Advancing Our Church

Published: September 13, 2017 Today’s topic is forming Parish Stewardship Committees with our guest, Jim Kelley.  We invited Jim because he is an expert on the subject of Stewardship. Jim discusses the focus of Stewardship in a parish and the profile of someone who would join the committee. Jim explains their roles and responsibilities along with the “five M’s” of building a network of resources.   About Jim Kelley: Jim is the Director of Development in the Diocese of Charlotte and the Executive Director of their Catholic Foundation. Mr. Kelley is the author of several books on Stewardship and a national presenter on the topic. Jim served as president on the board of the International Catholic Stewardship Conference.  Jim was the 2000 recipient of the Bishop Connare Award from ICSC. Because of the demand for his experience, Jim has traveled around the world teaching stewardship to parishioners in many different countries. You can reach Jim at jkkelley@charlottediocese.org In 1992 the United States Bi

Published: July 04, 2017 Join Jim Friend on the floor of the convention center for the 2017 Convocation of Catholic Leaders in Orlando, Florida.  Jim interviewed many participants of the gathering from all over the country.  It was exciting to hear the hopes and expectations of those who traveled to this unprecedented event. Participants ranged from vendors, students, volunteers, and many experts. This episode is an interesting listen because of the varied perspectives and views of those interviewed. In this episode, Jim becomes the “man on the street” who approaches participants with a microphone in hand. One constant in these interviews was the excitement and enthusiasm for our faith.  About the Convocation: On July 1-4, 2017, the USCCB gathered leaders from Catholic organizations to discuss the challenges and opportunities for our Church. The conference assembled Catholic leaders for a strategic conversation on the topic of forming disciples and engaging the laity. Never before had such a gathering t

Published: June 11, 2017 This week we are joined by Michael Brough, Director of Strategic Engagement, for the Leadership Roundtable.  The Leadership Roundtable promotes best practices and accountability in the Church. They bring expertise in management, finances, communications, and human resource development. They are also a strong supporter of incorporating the expertise of the laity in the Church. Michael and our Host, Jim Friend discuss the Roundtable’s work on many levels, including dioceses, parishes, schools and Catholic organizations. They will also talk about the Roundtable’s annual meeting at the end of June in Orlando, which is a prelude to the USCCB’s Convocation of Catholic Leaders meeting that same week. Michael Brough offers 26 years of professional ministry in the Catholic Church.  He has worked with and trained lay ecclesial ministers and priests in dioceses across the United States and in twelve countries. Michael has also served as a consultant to Catholic nonprofits, boards, foundati

Published: June 05, 2017 Our Host, Jim Friend, speaks with Msgr. J. Brian Bransfield, General Secretary of the USCCB, about the upcoming Convocation of Catholic Leaders, to be held July 1-4 in Orlando, Florida. This summer, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops will be convening an unprecedented gathering of key leaders from dioceses and Catholic organizations from all across the country to assess the challenges and opportunities of our time, particularly in the context of the Church in the United States. This has been an ongoing initiative of the Bishop's Working Group on the Life and Dignity of the Human Person. The gathering will assemble Catholic leaders for a strategic conversation, under the leadership of the bishops, on forming missionary disciples to animate the Church and engage the culture. Reverend Monsignor J. Brian Bransfield is a priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and was elected general secretary of the USCCB during their Fall General Assembly on November 17, 2015.  Ordained in

Published: May 31, 2017 Let’s talk about Stewardship! Meet Jim Lanahan, Director of Development for the Diocese of Camden. Jim talks about implementing Stewardship and Development in a diocesan setting. He Lanahan brings a lifetime career to fundraising. He has served in the Diocese of Camden for the past 17 years. What is Stewardship? How do we relate to our donors, board members and parishes the importance of adopting a spirituality centered around the 1992 Bishop’s Pastoral document, Stewardship: A Disciples Response? Connecting our faith and our need to give is at the heart of being a good steward. We begin our conversation around team building and a program called Strength Finders by the Gallup Organization.  We talk about staff development, organizing around your annual development plan and how the Holy Spirit can play a role in inspiring our work. We are so grateful to you for your prayers and support of Advancing Our Church.  We’d love to hear from you. Please help us by retweeting our

Published: May 21, 2017 Interview with John Foster, Class of 2012 This week we continue our two-part episode of the 2011 merger that created Berks Catholic High School.  We interview John Foster, a 2012 graduate and member of the first senior class.  John was a Junior at Reading Central Catholic High School when he heard the news that his school would merge with Holy Name High School. John participated as part of the student council and the transition team to form Berks Catholic. As the President of the Inaugural Senior Class, John has an impressive perspective on the transition and his role.  John’s 16-year formation in Catholic education inspired him to stay active and become an advocate for Catholic schools.  John and his classmates will celebrate their 5-year class reunion this summer. Six years ago, as a member of the transition team, John spoke out as an advocate for the new Berks Catholic High School and even then he was a student who stood out among the crowd.  See YouTube Video Part One and

Published: May 16, 2017 Today's story is about the successful formation of Berks Catholic High School in Reading, Pennsylvania (Diocese of Allentown), a co-ed high school formed in 2011 through the merger of Reading Central Catholic and Holy Name high schools. Both of the former high schools had proud traditions and tremendous legacies. But the new school exceeded all expectations and defied the odds.  In this episode, Jim Friend interviews Tony Balistrere, Principal and his colleagues Nicole (Chiarelli) Smith, Admissions Director and Fr. Gene Ritz, the school’s Chaplain, as we discuss why they now have an enrollment that exceeds the combined enrollment of the two previous schools combined. Tony and Jim begin by discussing the early days of the transition team, the formation of the school, how the school has remained successful through enrollment and development and the work of the board of directors.  Tony’s insights on how to connect alumni from the two previous schools with the current mission of Ber

Published: May 07, 2017 “The Priesthood is the Love of the Heart of Jesus.” This week, Jim Friend travels to Emmitsburg, Maryland, the home of the Seminary at Mount St. Mary’s University. Our latest episode features Msgr. Andrew Baker, the Rector of the Seminary and a Vice President of the University. The Diocese of Allentown ordained Msgr. Bakerto the priesthood in 1991. He has served in various parishes, including as pastor of the Cathedral of St. Catherine of Siena. Msgr. Baker taught high school, served as a University Chaplain, a faculty member of St. Charles Seminary and for the Congregation for Bishops in Rome. St. John Vianney said, “The Priesthood is the Love of the Heart of Jesus.”  Msgr. Baker shares with us his strategy for running a seminary that receives seminarians from all around the United States. We talk about marketing, fundraising, and how we can all encourage vocations.  No surprise that it’s all about relationships.   Msgr. Baker also discusses how he managed to run a successfu

Published: April 30, 2017 Today’s interview takes place with Michael Ritz, ’71, President of the St. James Alumni Association. The story of the St. James High School Bulldogs did not end with the closing of the high school in 1993.  The school’s alumni association has continued to raise funds and make an impact in the community for almost 25 years. Michael reports that membership remains strong, with 1,600 active members. The Bulldogs have awarded over $1 million in tuition assistance to students in Catholic Schools. They currently support students with scholarships at five Philadelphia Archdiocesan High Schools. Michael also discusses how the Bulldogs have provided support and encouraged other Alumni associations around the country to continue their service beyond their school's closure. It is an inspirational story about overcoming loss and continuing the legacy of Catholic education. Want more Bulldogs? See a brief video of the Dog House and hear from some of the members. Watch this short video.

Published: April 23, 2017 Part Two of our interview at Nativity Parish. Join Jim Friend as he visits Church of the Nativity in Timonium, Maryland. In the interview with Fr. Michael White, Pastor and Brandon Hollern, Director of Finances, talk about their journey as a stewardship parish. During the interview, Fr. White shares how his view of stewardship has evolved over the years to what he sees as a healthier view. Brandon shares his personal experience of hearing the message of stewardship and then how the parish has implemented its approach using the four “P’s” The episode finishes with a beautiful letter from one of Fr. White’s parishioners, explaining how they have grown in their faith because of the welcoming atmosphere at Nativity. Background: Fr. Michael White and his pastoral associate, Tom Corcoran, I authored Rebuilt (Ave Maria Press, Notre Dame In: Winter 2013). Rebuilt is all about awakening the faithful, reaching the lost, and making church matter. It tells the story of changing consumer c

Published: April 16, 2017 It’s our first episode! Join Jim Friend as he visits with parishioners at Church of the Nativity in Timonium, Maryland, and their pastor, Fr. Michael White, and the Director of Finances, Brandon Hollern. In 2013 Fr. White and Michael Corcoran wrote the very popular book Rebuilt: The Story of a Catholic Parish. Since then, their story has captured the imaginations of parishes all around the country who are learning how this parish of 1,200 turned into a parish that serves 4,000 people on the weekend and how they raised over $12 million towards a major expansion project to serve their congregation. This is part one of our two-part episode, which includes interviews with Fr. White, Brandon and parishioners Tony, Beth, Jen, and Elizabeth. Jim was so grateful and inspired to attend Mass and participate in what they call the “weekend experience” during Ministry Weekend. Daily Spiritual Reflection and Prayers on "Kristin's Crosses" Join Jim and Kristin Friend and their famil

Our Preview Episode! Published: April 06, 2017 Please enjoy this brief Preview Episode of our new podcast, which includes clips from various interviews conducted in recent weeks. Please subscribe on iTunes and watch for our premiere episode on April 17, 2017. Our mission is to support the Catholic Church by providing stewardship and advancement content. We envision a Catholic community that is fully engaged in the life and mission of our Church and helped through an abundance of resources that promotes Jesus Christ in the world. Advancing Our Church will focus each season on a particular success or even a challenge in the field of Stewardship or Advancement.  We aspire to speak with leaders in Arch/Dioceses, parishes, Catholic schools, foundations, benefactors, and many more.  Guest hosts will join the show to bring their expertise, experiences, and perspectives on topics that promote the growth of the Catholic Church. Our show will share best practices, success stories and spark the imagination of