
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.
Kolping is all about family. If you are traveling and find yourself in a city that has a Kolping Family, consider joining one of their events! Here are some upcoming events around the country:
KOLPING BROOKLYN — Additional information available at www.kolping.org/brooklyn
Sunday, November 12 – Queens Veteran’s Day Parade – Contact Bill for more details at kolpingbrooklyn@gmail.com
KOLPING CHICAGO — Additional information available at www.chicagokolping.com
Saturday, November 4 – 73rd Annual “Our Biggest Fundraiser of the Year” Roast Beef Dinner
2:00 pm doors open, food served 3:00-7:00 pm – For additional information call (773)775-1649 – No Reservations Required
Saturday, December 9 – Christmas Party – 1:00 pm – RSVP to Carol Idler by December 3rd
KOLPING CINCINNATI — Additional information available at www.kolpingcincinnati.com
Sunday, November 26 – Saengerchor Weihnachts Konzert – 2:00 pm
Sunday, December 3 – Christmas Mass & Party
Sunday, December 10 – Children’s Christmas Party
KOLPING NEW YORK — Additional information available by emailing kolpingny@gmail.com or texting 914 432-2535
Sunday, November 5 – Communion Brunch – KOC
Sunday, December 3 – St. Nickolaus Mass, Luncheon and Visit from Santa – Kolping 88th Street
KOLPING SAN FRANCISCO — Kolping Hall, 440 Taraval Street, San Francisco, CA 94116
Saturday, November 18th – Day of Thanks Lunch & Bingo – 12:30–4:00 pm, RSVP to lbrinkmann@mac.com
Sunday, December 3rd – Christmas Mass & Brunch – 11:00 am, RSVP to lbrinkmann@mac.com
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.
Mission Statement
We, the members of the Catholic Kolping Society of America, extend the vision of our founder, Blessed Adolph Kolping, by promoting the development of the individual and family; we foster a sense of belonging and friendship through our program of spiritual, educational, charitable and social activities.
Officers
President – Lisa Brinkmann, San Francisco
Vice President – Helene Schrand, Cincinnati
Secretary – Barbara Hessler, Cincinnati
Treasurer – Ted Wilke, Cincinnati
National Praeses – Father Richard Bretone, New York
National Administrator – Patricia Farkas
Endowment Fund Chairman – Bernhard Preisser, New York
Endowment Fund Treasurer – Lisa Brinkmann, San Francisco
International Secretary – Dr. Markus Demele
International Praeses – Monsignor Ottmar Dillenburg
Trustees
Lucille Colletti – New York
Henry Faulk – Cincinnati
Marilee Uhlhorn – Cincinnati
Monika Weiss – San Francisco
Wolfgang Weiss – San Francisco
Praeses
Father Michael Scherschel – Chicago
Father Richard Bretone – New York
Father Winfried Kellner – Rochester
Deacon William McLoughlin – San Francisco
North American Kolping Families
United States
National Officers
Kolping Society
at the United Nations
United States Kolping Families
Organization
Officers
Contact
Patricia Farkas
1223 Van Houten Ave.
Clifton, NJ 07013
patfarkas@optonline.net