Mark your calendar for the 2024 Kolping National Convention!

LOCATION: St. Charles, Missouri

DATES: Friday, September 6 through Sunday September 8, 2024

Tour St. Charles and St. Louis, the site of our first Kolping Society in the US. Visit with other Kolping family friends and acquaintences. Celebrate Kolping in the US and help us keep the values of Blessed Father Kolping alive through this next century. Check back as we update information.

Activities Around the U.S.

News from the International Convention

Cologne, Germany   |  September 28 – October 1, 2023

Over 153 delegates from 43 countries attended the XXXIV (34th) International Kolping Convention in Cologne (Bensburg), Germany. Ted Wilke, Kolping USA’s International Representative, and Lisa Brinkmann, Kolping USA’s President, attended this convening representing all of our Kolping families in the United States. Delegates stayed at the Kardinal-Schulte-Haus in Bensberg, where we had our meals together. READ MORE

Are you traveling the world any time soon?

Did you know that many of our Kolping families have hostels, camps and other lodging for rent?

Before you plan your trip, check out the Kolping directory of lodging around the world. It might lead you to a magical village you otherwise didn’t know existed or introduce you to new friends and acquaintances. The full directory of Kolping lodging can be found on the International Kolping website: https://www.kolping.net. For a quick peek, click here: https://www.kolping.net/en/about-us/kolping-hotels-worldwide/

Congratulations to our 2023 Scholarship Winners

We are very proud to announce this year’s scholarship winners. Thanks to our Executive Board, we can distribute two extra awards, making the total distribution $28,000 for Scholarship recipients will receive $3,000 if attending a college, university or trade school and $1,000 if a senior in high school. This year we had 21 applications. Applicants who did not receive a scholarship award, will receive a $100 gift card, as a thank you for their participation and (hopefully) encouragement to participate in the Jr. Meet-Up in September. We believe, and it was expressed in many of the scholarship responses, that helping our younger people attain their educational and career goals is a great investment aligning directly with Father Kolping’s values.

Congratulations to: Stephani Ahrnsen – Cincinnati Kolping, Andrew Linden – Detroit Kolping, Jaycie LaValley – Detroit Kolping, Matthew Mayer – Chicago Kolping, Stephanie Mayer – Chicago Kolping, Isabella Miccio – San Francisco Kolping, Edward Musbach – Cincinnati Kolping, Erin Reynolds – New York Kolping, Sara Schnetzer – Cincinnati Kolping, Chad Smith – Cincinnati Kolping

Below is an excerpt from one of the essays:

“Trying to solve the challenges our society faces can feel like trying to seize the wind that whistles past your ear. However, we would be wise to grab ahold of Kolping’s advice: “the greater the challenge, the more resolute one must become.” In a fast-paced, technology focused society, we often expect instant gratification. We can rebut this claim by examining Kolping’s arduous journey to priesthood. It was through hard work that he eventually reached his goal despite opposition.”

Who We Are

The International Kolping Society was founded by Adolph Kolping as a Catholic, educational and action-oriented organization.

Ideals

• The Catholic Kolping Society of America is a non-profit organization which strives to carry out the ideals of Blessed Adolph Kolping in a way that is relevant to our times.
• The work of the Kolping Society is aimed at the holistic development of the individual and family. Its members are offered opportunities and assistance in all aspects of life.
• The Kolping Society is a place within our world which enables one to enhance the sacredness of one’s life. In the Kolping Society, one is provided an opportunity to share one’s problems as well as one’s knowledge and skills.
• The Kolping Society seeks to help its members express Christian witness through their marriages, families, professions and leisure time activities and in so doing, seeks to help its members contribute to the betterment of our culture, society and church.
• The Kolping Society aims to aid its members and society as a whole. It seeks to improve our society through activities which promote the good of all in a Christian atmosphere.
• The Catholic Kolping Society of America is an inclusive organization which welcomes all who wish to practice the teachings of Christ through the traditions of the Catholic Church.