Twelve Wicker Baskets

It's Catholic Schools Week, and host Christopher Beaudet discusses the renewal of Catholic education through strong mission-driven leadership and thoughtful fundraising with Kimberly Begg. Co-author of The Catholic School Playbook, Begg expresses that while some schools are closing due to declining enrollment, others are flourishing because they place mission first and integrate faithful Catholic identity with practical leader...

In this episode of Twelve Wicker Baskets, host Christopher Beaudet welcomes Audrey Kintzi, vice president emerita for advancement and executive director of the M.A. in Philanthropy and Development program at St. Mary's University of Minnesota. The conversation explores the art and spirituality of fundraising, emphasizing that true development work is rooted in relationship, shared values and the joy of giving. Audrey Kintzi sh...

This special Thanksgiving edition of Twelve Wicker Baskets features voices from across the Steier Group expressing gratitude for the partnerships and communities we've served in campaigns. Opening with a reading of the first Thanksgiving Proclamation by President George Washington, host Christopher Beaudet sets the tone for the following expressions of gratitude. Team members share heartfelt thanks for the opportunity to work ...

Katherine Coolidge from the Catherine of Siena Institute enjoys a conversation on Twelve Wicker Baskets on the importance of intentional discipleship and stewardship in parish communities. Katherine shares her experience in parish ministry and her work with the Institute, highlighting programs like Ananias Training and the Called and Gifted Discernment Process. These initiatives help parishioners identify and share their spiritual ...

Father James Burns, President of St. Mary's University of Minnesota, discusses the mission of Catholic higher education, emphasizing the integration of psychology and theology in priestly formation and the importance of donor relationships in sustaining Catholic educational institutions. He highlights the centrality of faith, human formation, and virtue development to the university’s mission, and how storytelling and authenti...

Dr. Eric Westby, Director of the Institute of Catholic Theology in Phoenix, Arizona, and longtime catechist, discusses the essential connection between catechesis and evangelization in the latest episode of Twelve Wicker Baskets. Dr. Westby traces his own journey into catechetics, inspired by mentors and shaped by decades of parish ministry and academic study. He explains the importance of the kerygma—the initial proclamation of th...

In this episode of Twelve Wicker Baskets, Dr. Dan Ryan, President of Dowling Catholic High School in West Des Moines, Iowa, discusses the transformative power of servant leadership in Catholic education and fundraising. With over two decades of experience in Catholic school leadership, Dr. Ryan has served in roles ranging from special education teacher to diocesan superintendent. Since 2017, he has led Dowling Catholic through stra...

Fr. Matt Lowry shares his journey as chaplain of the Holy Trinity Newman Center at Northern Arizona University, where he has led explosive growth both spiritually and financially. He reflects on how his ministry—rooted in prayer, relationship and trust in God’s providence—has transformed from humble beginnings into a dynamic mission field for evangelization. Fr. Matt emphasizes the deep spiritual hunger among college students for b...

Twelve Wicker Baskets welcomes Bishop James Golka of the Diocese of Colorado Springs for a rich and thoughtful conversation on gratitude, stewardship and Eucharistic living. Bishop Golka reflects on psalm 116 and the act of taking up the cup of salvation and calling upon the name of the Lord as a gesture of profound worship and thanksgiving—an invitation to live a life rooted in the Eucharist.

Bishop Golka shares insights from his o...

As the Church entered a celebration of the Jubilee of Teenagers this week, Twelve Wicker Baskets takes time with Mark Hart, the Chief Innovation Officer at Life Teen International, a Catholic youth ministry active in nearly 2,000 parishes worldwide. Mark shares his personal journey from a "typical" Catholic upbringing to a life-changing encounter with Christ during high school, thanks to the Life Teen movement. That exper...

An accomplished educator and musician hailing from his hometown of St. John’s, Newfoundland, Stephen Handrigan delves into the topic of openness to the journey set before each of us in life and in fundraising. With degrees in music and education, Stephen’s career spans leadership in Catholic and independent schools. This experience led him to the role that he currently holds as president and head of school at St. Bonaventure’s Coll...

Fr. Bill Gurnee, pastor of St. Joseph’s on Capitol Hill, shares his journey from his beginnings in New York and North Carolina to Washington, D.C., inspired by a pivotal question about life’s purpose. St. Joseph's on Capitol Hill has a rich history. Founded in 1868 by German immigrants, it is now a diverse community of 450 families, including many Congressional staffers and young professionals. St. Joseph’s offers daily Masses...

Luke attributes the Holy Spirit for planting on his heart from an early age the desire to do ministry. Growing up as an older sibling of eleven children, he learned leadership and responsibility early on. Led to a habit of daily prayer in college by FOCUS and the personal witness of a friend, Luke knew firsthand the importance of community, fraternal support, and individual invitation in coming to deeper discipleship. “Truth become...

In this episode, Twelve Wicker Baskets host, Christopher Beaudet, shares a Christmas message of hope, allowing a story from a Civil War battlefield to be lesson for us all that Christmas is a joyful celebration of hope because it is about God coming to dwell among us; coming to dwell in our pain and suffering, in our fear and worry; coming to dwell with us in such a place as this. On behalf of everyone at the Steier Group, we wish ...

Leisa’s leadership in helping parish communities to “look at one another from the perspective of gift and abundance” allows parishes to experience an invitation to enter more deeply into the life of the community. “Everyone has something to give. And not only does everyone have something to give, but everyone needs to give.” Gratitude is a virtue, requiring us to foster, develop and practice the habit of being grateful. Leisa remin...

Steve Homiack advises pastors that, when it comes to addressing finances from the pulpit, “the best time to talk about money is when you’re not asking for it.” When people complain “all they do is talk about money,” it’s probably because talking about money from the pulpit is only done when people are asked to give it for a need; it’s always linked to an appeal. But the multitude of scriptural references and parables about mon...

A native of Ohio and a product of Catholic education, Colin Campbell knows very well the value and impact Catholic education has on a child, the character formation and critical thinking it instills, and the openness it creates to mystery and vocation in life.  All Saints Catholic School, where Colin serves as President, partnered with the Steier Group to conduct a transformative campaign to allow the school to continue its charism...

With a history over 400 years, the religious sisters who belong to the Order of the Company of Mary Our Lady have a rich tradition of Catholic education inspired by the charism and vision of the community’s foundress, St. Jeanne de Lestonnac. St. Jeanne’s own familial and vocation experiences helped form her practical application of education in a time when education meant largely memorization of facts and was open only to boys. 

St...

Abriana Chilelli describes the beginning of Fire Foundation Denver as nothing short of providential. Just as Covid came on the scene, several parents of children with disabilities wrote in large numbers to the Archdiocese of Denver with the request for support to help them educate their children in Catholic schools, many of which were not prepared for special needs students. Soon, with Archbishop Aquila’s blessing, a group of mothe...