Twelve Wicker Baskets

Steier Group
  • 5.0 (17)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

In the Gospel, Jesus fed 5,000 with only five loaves and two fish. After the crowd was satisfied, there were 12 wicker baskets left over. God provides the abundance. In each episode of this podcast, we will explore, with pastoral leaders and development professionals, all the many ways God meets the spiritual and temporal needs of our parish communities, our Catholic schools and the diocesan church. And not only meets those needs but provides in abundance.

  1. JAN 28

    Fundraising for the Mission of Catholic Education

    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 leadership and administration. Emphasizing that successful schools view fundraising not as a distraction from education, but as an essential way of inviting others to participate in the Church’s mission of forming young people for heaven and for human flourishing, Begg notes, “All good fundraising…is learning how to partner with people in a shared goal.” Begg reframes financial development as relationship-building rooted in gratitude, transparency and shared vision. She stresses starting small, communicating clearly with parents and communities about real needs, and gradually building confidence and trust that make larger, long-term efforts like capital campaigns possible. Fundraising must be ongoing and personal rather than purely transactional.  To download a free copy of The Catholic School Playbook, simply visit www.catholicschoolplaybook.com  Guest: Kimberly Begg Title: Co-author, The Catholic School Playbook Follow us on social media: Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram To contact the podcast, email twb@steiergroup.com.

    40 min

  2. 12/31/2025

    The Art of Joyful Giving

    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 shares her journey from drama major to fundraising expert, recounting formative experiences and lessons from her mentor, Hank Rosso, who taught that “Fundraising is the gentle art of teaching people the joy of giving.” The episode delves into how philanthropy, especially in faith-based settings, is not about transactional requests but about inviting others into meaningful engagement with a mission. She advocates for replacing the word “fundraising” with “invitation,” explaining, “We are inviting people into our organization... and ultimately, we invite them to prayerfully consider a gift.” Closing with reflections on the joy and blessing of giving, and the transformative impact of nurturing relationships and shared purpose in philanthropy, this is an episode you wont want to miss! Guest: Audrey Kintzi Title: Vice President, Emerita for Advancement and Executive Director of the M.A. in Philanthropy and Development Program, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota  Follow us on social media: Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram To contact the podcast, email twb@steiergroup.com.

    55 min

  3. 11/26/2025

    Thanksgiving and Gratitude in Partnership

    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 with parishes, schools, and volunteers, highlighting meaningful campaigns, personal growth, and the deep sense of community and faith encountered in their work. With a message of appreciation for all partners and listeners, this episode emphasizes the transformative impact of stewardship. Happy Thanksgiving! Follow us on social media: Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram To contact the podcast, email twb@steiergroup.com.

    17 min

  4. 10/29/2025

    Intentional Disciples

    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 gifts, fostering a culture where generosity and mission are rooted in a personal relationship with God. She emphasizes that stewardship should move beyond transactional giving, encouraging parish leaders to inspire deeper engagement through prayerful discernment, storytelling, and communal responsibility. As Katherine explains, “For us to be able to take care of that, we have to cast a broader and deeper vision for our people and call them into a deeper relationship with Jesus. Because it’s when they’re walking with Jesus that they can begin to grasp John Paul II’s vision…ultimately we are called to bear fruit and it’s not just taking care of those things that are closest to us, but it’s also being there for the sake of the world.”  Katherine also addresses practical challenges in fundraising and parish leadership, advocating for transparency and a clear sense of mission to build trust and support. Sharing examples of parishes that have successfully cultivated stewardship, she includes stories of sacrificial giving and community impact.  Storytelling is highlighted as a powerful tool for connecting parishioners to the transformative work of the church. Guest: Katherine Coolidge Title: Director, Parish and Diocesan Services, Catherine of Siena Institute Follow us on social media: Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram To contact the podcast, email twb@steiergroup.com.

    49 min

  5. 09/24/2025

    Supporting Catholic Higher Education

    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 authentic engagement inspire philanthropic support. Fr. Burns advocates for a faithful engagement with Church teachings while encouraging sincere inquiry and dialogue grounded in the truth of Christ as the way, the truth and the life. Addressing contemporary challenges with students and society, Fr. Burns underscores the inseparability of fundraising from the mission of Catholic education, stating, "The ultimate purpose of fundraising is to support student flourishing, virtue formation, and the mission of the Church." He emphasizes the importance of authentic, ongoing relationships with donors, deep listening, trust-building and understanding individual motivations, which foster a cycle of human flourishing for both giver and recipient. Guest: Fr. James Burns Title: President, St. Mary's University of Minnesota Follow us on social media: Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram To contact the podcast, email twb@steiergroup.com.

    50 min

  6. 08/27/2025

    The Role of Catechesis in Evangelization

    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 the Gospel—as the foundation for catechesis, which deepens conversion and provides roots for discipleship. In today’s post-Christian culture, he emphasizes, the Church must adapt its methods and reclaim a catechumenal model that begins with encounter, fosters conversion and forms missionary disciples. Highlighting how catechesis and evangelization relate to stewardship and fundraising, Dr. Westby notes that authentic generosity flows from a genuine encounter with Christ and a clear sense of mission. Drawing from both parish life and his role with seminarian formation, he suggests that when people understand themselves as missionary disciples, their financial support follows naturally as a joyful response. The episode underscores the need for diocesan and parish leaders to align fundraising efforts with the mission of evangelization, forming communities where stewardship is understood not as obligation but as a fruit of discipleship. Guest: Dr. Eric Westby Title: Director, Institute of Catholic Theology Follow us on social media: Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram To contact the podcast, email twb@steiergroup.com.

    47 min

  7. 07/30/2025

    Servant Leadership

    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 strategic enrollment growth, expanded diversity initiatives and a visionary capital campaign. His leadership is rooted in collaboration, humility and a commitment to forming students not just academically but spiritually and communally. A devoted Catholic often described as a servant leader himself, Dr. Ryan emphasizes that leadership grounded in mission and trust can inspire both institutional change and generous support. “It’s really not a lack of funds; it’s a lack of vision or storytelling,” he explains, reflecting on how authentic relationships and student-centered narratives drive meaningful donor engagement. With servant leadership woven into Dowling’s mission and graduate profile, Ryan champions a model of education that forms confident, Christ-centered leaders prepared to serve the common good. Guest: Dr. Dan Ryan Title: President, Dowling Catholic High School Follow us on social media: Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram To contact the podcast, email twb@steiergroup.com.

    50 min

  8. 06/25/2025

    Inviting to Mission

    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 beauty, tradition, and authentic encounter, and how presence, personal invitation and incarnational ministry have been key to meeting them where they are. His approach has included both bold vision and day-to-day faithfulness, whether skateboarding across campus or guiding retreats steeped in silence and sacrament. Fr. Matt also dives into the spiritual side of fundraising, drawing a parallel between inviting someone into relationship with Jesus and inviting them to financially support the mission—it’s the same act of trust and courage. Through stories of sacrificial donors and unexpected blessings, he illustrates how faith and action together fuel mission. Now overseeing a capital campaign and serving as Episcopal Vicar of the North, Fr. Matt remains grounded through daily prayer, mentorship and gratitude. His message is clear: fundraising, like evangelization, begins with mission and continues through relationship, perseverance and a deep trust in God’s timing. To learn more about the Newman Center’s mission or to support it, visit www.catholicjacks.org. Guest: Fr. Matt Lowry Title: Chaplain, Holy Trinity Newman Center Follow us on social media: Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram To contact the podcast, email twb@steiergroup.com.

    58 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

In the Gospel, Jesus fed 5,000 with only five loaves and two fish. After the crowd was satisfied, there were 12 wicker baskets left over. God provides the abundance. In each episode of this podcast, we will explore, with pastoral leaders and development professionals, all the many ways God meets the spiritual and temporal needs of our parish communities, our Catholic schools and the diocesan church. And not only meets those needs but provides in abundance.

Information

  • Creator
    Steier Group
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    49
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Twelve Wicker Baskets
  • Show Website
    Twelve Wicker Baskets