(Catholic Herald photo/Kevin Wondrash)
MADISON — In 1914, 100 years ago, World War I began, Charlie Chaplin appeared in his first film, and Pope Benedict XV was elected as successor to St. Peter.
While most of the people and events from that time have passed, a group of dedicated Catholics in Madison are keeping up the good work started 100 years ago and continuing today.
Celebrating centennial
On October 11, 2014, the Catholic Order of Foresters (COF) St. Bernard Court No. 1785 in Madison celebrated its 100th anniversary.
COF is a Catholic life insurance company which supports its Catholic community through fraternal outreach of spiritual, social, and community service projects, and helping members achieve financial security.
The centennial occasion was marked with Mass followed by a dinner and program at St. Bernard Church in Madison. It was a chance to look back and celebrate the past 100 years as well as look ahead to the future.
Before the program began, Foresters and guests had a chance to view COF history up close through displays showing pictures and other COF memorabilia from the past 100 years.
Court Chief Ranger Sharon Bartosch welcomed everyone in attendance, including Sisters from the Schoenstatt Movement in Madison — whom the Foresters help support every year through a matching fund program.
High Court Trustee Tom Lepinski also spoke and gave the court a certificate of appreciation signed by David Huber, high chief ranger and president of the COF. He also presented a check to the Foresters.
State Court Trustee Duane Weisensel gave “greetings and best wishes from the state court” and congratulations on 100 years. He also presented a check to the Foresters from the state court.
Importance of the order
Southern District President and COF agent Karen Bodden spoke on the importance of COF.
“I believe in the Catholic Order of Foresters and their fraternal values,” she said. “We get to meet wonderful people and do wonderful things together.”
She also spoke on the importance of life insurance to take care of loved ones, as well as the Foresters getting their families involved to ensure a fraternal future.
The main talk of the evening was given by Chief Ranger Bartosch. She spoke about growing up her whole life around the Foresters and seeing her father heavily involved in the organization.
She recalled when she become more active in the Foresters herself around the time of her marriage to her husband, John, whose family was also involved with COF.
She was asked to be the 18th chief ranger, and the first woman chief ranger, for the court in 2000. Not really knowing what she was getting herself into she said, “Sure, I’ll give it a go.”
COF activities
Bartosch then reflected on all the activities the past 14 years: summer picnics, Christmas parties, trips to Little Amerricka amusement park in Marshall, and fundraising events. She also recalled making large amounts of dried soup mix for people in Haiti, with all the Foresters working together to package the food for the people who needed it.
COF also participates in matching fund programs where the Foresters will match an organization’s fundraising up to $1,500. Over the past two decades, Bartosch estimated the Schoenstatt Sisters received around $20,000 from COF.
After looking back on the past 100 years, Bartosch encouraged everyone to raise their glasses for “the next number of years” looking ahead to the future of COF at St. Bernard Parish in Madison.
For more information on COF, visit www.catholicforester.org