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CHFS and Habitat for Humanity are a Successful Combination Joliet, IL- On Thursday, October 9th, CHFS Trustees, staff and members met at Hero’s and Legends Sports Bar in Joliet, IL for the kick-off to the 2008 Habitat for Humanity build. This year’s build was in partnership with Will County Habitat for Humanity in Joliet, IL. This year marked the 15th build for CHFS and the 20-year anniversary for Will County Habitat for Humanity! On Friday morning, approximately 65 CHFS staff and members assembled at the site to build a home for the Kirkwood family, a mother and her four sons. Francis Rehkemper from Breese, IL was the crew leader for the project and Helen Wuebbles led the kitchen crew preparing delicious food. This was the first house built by CHFS that included a basement. As one person described, “the site looked like it was filled with worker bees, everyone knew their job and they just went on their way and accomplished what they needed to do”. On Saturday at 4:45 P.M., the last piece of trim was nailed to the house and the exterior was completed in a record time of just 15 hours! Following the completion of the house, a mass was held. Jim Rial, CHFS President, presented Barbara Birchler, Executive Director, Will County Habitat for Humanity, a check for $5000 to help with building costs. Tiffany Kirkwood, the homeowner, gave a sincere thank you to everyone involved in building her not only a home, but a better life for her and her sons. Dinner was served at the site, all tools were packed away and everyone headed home early Sunday morning. Stay tuned for next year’s build on Columbus Day weekend and maybe you can come join us! |
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CHFS Holds 28th General Convention
    Catholic Holy Family Society held its 28th General Convention, August 14-16, 2008. This was the first Convention since Catholic Fraternal Life merged with Holy Family Society of the USA.Embassy Suites Hotel in Oak Brook, IL, served as the location for the three day event, which concluded with an excursion to the Drury Lane Dinner Theater, in Oak Brook Terrace, IL.The General Convention began with NFCA President Joseph Annotti’s address to the CHFS Delegates and Supreme Board. In his speech, Mr. Annotti emphasized the importance of all fraternal society members lobbying their Legislators in support of our tax-exempt status, which is currently in jeopardy. In addition, he mentioned that Fraternal Benefit Societies provide immeasurable benefits to their members. Those benefits would be greatly impacted should the tax-exempt status be removed from fraternals. Forty seven Delegates represented 18 States at the CHFS Convention, including nineteen Delegates from Southern Illinois who traveled by bus to attend. The incumbent Supreme Board Members and Trustees were unanimously re-elected. Fr. George Klepec, Sr. Elizabeth Marie Klepec and their sister, Lorrie Klepec were honored by the Society for their lifetime contributions to the Society and it's heritage. President James A. Rial said, “I am grateful to all of the many people involved in making this Convention a success. The involvement of our members will be the key to a prosperous future of Catholic Holy Family Society.” |
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