Petrus Blog

In this episode, Andrew visits with JM Boyd, President of Glass Canvas and Co-founder of a brand new parish resource, Tilma. Glass Canvas started a few years ago as a full-service marketing firm dedicated to serving the faith-based Nonprofit community. Last year they launched Tilma, a product with the goal of connecting you with your parish and your Catholic community in new ways through the use of technology. Andrew and JM discuss Catholic organization’s taking the tools, resources and opportunities that we all use every day and leveraging them for evangelization and the Church.

 Show Notes:

Glass Canvas began about 9 years ago and JM joined the company 14 months later. He was raised as a missionary kid, born in Germany, raised mostly in Hawaii and was introduced early on with non-profits and the work they were doing. JM studied photography in school which led him into producing and, in fact, worked with his professors producing their projects....

“Listen carefully, my son, to the master’s instructions, and attend to them with the ear of your heart. This is the advice from a father who loves you; welcome it, and faithfully put it into practice.”

From the very first line in the prologue of his Rule, Saint Benedict is showing his desire to call followers of Christ to a fullness of love and faith not through his own instruction or for his own personal glorification, but simply because he knows God loves them. Benedict understands that obedience to Christ is what gives us purpose and freedom. Benedict loved his fellow man and saw firsthand what is necessary for true joy. Abandonment of our own temptations and desires opens us up to give everything to God and experience a completeness that can only come from Him. 

“The good of all concerned, however, may prompt us to a little strictness in order to amend faults and to safeguard love. Do not be daunted immediately by fear and run away from...

St. Benedict of Nursia

July 11, 480 - March 21, 547

When it comes to the virtue of temperance, there are few people throughout history that more clearly embody this than Saint Benedict of Nursia. The author of the Rule of St. Benedict and the “Father of Western Monasticism”, Saint Benedict was a monk who lived 1,500 years ago and yet still influences millions of people every day through his words and instruction on wisdom, moderation and humility. 

So who was Saint Benedict of Nursia?

Born in A.D. 480 to a wealthy Roman nobleman, Benedict spent his early years living in comfort with his parents and his twin sister, Scholastica. In his early teens, Benedict was sent to Rome to formally begin his studies. Disgusted by the immoral standards of Romans, Benedict left his studies in 500 and sought a life of solitude. He lived for three years in a cave on the side of a mountain outside of Subiaco, Italy. 

During this time, he spent his days...

In this episode, Andrew visits with Father Meinrad Miller of St. Benedict's Abbey and Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas.  Andrew and Fr. Meinrad discuss St. Benedict of Nursia's life and about the Rule of St. Benedict. They discuss how generosity can lead to temperance, one of the Cardinal virtues and the main one that Andrew has come to associate with Benedict’s life and legacy. Hopefully you can take something away from this interview and from the Rule of Radical Generosity that Andrew shares at the end.

We wish you a wonderful New Year and pray that we can all be healthier, wealthier, wiser and more generous in 2021. God bless and enjoy this episode with Fr. Meinrad Miller on St. Benedict of Nursia.

Show Notes: 

As we close out 2020, we decided to share an interview that i did with Fr. Meinrad Miller of St. Benedicts Abbey and Benedictine College in Achison Kansas. Not surprisingly, Fr. Meinrad is an expert on St. Benedict of Nursia and...

Chris Stefanick to Kick Off Digital Gatherings

Internationally recognized speaker, author and evangelist,  Chris Stefanick, will kick off the January 13 Petrus summit, Digital Gatherings: Reinventing Fundraising in 2021. This FREE one-day conference will provide Catholic ministry, parish, school and nonprofit leaders the tools and strategies to make their virtual fundraising events a success in 2021. 

"I am thrilled with the caliber of speakers that will be joining us for the Digital Gatherings summit on January 13," said Andrew Robison, president of Petrus. "We wanted presenters who have 'been there and done that' so that the advice is based on what has and will work. Having Chris join the slate is exciting because he really understands why it is important for the Church to pivot to new strategies to reach Catholics where they are."

Register at https://www.petrusdevelopment.com/summit

Chris Stefanick is an internationally acclaimed author and speaker, who...

In this episode, the first of our Holy Donor Series, Andrew visits with Greg and Julie Stevens. Greg and Julie live in Lincoln, Nebraska. They both attended University of Nebraska-Lincoln and were very involved at St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center. This young couple has an approach to tithing and charity that is remarkable and a little counter-cultural, even among faithful Catholics. Through this conversation, Andrew was inspired to evaluate his attitude towards giving, even with over 15 years in the development industry. Hopefully you will walk away inspired as well.

Show Notes:

Background

Greg is a Physician’s Assistant in dermatology and Julie is a stay at home mom to baby Isaac. They are both are cradle Catholics and they both went to Catholic school and University of Nebraska Lincoln. And Greg continued on to University of Nebraska Medical School. 

Growing up, they both remember seeing their parents involved in the church and give every Sunday...

Is your ministry wondering how to reach and motivate benefactors in the midst of the shutdowns?

We have been watching the landscape of fundraising at all sorts of Catholic organizations this year to see what is working.

And we have found one strategy that is standing out above the rest.

Reinventing Fundraising in 2021

Without a doubt, one of the most effective ways to engage supporters and generate funds in the midst of Covid is with a digital event, such as a “virtual gala.”

A year ago the typical donor would not have considered engaging with an organization through virtual events, but now they are EXPECTING to do so.

That's why 2021 is the year to rally your supporters with a virtual event, though it isn't as simple as just turning on a camera phone and recording.

Bringing in the Experts

Our mission at Petrus is to help as many Catholic organizations as possible to succeed with fundraising.

With that in mind, we are bringing together...

In this episode, Andrew visits with JoAnn Shull, Director of Development at St. Thomas More Newman Center at the University of Missouri. In this episode, Andrew and JoAnn discuss making the transition from campus minister to director of development, fundraising and the importance of communication and design work. They also discuss the challenges you can face when you combine family life with working in development, as well as, how to create a tribe that supports you.

Show Notes:

Background

JoAnn Shull worked as the Campus Minister at St. Thomas More Newman Center at University of Missouri for 8 years before transitioning to the role of Director of Development, which she has held for the last 5 years. 

Bringing FOCUS to the campus is what jump started the need for a devoted development position. FOCUS was fantastic, but what comes with the program is more students. More students meant more retreats, more transportation needs, more food...

In this episode, Andrew visits with Deacon Charlie Echeverry, an ordained deacon for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles as well as the founder and managing director of Black//Brown, a strategic advisory firm that helps leaders and organizations turn diversity into a revenue stream. In this episodes, Andrew and Dcn. Charlie discuss the current and changing population in the Catholic Church and opportunities to engage diverse populations in development. As well as, investing time and intentionality in building a diverse workforce and donor-centric fundraising.

Show Notes:

Deacon Charlie is an ordained deacon for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, CA as well as the founder and managing director of Black//Brown, a strategic advisory firm that helps leaders and organizations turn diversity into a revenue stream.

Background

Deacon Charlie started in digital media with AOL in 1999. Then transitioned to Walt Disney company, which was a great place to learn branding and...

In this episode, Andrew visits with Gregory Perrin, Associate Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations at St. Edwards University in Austin, Texas. They discuss how Gregory ended up in development and his different roles over the past 25 years.  They also discuss the differences in raising money for a large public university and a small private school and what fundraising for higher education has been like in the midst of a pandemic. Gregory has some great stories and solid advice for anyone in development.

Show Notes:

Gregory Perrin is the Associate Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations at St. Edwards University in Austin, Texas.

Background

Been in fundraising for about 25 years all in the non-profit and higher education organizations. He became involved in this industry like most do: serendipitously.

St. Edwards University

Founded by the same priests and brothers who founded Notre Dame University. Making St. Edwards a sister...