Join Our Stewardship Lunch & Learn Series
Grow your parish. Strengthen your ministry. Learn something new—all in just 45 minutes.
Our Lunch & Learn series offers simple, practical sessions designed to help pastors, parish staff, and leaders live stewardship with confidence and joy. Each session features real-world tools, fresh ideas, and inspiring presenters who understand parish life.
Whether you join live or catch the recording, you’ll walk away with at least one idea you can use right away.
👉 Sign up today to receive the Zoom link and receive reminders for upcoming sessions.
Online Giving Made Simple - Pete Vyzaniaris from Parish Giving
June – 17, 2026 12:10 PM https://newmanu.zoom.us/j/96636427852
In today’s world, online giving isn’t just convenient—it’s a vital way to support our parishes, sustain our mission, and build a stronger future.
What You’ll Learn in This Webinar:
✅ Why online giving is essential for parish sustainability
✅ Step-by-step guide to starting online giving in your parish
✅ Practical tips to grow participation and build trust
✅ Real examples from parishes like yours
✅ Live answers to common questions from diocesan and industry experts
Who is this for?
This session is ideal for pastors, parish staff, finance councils, stewardship teams, volunteers, and anyone involved in parish operations.
Better Together: Text & Email Tools for Stronger Parish Communication – Cody Ward Flocknote
July – 15, 2026 12:10 PM https://newmanu.zoom.us/j/96636427852
Good communication builds strong parishes—and it doesn’t have to be complicated. In this session, Cody Ward from Flocknote will show parish leaders how to use text and email tools more effectively, whether you already use Flocknote every week or are simply curious about what it can do.
This lunch and learn is designed for both groups:
- For current Flocknote users:
Learn practical tips to increase engagement, organize your groups better, improve message quality, and use features you may not even know you have. - For those not yet using Flocknote:
Get a friendly introduction to what the platform does, why so many parishes rely on it, and how it can simplify your communication instantly.
In just 45 minutes, you’ll discover:
- Easy ways to send messages people actually read
- How to communicate without overwhelming parish staff
- Tools inside Flocknote that save time and reduce confusion
- Strategies to reach more parishioners through simple texts and emails
- Real examples from parishes just like yours
Whether you’re a seasoned user or just exploring possibilities, you’ll walk away with practical, time-saving ideas to strengthen your parish communication.
Join us and learn how Flocknote can help your parish stay connected, informed, and united.
👉 Sign up for Better Together and receive the Zoom link, plus receive reminders for upcoming sessions.
Planning with Purpose: A Catholic Approach to Your Future – Julie Haas, Estate Attorney
August 19, 2026 12:10 PM via Zoom https://newmanu.zoom.us/j/96636427852
Estate planning doesn’t have to be complicated or intimidating. In this simple, down-to-earth session, Catholic estate attorney Julie Haas will walk us through the basic concepts every individual and family should understand—without the legal jargon and without trying to cover everything in one sitting.
This is not an exhaustive estate-planning seminar. Instead, it’s a practical introduction designed to help you take the first steps with clarity and confidence.
In just 45 minutes, you’ll learn:
- What estate planning really means (and why everyone needs it)
- Key documents every Catholic should be aware of
- How to protect your loved ones and reflect your values
- Common mistakes people make—and simple ways to avoid them
- How planning now is an act of stewardship and faith
Whether you’ve never started an estate plan or just want a clearer understanding of the essentials, this lunch and learn will give you the tools to begin planning your future with peace of mind.
Join us for a friendly, approachable introduction that empowers you to take your next step with confidence and purpose.
Creating Communities of Belonging: Ministry with People with Disabilities
September 16, 2026 12:10 PM via Zoom https://newmanu.zoom.us/j/96636427852
Join us for a 45-minute Lunch & Learn via Zoom featuring Jessie Lopez from the Diocese of Wichita.
In this practical and hope-filled session, Jessie will share how parishes can more intentionally minister with people with disabilities and their families—recognizing their gifts, honoring their dignity, and fostering true belonging within parish life. Participants will gain insights into creating welcoming environments, building relationships, and supporting inclusion in worship, formation, and community life.
Whether you are parish staff, a ministry leader, volunteer, or simply someone who wants to serve more compassionately, this session will offer encouragement and practical ideas you can put into action right away.
Perfect for: parish leaders, catechists, hospitality ministers, pastoral staff, and all who desire a more inclusive Church.
Living Simply, Living Faithfully: Minimalism, Laudato Si’, and Catholic Stewardship
October 16, 2026 12:10 PM via Zoom https://newmanu.zoom.us/j/96636427852
Lunch & Learn with K.T. Coleman (The Minimalists)
What if living with less could help us live our faith more fully?
In this 45-minute Lunch & Learn, K.T. Coleman, featured in the Netflix documentary The Minimalists and co-host of The Minimalists Podcast, will explore how the minimalist movement aligns naturally with Laudato Si’ and the Catholic call to care for creation.
Drawing from his own journey, K.T. will reflect on how simplicity, intentional living, and responsible consumption are not trends—but meaningful expressions of stewardship, discipleship, and love for God’s creation.
Participants will explore:
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How minimalism supports care for the environment and the common good
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Why simplicity can free us to love God and neighbor more fully
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Practical ways parishes and households can live Laudato Si’ in daily life
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How caring for creation flows directly from Catholic faith and values
This session is ideal for parish leaders, stewardship teams, and anyone seeking hopeful, practical ways to live their faith with greater intention and joy.
From Soil to Soul: Parish Gardens as a Work of Laudato Si’ - Jose German
February – 12 12:10 PM https://newmanu.zoom.us/j/96636427852
Starting a parish community garden may sound intimidating—but it doesn’t have to be. In this simple and practical session, we’ll show parish leaders how easy it can be to create a garden that strengthens community, serves the poor, and lives out the spirit of Laudato Si’ right in your own backyard.
We’ll be joined by José Germán-Gómez, founder of the Montclair Community Garden Project in New Jersey, who will share his experience building thriving gardens that bring people together, feed neighbors, and deepen local engagement.
In just 45 minutes, you’ll learn:
- Simple first steps to starting a parish garden—even with limited space or volunteers
- How gardens become a work of evangelization and creation care
- Practical tips for organizing, recruiting volunteers, and keeping things sustainable
- What makes a garden project successful in parishes of all sizes
- Inspiring stories from José’s work that your parish can easily adapt
Whether your parish has a little land, a lot of land, or just the desire to serve, this lunch-and-learn will help you see how a community garden can become a place of encounter, joy, and Gospel mission.
Join us and discover how easy—and grace-filled—it can be to grow something beautiful together.