money. Additionally, the funds could be lost in a divorce settlement or if she is found liable for financial damages in a lawsuit.
With so many traditional planning methods and tools unavailable to them, the Ehrenbergs needed a different solution. That tool was a Special Needs Trust.
This type of trust is something Harry advocates for daily to special needs families. Through the organization he founded, the Special Needs Estate Planning Task Force, Harry regularly works with special needs families to set up these trusts. This is a financial tool that Harry knows well. He was involved in meetings in the early 1990s
with the United States Senate Finance Committee that clarified the use of Special Needs Trusts to maintain Medicaid eligibility in the federal tax code.
“It’s the only legal option, the only way parents can leave their special needs children anything while maintaining access to essential government benefits,” Harry explains. “These trusts are not difficult to set up. Taking timely action is crucial. Delays or inaction could leave your child without the services they need.”
A Special Needs Trust does not replace government benefits; it provides funds to supplement government benefits or for expenses not covered by those benefits. Parents can determine how the trust operates and name trustees who can manage the trust and advise on how funds should be spent after they die.
Harry recommends that families fund these types of trusts with life insurance instead of retirement accounts or property. “Nothing else is remotely close because everything else really has some problems,” Harry says.
For example, funding the Special Needs Trust with retirement accounts like 401(k)s and traditional IRAs creates tax complications—with the possibility of 40% of the value consumed by state and federal taxes. Alternatively, parents who plan to fund a trust at their death must consider the potential of their own medical and long-term care costs depleting their estate, leaving the Special Needs Trust either underfunded or unfunded.
“Life insurance is the number one funding vehicle,” Harry says, confirming that it is the best solution for most middle-class families.
The first step in setting up a Special Needs Trust is contacting your Advisor. After completing an asset overview, the Advisor can partner with a representative from the Special Needs Estate Planning Task Force to create and set up funding for a trust package for the family. The Task Force does this for a flat fee.
To learn more about setting up a Special Needs Trust, contact your Advisor or call (800) 965-2547.
Experience a Pilgrimage of a Lifetime
You’re invited to join with fellow members on a special journey of faith, friendship and renewal as we embark on a pilgrimage in 2026 and 2027.
You’ll walk in the footsteps of the saints, visit sacred sites in Rome or France and Barcelona, and experience the beauty and prayerful spirit of our shared tradition.
As part of our commitment to making this experience accessible, a travel stipend will be available for qualifying members. Space will be limited.
Let us know if you’re interested by entering your name and email at TrustedFraternalLife.org/ Pilgrimage or by scanning the QR code.
Full details and registration information will be announced in early 2026.
One Syrup Season at a Time | Madisyn A.
In 2020, our papa was facing an end to his battle with cancer. Before he passed, he took us shopping for supplies to begin tapping his maple trees. He introduced us to a family friend who had a sugar shack. Papa continues to watch us from Heaven, as we tap his trees each year and share memories with his friends in the sugar shack.
This photo hits the mark with the theme and is visually interesting. For many Northerners, maple sugaring is a tradition going back centuries. It signals the coming of Spring and sweet times ahead. The three youngsters wedged between the maple trees, ready to connect the sap lines, make for a fun and visually interesting scene. Their late papa would be proud.—Joe G.
Fifth Generation on the Farm | Darlene H.
This is the fifth generation to drive a Farmall B tractor on our Century Homestead Farm, established in 1876.
1st 2nd 3rd
Summer Beach Days | Felipe C.
Every summer, my family and I go to the beach in Southwest Florida, where I enjoy digging holes, castles and trenches in the sand with my siblings. We bring my yellow and black dump truck and shovels to assist us in our fun creations and special family-together time at the beach.
The Joseph E. Gadbois “Our Family Traditions” photo contest showcased activities highlighting cherished family traditions. The contest is judged by Joe, whose career with Catholic Financial Life spanned 41 years.
Congratulations to the following winners!
Fishing
with Dad | Wendy D.
Ethan loves to spend time fishing with his dad!
The photo captures one of America’s classic traditions being handed down from one generation to the next. The young son is focused on “landing the big one” while dad stands ready with the fishing net, looking at the camera as if to say, “That’s my boy!” The viewer is engaged and left wondering, “How big was his catch?”—Joe G.
Saturday Morning Pancakes | Danielle R.
Adaline loves to help make homemade pancakes for breakfast on Saturday mornings!
Celebrating Milestones Together | June G.
It began in 2022, when four cousins celebrated their 40th birthday with Grandma Regina on her farm. Now it’s a yearly tradition where gal cousins celebrate milestone birthdays, talking, sharing and remembering Grandma, who passed away in 2011. The paper plates with faces represent absent cousins.
