Advancing Our Church

The Saint John Vianney Center (SJVC) brings 76 years of service to Catholic Clergy, Consecrated Men and Women Religious, and Clergy of other Christian denominations worldwide. David Shellenberger, President and CEO joins Jim Friend to discuss how SJVC helps to identify and navigate the areas of stress and anxiety, emotional and addiction concerns, spiritual struggles, and health and medical needs of their clients. SJVC has created programs that provide the accompaniment and tools to inspire, heal, renew and restore a person’s physical, behavioral, and spiritual well-being to live a healthy lifestyle and an effective ministry. Jim Friend also explains in this episode that he has joined the team at SJVC as their new Director of Mission Advancement. This episode launches a new year and a new era for our podcast, and we hope you will join us on this journey.

On our next show: The Four Ways Forward: Becoming an Apostolic Parish in a Post-Christian World with the author, Susan Windley-Daoust

This episode is sponsored by: Changing Our World

About David Shellenberger

David Shellenberger, RN, BSN, serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Saint John Vianney Center. In this role, he works to increase awareness of SJVC’s prevention and educational services, as well as its assessment and behavioral health treatment programs.

David served as Chief Operating Officer at SJVC since 2014 and has worked at the center since 2008. Previously, he was the Chief Nursing Officer responsible for all clinical practice and medical care performed by the nursing department. Past positions also included Infection Control and Patient Safety Officer and Director of the Complex Extended Stay Program. David helped develop the weight management and wellness program at the Saint John Vianney Center which assists residents with weight loss and healthy living through diet, education, treatment, and emotional and spiritual support. David also provides workshops for SJVC as part of our outreach services. Topics include Stress Management, Health, Wellness and Weight Management.

He has over 15 years of administrative experience in various healthcare settings, including Beaumont at Bryn Mawr in Bryn Mawr, PA, and HCR Manor Care in Pottstown, PA.

David received his BSN from York College of Pennsylvania and maintains his RN license through the State of Pennsylvania.

Watch the video presentation of this discussion.

Recorded: Friday, January 13, 2023

Daily Spiritual Reflection and Prayers on “Kristin’s Crosses”

Join Jim Friend and his family on Kristin’s Crosses’ YouTube Channel for “Today’s Catholic Prayers”. Jim and his family 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.

On our last episode of 2022, Jim Friend speaks with Richard Lanahan, the Director of Stewardship and Development for the Diocese of Metuchen. Rich’s broad experience includes development in Higher Education, Catholic Parishes, schools, and healthcare institutions. In the Diocese of Metuchen, Rich oversees the Bishop’s Annual Appeal and assists parishes with Capital Campaigns, feasibility studies, and increased offertory programs. Rich is also building a planned giving program for the Diocese. Just prior to joining the Diocese of Metuchen, Rich worked for King’s College in Wilkes Barre, PA as a Major Gifts Officer.

Changing Our World, Inc.

Changing Our World proudly offers the Advancing Our Church Podcast as an ongoing thought leadership series designed to further the mission of the Catholic Church through evolving discussions on stewardship, leadership, and advancement. We hope you find these podcasts educational and informative. Who is Changing Our World?  We are a dedicated, curious, and visionary team of consultants. We strive to impact our Church and our world. We provide philanthropic counsel to parishes, Catholic Schools, Dioceses, and all types of Catholic nonprofits. Our work is a vocation, one through which we pull the common thread of societal change. Each of us wants to do more good in the world. For decades, we have been able to do just that through the power of philanthropy.  For more information, please visit us at www.changingourworld.com.

Daily Spiritual Reflection and Prayers on “Kristin’s Crosses”

Join Jim Friend and his family on Kristin’s Crosses’ YouTube Channel for “Today’s Catholic Prayers.” Jim and his family offer the daily Gospel and reflection along with the rosary and Catholic Prayers of the day. Visit our YouTube Page to join us for prayers daily. If you would like to join the Kristin’s Crosses prayer group on Facebook, request to join.

Today, Jim Friend is joined by John Matthew Knowles, J.D., a business development strategist and advancement executive who serves as Executive Director of the Diocesan Fiscal Management Conference, or DFMC, and President of the Catholic Finance Association. In addition to these leadership roles, John serves on boards of directors, task forces, and advisory councils for several national Catholic organizations while also advising several Catholic philanthropists and families confidentially and informally. He is the host of the Faith and Finance Forum podcast/YouTube show, available on all streaming apps and platforms. John holds a B.A. from Western Michigan University, a J.D. from Michigan State University College of Law, and a Fellowship Certificate in Leadership, also from Michigan State University. John lives in Saucon Valley, Pennsylvania, with Jennifer, his wife of 14 years, daughter Rosemary (aged 4), and Luke Abraham (aged 1).

Watch the video presentation of this discussion

Recorded November 30, 2022

Daily Spiritual Reflection and Prayers on “Kristin’s Crosses”

Join Jim Friend and his family on Kristin’s Crosses’ YouTube Channel for “Today’s Catholic Prayers.” Jim and his family 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.

Changing Our World, Inc.

Changing Our World proudly offers the Advancing Our Church Podcast as an ongoing thought leadership series designed to further the mission of the Catholic Church through evolving discussions on stewardship, leadership, and advancement. We hope you find these podcasts educational and informative.

Who is Changing Our World?  We are a dedicated, curious, and visionary team of consultants. We strive to impact our Church and our world. We provide philanthropic counsel to parishes, Catholic Schools, Dioceses, and all types of Catholic nonprofits. Our work is a vocation, one through which we pull the common thread of societal change. Each of us wants to do more good in the world. For decades, we have been able to do just that through the power of philanthropy.  

For more information, please visit us at www.changingourworld.com.

Healing and renewing our Church is the goal of the National Eucharistic Congress, headed by the new Executive Director, Tim Glemkowski. The Church has been rocked with scandal, division, disease, and doubt but now the bishops plan to confront these challenges by reminding everyone that Jesus is present and more powerful than the storm. Join Changing Our World‘s, Jim Friend to learn how we can heal, renew, and unify the Church and the world.

Watch the video presentation of this discussion

Recorded: August 12, 2022

Daily Spiritual Reflection and Prayers on “Kristin’s Crosses”

Join Jim Friend and his family on Kristin’s Crosses’ YouTube Channel for “Today’s Catholic Prayers”. Jim and his family 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.

Changing Our World, Inc.

Changing Our World proudly offers the Advancing Our Church Podcast as an ongoing thought leadership series designed to further the mission of the Catholic Church through evolving discussions on stewardship, leadership, and advancement. We hope you find these podcasts educational and informative.

Who is Changing Our World?  We are a dedicated, curious, and visionary team of consultants. We strive to impact our Church and our world. We provide philanthropic counsel to parishes, Catholic Schools, Dioceses, and all types of Catholic nonprofits. Our work is a vocation, one through which we pull the common thread of societal change. Each of us wants to do more good in the world. For decades, we have been able to do just that through the power of philanthropy.  

For more information, please visit us at www.changingourworld.com.

Join Brian Crimmins, CEO of Changing Our World, and Nathan Chappell, Senior VP of AI at DonorSearch, authors of the new book Generosity Crisis: The Case for Radical Connection to Solve Humanity’s Greatest Challenges as they share a startling analysis of the changing nature of generosity in America and why its decline threatens to end the modern non-profit era. The Generosity Crisis demonstrates that if we do not change course, in fewer than 50 years- we could live in a world where inequality has never been as stark or as dangerous. Our relationship with Christ and our good Stewardship is the only antidote to isolation in a fallen world. Join us for a conversation about enabling radical connections with donors that invite them to help us tackle our Church’s most intractable problems.

Purchase the new Book: Generosity Crisis: The Case for Radical Connection to Solve Humanity’s Greatest Challenges

Brian Crimmins

Brian is the Chief Executive Officer of Changing Our World where he is responsible for the overall management, success, and growth of our firm. Brian has personally provided counsel to countless Catholic clients over the past 25 years. Brian oversees all aspects of Changing Our World’s service lines, including Nonprofit Services, Corporate, Research & Analysis, and Communications. Brian has extensive experience designing and building strategic initiatives that enable nonprofits and corporations to achieve their philanthropic goals. He is often called upon to speak at conferences regarding the philanthropic landscape and current trends in philanthropy. Brian has also mentored students from Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business. He serves on the Board of Chaminade High School and is Vice Chair of the Board of the Institute for Catholic Schools at St. John’s University. Brian holds a Bachelor of Science degree from St. John’s University and an MBA in Marketing Management from St. John’s Tobin School of Business.

Nathan Chappell

Nathan is a thought leader, public speaker, writer, and one of the world’s foremost experts on the intersection between Artificial Intelligence and philanthropy. He is the Senior Vice President of DonorSearch, leading the research and development efforts dedicated to leveraging artificial intelligence to help nonprofits harness actionable insights from big data. In 2018, Nathan presented the first TEDx talk on the topic of artificial intelligence and the future of generosity. In 2019 Nathan was listed as one of the Top 100 Influencers in Philanthropy. In 2021, he founded Fundraising.Ai as a member-centric collaboration with a focus on data ethics, data equality, privacy and security, and sustainability. Nathan holds a Master’s in Nonprofit Administration from the University of Notre Dame, an MBA from the University of Redlands, a certificate in International Economics from the University of Cambridge, and a certificate in Artificial Intelligence from MIT.

Watch the video presentation of this discussion

Recorded: October 19, 2022

Changing Our World, Inc.

Today we are talking about #cryptocurrency, an evolving topic that is more and more relevant to our world and our Church. Join Changing Our World’s Jim Friend and his guest, Matthew Pinto, the host and founder of the Catholic Crypto Conference. Matt is conducting the conference on November 17/18 at the Valley Forge Sheraton in PA. Matt discusses how businesses use crypto, Web3, and Blockchain technology, and what relevance this has for our Church. This podcast is the perfect discussion for those who are new to crypto. 

About the Conference

The Catholic/Crypto Conference 2022 will be held on November 17/18 at the Valley Forge Sheraton in Pennsylvania. The conference will bring together Catholic thought leaders, technologists, crypto enthusiasts, and evangelists-at-heart for two full days of seminars, Meet-ups, strategy sessions, networking, and fun. The goal is to help individual Catholics and Church leaders understand the future…today. The conference is for those both new to crypto and those who are fully immersed in it. Addressing topics such as blockchain, Bitcoin, Web 3.0, NFTs, and the metaverse, conference speakers will educate on technological developments that will affect Catholics and all of humanity—and then will focus on how they can ultimately serve the Church and the Common Good.

Matthew Pinto

Matthew Pinto is the Founder and leader of this new conference. He has been at the forefront of multiple Catholic initiatives since the early 1990s. In 1998 he founded Ascension Press (Ascension), leading the Catholic publisher and media outlet to global prominence until 2021. Pinto is the founder of The Genesis Group, the creator of the Catholic Crypto Conference, and a co-founder of the Theology of the Body Institute, Envoy Magazine, The Maximus Group, and CatholicExchange.com. Matt has also authored or co-authored more than a dozen Catholic books and educational resources. Matt is a founding member of the Catholic Marketing Network (CMN), a recipient of the Outstanding Catholic Leadership Award from the Catholic Leadership Institute, and has served on multiple boards. He and his wife Maryanne reside with their children in suburban Philadelphia.

Watch the video presentation of this discussion

Recorded October 12, 2022

Daily Spiritual Reflection and Prayers on “Kristin’s Crosses”

Join Jim Friend and his family on Kristin’s Crosses’ YouTube Channel for “Today’s Catholic Prayers”. Jim and his family 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.

Changing Our World, Inc.

Changing Our World proudly offers the Advancing Our Church Podcast as an ongoing thought leadership series designed to further the mission of the Catholic Church through evolving discussions ...

This week we welcome Tom Smith, Director of Development for the Archdiocese of Newark. Tom began this new role in October 2021 and is enjoying being back in his home diocese. Tom and Jim discuss his role in the diocese, working with Cardinal Tobin, and how his parishes have been moving forward during these challenging economic and turbulent times in our world. Tom is a model of good stewardship and a very experienced Development professional and he offers some great advice for working through these challenges. Tom and Jim conducted this interview in person in Tom’s office in Newark, New Jersey. We think you will enjoy their conversation.

Daily Spiritual Reflection and Prayers on “Kristin’s Crosses”

Join Jim Friend and his family on Kristin’s Crosses’ YouTube Channel for “Today’s Catholic Prayers”. Jim and his family 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.

Changing Our World, Inc.

Changing Our World proudly offers the Advancing Our Church Podcast as an ongoing thought leadership series designed to further the mission of the Catholic Church through evolving discussions on stewardship, leadership, and advancement. We hope you find these podcasts educational and informative.

Who is Changing Our World?  We are a dedicated, curious, and visionary team of consultants. We strive to impact our Church and our world. We provide philanthropic counsel to parishes, Catholic Schools, Dioceses, and all types of Catholic nonprofits. Our work is a vocation, one through which we pull the common thread of societal change. Each of us wants to do more good in the world. For decades, we have been able to do just that through the power of philanthropy.  

For more information, please visit us at www.changingourworld.com.

We are currently experiencing the “Great Transfer of Wealth,” and over the next few decades, financial experts predict that between $40 trillion and $140 trillion will be passed from one generation to the next. Up to one-third of this wealth will be transferred to nonprofits through planned giving. We are joined today by Renée Underwood, CFRE, the Chief Development Officer for the Diocese of Fort Worth’s Advancement Foundation who will share advice and her experience with facilitating Planned Gifts for Parishes and her Diocese. This episode was recorded on July 29, 2022.

Pre-order the new book “The Generosity Crisis” by Authors Brian Crimmins, Nathan Chappell, and Michael Ashley on Amazon by clicking here. Send us a question about the new book the Generosity Crisis for our upcoming interview with Brian Crimmins and Nathan Chappell by sending Jim Friend an email.

Join Jim Friend at the new Catholic Crypto Conference on November 17-18, 2022 in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.

Join Changing Our World at the International Catholic Stewardship Conference on October 2-5, 2022 in Anaheim. Stop by our booth and visit with Jim Friend, Tom Farrell and Anna Vallez.

About Renée Underwood

Renée Underwood, CFRE, has served in stewardship, development, and Catholic foundation management roles for dioceses since 2009. As Chief Development Officer of the Diocese of Fort Worth Advancement Foundation, she has responsibility for annual and planned giving, endowment funds and capital campaigns. The current Region X Board Representative to the International Catholic Stewardship Council, Renée has extensive board experience for nonprofit organizations. She currently serves on the executive committees of Lone Star Council Charitable Gift Planners, Fort Worth Metro Chapter of Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), Fort Worth Serra Club, and the Southwestern Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. Prior to her nonprofit career, Renée served in advertising, marketing and executive management roles. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University, an MBA from The University of Texas at Dallas and has completed additional graduate studies toward a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University New Orleans. Renée is a widow, a mother of two sons, a grandmother of three and a spiritual director.

Recorded July 29, 2022

Daily Spiritual Reflection and Prayers on “Kristin’s Crosses”

Join Jim Friend and his family on Kristin’s Crosses’ YouTube Channel for “Today’s Catholic Prayers”. Jim and his family 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.

Today we are joined by the team of the Xavier Society for the Blind. Xavier provides the Word of God, Roman Catholic teaching, literature, spiritual and inspirational material to the blind and visually impaired. They provide these services to persons of any faith in whatever format best meets their needs at no charge. Xavier works to explore ways to make this material more accessible to the widest possible audience of those in need.

Changing Our World‘s Jim Friend is joined by Malachy Fallon, Executive Director and Aisling Redican, Fundraising and Communications Manager.

Recorded on June 24, 2022

Daily Spiritual Reflection and Prayers on “Kristin’s Crosses”

Join Jim Friend and his family on Kristin’s Crosses’ YouTube Channel for “Today’s Catholic Prayers”. Jim and his family 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.

Changing Our World, Inc.

Changing Our World proudly offers the Advancing Our Church Podcast as an ongoing thought leadership series designed to further the mission of the Catholic Church through evolving discussions on stewardship, leadership, and advancement. We hope you find these podcasts educational and informative.

Who is Changing Our World?  We are a dedicated, curious, and visionary team of consultants. We strive to impact our Church and our world. We provide philanthropic counsel to parishes, Catholic Schools, Dioceses, and all types of Catholic nonprofits. Our work is a vocation, one through which we pull the common thread of societal change. Each of us wants to do more good in the world. For decades, we have been able to do just that through the power of philanthropy.  

For more information, please visit us at www.changingourworld.com.

Cristofer Pereyra and Erin Monnin have authored the new book, Catholic Leadership for Civil Society, to provide a guide to authentic lay Catholic leadership. The book challenges the laity to take on leadership roles in the secular world. Join Changing Our World’s Jim Friend and his guests for this thoughtful conversation about the role of lay leadership in our Church today.

About the Book:

Catholic Leadership is not meant to be lived out exclusively within the confines of the Catholic faith community. Instead, serves mainly as a guiding force that illuminates every aspect of secular society with the Truth of the Gospel. The book explains why lay Catholic professionals have a unique responsibility and privileged opportunity to influence the world for Christ. It’s not an optional prerogative, but their duty as baptized children of God. The authors explain that chance and coincidence are not compatible with the Catholic faith. If God has blessed some lay Catholics with a professional career, then their career must obligatorily become those Catholics’ field of mission. Ultimately, this book explores specific fields and concrete ways to carry out Catholic leadership for civil society.

Watch the video presentation of this discussion

Recorded June 8, 2022

Daily Spiritual Reflection and Prayers on “Today’s Catholic Prayers”

Join Jim Friend and his family on Kristin’s Crosses’ YouTube Channel for “Today’s Catholic Prayers”. Jim and his family 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.

Changing Our World, Inc.

Changing Our World proudly offers the Advancing Our Church Podcast as an ongoing thought leadership series designed to further the mission of the Catholic Church through evolving discussions on stewardship, leadership, and advancement. We hope you find these podcasts educational and informative.

Who is Changing Our World?  We are a dedicated, curious, and visionary team of consultants that strive to impact our Church and our world. We provide philanthropic counsel to parishes, Catholic Schools, Dioceses, and all types of Catholic nonprofits. Our work is a vocation, one through which we pull the common thread of societal change. Each of us wants to do more good in the world and for decades, we have been able to do just that through the power of philanthropy.  

For more information, please visit us at www.changingourworld.com.