National Catholic Forester

Fall 2017 — www.ncsf.com 31 MEMBERS' MILESTONES St. Ann Court 306 of Polonia, Wisconsin worked with Sacred Heart Parish to raise funds to help fulfill Father Joseph Birungi's dream of a new nursing school in Uganda. One of the biggest challenges in Uganda is the acute shortage of nurses. In Uganda, six nurses take care of 100,000 patients. Nurses are at risk of high stress levels because there are so few and they are overworked. Establishing a nurse's training school in Uganda is necessary to help fill the acute shortage of nurses. Imagine the training this school will provide; think of all the lives that could be saved with more nurses! Father Joseph Birungi and his mission work have had a special place in the hearts of many Sacred Heart parishioners. How exciting to have him visit this past July! The parish had the opportunity to hear first hand about the work of Father Joseph in Uganda, and the struggles and joys of Father Joseph's mission. What a wonderful way to know how their donations were going to help. Court 306 and Sacred Heart Parish raised $4,800 and NCSF matched $750. Member Leaves Her Mark Agnes Schmitt of St. Lucia Court 233 in St. Lucas, Iowa passed away at 89 this past August. She was president of Court 233 for 50 years and proud of the NCSF legacy as oldest fraternal organization in St. Lucas. To mark NCSF's historic ties, Agnes created a booklet about NCSF and donated it to the local German American Museum. Agnes will be missed! Member's Biography Available! Barbara Kodet Mages has been a member of National Catholic Society Forester's for over 60 years. She is now a member of St. Anne Court 389 in New Ulm, Minnesota. Barbara recently wrote a book about growing up during the Great Depression and World War II. Born in 1929, Barbara recalls her life as a young child in Bechyn, Minnesota. Barbara reminisces about growing up on a small farm, living in a home with no electricity or running water as we know it today, and meeting her future husband. Barbara also recounts her trip to the original Bechyn in Czechoslovakia, the birthplace of her ancestors. We hope you enjoy Barbara's stories! Her book is called, 'To Bechyn and Back.' Pictured, l-r, back row: Barb Kurszewski, Kathy Ehr, Rick Trebs; middle: Victoria and Violeta Trebs, Sandra Troyanoski; seated: Anita Wolfe, Father Joseph Birungi. At far right: The Uganda Nursing School during construction. Happy Birthday! Inez Tews recently celebrated her 100th birthday with family and friends! Inez has been a member of Saint Patrick's Court 1083 in Menasha, Wisconsin over 73 years, holding the office of financial secretary and junior director for many years. Inez was born in Forest Junction, Wisconsin in July of 1917. She grew up in Appleton Wisconsin, married Harry Yews and has lived in Menasha for over 80 years. Inez has four children, 14 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and seven great-great-grandchildren. She feels blessed to still live in her own home (with help) and thanks God many times a day! Happy Birthday Inez! Court Efforts Reach Uganda

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