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Catholic United Financial: Building Education And Fostering Community
This past year has been a challenge for the St. James Catholic United Financial fundraisers at the church, but the chapter members are hopeful these activities can resume not only for the financial benefits to the parish but also the fellowship and community they bring.
The Catholic United Financial activities work toward a goal of $1,900 that is returned to the parish — along with a matching grant of $1,000 from the organization.
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Catholic United Financial is a not-for-profit, fraternal benefit company serving more than 75,000 members in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Iowa.
Catholic United Financial provides members with quality life insurance and retirement savings options, while also providing them with opportunities to impact their Catholic parishes, schools, and community. Each member parish has a Catholic United Financial council that plans activities. St. James’s council has 10 members.
“The money raised always goes to our religious education programs,” says Cindy Staab, St. James Catholic United Financial council fraternal secretary. “We help the youth and adult programs, pay for books, and in our parish, there is no tuition for our CCD program, which is a big deal for some families. We’re pretty proud of that.”
Two of the biggest fundraisers that have been on hiatus this past year due to COVID-19 restrictions are Turkey Bingo and the Soup and Sandwich Lunches. These events are open to both the parish and the community. There also are breakfasts served after Mass on Sundays — these, too, have been on hold. The chapter does not hold many activities during the summer because so many parishioners and others are away.
“We have been permitted a gathering of only 25 people or less,” Cindy says. “We usually have 75 to 100 for Turkey Bingo. This year has been a real challenge to come up with fundraising events. We were closed down before the Soup and Sandwich Lunches in March.”
Not only do the special events benefit our religious education programs, but they also bring together members of the Catholic United Financial chapter and our parish. Parishioners particularly help with the Soup and Sandwich Lunches.
“We appreciate the parish stepping up to help us out,” Cindy says. “It’s a fun project, working together in the kitchen. It’s always a fun time I think, just talking and getting together.”
The breakfasts held after Mass are also popular with the parish.
“A lot of people say they like coming to the breakfasts with others in the parish,” Cindy says. “It’s just kind of a way to get to know each other better over a cup of coffee and pancakes. When you get together and eat, there is good fellowship there.”
The Catholic United Financial council at St. James is always open to suggestions from the parish for activities.
“One time we did a Living Rosary,” Cindy says. “We’d like to find new ideas for things to bring us together. The fraternal department at Catholic United Financial does the best it can to get information out to help us with events. They are very helpful people.”
