Catholic Union of Texas

The Catholic Union of Texas, The KJT was founded in 1889 by a group of men of Czech descent. The initials “KJT” stand for the name of the society in the Czech language, “Katolicka Jednota Texaska”. Membership is open to all Christians.

St. John Neumann Society # 131 was established at St Joseph’s Catholic Church in 1985, under the leadership of Monsignor George Tydlacka.

Current Officers:
President – Joe Banda
Vice President – Raymond Muniz Jr.
Secretary – Nora Sanchez
Treasurer – Jose A. Sanchez Jr

The KJT’s mission is to provide fraternal, financial and insurance programs for its members and to promote family relationships through fraternal activities of its societies and religious programs of the Catholic Church.  Volunteerism among its societies for parish, community and civic related causes is also encouraged.

• Daily Holy Mass - A Holy Mass is offered for all living and deceased members of the KJT on a daily basis.
• Insurance Program - We offer a full portfolio of insurance products including whole life, limited pay life, term life, simplified issue and guaranteed issue.
• Annuity, Kapital Account and IRA Program - Our annuities and IRAs allow our members to provide for retirement and build an estate through tax-deferred savings.  The Kapital Account allows for savings that are taxable annually.
• Newborn Security Benefit - Eligible newborns may be insured at standard rates for up to $5,000 of permanent life insurance regardless of health.  The coverage must be applied for in first 60 days of the infants life and the infant’s immediate family must be 100% KJT members.  After the 25 ^th hour of birth, the child is automatically covered for $2,000 for the first 60 days.
• Home/Business/Property Loans - Revenue from our life insurance program enables us to offer fixed rate financing to our members to purchase property, construct, re-model or re-finance a current mortgage.  We also offer business loans to those that qualify.  Call the Home Office for current rates.
• Family Activities - Local society, district and statewide events for the entire family.  
• Youth Camp - We offer a one week youth camp to our members who are age 9 – 12 as of July 1 of each year.
• KJT News - Our monthly news publication keeps you informed of what is going on in the KJT around the state.
• College Scholarships -10 - $1,000 scholarships are offered annually through the Home Office to graduating KJT high school seniors.  Additional scholarships are also offered through the KJT Memorial Foundation.
• Religious Scholarships - We offer scholarships for individuals studying for the religious life.  The amount of the scholarship depends on the year of study.
• Catholic School Tuition Grants -      We offer 50 - $100 tuition grants to members from grades K – 11 who are attending a Catholic school.
• ScriptSave Discount Prescription Card - This card offers your entire household prescription savings on brand name and generic medications. 

On the local level, our Society gets involved in several church functions and projects:

• Assisted in purchasing altar furniture
• Painted the church interior in the old church
• Renovated the kitchen / dining area in the old buildings
• Painted the old pavilion (before it was converted to hall)
• We run the Bingo at Fiesta each year.
• Each year we give out two $500 scholarships for graduating high school seniors from our parish.
• Annually we contribute to the Priest and Religious Retirement Fund through the State KJT.
• In the past we hosted the annual Easter Egg Hunt for the children of the Parish
• We honor veterans buried at the Manor City Cemetery at our annual Flag Day Ceremony.
• In the past we hosted the annual Christmas Party for the whole Parish
• We raise most of our funds through kitchen breakfasts which also gives us chance for fellowship with parishioners.
• We hold special events for our members such as: Society Outing and Christmas Dinner, Mother’s / Father’s Day Dinner
• We help out our member families in time of need, for example by providing food at funerals.
• We take part in several events at the District Level. We are in District IV which includes other parishes such as Elgin, Taylor, Round Rock and Pflugerville, to name a few. Each year we take part in the Family Day, and the District meeting.

Joe Banda
President
(512) 272-5801; [email protected]