Episodes

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, Stewa...

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...

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 (C...

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 s...

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 student...

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...

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 serv...

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 ...