Twelve Wicker Baskets

Steier Group
Twelve Wicker Baskets

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. JUN 25

    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
  2. MAY 28

    How Can I Repay the Lord?

    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 own pastoral journey and spiritual formation, shaped by years of service in the Diocese of Grand Island, Nebraska, where he was ordained a priest in 1994. Raised in a large Catholic family as one of ten siblings, he developed an early appreciation for stewardship as gratitude, and a deep sense of vocation. His background in parish ministry, combined with his early experience as pastor of a large parish and school in Seward, Nebraska, his reflections on how the Eucharist calls each person to offer his or her life in service, gratitude and stewardship. Appointed Bishop of Colorado Springs by Pope Francis in 2021, Bishop Golka speaks with warmth and humility about the joys and challenges of episcopal ministry. He explores how living Eucharistically transforms one’s perspective on time, resources and relationships—shaping not just personal spirituality, but the communal life of the Church. Throughout the conversation, Bishop Golka’s love for Christ and the Church shines through, inviting listeners into a deeper response to God's abundant grace. Further resources: Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response by United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Seeking God: The Way of St. Benedict by Esther de Waal The Catholic Vision for Leading Like Jesus by Owen Phelps Follow us on social media: Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram To contact the podcast, email twb@steiergroup.com.

    41 min
  3. MAR 26

    Openness to a Journey

    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 College in St. John’s. An independent, K-12 Jesuit Catholic school, St. Bon’s was reopened in 1999 to offer again Catholic education in the province after church scandals left the archdiocese bankrupt and unable to maintain the schools.  Through an open discussion, Stephen explores the impact of transparency and trust-building, as well as a rebrand marketing effort that helped locals see St. Bonaventure’s College in a new light. The success of the “What did you learn today?” marketing effort lent way to a new capital campaign effort that played on the theme, now recognizable throughout the community. The What did you give today? Capital Campaign has provided a new learning experience for the St. John’s, Newfoundland, community. As uncomfortable as it is to make the ask, or even receive the ask, for a sacrificial gift can be, it has uncovered the truth that there is no “they” when it comes to supporting our own communities; we are “they” and it is only through educating our own communities about the need that an school, church or nonprofit organization will successfully support a major fundraising goal. Indeed, “sneaky Jesus”, as Stephen affectionately points out, will guide the journey when we are open to laying our plans, needs, resources and communities into the hands of the Lord.  Follow us on social media: Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram To contact the podcast, email twb@steiergroup.com.

    48 min

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.

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