Kolping Banner

Kolping Banner
Official Publication of the Catholic Kolping Society of America
Vol. 90 – No. 1
October 2014
40th NATIONAL CONVENTION
KOLPING - REACHING OUT TO PEOPLE AND HELPING BUILD A BETTER FUTURE
The 40th National Convention of the Catholic Kolping Society of American
was held Labor Day weekend, August 29 – September 1, 2014. Our hosts
were the members of the Chicago Kolping Society. The Embassy Suites in
Rosemont was the convention headquarters.
Some conventioneers arrived early to take advantage of the sightseeing
opportunities. Activities for the convention began on Friday with
registration and hospitality time with new old acquaintances and to make
new ones.
On Friday evening the National Officers and National Representatives
held their meeting. Bernie Preisser, National President, welcomed the
members. Along with the usual business items, there was a discussion on
several of the proposals. There were some modifications to the proposals
but all proposals were to be brought to the convention floor. The budget
was approved and the convention agenda was approved. The meeting
was then closed.
On Saturday morning we had Mass celebrated by Fr. Engelbert Michel,
National Praeses and Praeses of the Philadelphia Kolping Society,
concelebrated by Fr. Winfried Kellner, Fr. Larry Webber, Fr. Bruno Kremp
and Fr. John Bosco. Following Mass the convention was opened. Bernie
Preisser began the meeting once again welcoming our delegates. We
proceeded with the order of business, that being the seating of the
delegates by Helene Schrand, National Secretary, and the nominations
for National Officers’ positions by Ted Wilke, chairman of the committee.
There were no nominations from the floor. There were two candidates
for vice president, and six candidates for the five trustee positions. Voting
was conducted, and the following is the list of new officers:
President - Bernie Preisser, New York
Vice President
- Walter Amrein, Cincinnati
Secretary - Helene Schrand, Cincinnati
Treasurer - Ted Wilke, Cincinnati
Trustees - Lisa Brinkmann, San Francisco
- Frank Fon, Chicago
- John Reitter, New York
- Gertrude Schroeder, Cincinnti
- Marilee Uhlorn, Cincinnati
Congratulations to the new officers!
Bernie Preisser gave a report on the status of the Endowment Fund.
Several National Representatives had requested a copy of the report, and
In the Banner this Month:
From the President’s Desk page 2
A Praeses Proclaims
page 3
Bernie said he would forward it to them. Ted Wilke presented the budget
which was approved.
TREASURER’S REPORT
The following is a recap of Ted Wilke, National Treasurer’s Report at the
convention.
Period of 8/21/12 through 7/31/13
INCOME
EXPENSES
PROFIT/(LOSS)
Beginning Cash 8/1/12
Ending Cash 7/31/13
$52,481.26
$53,020.22
($538.96)
$24,165.79
$23,626.83
Period of 8/1/13 through 7/31/14
INCOME
EXPENSES
PROFIT
Beginning Cash
Ending Cash 7/31/14
$77,026.20
$55,690.43
$21,335.77
$23,626.83
$44,962.60
Marilee Uhlorn also gave a recap on the revision of the Handbook which
was done by Ted Tegenkamp. She then gave to Wolfgang Weiss, San
Francisco, all the paperwork on it and the flash drive with the revisions
for his further follow-up. Wolfgang Weiss also gave a presentation
regarding document sharing which he has set up for us. This will enable
National Reps and Officers to store documents and then can be accessed
by all who are permitted to open these documents. Thank you Wolfgang
for this very informative information.
The proposals were then presented. Some that were proposed were
discussed and it was determined that there were not sufficient
funds to do them, such as
remunerations for the National
Praeses to travel and speak
at other Kolping families, as
well as a paid team to further
Kolping in the US. The two
delegates from Glendale and
Panorama proposed that there
should be more a partnership
between the US families.
However, with the distance between the families and them not all having
the same goals, it would be hard to do. However, with the internet
and other social media they felt this possible could be accomplished.
Representatives from LA and San Francisco did sit down with them to
discuss some aspects. Bernie did mention that International Projects
must come from International Kolping, since we here in the US do not
know the needs in other countries.
The afternoon session was devoted to the Kolping International’s
Continued on page 5.
2 Kolping Banner
October 2014
Kolping Banner
The Kolping Banner, published monthly, is the
official newsletter of the Catholic Kolping Society
of America.
Subscription Rates are $13.00 per year, $1.35
per issue, and $ 1.00 for bulk orders over 100
plus postage. Back issues are available; by mail,
all back issues $2.50 including first class postage.
Send subscription requests with check,
materials for publication, and address changes by
the 10th of the preceding month to the Catholic
Kolping Society of America, P. O. Box 4907.,
Clifton, NJ, 07015-4907, Telephone: 1-877-6597237, e-mail: [email protected].
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All rights reserved. No part of this publication
may be produced without permission.
Catholic Kolping Society
of America
Mission Statement:
We, the members of the Catholic Kolping
Society of America, extend the vision of our
founder, Blessed Adolph Kolping, by promoting
the development of the individual and family;
we foster a sense of belonging and friendship
through our program of spiritual, educational,
charitable and social activities.
Episcopal Moderator:
Bishop John M. Quinn
National Officers:
Praeses, Fr. Engelbert Michel
Associate Praeses
President, Bernhard Preisser
Vice President, Walter Amrein
Secretary, Helene Schrand
Treasurer, Ted Wilke
Trustees Lisa Brinkmann
Betty Amrein
Robert Mayer
John Reitter
Marilee Uhlhorn
Kolping Family Locations:
Brooklyn Kolping Family, 6504 Myrtle Ave.,
Glendale, NY, 11385-6250, 718-456-7727
Buffalo, New York Kolping Family, 1145 Cleveland
Drive, Buffalo, NY 14225-1257, 716-632-7360
Chicago Kolping Family, 5826 N. Elston Ave.,
Chicago, IL 60646-5544, 773-792-2190
Cincinnati Kolping Family, 10235 Mill Rd.,
Cincinnati, OH, 45231-1924, 513-851-7951
Detroit Kolping Family, 24409 Jefferson Ave., Saint
Clair Shores, MI, 48080-1318, 586-775-9159
Glendale Kolping, Holy Family Church, 209 East
Lomita Avenue, Glendale, CA 91205, 818-720-1124
Los Angeles Kolping Family, 1225 S. Union Ave.,
Los Angeles, CA, 90015-2021, 213-388-9438
New York Kolping Family, 165 E. 88th St.,
New York, NY 10128-2241, 212-369-6647
Philadelphia Kolping Family, PO Box 52651,
Philadelphia, PA, 19115, 215-676-8977
Panorama Kolping, St. Genevieve Parish, 14061
Roscoe Blvd., Panorama City, CA 92402,
818-968-2526
Rochester, New York Kolping Family, 284 Malden
Street, Rochester, NY 14615-2658,
Saint Louis, Missouri, 4035 Keokuk St.,
Saint Louis, MO, 63116-3513, 314-776-5312
San Francisco Kolping Family, 440 Taraval Street,
San Francisco, CA, 94116-2530, 415-831-3989
For more information about the Catholic Kolping
Society of America, becoming a member,
or establishing a Kolping family in your parish
or community, please contact the
Catholic Kolping Society of America, P. O. Box 4907,
Clifton, NJ, 07015-4907, Telephone: 1-877-659-7237,
e-mail: [email protected].
Please visit the Catholic Kolping Society
of America internet website at:
http://www.kolping.org.
From the President’s Desk . . .
40th National Kolping Convention
What will it take today to rally American Catholic
Kolping Societies toward a common goal such as “to
prepare people for jobs through education, support and
development? Kolping can and should be in the business
of building and developing people who by themselves
will expand on their development, identify and take up opportunities in the
working economy”.
These last few sentences are taken from the August Kolping Banner and
were contributed by Judith Eulalia Turner of Kolping South Africa. They
provide us with a unique challenge. Ms. Turner goes on to say “Our
International guidelines make it clear that we accompany and support
people in the world of work.”
It seems to me that our opportunity is to find the means within our
individual Kolping families to implement these goals and that will be my
focus as we gather for this historic 40th convention.
We have always had a decentralized Kolping presence in America. The
national office does not direct the affairs of the individual Kolping
families. This has allowed us a great deal of flexibility and independence.
At conventions like this we come together and exchange ideas that have
worked for us and put forward plans that we would like to try in the future.
The idea of promoting a culture of entrepreneurship is one that I think is
very much in step with 21st century working life. Gone for the most part
are the large factories and the corporate structures where one could have a
job for life. We must depend on and develop our own skills of adaptability
and be open to learning new ways and abilities in order to flourish in
a working environment that is always changing and new. As the South
African’s Work Opportunity Programs suggest, Kolping can help most in
giving support to individuals and groups who have the confidence to create
their own business opportunities.
We must, however, support programs that are reasonable, that have a
good chance of success, and ones that will have specific and measurable
outcomes.
Developing an effective process to review these goals and objectives
and create a system that measures accountability and that shows we are
progressing and having success with our programs is essential. If not, we
will only be wasting our time and money. The challenge we face is how to
develop the International Vision 17 concept in our local societies. Please
take the opportunity to consider how Kolping can expand its mission by
educating those who desire to change careers or those who cannot afford
the cost of college.
That is why conventions such as these are so important. Our shared
commitment to the Kolping goals that guided our Society in the past and
our determination to make Kolping relevant and vibrant today will show us
the way to a bright and successful future. Father Kolping said that the times
will show his societies what challenges need to be met. What we have to
find is the vision to meet those needs.
Bernhard Preisser
Kolping Banner 3
October 2014
A PRAESES PROCLAIMS...
THE NATIONAL PRAESES SPEAKS
By Fr. Engelbert Michel
National Praeses and
Praeses of the Philadelphia Kolping Society
It is just before our 2014 National
Convention for Kolping USA that I
write this letter. Hopefully the next
issue of the Kolping Banner, which will
be written after the convention, will be
filled with ideas and plans that will grab
your attention. Certainly the goal of the
Convention is to enthuse the members of
all our Kolping USA Families to find ways
of fulfilling Father Kolping’s plans.
At the convention we will be looking into
the suggestions from our new Kolping
Brothers and Sisters at the Glendale and
Panorama Kolping Families in California
to strengthen and expand the activities
of Kolping Families in their local areas.
Naturally, signing-on new members of
all ages is the biggest challenge. In these
last years, the challenge has been to enroll
ACTIVE new members. A part of this
goal calls for us to form Kolping Youth
programs, which cannot happen unless we
have young families with teen-age children
as members.
The suggestion to build stronger
partnerships with other Kolping Families
in the USA is very good, but cannot easily
work when most Kolping Families are 100
and more miles from one another.
Please Remember
To Pray For All Our
Dear Departed Members
Who Have Gone
To Their Eternal Rest
New York
Willi Stang
Recently Pope Francis and our Bishops
have encouraged all Catholics, indeed all
Christians, in the USA to pray for peace
worldwide, but especially in the Near East
countries like Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan,
where all Christians are being attacked.
That is a situation where we can all
reach out by speaking-out to government
leaders, making financial donations for
food and housing, and, of course, by
praying to the Lord to touch those minds
and hearts. In a somewhat similar way,
here at home, we are encouraged to help
build programs for immigrants, thereby
brightening their future. As with all
programs, it will be challenging, but we
are called by Jesus to reach out to all
our brothers and sisters. Let us all be
active, believing members of our Kolping
Family and work to fulfill this vision of
Father Kolping, the International Kolping
Societies, and the Catholic Church
worldwide.
Let us always pray for one another and
for the fulfillment of Father Kolping’s
vision for Catholic families.
Treu Kolping
National
Endowment Fund
The National Endowment Fund received
the following contributions for the months
of July 15, 2014 to September 15, 2014
Donation – Cincinnati
Kolping Society $3,000
Donation – Lisa Brinkmann $100
Kolping Society
National Endowment Fund
c/o Lisa Brinkmann
311 Greene Street
Mill Valley, CA 94941-4132
NEWS FROM
DETROIT
One of the more popular (and
successful) events took place in
May. The bi-annual fashion show
was an almost sell-out. Kolping
models took center stage and
everyone attending enjoyed the
fashions as well as the dinner
beforehand. Plans are already in
the offing for the next show which
takes place in October.
The work involved preparing for
an event can be fun too. This year
we had help additional help for the
Summerfest from Florida and New
Hampshire.
While peeling potatoes for the
“Kartoffel Salat” and during a lull
in the conversation someone was
heard to say, “Hey, aren’t there any
potato peeling songs? After all there
are German hunting songs and beer
drinking songs and then amusing
improvisations were sung. The
following day we were blessed with
beautiful weather for the actual
picnic and all enjoyed the food as
well as dancing to both bands.
The golf outing in August to benefit
the Rainbow Connection drew a
smaller crowd this year although
those participating certainly enjoyed
themselves and more importantly
provided for the wish of a
terminally ill child.
Our Detroit contingent had a great
time attending the convention. Our
brothers and sisters in Chicago
deserve a pat-on-the-back for the
wonderful convention and all the
planning and work that went into it.
The Mass at the Basilica with all the
flags was especially moving and also
seeing all the Praeses at the altar.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Mary F. Dolland
4 Kolping Banner
October 2014
Kolping Cincinnati
2014 has been an eventful year in
Cincinnati. In January we hosted a new
event, “Wine & Beer Stube” night.
Lots of good food, games, horse racing,
specialty wines and of course beer were
some fun things at the Stube Nacht. We
had a little problem, a snow storm, but
the crowd came out and had fun.
The Kolping Sangerchor celebrated their
25th Anniversary on April 27th with a
concert, slide show and commentary of
Sangerchor events during the 25 years
and ending with a delicious dinner made
and served by the choir members. Each
attendee was given a commemorative
25th Anniversary Pin.
February each year the Sports Club/
Soccer Teams host a dance with lots of
good entertainment and raffles, prizes
and this event is really patronized by the
soccer families. Another sell out by the
Sports Club. As usual we had Fish Fry’s
during lent with raffles and good food.
Then the King’s Ball was held. As you
all know John Weissmann, our king for
2013/2014 passed away during his reign,
but Queen Cathy did a wonderful job
of making all the King’s Court events a
great success. We had a wonderful crowd
for the Ball and were honored to have
the Donauschwaben Strauss Dancers
perform for us during the ball. This
year’s Ball was one of the best yet!
The Seth Stevens Soccer Tournament is
hosted by the Kolping Sports Club. This
year there were 260 teams participating
in this 3 day tournament. With so many
teams we use the fields at Kolping and
also at Joyce Park in Fairfield. The
weekend was beautiful and all went
well. The Sports Club worked very
hard to make this event a great success.
Each participant in the tournament is
asked to donate a toy which is given
to Children’s Hospital in Cincinnati.
Proceeds from this event are used
to keep the fields in shape, fertilizer,
grass cutting and other maintenance.
$10,000.00 was donated to the society,
$7,000.00 in cash plus toys totaling
$7,000.00. Congratulations to all
coaches, parents and who make this
event happen.
The Awards Banquet was held in April
this year. We honored the following
members:
65 Years: Gerhard Deddens,
Mary Tegenkamp
60 Years: Josef Ahrnsen,
Henry Kramer, Karl Von den Benken,
William Lunnemann
50 Years: Jack Hoeting, Erich Meyer,
Larry Schmidt
25 Years: Thomas Fehrenbach,
Lorraine Hoerstman, Steven lsfort,
James Kemper, Herman Koehling,
Bernice Loesing, John H. Mueller,
Richard Ostendorf, John Roman,
Harry Schwietering, James Stukenborg,
Ralph Vosseberg
Meritorious Service Awards
Barbara Hessler, Beth Hoffman,
Mike Seibel
Special Awards
• Doris Wilke, for doing the Cincinnati
Kolping Bulletin for the last 35 years
• Lois Kemper, the raffle queen, if there
is a raffle you can be sure Lois in
involved
• Charles Lintz, Secretary of the board
for the past 20 — 25 years
• Trey Seibel, past president
In early June a beautiful fountain which
will welcome our visitors to the Kolping
Center was donated to us in memory
of Heinz Dieter Moeller who passed
away in June of 2013. We thank Louise,
Heinz’s wife for this beautiful gift to
the Kolping Society of Cincinnati. Our
annual Father’s Day and Anniversary
Mass was held on June 15th. We
remember all Fathers on that day and
special recognition for all Wedding
Anniversary Celebrants. The celebrants
were:
60th Wedding Anniversary
John & Christa Olding,
Josef & Martha Stukenborg
55th Wedding Anniversary
Ben & Magda Geers,
Richard & Mary Ann lsfort,
Rudy & Angela Pohlabeln,
John & Sharon Schweitert
50th Wedding Anniversary
Otto & Celeste Hermes,
George & Clara Ostendorf
55th Wedding Anniversary
Pat & Irene Whalen
Beautiful fountain donated to Cincinnati Kolping in
Memory of Heinz Dieter Moeller.
60th Anniversary (L to R): Joe & Martha Stukenborg
and John & Christa Olding
55th Anniversary (L to R): Rudy & Angela Pohlabeln,
Richard lsfort & daughter Lisa, John & Sharon Schweitert,
and Ben & Magda Geers
25th Wedding Anniversary
Tim & Linda Hambrick
20th Wedding Anniversary
Ralph & Karen Vosseberg
10th Wedding Anniversary
Edward & Catherine Geiser
Submitted by Doris Wilke
Kolping Banner 5
October 2014
Continued from page 1.
program for 2017. There have been five reflections that have run in the Banner regarding
this. This would be on the significance of employment and occupation in the work of
Kolping International and the National Kolping Societies. We must consider how Kolping
can expand its mission by educating those who desire to change careers or those who
cannot afford the cost of college. The convention was officially adjourned on Saturday
afternoon.
On Saturday evening we were bused to the Hofbrauhaus in Rosemont. We had a very
enjoyable evening with German Music and a great buffet was served. Everyone had a
good time, especially enjoying those nice big mugs of cold beer. Some people were even
standing on tables and dancing, as well as on their chairs.
30th Anniversary (L to R): Pat & Irene Whalen
25th Anniversary (L to R): Tim & Linda Hambrick
20th Anniversary (L to R): Karen & Ralph Vosseberg
10th Anniversary (L to R): Edward & Catherine Geiser
On Sunday morning we were bused to the
Queen of All Saints Basilica in Chicago. What a
beautiful church it was. How impressive to see
the procession with all the Kolping flags and
members, and all the Praesides coming down
the aisle. We were warmly welcomed by the
pastor of the Basilica, and after Mass we all
gathered on the lawn where a group picture was
taken.
We were then bused to the Chicago Kolping
Center were we served a “Taste of Chicago”
brunch. It was very enjoyable, with hot dogs,
pizza, beef sandwiches and salad. Everyone had
more than enough to eat and drink. Thank you
to the committee who prepared the brunch, as
well as the servers from the local parish.
Sunday night we had our banquet in the
Embassy Suites Ballroom. We were served a
filet mignon and chicken dinner. There was the
presentation of the Distinguished Service Awards
as well as the Membership Trophy. There was
dancing after the meal. The winners of the
Distinguished Service Awards were:
Buffalo - Joseph Kretz
Chicago - Jerome Stemper
Cincinnati - Walter Amrein
Herman Koehling
William Lunnemann, Jr.
Detroit - Norbert Kreuter
Los Angeles - Alma X. Tamayo
New York - K atrina Dengler
Theobald Dengler X
Katherine Weinborg
Philadelphia - Frank Staub
St. Louis - Kevin Byrne
San Francisco - Arlene Bushner
The Membership Trophy was again awarded to the New York Kolping Society for their
highest percentage on the increase of their membership.
Monday morning there was a Mass, and all delegates and friends prepared to travel home.
I would like to thank all those who attended the 40th National Convention and a special
thank you to the Chicago Kolping Convention Committee for an outstanding job. On
behalf of the officers who will lead our society for the next two years, I sincerely ask for
your prayers and hope you will support them.
Patricia Farkas
50th Anniversary (L to R): Otto & Celeste Hermes and
Clara & George Ostendorf
6 Kolping Banner
October 2014
KOLPING AT THE UNITED NATIONS
A few months ago Kolping New York
celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Kolping
House at East 88th Street in Manhattan. I gave
a short speech about Father Kolping and the
International Kolping Society, some of which
bears repeating here. I recalled that Father
Kolping was born in the small village of
Kerpen, near Cologne, on December 8, 1813.
Unable to afford high school or college,
he elected to learn the shoemaker trade. After
many years of serving as an apprentice and
later as a practicing shoemaker, young Adolph
finally received the opportunity to study for
the priesthood through the generosity of Maria
Keller, the daughter of a prosperous farmer.
He was ordained a priest on April 13, 1845 in
the Minoriten Church, just a few blocks away
from the Cathedral of Cologne.
His first assignment was as an assistant
to the Pastor of St. Laurentious Parish in
Wuppertal – Elberfeld. Although Kolping
envisioned a life of intellectual and spiritual
stimulation through further theological studies,
he soon realized that improving the lot of his
parishioners was more important. This time
period marked the early stages of the Industrial
Revolution and in the village where many of
the parishioners worked stood a large textile
factory.
Father Kolping observed that workers
in general were undereducated, deprived
physically and spiritually and were stuck in
poverty. They had to labor a twelve hour shift,
six days a week all without decent sanitary
conditions, without pensions or vacations,
and without insurance against sickness. A
worker who was late to work or complained
was dismissed. Meat was only available once
a week. To make ends meet, women and
children also had to work, (although children
were permitted to work a shortened workday,
only a 10 hour shift).
Having had the privilege of being the
Kolping USA representative to the International
Board of Directors for nine years, I once shared
an authentic factory visit with a number
of other Board members. We gathered in
a closed circular room of about 20 feet in
diameter as movies of the actual factory in
operation were displayed on the walls all
around us. As the heat arose in the room, the
sounds of machinery banging and clanging
grew ever louder. We could see windows were
covered with lint, shutting out the light and the
workers had to stand in about an inch of water
covering the factory floor. After about 10
minutes we emerged from the room, soaking
wet with perspiration and heads hurting from
all the noise. We all walked away with a much
more sympathetic view towards the workers of
that time.
These were the social conditions facing
Father Kolping during the mid 1840’s which
shaped his life as a Social Apostle.
He began addressing these conditions by
meeting with young trades people and forming
a Journeymen’s Association. He saw himself
as a caring father of journeymen, a friend
who cared for young people away from home,
helping them keep the faith and develop into
responsible business men and fathers. From
the beginning, it was clear to him that this
Association should exist to create and protect
the Christian family and thereby, provide the
basis for a sound society.
He exhorted his fellow priests to preach
and to educate individuals, but first and
foremost to focus on that smallest cell of
society, the family. He said that social life in
general will not improve unless the family is
restored to its former honor and dignity.
Kolping urged continuing education for
all, and then urged each individual to utilize
that education to be all that he or she could
be in their chosen work. He believed that best
efforts and best results produce the inner peace
that makes life worth living.
Today, 150 years later, these are still the
very same social conditions that Kolping
families address around the world. I have
travelled to many countries including South
Africa, Bolivia, Tanzania, Hungary, Austria,
Switzerland, Uganda, and Germany to witness
firsthand the wonderful works carried out by
Kolping families addressing the needs of their
communities. I have seen farmers being taught
composting and crop inter-planting to increase
their yields and income. I have seen the
uneducated receive education and training to
become hairdressers, cooks, electronic device
repairmen and the like. I have seen micro
credit implemented for women to buy sewing
materials and in turn, faithfully pay back
the loans with income derived from the sales
of sewn goods. I have seen credit unions
established, hospitals built, and eye exams
performed in travel trailers. I have seen truant
young men and women taken off the streets
and brought to Kolping classrooms where
they learned to use such computer programs
as Microsoft Word and Excel.
In a broader venue, on the international
level Kolping International has achieved
and maintained consultative status with the
Economic and Social Council of the United
Nations for the past 18 years. As a member
of the NGO Committee on the Family, I
have been actively campaigning for member
states to increase their focus on support of the
family, to realize that strong families provide
strong citizens and future leaders, productive
members of society. The NGO Committee
on Social Development (of which Kolping is
a member) has worked throughout the year
to publish the 2014 Civil Society Declaration
which was presented to the 52nd Session
of the United Nations
Commission on Social
Development this past
February.
Major points
of this Declaration
call for an end
to the continued
irresponsible exploitation of people and
natural resources, persistent inequality,
poverty, injustice and ongoing conflict.
This year, we were fortunate to have Dr.
Marcus Demele, Chief Administrative Officer
of Kolping International visit a number of
the United States Kolping families in early
February. He was able to spend two days with
me at the United Nations covering both the
Civil Society Forum and the opening day of the
Commission on Social Development meeting.
He was looking forward to making an oral
intervention, but as frequently happens to civil
society members, there was no opening and
he was unable to do so. Kolping International
did however submit a written statement on the
priority theme “promoting empowerment of
people in achieving poverty eradication, social
integration, full employment and decent work
for all”.
This document calls for governments, in
keeping with their human rights obligations,
to commit to a politics which pursues the
enforcement of a decent income on both the
national and global levels. They should also
make social standards into firm criteria for
public procurement and awarding of contracts.
It calls for trade unions to more energetically
pursue approaches leading to self organization
both in the formal and informal sectors. Civil
society, churches and labor representatives
should jointly engage with government on
themes that have implications for development
policy and human rights, with a view to
promoting socially equitable peace. It also calls
for elimination of discrimination, protection
of the vulnerable and the empowerment of
women.
I happen to have several copies here with
me today if anyone would like to read it.
In the future, I am confident that Kolping
International will submit a position paper each
fall, focusing on the priority theme for the
following spring session of the Commission on
Social Development. I will continue to speak
out at any appropriate gathering which affords
me the opportunity to demonstrate with live
examples of how Kolping teaches us to help
others to help themselves. The signs of the
times are not so very different today than they
were 160 years ago. Father Kolping’s teachings
are still relevant and still necessary even today.
Respectfully submitted by,
John Reitter
Kolping Banner 7
October 2014
Greetings From The Brooklyn Kolping Family!
2014 has proven to be a busy year so far for the Brooklyn Kolping
Family. Our Center was re-designed and renovated in 1989 after a
major fire. Well, it has been 25 years we re-opened and dedicated
the Center, and ‘this old house’ is keeping us pretty busy!
First, our heating/AC unit broke down in bitter winter weather
requiring one dedicated member to sit in the cold building while
plumbers and electricians worked for six or seven hours to find the
trouble and get it going again. Since then we have needed to call
in the plumber and the electrician. A new roof was already being
planned when the one we had decided to spring a leak after a
major rainfall, causing some damage to walls in our main hall and
kitchen. We are using the summer lull to make repairs, get our
house back in good repair, and to do some interior housecleaning.
We look forward to enjoying the results in the fall!
Sunday May 4th was a special day for our Kolping family. We
gathered to celebrate the 90th Anniversary of the founding of our
Kolping Family. We welcomed 80 people to our Kolping Center,
including longtime as well as newer members, and some supportive
friends of our Society. Our esteemed guests were Kolping National
President Bernie Preisser, our former Praeses Monsignor Anthony
Sherman and our good friend Father Jim Reynolds.
The proceedings started with
Mass held in our Center. It
was concelebrated by Fr. Jim
and Msgr. Sherman, with Karl
and Maria Werkmann leading
song and doing the readings. It
was a very personal and special
spiritual experience for us.
After Mass everyone settled in
for dinner.
Once the dishes were cleared our program began. Bill Conte acted
as Master of Ceremonies and began by reading congratulatory
notes including one from the National Officers and the Chicago
Kolping Family. We also received some good wishes from
members and former members who could not be with us. Our
program continued with a short talk about Father Kolping’s life
and the beginnings of the Kolping Society, its establishment in the
United States and some information on the roots and history of
our own Brooklyn Kolping Family. We invited both Monsignor
Sherman and Bernie Preisser to say a few words to those
assembled.
Marilyn Heller gave a short talk about
our efforts to send Care packages to
European orphanages after the war.
We were all moved when Marilyn read
from letters the Sisters had written
thanking us for our help and donations,
and describing the adverse conditions
endured both during and after the war.
The nuns were doing their very best to
care for the children with very limited resources.
We presented Rosemarie Rom
with her 25 year pin, with
family members present to
cheer her on. Finally, we were
thrilled to induct and welcome
five new members: Monica and
Christopher Meyer, Ivette and
Scott Stahl and Elfriede Struna.
We sincerely hope these new
members will feel at home at
the Kolping Center and comfortable enough to get involved in our
activities.
As our program
concluded, the coffee,
cake and cookies
were served. The
conversation continued
to flow and everyone
lingered before the
gathering eventually
broke up. We missed
some members and friends who were not able to attend and know
they were with us in spirit. Thanks to all who helped along in lots
of ways, and most of all to our guests whose supported our effort
and made the day so memorable.
Sadly, longtime member Arthur Blenkle passed on June 9th at
his home in Maryland. Artie was a Young Kolping member in
the ’40’s and later joined the Society as an adult. He served our
country in Korea and sustained injuries which afflicted him for his
entire lifetime. He worked as an engineer for the Federal Aviation
Administration and was based in Washington DC. He never forgot
Brooklyn Kolping, was vitally interested in all our doings and was
wearing his Kolping pin while in repose. Artie is survived by his
three children, Arthur, Linda and Mark; by grandchildren and by
his brother Gerard and sister-in-law, Christa Hartmann Blenkle
and their family. May Artie rest in peace with all pain gone.
We ask that you remember us in your prayers as we do our best to
revitalize our Brooklyn Kolping Family. Regards to all!
- Bill Conte
CATHOLIC KOLPING SOCIETY
Of America
P.O. Box 4907
Clifton, NJ 07015-4907
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Cincinnati, OH
Permit No. 1474
Address Service Requested
Dated
Material
Germany
Worship with 700,000 viewers
In his mountaineering boots, Fr. Alois
Zeller, Praeses of the Diocesan Kolping
Society of Augsburg, celebrated the
mountain Mass at the Kolping “Allgäu
House” on August 3. The German
television broadcast the service live. In
his sermon, Fr. Zeller referred to his
boots. During mountain hiking and
climbing, these boots have given him
secure footholds. In difficult situations
of his life he had experienced that faith
– like the boots – has helped him. “You
can walk the path of your life in the
shoes of faith.” Fr. Zeller encouraged the
more than 500 faithful.
with a view of Mount Grünten. Around
700,000 faithful participated via
television. After the Mass, the telephone
lines were busy almost continuously.
23 volunteers were available to answer
calls for a total of 44 hours until 7 pm.
More than 1000 telephone calls were
made. Many participants expressed their
gratitude. Even non-Catholics called and
stated how much they enjoyed the service
and how comforting Fr. Zeller’s words
were for them. One volunteer, who was
on duty answering the phone for two
hours, said afterwards: “Pure goose
bumps!” Many callers were impressed
by the pictures, the landscapes, and the
camera settings.
Together with the parish St. Ullrich
in Wertach, the guests of the Kolping
Holiday Centre and many Kolping
members celebrated the Mass on the
lawn in front of the “Allgäu-House”
Brazil
“Soccer – but fair ...“ continues!
“We are very happy that Germany is
World Champion!” This message reached
many Kolping sisters and brothers in
Germany last month. But during the
Soccer World Cup, the media repeatedly
pointed to Brazil’s troubles and problems,
which also concern the Kolping Society
on the local level.
This is why the campaign “Deep
Forward Pass” continues even after the
World Cup tournament, because “the
demands of the Brazilian population for
access to education, health care, and a
better transportation system will not
fall silent.” Nearly 10,000 signatures
on the petition for fairness and justice
have been received by Adveniat so far.
These are being collected by KOLPING
INTERNATIONAL, together with
Adveniat, the German Sports Association
(DJK), the Catholic Workers Movement
(KLJB), and the Catholic Rural Youth
Movement (KLJB). These requests to
the politicians can be signed under
www.kolping.net.