Msgr. McGread Stewardship Conference
August 2021
CSC and the Diocese of Wichita’s Spiritual Life Center
will be following COVID-19 protocols set by the CDC.
Seating will be limited. Register now!
Wichita, Kan. — August 11-12, 2021
Event Brochure ◊ Online Registration
How a Typical Catholic Parish
Became an International Model
The late Msgr. Thomas McGread is often called the “Father of Stewardship.” At this one-of-a-kind conference, we share the remarkable story of how stewardship transformed Msgr. McGread’s parish — St. Francis of Assisi in Wichita — and how it has impacted other parishes across the country.
This conference, for both clergy and lay leaders, will provide a setting for you to discover how to teach your parishioners to become better Christian stewards. Come see where it all began.
Beginning in the 1960s, Msgr. McGread built one of the most vibrant parishes in the country by teaching parishioners how to use their personal gifts, or what he called “time, talent, and treasure.”
Msgr. McGread was influential in the drafting of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) pastoral letter, Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response, which adopted his terminology and theological vision. Msgr. McGread’s approach to stewardship was that it is a spiritual, biblically-based principle that begins with conversion of heart and translates into a lifestyle of service. His message was so compelling that he was invited to speak at parishes and dioceses across the country, and he also was the keynote speaker at several ICSC conferences. In addition, Msgr. McGread was a part of our team at Catholic Stewardship Consultants from 2002 up until his passing in April 2013.
While Msgr. McGread is no longer with us in body, he remains with us in spirit, and his stewardship message lives on. Conference attendees will have the opportunity to view one of his presentations via large-screen video.
COVID-19 Pandemic Update
CSC and the Diocese of Wichita’s Spiritual Life Center will be following COVID-19 protocols set by the CDC. Seating will be limited. Register now!
Catholic Stewardship Consultants and the Spiritual Life Center are taking every precaution to ensure the safety of conference attendees, speakers, and staff. Social distancing will be in effect and conference schedules may be adjusted to limit the number of attendees gathered in one space at the same time. Extra precautions and cleaning/sanitizing protocols will also be in place to safeguard guests who choose to stay overnight at the SLC. We will also be providing masks and hand sanitizer for all attendees. What’s more, we are working with the Spiritual Life Center to ensure adequate space is available to allow guests to social distance throughout the conference. Major hotel chains also are following strict protocols, but please check with your hotel of choice to ensure your personal safety. Also, most major airlines during the pandemic are allowing changes and cancellations at no cost.
If you need assistance/advice with your travel arrangements, feel free to contact CSC, and we will do our best to help you.
Announcements on changes to this event and other updates will be sent via email to registered attendees, and will be posted on this page. Should the Conference be postponed or canceled, registration fees will be refunded.
When: August 11-12, 2021 — Scheduled during the middle of the week so all participants can arrive Tuesday evening and depart Thursday afternoon.
Where: Spiritual Life Center of the Diocese of Wichita — This is a modern retreat and conference center where you will see stewardship in action during your visit. CSC and the Diocese of Wichita’s Spiritual Life Center will be following COVID-19 protocols from the CDC for this event, so we will have limited seating. Register early to lock in your spot!
Cost: Registration fee for Clergy and Lay Leaders is $350 — This includes all sessions, and breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus a DVD of Msgr. McGread explaining the key components of building stewardship — ideal for viewing with your Pastoral Council or other leadership groups.
Conference Speakers
Very Rev. Gary Kastl
Rector, Holy Family Cathedral; President, Bishop Kelley High School, Tulsa, Okla.
Fr. Gary Kastl was ordained in 2007 for the Diocese of Tulsa. Since that time, Fr. Kastl has served the diocese in several leadership capacities including the Chair of the Priestly Life and Ministry Committee, the Director for Continuing Education of the Diocesan Clergy, and the Coordinator of Priests’ Retreats and Days of Recollection. In addition, he has worked for the Catholic Leadership Institute as the Ministry Development Manager, helping to implement their programs for ongoing priestly leadership formation in dioceses across the country. He is currently a Leadership Consultant for CLI. Stewardship has been an integral part of Fr. Kastl’s life, and he has been very successful in developing stewardship as a way of life in four different parishes, including his most recent pastoral assignment as rector at Holy Family Cathedral. Fr. Kastl also serves as President of Bishop Kelley High School in Tulsa.
Very Rev. John Lanzrath
Pastor, St. John the Evangelist, El Dorado, Kan.
A native of Wichita, Kan., Fr. John Lanzrath earned a degree in mathematics and worked as a civilian in military intelligence at Boeing Military Airplane Company before resigning to enter the seminary. He studied at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md., and later at Gregorian University in Rome. He has served the Diocese of Wichita in many capacities since his ordination in 1988 – associate pastor, Vice-Chancellor, Moderator of the Curia, Director of the Spiritual Life Center, Director of Stewardship, Vicar for Priests, and as Chancellor of the Diocese. Fr. John worked closely with Msgr. McGread in spreading the message of stewardship throughout the diocese and across the nation. In addition, Fr. John was instrumental in the development of their diocesan manual, The Pillars of Parish Stewardship.
Very Rev. Godfrey Mullen, OSB
Rector, St. Benedict Cathedral, Evansville, Ind.
Fr. Godfrey Mullen, OSB, is the rector of St. Benedict Cathedral in Evansville, Ind. Professed as a monk of St. Meinrad Archabbey in 1989, he was ordained a priest in 1994. After retuning from studies to the abbey in 2001 and earning his PhD in Liturgical Studies from the Catholic University of America in 2003, he taught seminarians, lay students, and deacon candidates for 12 years. He also held several administrative posts in the seminary at St. Meinrad. In 2012, he became pastor of St. Mary’s Parish in Huntingburg, Ind. In 2013, Bishop Charles Thompson assigned him to be rector of St. Benedict Cathedral, and three year ago he began working to develop stewardship as a way of life at the cathedral parish.
Lisa McArdle
Vice President of Client Services, Catholic Stewardship Consultants
Lisa McArdle is one of the co-founders of Catholic Stewardship Consultants (CSC) and currently serves as Vice President of Client Services. For over 23 years, Lisa has worked with hundreds of parishes across the country on every aspect of stewardship development. Lisa and her team at CSC work closely with parishes and dioceses, utilizing a proven spiritual-based process that focuses on increasing the practice of stewardship. She co-authored the 2019 book Stewardship Success: A Practical Guide for Catholic Parishes. Lisa has been married to CSC President Eric for 26 years and the couple has five daughters ranging in age from age 11 to 25 years old. She is a member of St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church in Augusta, Georgia, and has been involved in various parish ministries, and has served in several leadership roles at the parish.
Katie Conner
Writer, Catholic Stewardship Consultants
Kathleen (“Katie”) Conner is a joyful wife, mother of nine, and attorney from Augusta, Ga. She received a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame in 1992, and a J.D. from The Catholic University of America in 1995. In her legal practice, Katie represents abused and neglected children in the Georgia foster care system and serves as Legal Counsel to I-Care, a local non-profit dedicated to assisting victims of human trafficking and their children. She is honored to have recently joined the staff at CSC as a writer. Katie and her husband, Steve, discovered stewardship many years ago and it has transformed their lives in unexpected and wonderful ways. She is delighted to share her personal testimony and eager to offer the gift of a stewardship way of life to those near and far.
Mr. Eric McArdle
President, Catholic Stewardship Consultants
Eric McArdle is the President and co-founder of CSC. For over 20 years, Eric has worked with hundreds of parishes across the country on every aspect of stewardship development. At CSC, Eric and his staff work closely with parish and diocesan clients, utilizing a proven spiritual-based process that focuses on communication, education, and evangelization. Parishes that implement the CSC process have been successful in deepening the spirituality and practice of stewardship. CSC clients have seen parish life transformed, as individual parishioners and families grow in their relationship with God through a life of generous giving of their time, talent and treasure. Eric, his wife Lisa, and their five daughters are members of St. Mary on the Hill in Augusta, Ga. At St. Mary’s, Eric has been involved in various parish ministries, and also has served in many key parish leadership roles.
Very Rev. Avram Brown
Pastor, St. Isidore Catholic Church, Yuba City, Calif.
Fr. Avram was born and raised in the Diocese of Sacramento, and he discovered the Catholic Church at age 10 when his family was serving as missionaries in central China. Studying for the priesthood at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio, he was ordained in 2004 and later assigned to the Gregorian University in Rome for Biblical Theology. Having learned Spanish in Guatemala while volunteering at the parish of San Lucas Tolimán, Fr. Avram has served exclusively in bilingual parishes, including his current assignment at the farming parish of St. Isidore. Now in his sixth year in Yuba City, Fr. Avram introduced stewardship with Catholic Stewardship Consultants to the parish just as the COVID-19 shutdowns were beginning. Crediting stewardship with providing the cohesion the parish needed in the past year and a half, Fr. Avram looks forward to continuing to grow parishioner engagement and enthusiasm.
August 2021 Conference Schedule
Wednesday, August 11
Breakfast — 8:15 a.m.
Opening Prayer and Welcome — 9 a.m.
Mass — 11:30 a.m.
Lunch — 12:15 p.m.
Afternoon Presentations — 1:45 to 5 p.m.
Evening Prayer — 5:45 p.m.
Dinner — 6 p.m.
Thursday, August 12
Mass — 7:30 a.m.
Breakfast — 8:15 a.m.
Morning Presentations — 9 a.m.
Closing Prayer and Lunch — 12 p.m.
Spiritual Life Center
This is a modern retreat center where you can relax with no distractions. During your stay at the SLC, you will experience stewardship at work when spending time in a chapel reserved for quiet reflection and personal prayer, when simply viewing the beautiful flower gardens planted and tended by volunteers, or when being graciously served by volunteers and staff. They offer private bedrooms, individually climate-controlled, with private bathroom, shower and vanity, and no TVs or in-room wifi access (wifi is available in the lobby and conference rooms). There are comfortable lounge areas adjacent to all bedroom corridors offering a welcoming place to relax and engage in quiet fellowship with other retreat participants. There are 60 rooms that can be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. The cost is $54 per person per night for single occupancy, and $44 per person per night for double occupancy. CSC and the Diocese of Wichita’s Spiritual Life Center will be following COVID-19 protocols set by the CDC.
Spiritual Life Center • 7100 E. 45th St. N. • Wichita, KS 67226
316-744-0167 • slc@slcwichita.org • www.slcwichita.org
Area Hotels
The following hotels are not connected with the conference, but are within a few miles of the Spiritual Life Center: The Courtyard by Marriott (316-636-4600); TownePlace Suites by Marriott (316-631-3773); Hampton Inn (316-636-5594)
Transportation
Please arrange your transportation to and from the conference.If you are flying into Wichita, car rental is suggested.
Questions
Contact CSC Conference Coordinator Shari Navarre at 706-877-5547 or e-mail shari@catholicsteward.com
Msgr. McGread Stewardship Conference — August 2021
CSC and the Diocese of Wichita’s Spiritual Life Center
will be following COVID-19 protocols set by the CDC.
Seating will be limited. Register now!
Wichita, Kan. — August 11-12, 2021
EVENT BROCHURE ◊ Online Registration
“This conference has helped me to form my commitment to build stewardship at St. Vincent’s. The commitment of others is contagious and helps me believe that this way of life is something everyone needs to know about.”
Msgr. Robert Tucker, Pastor, St. Vincent de Paul, Seward, Neb.
“The conference is always a refresher for me. It reinvigorates me and challenges me to take back what I learn. Everything was wonderful – thank you.”
Msgr. Leo Enlow, Pastor, St. Peter, Quincy, Ill.
