Advancing Our Church

February 16, 2020

Changing Our World‘s Jim Friend and Tom Farrell visit the Diocese of San Jose and speak with Joe Naylor, Chief Development Officer. Joe talks about the first couple of years in his new role in the diocese, including some of the new initiatives he has introduced. Some examples include a Fundraising Bootcamp for pastors and a Diocesan Legacy Society.

Joe previously served as Vice President for Advancement and Communications for two different Provinces of the Society of Jesus. He also formerly served as Executive Director for the Providence St. Joseph Medical Center Foundation and Senior Director of Gift Planning for the Los Angeles Orthopedic Hospital Foundation. Joe brings great passion, expertise, and creativity to his work in the diocese.

The Diocese of San Jose makes its home in a fertile valley surrounded by rolling hills and pine-covered mountains. Known from the 19th century as “the Valley of the Heart’s Delight, ” it has a history and legacy of abundance—orchards heavy with sweet fruit—apricots, prunes, cherries, and pears. Today, Santa Clara County identifies as Silicon Valley and serves as a global center for technology, innovation, and social media. Over the years, orchards have given way to industrial parks, and crops of “dot-coms” have replaced the fruit. Santa Clara is Northern California’s most populous county with economic and cultural opportunities.

The diocese is comprised of 600,000 Catholics. This encompasses 54 parishes and missions, 26 elementary schools and six high schools, and three college and university campus ministries. The diocese serves the people of the valley in collaboration with scores of other organizations carrying out the same mission.

Join Jim and Kristin Friend and their family on Kristin’s Crosses YouTube Channel for “Today’s Catholic Prayers.” Jim and Kristin offer the daily Gospel and Reflection along with the Rosary and Catholic Prayers of the day. Click here to visit the YouTube Page and subscribe. If you would like to join the Kristin’s Crosses prayer group on Facebook, click here to request to join.

February 09, 2020

Changing Our World‘s Jim Friend visits the Archdiocese of San Francisco to talk with Rod Linhares, Director of Development, and Florian Romero, Director of Stewardship.

Rod oversees fundraising for the Archdiocese, where he has been a resident his whole life. Rod’s personal mission is to help everyone to understand the magnitude of services and ministries that are offered throughout the Archdiocese. Rod discusses the Annual Appeal, Planned Giving, the Archbishop’s Circle, and a survey the Archdiocese just conducted to understand what parishioners love about their home parish. Rod brings great passion and expertise to his role.

Florian is a seasoned professional in fundraising, but for many years, she has been focused on the spirituality of Stewardship. Florian works closely with parishes to help them understand Stewardship as a way of life and a culture change for parishes. Florian describes how Archbishop Cordileon is personally committed to the model of Stewardship and how this kind of transformation can take many years to solidify and bear fruit. Florian brings a spirit of generosity and God’s love to the parishes she serves.

Join Jim and Kristin Friend and their family on Kristin’s Crosses YouTube Channel for “Today’s Catholic Prayers.” Jim and Kristin offer the daily Gospel and Reflection along with the Rosary and Catholic Prayers of the day. Click here to visit the YouTube Page and subscribe. If you would like to join the Kristin’s Crosses prayer group on Facebook, click here to request to join.

Published: February 02, 2020

Today, Changing Our World‘s Jim Friend travels to his hometown in the Diocese of Phoenix and visits with the senior team in the Office for Mission Advancement. What were the three things that Bishop Olmstead asked God to show him so that he would know that a new seminary was His plan? Learn about the incredible mission of Nazareth House, a new seminary house of formation in the diocese. Some additional topics we cover include…

Today, we learn about these initiatives and much more as we meet the senior management team for the Office of Mission Advancement in the Diocese of Phoenix. Our guests today are Cande de Leon, Lisa Wentz, and Linda Barkyoumb. They are an incredible team, making a big impact.

The Diocese of Phoenix is committed to helping the faithful encounter the living Christ through conversion, communion, and solidarity. Led by the Most Rev. Thomas J. Olmsted, more than 1.2 million Catholics make this diverse, vibrant, and faith-filled diocese their home. The faithful worship, receive the sacraments and participate in one of the 94 parishes and 23 missions. Nearly 15,000 students attend one of the 29 Catholic elementary schools, seven high schools, and 29 preschools. The Charity and Development Appeal provides funds for more than 70 community and charitable organizations. Resulting in hands-on help for seniors, the homeless, those who have lost jobs, women who have been abused, and families in crisis.

Join Jim and Kristin Friend and their family on Kristin’s Crosses YouTube Channel for “Today’s Catholic Prayers.” Jim and Kristin offer the daily Gospel and Reflection along with the Rosary and Catholic Prayers of the day. Click here to visit the YouTube Page and subscribe. If you would like to join the Kristin’s Crosses prayer group on Facebook, click here to request to join.

Published: January 26, 2020

Happy Catholic Schools Week 2020!

In honor of Catholic Schools Week, we are replaying the best moments in Catholic Education on our Podcast in 2019. Our guests this week (pictured above from top left to right) include Mark Freund, Jason Morrison, Dr. Brooke Tesche, Dr. Tim Uhl, Jennifer Trefelner, Matt Russell, John Petruzzelli, and Steven Virgadamo. Not pictured but included in our podcast are Changing Our World‘s Brian Crimmins (CEO), Gavan Mooney (President and Chief Client Officer), Kaitlin McTighe (Managing Director), and our host, Jim Friend (Managing Director).

In this episode, we replay clips from these episodes:

National Catholic Schools Week (CSW) is an annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States. Now entering its 46th anniversary year, CSW will be held from January 26 to February 1, 2020. Schools typically observe the week with Masses, assemblies and other activities for students, families, parishioners and community members to celebrate and congratulate. Join NCEA and make CSW your own and share your ideas with other schools using #CSW20. This year’s theme is Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.

Join Jim and Kristin Friend and their family on Kristin’s Crosses YouTube Channel for “Today’s Catholic Prayers.” Jim and Kristin offer the daily Gospel and Reflection along with the Rosary and Catholic Prayers of the day. Click here to visit the YouTube Page and subscribe. If you would like to join the Kristin’s Crosses prayer group on Facebook, click here to request to join.

Published: January 19, 2020

On today’s podcast, Changing Our World‘s Jim Friend is joined by Jennifer Trefelner and Nick Regina on the topic of “Leveraging Catholic Schools Week” for marketing, enrollment, and philanthropic opportunities. This podcast is the audio from the webinar that was held on January 14, 2010. The conversation covers topics like:

Since 1974, National Catholic Schools Week has been an annual celebration of Catholic Education in the United States. This important week in the life of Catholic Schools begins the last Sunday in January and runs all week, which this year is January 26 – February 1. This year’s theme for National Catholic Schools Week is “Catholic Schools. Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.”

Join Jim and Kristin Friend and their family on Kristin’s Crosses YouTube Channel for “Today’s Catholic Prayers.” Jim and Kristin offer the daily Gospel and Reflection along with the Rosary and Catholic Prayers of the day. Click here to visit the YouTube Page and subscribe. If you would like to join the Kristin’s Crosses prayer group on Facebook, click here to request to join.

Published: January 12, 2020

Today, Changing Our World‘s Jim Friend interviews Msgr. Jim Vlaun, who discusses his role as the former chaplain for the New York Jets, his visit with Pope Francis, his popular cooking show, his 30+ year run as the host of Religion and Rock, and much more! Msgr. Jim has hosted everyone from Billy Joel, The Rolling Stones to Jimmy Buffet. His radio program is nationally syndicated and airs every week on local radio stations on Long Island and on Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio.    

About Msgr. Jim

Msgr. Jim Vlaun is the President and CEO of the Catholic Faith Network, the Catholic Television station of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, which broadcasts on TV and online to millions of homes 24/7. Msgr. Jim has hosted many TV programs with top sports figures and other prominent national TV hosts, along with other venerated priests, rabbis, religious and lay leaders, and most importantly, the people in the community who make a difference in everyday life.   

The Catholic Faith Network (CFN)

The Catholic Faith Network (CFN) – is at the service of the Word, the Church, the Bishops, and the Encounter of Faith and Culture. Our mission is to proclaim the teachings of our Lord to the Catholic Community and beyond using media in all forms. CFN is available on Optimum channel 29/137, Verizon FiOS TV channel 296, and Charter Spectrum channel 162/471 throughout the New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut area.  The Catholic Faith Network (CFN) is also available on selected cable and satellite systems nationwide, along with a vast on-demand library of original programming and a high-quality 24/7 live stream. 

Join Jim and Kristin Friend and their family on Kristin’s Crosses YouTube Channel for “Today’s Catholic Prayers.” Jim and Kristin offer the daily Gospel and Reflection along with the Rosary and Catholic Prayers of the day. Click here to visit the YouTube Page and subscribe. If you would like to join the Kristin’s Crosses prayer group on Facebook, click here to request to join.

Published: January 05, 2020

Donor Stewardship plays a crucial role in the vitality of Catholic schools, parishes, dioceses, and faith-based nonprofits. Understanding the donor’s interests and needs is critical to stewarding their long-term interest in your organization. The donor’s journey with you requires time and attention, which oftentimes is an important missing ingredient in development offices.

Today’s podcast replays a webinar Changing Our World, conducted in November 2019. Jim Friend hosts a discussion with CW’s Nick Walsh and Shawn Trahan, joined by Michelle Brown, Chief Development Officer at the Independence Mission Schools. The conversation covers a variety of ways that donor stewardship can cultivate and build a process for continued giving by engaging your donors in authentic relationship building.

Our Panel of Experts

Shawn Trahan, Senior Managing Director: Shawn has more than 20 years of experience working within the nonprofit sector, including planning/directing major capital campaigns, fundraising feasibility studies, development audits/assessments, volunteer coaching, and board development and serving as interim development director. Click here for more information on Shawn.

Nick Walsh, Managing Director: Nick Walsh is a Managing Director in the Fundraising division at Changing Our World.  Nick has led a wide range of development initiatives, including capital campaigns and feasibility studies; development audits; annual fund management and implementation; case development; volunteer recruitment; major gift donor engagement; and board training. Click here for more information on Nick.

Michelle Brown, Chief Development Officer, Independence Mission Schools: Michelle comes to IMS with 19 years of non-profit leadership experience in both fundraising and operational capacities. Most recently, Michelle served as the Director of Development at Mastery Charter Schools for four years, where she was responsible for overseeing fundraising strategy and implementation for a network of 24 schools. Click here to learn more about Michelle and the IMS.

Join Jim and Kristin Friend and their family on Kristin’s Crosses YouTube Channel for “Today’s Catholic Prayers.” Jim and Kristin offer the daily Gospel and Reflection along with the Rosary and Catholic Prayers of the day. Click here to visit the YouTube Page and subscribe. If you would like to join the Kristin’s Crosses prayer group on Facebook, click here to request to join.

Published: December 22, 2019

Merry Christmas! In this very special Christmas episode, Jim Friend and the staff at Changing Our World extend to you their very best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

A Note from Our Host

Dear Friends,

This week, we publish the 29th episode of the Advancing Our Church Podcast. Since June 10, 2019, we have been proud to host over 50 guests who have graced us with their wisdom, their courageous stories, and their passion for advancing the mission of our Church in the world. Their commitment to this work has educated and inspired us.

I am so grateful for the support of our wonderful and faithful listeners who offer feedback and support and help us to promote this mission every week. Thank you for helping us to promote our podcast on social media and the ratings you leave us on iTunes.

Finally, many thanks to our wonderful clients and friends at Changing Our World, who have chosen CW as a partner in this mission. May God bless you, your family, and your friends in this new year. Together, may we raise more resources in 2020 to provide services to those who would come to our Church seeking the merciful love of Christ.

God bless you this Christmas,

Jim Friend
Managing Director
Changing Our World
Host, Advancing Our Church Podcast

Join Jim and Kristin Friend and their family on Kristin’s Crosses YouTube Channel for “Today’s Catholic Prayers.” Jim and Kristin offer the daily Gospel and Reflection along with the Rosary and Catholic Prayers of the day. Click here to visit the YouTube Page and subscribe. If you would like to join the Kristin’s Crosses prayer group on Facebook, click here to request to join.

Published: December 15, 2019

Today we visit the Church of St. Anne in Garden City, New York, to discuss their very successful capital campaign. We visit with their pastor, Rev. Msgr. Thomas Harold and the Director of Parish Operations, Mary Lou Engrassia. Changing Our World‘s Jim Friend is joined by Yasmine Hicks, who directed this important campaign. Hear the story of how this parish completed this successful capital campaign.

Church of St. Anne: Campaign

Campaign Goal: $3.5 Million Amount Raised: $3,554,000

“Being Catholic at St. Anne’s: Our Families, Our Mission, Our Future” addressed the needs and plans for increased Meeting and Ministry space for the many activities, organizations, and ministries of the parish.  In order to serve their children and parishioners better, they explored and finalized plans for the addition of a new building to serve as a meeting and ministry facility. This facility will contain more than 10,000 square feet of meeting space, be fully accessible, hold up to 250 people, and will be equipped with technology and a full-service kitchen.

Join Jim and Kristin Friend and their family on Kristin’s Crosses YouTube Channel for “Today’s Catholic Prayers.” Jim and Kristin offer the daily Gospel and Reflection along with the Rosary and Catholic Prayers of the day. Click here to visit the YouTube Page and subscribe. If you would like to join the Kristin’s Crosses prayer group on Facebook, click here to request to join.

Published: December 08, 2019

This week, Changing Our World‘s, Jim Friend speaks with Brian Corbin, KHS, Executive Vice President for Member Services at Catholic Charities USA. For Brian, Catholic Charities is “a ministry of the Bishop that enables us to continue the work of the early Apostles in caring for the widows, orphans, and strangers among us.” Today, we see how Catholic Charities provides service to people in need, advocates for justice, and calls the entire church and other people of goodwill to do the same.

About Brian Corbin

Prior to joining Catholic Charities, Brian served as the Executive Director of Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Youngstown. He also served as the Diocesan Director for Migration and Refugee Services (MRS). Brian served as the Diocesan Director of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development and the Director of Catholic Relief Services. He was also the Diocesan Liaison for the Northeast Ohio Diocesan Council of St. Vincent de Paul. With over 27 years of service, Brian provided coordination for the health and social ministries of the Church. He created opportunities for Church and community leaders to understand and be formed in Catholic social doctrine. Brian was Secretary of the National Board of Trustees for CCUSA and chaired the National Advisory Council of the USCCB.

Brian holds a Bachelor of Philosophy degree from The Pontifical School of Philosophy. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Politics from The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. Brian is completing his Ph.D. at M.I.T. and has completed doctoral work in Organizational Leadership at Youngstown State University. He holds a Certification in Health Care Ethics from The National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Brian is a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. Brian has been with Catholic Charities for over 28 years and he is married to Dr. Donna DeBlasio.

Follow him on Twitter @brianrcorbin

Join Jim and Kristin Friend and their family on Kristin’s Crosses YouTube Channel for “Today’s Catholic Prayers.” Jim and Kristin offer the daily Gospel and Reflection along with the Rosary and Catholic Prayers of the day. Click here to visit the YouTube Page and subscribe. If you would like to join the Kristin’s Crosses prayer group on Facebook, click here to request to join.