Pictured are: (L) Gene Kinkelaar, Scott Kinkelaar, Harry Ruetter and Ken Sandheinrich.

Pictured are members of CHFS Breese Council 7, Breese, Illinois, making a $200.00 donation to Fr. Patrick Peter of St. Dominic Parish.  The money was issued through the Silver Star Award and will be used to purchase new window treatments for the rectory.

2008 Fraternalist of the Year

President Jim Rial with Fraternalist of the Year Jean Schaefer

Our 2008 Fraternalist of the Year has been a member of Catholic Holy Family Society for over 19 years.  I couldn’t be happier to announce that Jean Schaefer, Freeburg Council #10, is the 2008 Fraternalist of the Year.

This year’s recipient never misses a council function and has held every elected position several times.  Even when she is not an officer, she is usually still running the event or project.  She is the driving force behind her council and council members. Selling for the council fundraisers, working Hearts and Hands projects, Matching Funds, Council Socials, Conventions and, fraternal meetings are all a huge part of this person’s life. She even organized a few Join Hands Day projects and even received National attention for the council one year.  She is the one who makes sure the Sweetheart brunch is organized, advertised and carried off without a hitch (even last year when the parish hall burned, she had it moved to the High School with no problem) However, she likes to work quietly and very much behind the scenes with no recognition or a lot of attention.  She was chosen over a year ago as a NFCA MVP.  She has often recruited her own husband and children to work council projects or to take on an officer position.

She has been a fixture at St. Joe’s in Freeburg for many years, where she has been an RCIA teacher and leader for St. Joe’s parish in Freeburg.  She works the fish fry’s.  She is a leader for the Busy Bees 4-H Club and she has even been a basketball and track coach for St. Joe’s.

She developed the web site for St Joe’s Parish in Freeburg and also for the Village of Freeburg.  In her spare time, she is also self employed full time as a computer software writer.  Every year, she transports individuals from SAVE so they can attend Christmas mass every year.  She and her husband have 3 children and 1 grandchild.  As spoken by a fellow CHFS Council member, "She is a leader who is a selfless servant of God and her church and family.  She is what keeps our council going.  She is the personification of the word Fraternalist."

The National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA) recognized Dana Bertelsman– a member of Catholic Holy Family Society, Trenton Council #8, Trenton, Illinois– as a Fraternal MVP (Most Valuable Participant) in Washington, D.C., on April 16-17, 2008.  Bertelsman, honored for her outstanding fraternal service, met with members of Congress representing her home state and Congressional district.  Fraternal MVP’s are “Fraternalists-In-Action” who volunteer their time and energy to strengthen their communities through participation in local lodge activities and other charitable endeavors. “The NFCA salutes Dana Bertelsman as a true fraternalist,” said NFCA Chair of the Board Katharine E. Roundthwaite.  “As a Fraternal MVP, Ms. Bertelsman embodies the heart of fraternalism through her hard work, dedication and generosity.  She demonstrates how fraternalism is a force for good in American society.”  During her Capitol Hill visit, Bertelsman met with Senator Richard Durbin (D-Illinois) and Representative John Shimkus (R-Illinois).  These members of Congress were very interested in learning what Bertelsman and her fraternal benefit society, Catholic Holy Family Society, are accomplishing in there state and districts, and expressed their support for fraternal contributions to local communities.  Because it is a big state with many constituents in Washington on any given day, Senator Durbin holds a breakfast for them every Thursday, but this week the attendance was relatively light which gave Dana more than the usual personal time to discuss her fraternal activity.  Durbin, in fact, introduced Bertelsman and her parents in his opening remarks at the breakfast noting that volunteerism is central to the well being of our communities.  Durbin noted that the other Senator from Illinois (Obama) is a bit busy just now and therefore no longer attends these events, but passed along an invitation for Bertelsman and her parents to have coffee at the White House next year.  “Fraternalists have a great story to tell, and no one can tell it better than the individuals who devote time to making their communities a better place by helping their neighbors and friends,” said NFCA Chair Roundthwaite.  “Dana Bertelsman went to Washington and was an excellent good will ambassador for the fraternal benefit system.  Through her story, she demonstrated to members of Congress the good works performed by fraternalists every day. “  “The MVP visits remind legislators in a very direct way that any attempt to raise revenues by eliminating the fraternal tax-exemption would also eliminate important volunteer activity that could not be easily replicated,” said Evan Migdail, NFCA’s Washington lobbyist.  “For that reason, each of the fraternalists who come to Washington carries a vital message to Congress.”  Of the 10 million fraternalists nationwide,  Dana was selected for this honor because of her many contributions and long history of volunteerism.  Her involvement in fraternal and charitable activities has been a shining example for others.  At 39 years old, Dana has been a member of CHFS for approximately 38 years.  When she turned 16, Dana became an officer of her council and held every officer position and has been an elected officer every year since.  She was the 2000 Fraternalist of the Year recipient and has also served on the Fraternal Committee, a sub-committee of the Board of Directors.  Bertelsman’s involvement in her council has greatly benefited her parish and community through fundraising efforts, Hearts and Hands Projects, and Join Hands Day. 

CHFS AND HABITAT FOR HUMANITY WILL

PARTNER FOR HOME BUILD IN WILL COUNTY, ILLINOIS

OCTOBER 10-12, 2008

Watch the web site for more details