Advancing Our Church

Published: February 28, 2022 Join Clark Bartram and Jim Friend for a conversation about health, fitness, and spirituality. Clark Bartram is an inspirational Christian, professional fitness model, published fitness writer, and ISSA Master Personal Trainer from Ohio. He is well-known as an online trainer and TV fitness show host. Most recently, Clark has made it his personal mission to help men over 50 live healthier lives through the creation of CBX Nation, an online coaching service for men with over 10,000 members. For more information on Clark’s program, you can view the video he mentions on the six-week solution and men who have experienced this program here. You can find download his App, join his Facebook page, or follow him on Instagram. Watch the video presentation of this discussion. https://youtu.be/k1iqBule4SY Recorded: February 22, 2022 Don’t miss Changing Our World’s FORGING FORWARDDon’t miss the webinar series FORGING FORWARD, a virtual philanthropic conference designed to bring you

Published: December 21, 2021 On August 6, 2021, Bishop Koenig, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington, announced Ms. Sheila O’Hagan McGirl, CFRE, would take the reigns as the new Director of Development for the diocese. On today’s show, Changing Our World’s Jim Friend talks with Sheila about her career path to this new role and how God guided Sheila and her family each step of the way. Sheila shares her focus for the office and her focus to serve this mission. Sheila O’Hagan McGirl, CFRE Ms. McGirl comes to the Diocese of Wilmington from the Central Association of the Miraculous Medal in Philadelphia, where she was Senior Director of Institutional Advancement. Prior to that, she served the Diocese of Camden, New Jersey as Associate Director of Development. She also held positions in the Camden Diocese’s Family Life and Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministry offices, as well. Ms. McGirl holds degrees in Business Administration from Gloucester County College and Liberal Studies from Rowan Univer

Published: December 05, 2021 The Association of Catholic Mental Health Ministers was born out of a need for education, resources, and servant laymen and women to respond to mental health crises. On today’s show, Jim Friend interviews the organization’s President, Deacon Ed Shoener of the Diocese of Scranton. Deacon Ed will share that he was inspired to join with other dedicated people to establish the Association after his daughter Katie died by suicide in 2016 after a long battle with bipolar disorder.  The response to his daughter’s obituary made it clear to Deacon Shoener that there is a real need for the mental health ministry in the Church. Together with the ministry’s chaplain, Bishop John Dolan of the Diocese of San Diego, Catholic MHM has guided parishes through the process of creating a mental health ministry to provide spiritual support for those struggling with mental health issues, for their families and for the entire parish community. Watch the video presentation of this discussion htt

Published: November 15, 2021 In celebration of Vocation Awareness Week, Changing Our World‘s Jim Friend invited Fr. Michael Zimmerman, who currently serves as assistant Vocation Director for the Archdiocese of Boston and as an adjunct Scripture Professor at St. John’s Seminary. With the heart of a teacher, Fr. Michael was inspired to create a systematic discernment program for young men drawing from the wisdom that he received as part of his own formation. During the pandemic lockdown in May 2020, Fr. Michael scripted 27 episodes which are now part of a video series called Scivias. Filmed in a way that captures many of Fr. Michael’s own interests, such as rock climbing, track and field, art, drawing, and of course, the city of Boston. Fr. Michael hopes others can identify with his journey and recognize how pursuing God’s plan for their lives will fulfill their greatest desires.Scivias Know the Ways of the Lord is a one-of-a-kind video series that serves as a vocational discernment guide for men consider

Published: November 10, 2021 What are your year-end giving strategies? How will you close the calendar year and capitalize on the giving season? Jim Friend is joined by Lisa Quist, the new Executive Director of Mission Support and Chief Development Officer for the Franciscan Friars of Atonement. As the Executive Director, Lisa provides strategic leadership for their comprehensive multichannel fundraising program, which generates revenue that supports the ministries of the Friars. Prior to joining the Friars, Lisa served as the Chief Development Officer of the Edmundite Missions located in Selma, Alabama, where she led all of their philanthropic strategies that supported the Mission’s transformative life-saving and life-changing programs. Lisa is relatively new to her role, and she also discusses what to focus on first as a new Development Director. Please join us for this informative discussion. Watch the video presentation of this discussion. https://youtu.be/hLeEINjnC-Y Don’t miss Changing Ou

Published: November 01, 2021 This week we travel back to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to talk with Michelle Brown, the The post 107. Michelle Brown, Independence Mission Schools appeared first on Advancing Our Church.

Published: October 24, 2021 Catholic Healthcare Systems serve a unique mission in the community, and never has the mission been The post 106. Jim Choma, Saint Peter’s Healthcare System appeared first on Advancing Our Church.

Published: October 19, 2021 The Permanent Diaconate is a vital support to parish ministry. The Church calls men to serve The post 105. The Ministry of the Permanent Diaconate appeared first on Advancing Our Church.

Published: October 12, 2021 Father Christopher Walsh, Pastor of Saint Raymond of Penafort Catholic Church in Philadelphia, joins this week’s The post 104. Fr. Christopher Walsh – Overcoming Racism appeared first on Advancing Our Church.

Published: October 05, 2021 Changing Our World‘s Jim Friend speaks with Fr. Jim McDermott, SJ, a Jesuit priest, writer, and The post 103. The Pop Culture Priest: Fr. Jim McDermott, SJ appeared first on Advancing Our Church.

Published: September 26, 2021 How has the pandemic impacted Stewardship for Catholic organizations? What strategies are Catholic leaders implementing to The post 102. Conversations at the 59th Annual ICSC appeared first on Advancing Our Church.

Published: September 19, 2021 In December 2020, Dan Cellucci, CEO of the Catholic Leadership Institute, offered a compelling talk entitled The post 101. How Do We Bring them Back? appeared first on Advancing Our Church.

Published: September 10, 2021 Join Jim Friend as we celebrate the 100th Episode of Advancing Our Church with his special The post 100. The Voice of the Bridegroom appeared first on Advancing Our Church.

Published: July 19, 2021 Changing Our World‘s Jim Friend hosts a conversation with experienced Catholic podcasters and social media experts The post 99. Catholic Podcaster’s Forum appeared first on Advancing Our Church.

Published: June 20, 2021 Jim Friend welcomes his Uncle, David C. Friend, veteran, entrepreneur, author, banker, teacher, pastor, and now The post 98. David C. Friend appeared first on Advancing Our Church.

Published: June 15, 2021 Join Changing Our World‘s Jim Friend and cohost Anna Vallez for a panel discussion with three pastors who share their experiences of adapting to a virtual environment over the past year. What lessons have they learned? What new parish practices have brought their communities closer together, and what will they carry forward into a post-pandemic Church? As parishioners begin to return home to Mass, how do these pastors think about returning to the real presence of the Eucharist, and what steps will they take to welcome parishioners home? Hear how they have creatively engaged parishioners over the past year and how they are welcoming them home to the Lord’s Table. Our panel includes… Fr. Joseph Scolaro, Pastor, Notre Dame Church in New Hyde Park, New York Fr. Mike Murphy, Pastor, Sacred Heart Parish in Coronado, California Fr. Allen Hoffa, Pastor, St. Joseph Parish of the Panther Valley in Summitt Hill, Pennsylvania. As of June 20, 2021, Fr. Hoffa will be Pastor of Holy Gu

Published: June 10, 2021 How have diocesan appeals changed since the start of the pandemic, and how will diocesan professionals continue to adjust their strategies in 2021/22? Join Changing Our World‘s Jim Friend as he hosts a panel of top-notch experts who discuss the evolving landscape of Diocesan Appeals. Today’s guests include Brian Niebrugge, Executive Director of Stewardship and the Annual Catholic Appeal at Archdiocese of St. Louis; Marta Sweeney, Vice President, Chief Community Service Officer at The Catholic Foundation of Central Florida; Lisa Wentz, Director of Charity and Development Appeal at Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix and Tom Smith, Director of Development Diocese of Metuchen. Watch the video presentation of this discussion https://youtu.be/nKvVhs7aNiY Don’t miss Changing Our World’s FORGING FORWARDDon’t miss the webinar series FORGING FORWARD, a virtual philanthropic conference designed to bring you nonprofit experts from around the country who are leading through the COVID-

Published: June 01, 2021 Bishop Alfred Schlert, Bishop of the Diocese of Allentown, joins Jim Friend on today’s show. Bishop Schlert discusses growing up in the Lehigh Valley, how the region has evolved, and the Bishop’s own vocation story. He describes how his vocation was the culmination of an internal journey with God and was encouraged by his family and mentors. As a lifelong member of his diocese, Bishop Schlert’s road to the episcopacy has been unique. The Bishop served directly under all three of his predecessors, and he describes how that journey prepared him for the joys and challenges of his role as Bishop. Finally, Bishop Schlert discusses the 60th Anniversary of the Diocese, the theme of the Year of Real Presence, and how other dioceses and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops are taking notice. For more information about the Diocese’s 60th Anniversary and the Year of Real Presence, please visit the Diocesan Anniversary website located at www.yearofrealpresence.org. Watch the vid

Published: May 26, 2021 Changing Our World‘s Jim Friend welcomes Fr. Thomas Dailey, the inaugural John Cardinal Foley Chair of Homiletics & Social Communications at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia. Fr. Dailey has a new book, Behold This Heart: St. Francis de Sales and Devotion to the Sacred Heart, available on Amazon. In the book, Fr. Thomas Dailey transports the reader beyond the prayers and liturgies and helps you to contemplate the Sacred Heart, which Pope Benedict XVI said has irreplaceable importance. Jim and Fr. Dailey also discuss the role of the John Cardinal Foley Chair and the impact Fr. Dailey is making on Seminarians, parishes, and dioceses. The John Cardinal Foley Chair supports the work of the Catholic Church in the realm of social communications by teaching seminary students and church groups, working with staff in parishes and (arch)dioceses, and engaging in dialogue with journalists and media professionals. Watch the video presentation of this discussion https://youtu.

Published: May 18, 2021 We are pleased to welcome Archbishop Leonard P. Blair, S.T.D., Shepherd of the Archdiocese of Hartford, to our program this week. Changing Our World‘s Jim Friend and Fred Roberts talk with Archbishop Blair about welcoming back the faithful to Mass this coming weekend after a long pandemic. The three men also discuss the Diocesan Young Adult Conference (taking place the week of May 17, 2021) and vocational ministry, including the Archbishop’s own vocation story. Finally, Fred and the Archbishop discuss the successful diocesan capital campaign, Forward in Faith, on which Changing Our World has been honored to partner with the Hartford Bishop’s Foundation. Watch the video presentation of this discussion https://youtu.be/22RGWC5N-10 Recorded on May 14, 2021 Don’t miss Changing Our World’s FORGING FORWARDDon’t miss the webinar series FORGING FORWARD, a virtual philanthropic conference designed to bring you nonprofit experts from around the country who are leading through the CO