Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/698004
National Catholic Forester 26 Fraternalist Year OF tHe Cathy Hensel is a member of St. Adolph Court 901 in Park Rapids, Minnesota. As Fraternalist of the Year, Cathy will receive a $100 donation from the Home Offi ce, to go towards the parish ministry of her choice! Cathy has been really involved in her court since joining NCSF. She was elected vice president a year after joining and served nine years. Then she became president. She has been president for ten years. In 2002 Cathy attended her fi rst National Convention as a delegate, at that time she decided that she would like to be a director. Four years later, at the next convention, she ran for a director position and won! She served eight years as a National Director. Since 2014 she is serving as the National Secretary for the National Catholic Society of Foresters. Cathy is very dependable. When she sees something that needs to be done, she will do it. She has set up and run the diocesan association meeting numerous times – from securing the meeting place to sending out invitations; making out the programs and memorial services. Cathy also types up yearly calendars so all members know the dates of the meetings, special events, and when they are scheduled to serve coffee and rolls which the court does once a month. She makes sure the court always has hot chocolate mix ready for this event. Next year her court is celebrating 100 years and Cathy is already getting plans in order for a court anniversary celebration. When the court celebrated their 90th Anniversary, Cathy helped plan the Mass, dinner and speeches for the event. Each year Cathy's court holds a rummage sale for our Hearts and Hands project. She fi lls out all the paperwork, makes the signs for inside the sale and does all the advertising. COMMuNITY AND PARISH SERVICE In her local parish, Cathy is a member of the Parish Council. She is also a main usher for weekly Mass and also is a Eucharist Minister. She has volunteered to help at the parish dinners and other events. Cathy is involved with the Hubbard County American Cancer Society Relay for Life. She has been a member of the team since it began in Park Rapids 22 years ago! Cathy is one of the few people to have been on a Relay for Life team each year. When the team she was on decided to no longer to participate, Cathy gathered some family and friends and started a new team. The team now involves members from 8 to 89 years old! There are three generations of Hensels working together to raise money for the American Cancer Society to help fi nd a cure for cancer. Cathy is also on the Relay for Life event planning committee. She handles the advertising of the event with print ads, radio ads, and a Facebook page. She takes photos of the event for the Relay scrapbook and for the poster for the event next year. Cathy also adds to the program by reading a poem the last couple of years. When the Relay in Park Rapids was celebrating 15 years, Cathy collected stories from families about why they relay, along with their family recipes for a cookbook fund raiser. Cathy also helps with the Church Guild groups. One month a year the group is responsible for funeral food, coffee, and rolls after Sunday Mass and also the Fall Bazaar. This past year she helped with the advertising for the Fall Bazaar. Catherine "Cathy" Hensel is our 2016 Fraternalist of the Year! The Fraternalist of the Year is an honor presented by NCSF to recognize an individual who, through example and accomplishments, provided outstanding volunteer service to their court, our Society, and the local community. Cathy is an incredible example of love, benevolence and charity in action! continued on page 27