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!

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Transcript

Christopher Beaudet: I'm Christopher Beaudet with the Steier Group. 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. It seems that whenever you and I set to work and do our part, God provides the abundance.

In each episode of this podcast, I'll explore with pastoral leaders and development professionals from across the United States and Canada 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. You're listening to Twelve Wicker Baskets. 

Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God. to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor, and whereas both houses of Congress have requested me to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness. Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these states to the service of that great and glorious being, who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be. that we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks for his kind care and protection, for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war, for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed, for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been able to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed. And also that we may then unite in most humble offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of nations, and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions, to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually, to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed, to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us, and generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best. given under my hand at the city of New York, the third day of October in the year of our Lord, 1789. President George Washington. With this declaration, the first President of the United States established the holiday we in the United States are about to celebrate tomorrow. In a spirit of Thanksgiving, this month's episode features several voices from our Steier Group family expressing gratitude to past and current partners for the blessing they've been to us. We hope this to be an example of the gratitude that is at the heart of authentic stewardship and a true sign of our sincere thanks.

Tom Maliszewski: Hi. This is Tom Maliszewski with the Steier Group. I want to express my gratitude for the Diocese of Lansing, Michigan, for the opportunity to partner together on the Stewardship for Saints and Scholars campaign. I'm especially thankful for the chance to help raise funds for Catholic education, which is something that is deeply personal to me as a proud product of Catholic schools. This work has been both meaningful and rewarding, not only because of the impact it will have, but also because of the incredible relationships I've built with pastors, parish volunteers, and the diocesan leadership team. This project has provided me with fulfilling work and has allowed me to grow personally and most importantly, spiritually. Have a happy Thanksgiving. Thank you.

Brandi Holys: Hi, this is Brandi Holys from the Steier Group. I want to say how grateful I am to serve our client, St. Mary Catholic Church in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nearly 25 years ago, when I worked in downtown Lincoln, I remember admiring the beauty of the church standing across from our state capitol. And even if you're not a Nebraskan, if you're a fan of movies, you do know St. Mary. There was a scene from outside the church in the movie Terms of Endearment, which won five Academy Awards in 1984. I am proud to play a role in helping preserve and strengthen this historic church. Thank you to Father Walsh, Riley, Barb, and all the volunteers. Your dedication to the Arise and Become campaign is what makes this renewal possible. This campaign is a testament to your faith and your commitment to love and serve others. Restoring St. Mary Church means safeguarding one of Nebraska's most beautiful and meaningful landmarks.

Andrew Jimenez: Hi, this is Andrew Jimenez from the Steier Group. I want to express my gratitude to the Catholic Church of Philadelphia and especially her clergy. I've had the pleasure of meeting with priests from around the region for Philadelphia's feasibility study. And not only have we had great conversations, but everyone's been hospitable as I visit their parishes, offering me water, coffee, and even lunch, sharing their humor and stories, giving me tours of churches, and praying for me. I've felt very welcome during my time in the Northeast, and I'm looking forward to continuing my conversations.

Amber Cerveny: Hi, my name is Amber Cerveny from the Steier Group, and I just want to take a moment to share my gratitude for the incredible community at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mishawaka, Indiana. Working alongside the parish in a campaign to preserve their historic church was truly a joy and privilege. The church itself is breathtaking, a real treasure. But what made it even more beautiful were the people who fill it every week. The parishioners of St. Joseph radiate generosity in every sense, through their hospitality, their deep spirituality, and of course, their remarkable stewardship. Their enthusiasm and faith reminded me that the heart of every parish isn't the building itself, but the community that brings it to life. To everyone at St. Joseph's, thank you for your warmth, your witness, and your example of what it means to give generously and joyfully. It was an honor to walk this journey with you.

Dan Minton: I'm Dan Minton. One of the things that I'm most grateful for in working with the Steier Group is to work with such wonderful volunteers. Volunteers come forward and share their gifts, and almost always they have such a great attitude. And I'm just so grateful for the spirit in which these people come to help and to serve their parishes. And I've had the opportunity to work with some wonderful people just recently in the Diocese of Wichita. And one such person was a nice woman named Patricia Boyd from St. Vincent de Paul. And she shared with us this quote I'd like to read. Stewardship is one of the core values of our Catholic faith. One family fully alive in Christ was not merely a capital fundraising campaign, but an invitation for all of the faithful to live out their faith by embracing the goals of this mission. As the campaign comes to an end, existing ministries will be re-energized and even expanded and special projects will be completed, thus renewing a spirit of growth and setting a legacy for future generations. She really captured what it is to be a volunteer with that. And one more that I thought was just a wonderful person to work with. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Wichita. His name's Don. And he says, When we step up to serve, we often think that we're giving to others. But in the end, we're the ones who receive. You can't outgive God. I caught up on relationships I had lost track of, listened to deeply personal family stories that moved my heart, felt the presence of the Holy Spirit inside the homes I visited, and even discovered unexpected connections. through family genealogy. What a small world it is, especially within this diocese. The wisdom and blessings I receive were beyond measure. And so I'd just like to say thank you to these people and to all the volunteers that step forward and help us in our capital campaigns and in our work. We're so very grateful to all of you.

Christy Bahrenburg: Hi, this is Christy Bahrenburg from the Steier Group. I want to express my gratitude for Matthew Doherty Grubbs, in the Cragmont Assembly community in beautiful Black Mountain, North Carolina. I was blessed to work with them for just four weeks, but in that short time, Matthew, his family, and the greater Cragmont community grabbed my heart. They welcomed me into their tight-knit community with such warmth and gratitude and inspired me at every turn with their humble, servant hearts and a deep, trusting faith. For generations, great things have happened at Cragmont. And I'm confident God will continue to bless and provide for this wonderful community.

Scott McClure: Hi, this is Scott McClure from the Steier Group. I want to express my gratitude for my friends at St. Francis Xavier Elementary and Beckman Catholic High School in Dyersville, Iowa. Since February of this year, I have had the privilege of collaborating with school and volunteer leadership on their ambitious campaign. While we work day in and day out to raise the funds to make needed facility improvements and fortify their endowment, It's clear upon talking with the leadership of this effort that while these are the campaign initiatives, the campaign is not about these things. Rather, to them, this campaign is all about deepening their mission of forming disciples for today and saints for eternity. Where does this deep conviction come from, you may ask? It can be summed up in three words shared by one of our general chair couples, Nick and Emily Napper. It's our turn. You see, in my months collaborating with Nick and Emily, fellow general co-chairs Bobby and Carrie, Chris and Adela, school principals Marcel and Peter, and dedicated development director Larry Wilson, I've learned that there is a deep sense of gratitude that is driving them. A gratitude born from 170 years of sacrifice to ensure Catholic education in this area remains strong. A gratitude stemming from an awareness of those who have come before. A gratitude for a community of faith that formed them. the same community where many choose to remain to raise their own children. It's our turn. Three words of gratitude, a gratitude that inspires generosity. Wherever you're listening, have a happy Thanksgiving.

Melinda Berry: Hi, this is Melinda Berry from the Steier Group. I'm grateful to have served as the designer for the Omaha Catholic Schools Consortium campaign. The Consortium is a collaboration of six schools in Southeast Omaha. They provide families of all backgrounds with a strong Catholic education option through their important work. They hired the Steier Group to run the campaign called Creating Bright Futures, focusing on 3 vital goals. Increasing teacher salaries, providing more families with tuition assistance, and funding essential repairs and improvements at the schools. Having the opportunity to create communication pieces for such a meaningful initiative has been truly rewarding. Beyond my Steier Group team, I was fortunate to collaborate with Shannon Brommer, Executive Director, and Carrie Ashley, Associate Director of Development. Over nearly two years, our partnership produced invitations, booklets, flyers, postcards, posters, and many other materials that helped share the consortium's inspiring story. Shannon and Carrie provided thoughtful messaging and beautiful photography whenever I requested it, and I truly feel lucky to have been a part of this important effort.

Diane Keller: Hi, this is Diane Keller from the Steier Group, and I want to express my gratitude to Father Luke Barter of St. Dominic Catholic Church in North Denver. along with his staff and the parishioners of this small but mighty metropolitan parish. The Upon This Rock Preserving Our Home Capital campaign was Father Luke's first time running a capital effort. While it was not what he went to seminary for, Father and parish leadership trusted our approach and the track record of our firm. Even with naysayers chirping in his ear periodically, Father trusted our work. This was a win all around. The parishioners alone raised more than what had been thought possible. When coupled with our grant writing team, doors of opportunity await this project due to their historic registry. Fundraising for the restoration of this 100-year-old iconic Catholic church was a rare gift for me. The St. Dominic community is a testament to Christ alive as they continue loving and serving parishioners and neighbors in need for the next 100 years.

Ryan Kussman: Hi, this is Ryan Kussman with the Steier Group. And I'm particularly grateful for working with St. Jude the Apostle in Lewes, Delaware. Such a wonderful parish community. They have a thriving Knights of Columbus and many other ministries. They're pastored by Father Brian Lewis, who's full of energy, zeal for the Lord, and he's faithfully shepherding that flock there. So the extending our arms, expanding our hearts, capital campaign was a great success to help them expand their seating capacity. And thanks in part largely to him and a few other folks, the campaign chairs, Bob Hearn and George Grasso, and then honorary chair, Gene Stewart, who was especially helpful in the office. So thankful to be with them for a short amount of time and help them. And they were a great campaign. Thanks.

Sarah Deeney: I'm Sarah Deeney, marketing coordinator at the Steier Group and producer of Twelve Wicker Baskets. I wanted to extend my personal thanks to each of the guests we've had on this podcast. I've learned through the many invaluable ways that you have served the Church, and I'm grateful and inspired by all the amazing things that are happening in the Church throughout the US and Canada. I wanted to offer a special word of gratitude to my own bishop, Bishop James Golka, who came onto our podcast last April. I'm just so thankful for the way that Bishop Golka shared his unique charism of stewardship, and I see the fruits of that in our diocese all the time. I also wanted to say a big thanks to Christopher Beaudet. The work, time, and attention that you give to making this podcast a fruitful conversation month after month cannot be overlooked, and I'm grateful for the ways that you continue to promote real Christ-centered stewardship throughout the Church, both on this podcast and the way that you serve our partners at the Steier Group. Thank you to all and happy Thanksgiving.

Christopher Beaudet: Thank you for joining us for this special Thanksgiving episode of Twelve Wicker Baskets. At the end of the day, the work we do at the Steier Group touches lives, creates transformational change, undergirds noble objectives, enables potential to become actual, and brings joy to many. And we do it with you, our partners and friends. How can we not give thanks for so great an enterprise? We'll be back next month for another episode. In the meantime, from all of us at the Steier Group, we wish you and your families and loved ones a very happy and blessed Thanksgiving.