Fraternal Organizations Catholic Aid Association (CAA): The CAA motto is: “Catholics serving Catholics” CAA carries out its principles of Faith, Family and Fellowship. Membership is open to all practicing Catholics and their spouses and children. The St. Joseph Council meets monthly.
The Catholic Aid Association was organized in 1878 when a small group of Catholic immigrants formed their own fraternal insurance society to seek financial security for their families. They also set as their objective the promotion of true friendship and charity among its members. The St. Joseph Council is the result of the combining in 1994 of The St. Anthony Catholic Aid Council that was formed in 1879 and the St. Mary Catholic Aid Council that was formed in 1906. The Catholic Aid Association is made up of more than 180 local councils which typically are affiliated with local parishes and serve to carry on work for the good of those parishes.
The St. Joseph Council participates in a Matching Grant program which has been established by the CAA to financially help maintain parish elementary schools. The council sponsors annual fund raisers for the benefit of St. Joseph School and Religious Education Programs. CAA also offers Scholarship opportunities for graduating seniors.
The CAA offers members a wide range of life insurance and annuity products.
Daughters of Isabella (D of I): The Daughters of Isabella is a fraternal organization open to all Catholic women age 16 and over. Our local circle #824 includes the following area churches: St. Joseph, St. Bonifacius, St. Victoria, St. Bernard of Cologne and Ascension of Norwood. Monthly meetings are held at St. Joseph. Our local circle is active in the following ways; member Communion with Breakfasts are planned twice a year (once a year husbands / guests are invited), pray the rosary, and stand honor guard at funerals. A Mass is offered every month for the living and deceased members as well as for the soldiers. In the spring a jelly bean sale is held with the proceeds given to the hearing impaired. Donations are given to the Food Shelf, Birthright, Faribault School of the Deaf and other charitable organizations. Other gatherings are held as well. The D of I are always looking for new members.
A little history... Isabella was crowned Queen of Castile at the age of 23. Her devotion to and reliance on God and the Church enabled her to conquer Kings and unify her beloved country under the holy sign of Christianity. Her preservation of Christianity is emulated through the Daughters of Isabella who seek to promote the welfare of the community and to follow in mutually supportive ways the teachings of the Catholic Church.
D of I was founded in 1897 as an auxiliary to the Knights of Columbus. The first circle of the order was formed for the purpose of uniting all Catholic women in a fraternal order for spiritual benefits and to promote higher ideals within society. Over the years, the Daughters have continued to prosper and establish bonds of unity among Catholic women throughout the world.
There are also State and International Circles. The Charitable and Apostolic activities of the D of I are worldwide. Life insurance is also offered to members through D of I.
Knights of Columbus (KC’s): The Knights of Columbus (KC’s) is a fraternal organization open to the men of the parish ages 18 and above. Our Council is #2506 and includes the following area churches: St. Joseph, St. Bernard and St. Victoria. The meetings are held monthly at St. Joseph. Watch the bulletin for upcoming meeting dates and events. To learn more or to join, contact those listed on page 7 or call the parish office. You can become as involved as you wish. The Knights offer an opportunity for fellowship with people who share the same beliefs and who recognize the same duty to God and all of God’s children.
The Knights of Columbus began in 1882 when Fr. Michael McGivney and a small group of pioneering Catholics founded a society designed to provide much-needed security for widows and orphans of Catholic parishioners. Fr. McGivney’s idea grew, becoming an order of Catholic men and their families dedicated to promoting the concepts of charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism.
At St. Joseph, the KC’s hold numerous fund raisers that support our School and Religious Education programs. They assist with the Marathon and hold Fish Fries during Lent, etc.
The Knights of Columbus have developed an extensive life insurance program open to all members and their families. They also provide merit scholarships and operate student loan programs.
