Advancing Our Church

Today’s Show

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…

* How should a new Development Officer spend the first 90 days? * What did Bishop Olmsted say was one of the best byproducts of running a diocesan campaign? * How does the Ascent Conference help parishes in the Diocese of Phoenix? * The focus of refugee ministry through Catholic Charities.* Bishop Olmsted’s two incredible Exhortations: Complete My Joy and Into the Breach

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.

About the Diocese of Phoenix

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 at 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.

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 Cortese, 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:

* Dr. Tim Uhl* Jason Morrison & Mark Freund* Steven Virgadamo on Catholic School Leadership* Data-Driven Communications Plans for Catholic Schools* The Future of Catholic Education* Kolbe Academy

Catholic Schools Week 2020

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 January 26 to February 1, 2020. Schools typically observe the week with Masses,

Today’s Show

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:

* What are the benefits of a strong communications plan?* Generational trends in communications.* What are the reasons that parents choose a Catholic education in 2020? * How does Catholic Schools Week fit into the context of a larger marketing plan?* Examples Catholic Schools can use to promote themselves during Catholic Schools Week.* Days of Giving* How to engage your constituencies during Catholic Schools Week.* …and much more!

About Catholic Schools Week

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.”

If you would like to watch the webinar version of this session, please click here for the full video.

To contact Nick Regina, please email him by click here. If you would like to email Jennifer Trefelner, please click here.

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, other national prominent 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.   

Today’s Program

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.    

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.

The Catholic Faith Network (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. 

Today’s Show

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 longterm 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 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, Cheif 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.

If you would like to view the webinar, please click here. If you would like the powerpoint presentation for this podcast, please contact Jim Friend.

Today’s Episode

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, 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 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 FriendManaging Director, Changing Our WorldHost, Advancing Our Church Podcast

Today’s Episode

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.

Click here if you would like to read the case for support.

For more information about parish capital campaigns, please contact Jim Friend.

Today’s Show

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 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 USA as the Executive Vice President of Members Services (2015) and Senior Vice President of Social Policy (2014), Brian served as the Diocese of Youngstown, OH’s Executive Director for Catholic Charities Services and Health Affairs; the Secretary/Treasurer for the Diocese of Youngstown Catholic Charities Corporation; the Diocesan Director for Migration and Refugee Services (MRS); Diocesan Director of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD); the Diocesan Director of Catholic Relief Services (CRS); and the Diocesan Liaison for the Northeast Ohio Diocesan Council of St. Vincent de Paul. In these roles — with over 27 years of service — he was responsible for providing leadership to and coordination for the health and social ministries of the Church and creating opportunities for Church and community leaders to understand and be formed in Catholic social doctrine, helping persons and institutions to live out the Corporal Works of Mercy.  Brian served as the Secretary of the National Board of Trustees of Catholic Charities USA and chaired the National Advisory Council of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

Brian holds a Bachelor of Philosophy degree from The Pontifical School

of Philosophy, and a Bachelor of Arts in Politics from The Catholic University

of America, Washington, D.C. He is completing his Ph.D. at The Massachusetts

Institute of Technology (MIT), has completed doctoral work in Organizational

Leadership at Youngstown State University, and holds a Certification in Health

Care Ethics from The National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia,

Pennsylvania. Brian, a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of

Jerusalem has been with Catholic Charities for over 28 years.  He is married to Dr. Donna DeBlasio.

Follow him on twitter @brianrcorbin

Today’s Episode

This week we visit one of Changing Our World’s former clients, the Central Association of the Miraculous Medal which is located in the suburbs of Philadelphia. We visit with Mary Jo Timlin-Hoag, President and Chief Executive Officer, Sheila McGirl, CFRE, Senior Director of Institutional Advancement and Jim Friend is joined by Kaitlin McTighe, Managing Director at Changing Our World.

Mary Jo is the first lay president and CEO in the 103-year history of the Shrine. She has held leadership roles at Aetna, GE Healthcare, General Motors, McKesson, MedScape and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. She was also active through service on several charitable boards and a member of a number of professional societies. Mary Jo has a long connection to the shrine. When she was a child her parents had a devotion to the Virgin Mary and would bring Mary Jo regularly to the weekly novena. Mary Jo’s connection with CAMM and the shrine has been reinforced over the years through her brother, Father John Timlin, C.M., who directs formation at the Vincentians’ nearby De Paul Novitiate.

Sheila McGirl is a Certified Fundraising Executive who has served the Catholic Church in Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the Diocese of Camden since 2005. Sheila most recently came to the Shrine from the Diocese of Camden where she served as Associate Director of Development and as Founder and member of the Board of Trustees for the Catholic Business Network of South Jersey.

About the Shrine and the Vincentians

The Central Association of the Miraculous Medal is dedicated to spreading devotion to Mary Immaculate and her Miraculous Medal, supporting the promotion of this devotion, helping the formation and education of seminarians, providing care to the aged and infirm Priests and Brothers of the Eastern Province, and supporting programs that provide assistance to the poor.

The Miraculous Medal was revealed to St. Catherine Labouré in 1830. St. Catherine was a member of the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul, and her vision of Our Lady occurred in the motherhouse of the Daughters of Charity in Paris, France.

St. Vincent de Paul, recognized as the “Great Apostle of Charity,” was also the founder of the Vincentian Order of Priests and Brothers. It was Father Joseph Skelly, CM, a Vincentian priest, who founded the Central Association of the Miraculous Medal in 1915.

St. Vincent de Paul, and his beautiful legacy of charitable giving connects to the Shrine through the founding and the manifestation of the Miraculous Medal.

In March of 1915, Father Joseph Skelly, CM, established the Central Association of the Miraculous Medal. The original purpose of the Central Association was to spread devotion to Mary Immaculate by encouraging devotion to Mary under her title of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.

Today’s Show

Dr. Tim Uhl is a popular blogger and podcast host for Catholic School Matters (available on iTunes) and the Superintendent of Montana Catholic Schools. Today, Changing Our World’s Jim Friend talks with Tim about life, Catholic School leadership, and Catholic education. The two men also spend a significant amount of time talking about podcasting. We learn how Tim began his podcast and the intellectual curiosity that guides his journey in podcasting. This is a little more of a relaxed conversation than an interview; we hope you enjoy this conversation. Also, we hope that all of our listeners enjoy a blessed Thanksgiving Holiday this week!

About Tim Uhl

Dr. Uhl serves as the superintendent of Catholic Schools for Montana, serving 23 schools, 3900+ students, and two dioceses (Helena and Great Falls-Billings).  He has previously served as the principal of Holy Rosary Regional School in Tacoma and Catholic High School in New Iberia, Louisiana.  Tim is the founder of “Catholic School Matters,” a podcast about Catholic Schools.  He publishes a Montana Catholic Schools website full of great resources and a weekly newsletter “Catholic School Matters” with great information, too.

FREE WEBINAR: GETTING READY FOR A PARISH CAMPAIGN

Tune to the Advancing Our Church LIVE! Webinar. Wednesday, December 11, 2:00 p.m. (EST)CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION & TO REGISTER