STAYING CONNECTED
IMPACT Report 2020
The Mission of RENEW International To renew personal faith and parish life— unlocking the power of small groups by equipping laity and clergy to share their Catholic faith and live it every day.
La Misión de RENEW International Renovar el don de la fe y la vida parroquial— activando el alcance de las pequeñas comunidades; equipando a los laicos y clérigos a compartir y vivir su fe católica diariamente.
Visit us at: www.renewintl.org
Contents From Our President
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A Message from Our Board
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New at RENEW
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Pastoral Offerings 5 Healing Our Church / Sanando Nuestra Iglesia
Staying Connected Baptism Matters What, Me Holy? Why Catholic? / ¿Por qué ser católico? ARISE Together in Christ / LEVÁNTATE. Unámonos en Cristo Dignity and the Death Penalty Women in Conversation
Young Adult Ministry
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RENEW Africa 11 Where RENEW Serves
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Financial Summary
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Shared Services/Operations/Communications
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Development
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Donors/Honorees
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Board of Trustees
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RENEW Staff
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Connect with RENEW
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From Our President You’ve heard of the Stone Age, the Jazz Age, and the Computer Age. Well, future generations may look back on our epoch as the Connection Age. Thanks to social media and easily accessible tools such as Zoom, Skype, and FaceTime, it seems that everyone in the world is connected to everyone else. In a way, this notion of a “Connection Age” fits in with RENEW’s mission to attract people to an encounter with Jesus, in the company of others, so that they might practice what Jesus taught, every day and everywhere. Our method of inspiring spiritual renewal in parishes and parishioners begins with gathering people. Until recently, this gathering took place mostly in person—as men and women in small groups in each other’s homes or at parish centers. The COVID-19 pandemic has prevented most gatherings of that kind. We do not know when the “new normal” of the pandemic will end, nor do we know whether the “old normal” will ever return. So, RENEW has pivoted quickly to use available technology to provide new ways for people to “stay connected.” We are offering online faith-sharing and prayer sessions, webinars, leadership training, best practices, email “blasts,” and blog posts. The pandemic has nudged people to use virtual means of communication—in many cases, for the first time—and RENEW has helped them in this journey. Meanwhile, we are planning and developing new resources for those who gather in the Body of Christ. In a major step, Parish Catalyst—an established program of learning communities, webinars, workshops, and strategic planning that helps parishes experience renewal—will become a featured offering of RENEW. We are also taking these initiatives: • We will introduce a series of learning modules that will give parishes all the information and tools they need to launch small-group ministries. • We are enrolling parishes in Baptism Matters, our new online and in-person program for parents preparing for their children’s baptism. • We are about to publish Dignity and the Death Penalty, a faith-sharing book that we developed with the help of Sister Helen Prejean. • We will partner with the Diocese of Jefferson City to develop a comprehensive and dynamic process to help parishes form their members in a spirituality of stewardship as a constituent element of being a disciple. • We are developing Women in Conversation, a faith-sharing program for women in the Church. • We are intensifying our outreach through more frequent email blasts, targeted marketing, and more robust social-media messages. During this period, when we are expanding and enriching our programs at the same time that we are navigating the pandemic, your financial support is critical to us and to the people, the parishes, and the Church we serve. I thank you for joining us in this mission up until now, and I hope that you will continue to support RENEW as we move into a better future.
Sister Theresa Rickard, OP President and Executive Director
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RENEW International
A Message from Our Board Like virtually every other institution in our society, RENEW International had its year disrupted in unprecedented ways by the COVID-19 pandemic. Most dramatically for RENEW, the closing of churches and other parish facilities and the suspension of public gatherings in most parts of the country put a stop to the small-group meetings that have always been central to RENEW’s ministry. The spreading virus and the interruption in normal diocesan and parish business prevented bishops and pastors from considering faith-sharing programs for their communities, and that severely affected orders for RENEW’s products and services. RENEW has had to make difficult but responsible decisions to control its expenses in the economic downturn caused by this public-health crisis. As I write, the pandemic is still upon us, church activities are largely limited to low-attendance Masses, and the future is uncertain. And yet, what I have seen at RENEW has not been despair and resignation but, rather, the ability and the will to turn on a dime, so to speak, and address the realities that face us at the moment. I am referring to the agility with which the leadership and staff at RENEW turned their attention to keeping parishes and individuals engaged through virtual means such as webinars and faithsharing sessions via the Zoom platform. This response demonstrated not only the clarity of vision and purpose needed for RENEW to remain relevant during an extraordinary time, but also its potential for thriving when the emergency has passed—thriving in a culture in which ink on paper and images on screens will both be important means of reaching and revitalizing men and women and their parishes. Indeed, while RENEW has been innovating ways to connect with its clientele during the pandemic, it has also been developing several new programs that will help to sustain its place in the Catholic community as well as its fiscal viability in the years to come. Also, RENEW has continued to prepare for its new partnership with Parish Catalyst, a powerful program for renewing the Church through the creative thinking and courageous actions of vibrant parishes. In spite of obstacles, RENEW remains true to its mission—bringing new vitality to parishes and parishioners and motivating them to spread the gospel through witness and action. I thank you for supporting this mission in the past, and I invite you to continue your support as RENEW moves confidently into the future.
Eric Dill Chair, Board of Trustees
IMPACT Report 2020
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New at RENEW
A Parish Catalyst learning community in progress. The initial learning program under the new partnership will be conducted virtually.
Parish Catalyst As the new fiscal year began, RENEW International announced an agreement to partner with Parish Catalyst which will become a featured program of RENEW. The mission of Parish Catalyst is to create vibrant Catholic parishes through an 18-month program for pastors and parish leaders—a program that generates and refines new ideas for ministry and then shares them with other communities. Parishes emerge from the program with an enriched prayer life, clearer goals, stronger leadership, and a more active outreach to young adults. The first Parish Catalyst program under the new arrangement will be conducted virtually. The agreement will be finalized on November 1.
Small Groups—Big Impact RENEW has created a new resource, Small Groups 101, a series of easy-to-follow processes that will guide parishes through establishing small groups and provide the resources to keep those groups vital and strong. This process, the first in a series called Small Groups—Big Impact, is accessible via laptops and mobile devices. It gives parishes everything they need to establish a small-groups ministry in three modules. There are three succinct modules: “Capture the Vision,” “Organize and Build,” and “Train Your Leaders.” Each module comprises clear, concise guiding documents and video tutorials. As an add-on, RENEW staff can provide special meetings and training online. Parishes can work through the modules at their own pace and launch the smallgroup ministries on a schedule that works for them. 4
RENEW International
Pastoral Offerings Healing Our Church/Sanando Nuestra Iglesia Healing Our Church, RENEW International’s response to the crises of sexual abuse and coverup, had a dramatic impact in the dioceses and parishes where the program has been implemented so far. “It was very, very beneficial,” said Father Anthony Randazzo, pastor of the Catholic Church of the Holy Trinity in Westfield, New Jersey, a pilot parish in the Archdiocese of Newark. Father Randazzo told the archdiocesan newspaper, The Advocate, that parishioners “came to understand the issue better. They expressed their feelings openly and did not hesitate or feel deferential. They let people know how they felt about the horrendous things that have gone on.” The program was introduced in the Diocese of Allentown, where more than 3,000 men and women participated. It has also been implemented in the dioceses of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Newark and Charleston, South Carolina and many individual parishes, including the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington, DC. RENEW created Healing Our Church to encourage the “people in the pews” to share their feelings about the troubling issues, embrace their role as members of Christ’s body, and discern and commit to actions they can take. An enculturated companion process, Sanando Nuestra Iglesia, has been Sister Ruth Bolarte, IHM, a RENEW pastoral consultant, conducts a workshop on Sanando implemented among SpanishNuestra Iglesia, for Spanish-speaking leaders in the Diocese of Charleston, South Carolina. speaking Catholics, and Healing Our Church has been translated into Portuguese. Father Paul Cannarato, pastor of the Church of the Assumption in Emerson, New Jersey, told The Advocate, “The program is a wonderful instrument to begin the process of healing. One of the realizations (participants) came to is that each one of them has to be a minister of healing. … And I think it contributed to the individual healing of the people who attended it. It gave them a way forward. As a group, they came to the realization that they are called as Christ’s disciples to do whatever is necessary to help the victims, and that they are empowered by the Holy Spirit to hold the Church accountable.”
Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, archbishop of Newark, speaks during one of the videos that accompanies Healing Our Church. Videos were also provided by Sister Donna Ciangio, OP, chancellor of the archdiocese, and, in Spanish, by Auxiliary Bishop Manuel Cruz.
Participants are surveyed before and after the process so that RENEW can assess how behavior, awareness, and attitudes may have changed, and the results have shown that for most participants the experience has been positive and constructive. RENEW is working with parishes whose participation in Healing Our Church was interrupted by the pandemic, to help them continue. IMPACT Report 2020
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Pastoral Offerings Staying Connected When the pandemic hit, RENEW International responded. Life changed abruptly; suddenly, Catholics could no longer gather in person in prayer and celebration at our parishes. RENEW recognized the need for people to connect and moved quickly to become one of the first Catholic organizations in the nation to offer faith-sharing opportunities online. Within a week of stay-at-home orders, RENEW President Sister Terry Rickard led “Till We Meet Again,” a series of online faith sharing sessions amid the pandemic, which drew up to 100 people per session. The online faith-sharing events, which allowed people to break up into groups of four to six for personal sharing, were received with gratitude. “It was so good to pray with other faith-filled Catholics again,” and, “I felt so much care and support,” were among the comments from people who participated in these online gatherings. Throughout the spring and summer, RENEW launched many other online faith-sharing groups. These included Sr. Terry’s group on what it means to be “holy” in everyday life, utilizing RENEW’s What, Me Holy? by Chris Lowney; Sister Honora Nolty’s group on environmental stewardship, using Creation at the Crossroads by Monsignor Ed Ciuba; and a group for young adults led by RENEW’s Theology on Tap coordinator, Jessica Guerriero, Sister Ruth Bolarte, a RENEW pastoral consultant (inset at upper right), conducts an online ARISE/LÉVANTATE information session in which a former and Paul Krenzelok, associate director of pastoral ARISE participant speaks of “being challenged to live a Catholic life.” logistics. In addition to these faith-sharing sessions, RENEW offered a series of webinar interviews with provocative faith leaders designed to inspire and give practical guidance to listeners. In April, author Chris Lowney (What, Me Holy?) and Sr. Terry shared poignant stories and advice on how to become the “saint next door” during the pandemic, drawing from the wisdom of Pope Francis. In recognition of Laudato Si’ Week in May, Monsignor Ed Ciuba, Ann Marie Brennan (promoter for the Christian Life Community—USA), and Father John Grace (pastor of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Hampton, Virginia) headlined a webinar conversation on how our faith calls us to care for the earth as “our common home.” In August, Sr. Terry engaged Dr. Greg Popcak and his wife, Laurie, in an animated conversation called “Frazzled but Faithful: Parenting through the Pandemic (and After).” Through sharing grace-filled stories of raising their own children in the Catholic faith, the Popcaks offered Monsignor Edward J. Ciuba, wisdom for “frazzled” families. author of RENEW’s Creation at the Crossroads, participated in Online offerings—nearly 40 faith-sharing sessions and webinars combined— from March through the summer resulted in over 1,100 registrations. RENEW’s a webinar in May 2020 on how our faith calls us to care for the commitment to spreading and sharing the gospel online has resulted in a earth as “our common home.” surge of new people touched by its offerings. 6
RENEW International
Pastoral Offerings
Parents present their children for the sacrament of baptism for a variety of reasons. The Church has always responded to requests for baptism in many ways and using a variety of formats. RENEW International’s Baptism Matters provides parishes, parents, and godparents with the tools they need to see baptism as an evangelizing moment. During the past fiscal year, RENEW began enrolling parishes both as permanent subscribers to Baptism Matters and in a free 90-day pilot program. Baptism Matters provides the resources needed for a complete baptism preparation process: • Online learning modules for parents, godparents, and parish staff • In-person faith-sharing materials • A private Facebook community where parents can engage with their peers
This is one of the original animated scenes created for RENEW’s Baptism Matters learning modules. The program employs video, animation, and still images to provide a lively and engaging experience.
• Interview guide for mentors making first contact with parents • Automated emails to help keep parents engaged with the parish long after celebration of the sacrament
The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us, “The mission to baptize, and so the sacramental mission, is implied in the mission to evangelize.” (CCC 1122) “Baptism Matters is theologically sound, pastorally sensitive, and extremely user friendly. Thank you RENEW for giving us such a wonderful program!”—Theresa Prymuszewski, Archdiocese of Washington RENEW has begun planning a preparation program for parents of children who will receive First Communion.
RENEW INTERNATIONAL DID YOU KNOW?
Sixty-two parishes in the United States, Canada, and South Africa have taken advantage of a “pilot parish” opportunity to experience RENEW’s Baptism Matters parent-preparation program.
IMPACT Report 2020
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Pastoral Offerings What, Me Holy?
What, Me Holy? by Chris Lowney is based on the apostolic exhortation Rejoice and Be Glad by Pope Francis. Starting on April 30, 2020, RENEW International offered a twelve-week online faith-sharing group opportunity that addressed the issue of everyday holiness, the focus of this book.
One example Chris gave was from an experience he had waiting in line in a grocery store during the pandemic. As he complained to his wife on the phone while in line, she suggested that he take the time to pray the rosary for Sister Terry Rickard with Chris those impacted by the virus. And so, he did. Lowney, author of What, Me Holy?—a small-group resource inspired by Chris reminds us that holiness is not just for saints; it is for each of us. The Pope Francis’ exhortation Rejoice blessings that come from experiencing the love of Christ through ordinary and Be Glad. In April 2020, Sr. Terry experiences can really change our lives. and Chris teamed up for a webinar based on the overall theme of the What, Me Holy? is suitable for small-group faith sharing and for individual book, holiness in everyday life. reflection.
Why Catholic?/¿Por Qué Ser Católico?
Why Catholic?/¿Por Qué Ser Católico? is a unique adult faith-formation program that is based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church and on Sacred Scripture; this program has had a tremendous impact on individuals and parish communities. This process, which has been translated into seven languages— most recently, French— provides a total evangelization and catechetical experience for various parish groups: • Small faith-sharing groups • Parish catechists • RCIA candidates • Parents of young children preparing for the sacraments • Families looking to deepen their faith
In October, 2019, the Catholic Mobilizing Network celebrated 10 years of advocacy to abolish the death • Those searching for God penalty in the United States. At the event at the Vatican “The Why Catholic? process has offered us all new and unique embassy in Washington D.C., are, from left, Alice Hugh opportunities to examine what we believe and why we believe Brown, author of RENEW’s forthcoming small-group resource Dignity and the Death Penalty; Sister Helen it. The small group settings have encouraged dialogue in a trusted and comfortable setting—with friends who all share the Prejean, whose insights on the death penalty are intrinsic same desire to learn more about what it means to be Catholic to the RENEW book; Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy, executive director of CMN; and Mary Beth Oria, director of and how our faith impacts us in our daily lives.” Ken R., St. operations at RENEW. CMN is collaborating with RENEW Brigid Parish on the new program. 8
RENEW International
Pastoral Offerings ARISE Together in Christ/LEVÁNTATE. Unámonos en Cristo BE MY WITNESS/Sean mis testigos A CASE STUDY OF THE DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN
Following the completion of ARISE Together in Christ/LEVÁNTATE. Unámonos en Cristo by over 70 parishes in the all-urban Diocese of Brooklyn, plans were made to begin a new cohort of ARISE/LEVÁNTATE parishes and begin a first-adaptor cohort using RENEW’s program on the new evangelization, Be My Witness/Sean mis testigos. Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio recognized the great transformation that took place among the parishes and faithful of the diocese during the diocesan-wide ARISE/LEVÁNTATE initiative and desired that spirit to continue as small faith-sharing groups became imbedded in parish life throughout the diocese. For those parishes that did not participate in any process during the first round, several options were provided by the staff of RENEW, who worked closely with Theodore Musco, former secretary for evangelization and catechesis at the Diocese of Brooklyn. Of special note, the parishes of Holy Trinity Parish in Whitestone, New York, and St. Nicholas of Tolentine Parish in Jamaica, New York Here are the 13 parishioners of St. Joseph Catholic Church in McCloud, California, who completed ARISE began the process Together in Christ this year and planned to continue their small-group meetings with Why Catholic? With the participants are, on the left, Deacon Ed Pecis and Sr. Elizabeth O’Donnell OP, of RENEW International’s pastoral of Be My Witness, team, and, on the right, Fr. Lester Menor. Deacon Ed and Father Lester also minister at St. Anthony Catholic pastored by Milissa Church in Mount Shasta, where another 13 parishioners participated in ARISE small groups. Altogether, more Else, a member of than 600 men and women in the Diocese of Sacramento took part in ARISE in English and Spanish. the Pastoral Services Team at RENEW. While both parish communities vibrantly launched the process, the pandemic caused some disruption, to say the least. Milissa continued to work with the parish leaders during the spring and into the summer and will endeavor to move the parish groups forward in the process. Those parishes that are in the early stages of ARISE/LEVÁNTATE will transition to a virtual process due to continued pandemic concerns that have limited use of parish buildings or homes. Several parishes have agreed to move the RENEW processes from in-person to virtual and are collaborating with RENEW to continue faith sharing.
Women in Conversation
RENEW is collaborating with author and spiritual director Loretta Pehanich in developing Women in Conversation, a small-group faith-sharing resource. As the introduction to the 12-session program says, participants “will read the stories of ordinary women like us. We will ponder words from extraordinary female role models in our Catholic history, and we will pray Scripture. And we will grow through listening to the very special women in our small groups. With God’s help, we will Loretta Pehanich evaluate situations and consider improvements. And then we will get to work. … We can transform our Church and world, thanks to the loving leadership of the Holy Spirit.” IMPACT Report 2020
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Young Adult Ministry: RENEW Theology on Tap
RENEW International’s Theology on Tap was especially vulnerable to the effects of the COVID pandemic, because most meetings are held in the kind of venues—bars and restaurants— that were among the first to be closed down in many parts of the country. Theology on Tap, which RENEW has been licensing since 2007, invites young adults to explore the Catholic faith and its relevance in their lives in settings in which they feel most comfortable. Normally, participants eat and drink and listen to lay or clerical speakers discuss aspects of the Catholic faith. RENEW maintains a Facebook page for Theology on Tap Bishop Mark L. Bartchak of the Diocese of Altoonaprograms, and a closed Facebook page, Theology on Tap Think Johnstown, chats with two young women after a Theology on Tap session in State College, PennsylvaTank, for exchange of ideas. nia in December, 2019. Bishop Bartchak spoke about Some 34 dioceses and individual parishes participated in reaching out to the religiously unaffiliated. Theology on Tap during the past year. The COVID shutdown didn’t stifle this ministry entirely, thanks to modern technology. For example, RENEW cosponsored two Virtual National Theology on Tap webinars in April, available via a website and streamed live on YouTube and Facebook. In May, when Dane County, Wisconsin was permitting indoor gatherings at 25 percent occupancy, the Cathedral Parish in the Diocese of Madison scheduled a Theology on Tap session in connection with Mental Health Awareness Month. The session, which was presented both inperson at a lounge in Madison and via Zoom, explored the topic “Have No Anxiety at All: A Conversation on Mental Health.”
Archbishop Wilton T. Gregory of the Archdiocese of Washington, speaks to a group of young adults in a crowded bar in the nation’s capital in August 2019. Gregory spoke about the impact of the sexual-abuse crisis on the archdiocese, and he listened to input from some of the hundreds who gathered. 10
Also in May, Theology on Tap Toronto and Faith Connections hosted a Zoom-based session in which a panel of previous Theology on Tap speakers reflected on the past talks in light of the pandemic and discussed “what we can bring forward into the world, and DID YOU KNOW? our lives, once the storm has All the Theology on Tap sessions from the passed.” Archdiocese of Washington, including
RENEW INTERNATIONAL those with Archbishop Wilton T. Gregory, are available on the ADW Theology on Tap podcast.
RENEW International
RENEW Africa The RENEW International office in South Africa felt the impact of the COVID pandemic when a severe lockdown in the country prevented small groups from gathering for six months. As of fall 2020 conditions are only beginning to reach a level at which people can meet again. The office is directed by Father Jerry Browne with the assistance of Charmaine Woolard. Sister à ine Hughes works with small communities in the Archdiocese of Pretoria and the Diocese of Klerksdorp. Over the past year, the team continued to run workshops for Diocesan Core Community coordinators, Parish Core The enthusiasm is evident among participants in a LIVE LENT! Community coordinators, and Small-Community Leaders. workshop in February 2020 at St. Martin de Porres Parish in Before the lockdown, the office held over 25 workshops East London, South Africa. in the Diocese of Port Elizabeth, promoting Book 3 of Matthew: Come, Follow Me from the RENEW Scripture Series. The series has been translated into the languages of the area—English, isiXhosa, and Afrikaans. The prospect was that Matthew would be used during Lent, but about halfway through that season communities were no longer able to meet because of the pandemic. The South Africa team presented workshops focusing on LIVE LENT! for liturgical year A in East London and to the leadership teams in the archdioceses of Johannesburg and Pretoria. These archdioceses are also using Why Catholic? with different groups that joined the small Christian community process at a later stage. The Diocese of Manzini in the Kingdom of Swaziland and the Diocese of Klerksdorp in South Africa are continuing with the RENEW Africa series. In January, the Loyola Foundation approved a $10,000 grant for the cost of translating, printing, and distributing RENEW Africa books and resource materials for program participants in these dioceses. The grant enables RENEW to bring its resources to parishes with limited financial means.
Participants are in deep discussion during a workshop in February 2020 for Book 3 of Matthew: Come, Follow Me, at St. John the Baptist Church in Bedford, South Africa.
In addition to English, RENEW small-group materials are translated into siSwati, Setswana, Afrikaans, and isiXhosa. Members of the staff of Masinyusane, an organization that assists the poorest Port Elizabeth students, wait for parents to pick up food parcels. School is the only source of food for most of those children, and Masinyusane joined Caritas in collecting food and distributing it to affected families. RENEW contributed to this program, which has fed thousands of families. IMPACT Report 2020
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Where RENEW Serves Alberta WA
Manitoba
NV
CA
PA C I F I C OCEAN
NE
CO
KS
NM
OK
RENEW’s Pastoral Program Locations* Healing Our Church (blue) ARISE/LEVÁNTATE/DEBOUT (red) Be My Witness (orange) Why Catholic? (green) RENEW Africa (purple) Theology on Tap (brown)
TX
*Does not include individual parish/small Christian community activity.
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RENEW International
Ontario ME
VT
MN
NH
NY WI
MA MI
IA
PA NJ MD
OH
IN
VA
IL
AT L A N T I C OCEAN
KY
MO
SC GA
South Africa
LA FL
Gulf of Mexico
IMPACT Report 2020
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Financial Summary RENEW International continues to work toward financial sustainability while increasing the impact of our programs on parishes and on Catholic men and women. We suffered unexpected losses due to the pandemic. Our plan was a break-even budget. The following table and graphs contain key financial data for fiscal years ended June 30, 2020 and 2019.
RENEW International Key Statistics (dollars in thousands)
Full Year Ended June 30 2020 2019
Operating Revenue
$1,646
$2,014
Operating Expenses
$2,139
$2,282
Operating Loss
$(493)
$(268)
$165
$165
TOTAL INCOME
$(328)
$(103)
Assets (without Endowment)
$1,179
$1,610
Endowment
$2,800 $2,735
Total Assets
$3,979
$4,345
Total Net Assets
$3,391
$3,719
Endowment Income
RENEW International Cost Allocation: (% by type, dollars in thousands) $104 $242 5% 11%
$112 $254 5% 11%
$1,792 84%
$1,916 84%
FY 2020 Actual Process Costs
Development Costs
FY 2019 Actual Gen & Admin Costs
For full audited financial statements, visit www.renewintl.org.
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RENEW International
Shared Services Shared Services, which provides administrative support to all departments at RENEW, continued to enhance our ability to move forward in the digital world. The use of Shopify, Salesforce and QuickBooks provides customers with a more user-friendly and efficient experience. This increase to our capacity was made possible by the Capital Campaign. In addition to our own in-house printing needs, Shared Services provided valuable service to the Health Care Chaplaincy Network and other clients as a means of maximizing use of the resources at RENEW.
Operations
Change and flexibility were in full force this year as RENEW responded to the many challenges in our Church and in our world. • RENEW reorganized its staff, matching skills with needs. • RENEW’s delivery of programs and processes became primarily online. •R ENEW began using virtual programming to engage groups in our processes during the pandemic. RENEW was the recipient of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) from the federal government. This funding helped RENEW continue to support staff and plan for a sustainable future.
Communications
A big part of “staying connected” has been enhancing our communications outreach. A new team was formed in March that has worked to increase our e-communications, improve our social media, and constantly refresh our website. By June 30th, 25 e-blasts—six in Spanish—alerted our friends and followers of the webinars and virtual faith-sharing that we had to offer. Our website has been updated weekly, and there has been an uptick in social-media engagement. Paul Krenzelok, associate director for pastoral logistics and sales consultant, is ready to discuss Be My Witness/Sean mis testigos with attendees at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ annual Fall Assembly in Baltimore in November, 2019.
The team is currently working on creating a section of the website that will showcase all the free resources RENEW is currently offering: apps, blogs, YouTube channel, and much more.
RENEW INTERNATIONAL DID YOU KNOW?
From March 27 to July 9, we held 37 virtual faith-sharing sessions with a total of 1,139 registrations.
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Development RENEW’s ministry of renewing personal faith and revitalizing parish life is made possible in part by the generous donations of individual donors, foundations, and businesses. Our donors are partners in our work.
The Capital Campaign
The Capital Campaign continues. Forward at 40 was launched in January 2018 to fund four key priorities—engage young adults and young families; grow our Faith and Work program; build capacity; ensure our future—and forward our mission in new and innovative ways. To date, RENEW has raised more than $3.3 million in its comprehensive campaign. We project that we will reach our goal of $4 million by June 2021. Net development revenue
Grants $169,000
Gala $45,500
Annual Fund $108,300
Capital Campaign $343,500
The Abell Foundation W. Shepherdson and Kathryn Abell Anthony and Maggie Browne Susan and Vito Capurso Victoria and Thomas Carey Father Edward Ciuba Tony Coelho and Robert Dreher The Cushman Foundation Robert Dempsey Eric and Karen Dill Livvy Dinneen Dolly and Floyd Donahue Alejandro and Sonia Fernández-Colmenárez James and Loretta Colotto Foundation, Inc. Paul and Kathleen Foley Joseph and Patricia Ann Franzetti Martin and Susan Garofalo Bernard Hartnett Manuel and Lucila Hernandez Msgr. Thomas Ivory Dierdre James and James Wheaton Jennifer Jehn Robert “Pat” and Sharon Kane Msgr. Thomas Kleissler
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Capital Campaign Donors Many of RENEW’s closest friends and long-time supporters have stepped up to be a part of the Capital Campaign. The Lynch Foundation made a leading gift of $1 million in support of the endowment and our sacramental preparation series. Bill Page and his wife, Mary Noel, a former RENEW Board member, pledged $250,000 in support of the Campaign. The following is a list of all the supporters who have designated their gift toward the Capital Campaign to date: Greg and Kate Kremer Eileen Leonard and Dale Hagstrom Rev. Thomas Looney The Lynch Foundation Robert and Margaret McGovern Patrick McMahon Lisa Meehan and Grey Warner Richard and Janet Michalowski Patricia Murphy and John Kennelly Sr. Honora Nolty, OP Jack Norris Michael and Julie O’Brien Rev. Abraham Orapankal Mary Noel and William Page (Page Family Foundation) Les and Eileen Quick Thomas Quinlan, III Walter and Lynn Rickard Michael and Mary Singer Vincent and Mary Sweeney Michael and Ida Tropiano Dominic and Kathy Volante, Jr. Frank and Mimi Walsh (Sandy Hill Foundation) Donald and Elizabeth Whittam Carol and Robert Williams
RENEW International
The Annual Fund
Many of RENEW’s friends responded to appeals sent out in the Fall, at Christmas and Easter. The Annual Fund raised more than $108,000 in the 2020 Fiscal Year. Our first video appeal went out on May 5 for #GivingTuesdayNow. The appeal featured a recorded message of hope from Sr. Terry that featured a cameo by a surprise guest, Cisco the blind convent cat.
Foundations
In the past fiscal year RENEW secured grants from the following charitable foundations: • The Abell Foundation • Foundations and Donors Interested in Catholic Activities (FADICA) • The George Link Charitable Trust • The Healey Family Foundation • James and Loretta Colotto Foundation • Le Moyne College: Madden School of Business • Loyola Foundation • The Lynch Foundation • National Catholic Community Foundation • Raskob Foundation • William T. and Marie J. Henderson Foundation
The Gala
Due to the pandemic, the 2020 Gala, originally scheduled for June, was re-scheduled to take place on October 29th in an all-virtual format. Our 2020 honorees are Jack and Jeanette Walton (President’s Award), Bobby Gregory (Spirit of RENEW Award) and Theodore Musco (the Monsignor Thomas Kleissler Award). Even though the Gala could not take place in Fiscal Year 2020, many of our faithful donors supported the Gala in the Spring. By June 30th, Gala net revenue was more than $45K.
The Msgr. Thomas A. Kleissler Legacy Society
Members of the Legacy Society are those who have chosen to give a gift to RENEW that will endure beyond their lifetime. The following have named RENEW International as the beneficiary of a planned gift: • Monica Garofalo • Robert and Margaret Graham • Lynn Hull • Msgr. Thomas Ivory • John Kennelly • Msgr. Tom Kleissler • +Kevin Lawler • +Barbara Miller • Jack Norris • +Kathy Norris • Mary Noel Page • +Elizabeth Quinlan • C. William Reilly + Deceased
IMPACT Report 2020
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Donors
RENEW supporters during the period July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020
PRESIDENT’S SOCIETY $20,000 and above James and Loretta Colotto Foundation, Inc. George and Patricia Erdman Le Moyne College, Madden School of Business The Lynch Foundation
News Corp Jack Norris Mary Noel and William Page Les and Eileen Quick Raskob Foundation for Catholic Activities
SOMOS Community Care (Mario Paredes) Frank and Mimi Walsh (Sandy Hill Foundation)
PATRONS OF RENEW $10,000 and above Father Edward Ciuba +Virginia Collins The George Link Jr. Charitable Trust
Loyola Foundation News America Marketing (Martin Garofalo) Walter and Lynn Rickard
SOMOS IPA (Dr. Rámon Tallaj)
PARTNERS IN MISSION $5,000 and above W. Shepherdson and Kathryn Abell Patricia Dinneen and John Mooney Dolly and Floyd Donahue
Foundations and Donors Interested in Catholic Activities (FADICA) Joseph and Patricia Ann Franzetti
Lisa Meehan and Grey Warner John Mulderig Carol and Robert Williams
SPONSORS $1,000 and above The Abell Foundation, Inc. B & B Iron Works Inc. Alice Beal and William Kuntz, II Anthony and Maggie Browne Victoria and Thomas Carey James Davidson Robert Dempsey Eric and Karen Dill Livvy Dinneen Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt, NY Alejandro and Sonia Fernández-Colmenárez A. Roland and Elizabeth Flores Diane Forastiero Patricia and Peter Handal
The Healey Family Foundation Thomas and Mary Healy William T. and Marie J. Henderson Foundation Inc. Douglas and Mary Hutchings David and Susan Janazzo Jennifer Jehn Jack and Mary Beth Kakolewski Robert “Pat” and Sharon Kane Eric and Elizabeth Koch Eileen Leonard and Dale Hagstrom Ralph and Kate Maughan Patrick McMahon Christine Morrison and Ron Marino
Sister Honora Nolty, OP Michael and Julie O’Brien Charles and Patricia Paolino The Parish Community of Saint Helen, Westfield, NJ Barbara and Dominick Preziosi, Jr. C. William Reilly Michael and Mary Singer Edward and Patricia Thomas Richard and Germaine Trabert Dominic and Kathy Volante, Jr. Laurence Walsh John Clark and Jeanette Walton
Catherine and Craig Collins Robert and Maureen Corbett Regina Crowley Kathleen and Michael Curtin John and Constance D’Angelo Maria DeLucia and Robert Kaplan Jerry Dempsey Marie Jacqueline Derenoncourt Robert and Carol Eid Derek Eiler Jimmy and Angela Espinoza Joseph and Patricia Esposito Thomas and Carolyn Farley Briana and Isaak Fasman
Ernest and Mitzi Federici Paula Flynn Ellen and Gerald Foster Nancy Gerard Thomas Giblin Charles and Barbara Gnassi Robert and Margaret Graham Marilyn Haggerty Mark and Carol Hassenberg William Heinbokel and Renee Trabert Brendan Hennessey Catherine and Michael Hennessey Paul and Dorothy Hennessey Jose and Desiree Hernandez
FRIENDS $100 and above Anonymous Katherine and Kenneth Abbott Herbert and Beatrice Alff David and Teresa Aten Bernard and Marion Berry, Jr. Florence and Stan Blyskal Kathleen Brehm Patrick and Veronica Brunnock Monsignor James Burke Gary and Patricia Cademartori Robert and Mary Callander Susan and Vito Capurso The Catholic Church of the Holy Trinity, Westfield, NJ
+ Deceased
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RENEW International
Donors FRIENDS $100 and above (continued) Kay and Kevin Higgins Gordon and Judith Howath Hummel Integrated Marketing Solutions Carlotta Jennings Julia and Edward Jones Thomas and Susan Kiernan Elaine Kimball James and Carol King Kinturk Contracting, Inc. Robert Kleissler Joseph and Susan Konzelman, Jr. William and Mary Kreppein Joan Lalonde Robert and Jean Lampert M. Therese Liddy Eileen Linehan Manuel Lopez and Yenitza Olmo James and Minerva Lucarelli Kate and William Lund Deirdre Trabert and Richard Malacrea, Jr. John and Lynda Mamone Robert and Fran Manning Fred Marra and Donnamarie Carrai Joseph Patrick Martinez James and Ann McCormick Edward and Margaret McDermott Jack and Carol McDermott Lucy McGuirk Richard and Janet Michalowski Vincent and Maryann Militello Edward and Ellen Miller Jo Ann and Martin Minnicino Joanne and Michael Missaggia Victor and Patricia Mulanovich
Beatrice Murday Patricia Murphy and John Kennelly Ellen and Ted Newman James and Margaret O’Donnell Office Equipment Company of Staten Island Inc. John and Patricia Plunkett Thomas and Theresa Potenza Jerome and Marisabel Raymond Genevieve Richards-Wright Laura and John Rokoszak Denise Rover Schlosser Steel, Inc. Samuel and Carol Severino Timothy and Joanne Collins Smee Richard and Anna Spalckhaver Anthony and Flora Spera Ronald and Patricia Spielman St. Michael Church, Cranford, NJ Francis and Cornelia Stein Vincent and Mary Sweeney Andy Tabar & Associates, Web Marketing Title Masters LLC Eugene and Suellen Tozzi Karen Troiano Michael and Ida Tropiano Joseph and Yutsuan Weiyeh Ku Diane Wenk Donald and Elizabeth Whittam Theresa Winard MaryEllen Woodstock ZACLON LLC
Sister Terry Rickard poses with RENEW board member Alex Fernandez and his wife, Sonia, who hosted a dinner at their Houston, Texas, home in October 2019, with the goal of introducing RENEW to a new group of potential supporters. Sr. Terry spoke to the 20 attendees about the mission of RENEW, and RENEW received several donations as a result.
+ Deceased
Volunteers Volunteers give to RENEW in a big way. They generously share their time, talent and expertise in support of our mission. Database management, editorial services, translations, blogging, consulting, and event management are just a few areas in which our volunteers make a difference. Bill Ayers writes a weekly post for RENEW’s blog, reflecting on the readings for the Sunday liturgy. Bill was a founder, with the late singer Harry Chapin, of WhyHunger. Bill was a radio and TV broadcaster for 40 years. He is a member of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church in Centerport, New York. IMPACT Report 2020
Sharon Krause writes for RENEW’s blog, Branching Out: Fresh Ideas for Growing Faith, as a volunteer. Over the years, she has served in many parish ministries and her writing has appeared in several resources for small-group faith sharing. 19
Bobby Williams is pictured with Sister Terry Rickard, OP, at the brunch and Mass in August 2019 at Eagle Oaks Golf and Country Club in Farmingdale, New Jersey. Bobby, a long-time supporter of RENEW, made a lead gift to the Capital Campaign. He and his wife, Carol, helped to lead faith-sharing at the event.
Donors
Sister Honora Nolty, OP, associate for special projects at RENEW, is pictured at the Eagle Oaks event with Bernie Hartnett, a long-time supporter of RENEW, and his daughter, Maryellen Hartnett Reid. RENEW board member Bob McGovern was instrumental in arranging the event, which raised more than $8,000 for RENEW.
SUPPORTERS up to $99 Amazon Smile Brenda Antenucci Robert and Kathryn Begley Russell and Candice Borner Alice Hugh Brown Rosalie Bulger-Buzzi James and Terry Burrows John Bursley Samuel and Laura Byrnes Muriel and William Cagney Stephanie and Tim Caputo John and Maribeth Carey Melinda and Tim Carney Mary Carter Sister Carol Carullo Emily Chavez Janice Cuttingham and Alfred Petit Ted and Maureen De Marinis Joy Dempsey Jacquelyn Devoti Leonard and Colleen DiTomaso Robert and Patricia Donnelly Joseph Duggan Dr. Hyacinth Findlay Sister Margaret Flood Richard and Eva Fuller John and Mary Jane Gannon
Terry Giannetto Peter and Patricia Glen Randall and Cindy Hedrick Adrienne Hennessy William and Barbara Hennig Robert and Mary Beth Howath David Howe Janet Collins Jordan Patricia Kent Maryalice Kilcoyne Marissa and Alex Klapwald Alice Kokasch Patricia Kummer Sister Mary Lechtenberg Frank and Elizabeth Lee, Jr. John and Rita Linehan Peggy and Charlie Lockwood Carol Lynch John and Patricia Magovern Sister Theresa Maillet Richard and Kelly Maltagliati Catherine McCann James McCarville John McCullagh Alfred and Marie McMonagle John McNeice, Jr. Roseann and Joseph Miller
Linda Nash Zita O’Brian Mary Beth and Steven Oria James Ott Reverend Anthony Randazzo Joseph and Eileen Reardon Richard and Maryellen Hartnett Reid Geoffrey Richards Kristen Richardson Lavinia Mears-Ruby Anthony and Sunday Ruvolo Pamela Schwitter Gloria Secchia Bette Silveria Sisters of St. Dominic, Caldwell, NJ Steel Fab Enterprises LLC Dolores Vazquez Patricia Verdon Richard and Regan Vosler AndrÊ Weller Patricia Wiley and Wendy Miller Carolyn Winchester Patricia Wolpert Karen Wong Peter Wosh and Patricia Schall
+ Deceased
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RENEW International
Donors In-Kind Donations (Gifts of Goods and Services) Individuals
Anonymous Patricia Becker Dominican Sisters of Amityville, NY Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose, CA Robert Farrell and Ellen Schultheis Alejandro and Sonia Fernández-Colmenárez Peter Fiore Lois and Robert Hradil Robert and Margaret McGovern Addie and Ric Moore Fr. Frank Rose Mariann Salisbury The Church of St. Bernard of Clairvaux and St. Stanislaus Kostka Dennis and Diane Stripe
Businesses
16 Prospect Street Wine Bar and Bistro Blende Custom Beauty Casa di Pizza Chez Catherine, Westfield, NJ Cosmos Nails Ferraro’s Restaurant and Catering Fiamma Pizza, Westfield, NJ Five Star Catering Macy’s Mosaico, Mountainside, NJ New Jersey Festival Orchestra Pairings Palate and Plate The West Glam Turning Point, Westfield, NJ William H. Sadlier, Inc. Westfield Health and Rehabilitation
Honorees Bobby Gregory was selected to receive the Spirit of RENEW Award at the 21st annual Gala. Bobby is very active in the Church, with nonprofit organizations, and in the community. He is president of New Jersey Galvanizing and Tinning Works.
Theodore J. Musco, a lifelong lay minister focusing on Catholic education, was chosen to receive the Msgr. Thomas A. Kleissler Award at the 21st annual Gala. After serving as secretary for evangelization and catechesis in the Diocese of Brooklyn, Ted was recently named RENEW’s vice president for pastoral services and operations. IMPACT Report 2020
Jeanette and Jack Clark Walton were selected to receive the President’s Award at the 21st annual Gala. Jeanette and Jack are champions of Catholic education who support schools and students affected by poverty and volunteer their expertise and finance skills with the inner-city Catholic schools of the Archdiocese of Newark and the Diocese of Brooklyn. Jack is the managing member of Keyland Polymer Materials, LLC, a chemical and coatings firm based in Cleveland, Ohio. Jeanette is a candidate for a doctorate in molecular biology at Seton Hall University.
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Board of Trustees President and Executive Director Sr. Theresa Rickard, OP, D. Min. President and Executive Director of RENEW International; Dominican Sister of Blauvelt, NY Chair Eric Dill Senior Vice President, American Arbitration Association/ International Centre for Dispute Resolution; previously Director of the Office of Human Resources, Diocese of Metuchen, NJ
Secretary Patricia A. Murphy Partner in the law firm of Murphy & James, LLC
Jennifer Jehn Executive Director, Miami Dolphins Foundation; hospice care grief counselor Robert P. “Pat” Kane Managing Partner, Star Strategies Group, LLC, Alexandria, VA Rev. Thomas P. Looney, CSC, PhD Director of Campus Ministry, King’s College, Wilkes-Barre, PA
Treasurer Vincent Sweeney Owner, Sweeney Consulting Group, an HR consulting firm; part-time professor at the Rutgers School of Human Resources Management
Robert P. McGovern Retired executive in mortgage-backed securities industry; Chair of Finance Committee at St. Elizabeth Church, Avon by the Sea, NJ
Victoria Carey Vice President, US Marketing, Intercept Pharmaceuticals; lay minister of the Word, St. Martin of Tours Parish, New Hope, PA
Lisa Meehan Executive Director, Travel Services Benchmarking Network; former Director NA Travel, Card and Meetings at Merck & Co. Inc.
Livvy Dinneen Director of Counseling and faculty member, Immaculate Conception Seminary, Seton Hall University; private practitioner in psychotherapy
John Mulderig Media reviewer, Office for Film and Broadcasting, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Raymond J. Donovan Retired President, Schiavone Construction Company; former U.S. Secretary of Labor Alejandro Fernández-Colmenárez Vice President, Corporate Development & Communications for Brenntag Latin America; Former President of the MIT Club of South Texas
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Martin Garofalo Chief Executive Officer, News America Marketing
Rev. Abraham Orapankal A native of the Indian State of Kerala; currently pastor of St. Matthias Catholic Church, Somerset, NJ; former member of RENEW International’s Pastoral Services Team
RENEW International
Mario Paredes Chief Executive Officer of SOMOS Community Care; founder and Chairman Emeritus of the Board for Catholic Association of Latino Leaders (CALL); former Consultant to the Latin American Commission to the Vatican and the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops Dominick Preziosi, Jr. Retired attorney in the public sector and private practice; served on the board of Bergen Catholic High School; involved in various youth activities and ministries Walter I. Rickard Former Chairman of the Board and CEO, LSSi Corp; former NYNEX executive
Bob Eid, RENEW supporter, poses with Sister Honora Nolty, OP, RENEW’s associate for special projects, at the board’s annual Communion Breakfast in November 2019.
Michael Singer AVP Chief Security Organization, AT&T
Dennis Stripe Executive in the medical device industry and board member of Steps2Walk, a non-profit organization focused on orthopedic deformities in children in underserved areas Donald Whittam Executive Vice President, Sales & Merchandising, Divatex Home Fashions, New York, NY; Ministry Leader, Church of the Presentation, Upper Saddle River, NJ
Sister Terry Rickard listens as Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, archbishop of Newark, speaks in the RENEW hospitality room at the Fall Assembly of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Baltimore in November 2019. Cardinal Tobin is chairman of the RENEW corporate board and is a strong supporter of RENEW ministries.
IMPACT Report 2020
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Staff
President and Executive Director Sr. Theresa Rickard, OP, D.Min. Susan Capurso, Executive Assistant Assistant Director Sr. Honora Nolty, OP Customer and Shared Services Eartha Johnson, Manager Regina Crowley Martha Ann Hagedorn Dawn Tomei Development Marissa Klapwald, Director Mary Beth Howath Sr. Honora Nolty, OP Mariann Salisbury Sales and Marketing Deacon Peter Fiore, Director Jennifer Bober Paul Krenzelok Sr. Gina Scaringella, O.P. Richard Vosler Finance and Business Operations Mary Beth Oria, Director Yvette Hutchins
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RENEW Team at the summer outing.
Human Resources and Information Technology Patricia Wiley, Director Pastoral Services Milissa Else, Director Sr. Ruth Bolarte, IHM Dr. Joanne Cahoon John Fontana Dr. Soeurette Fougère Mary Foy Sr. Chela Gonzalez, OP Jessica Guerriero Manuel Hernandez Sr. Honora Nicholson, RSM Sr. Elizabeth O’Donnell, OP Alfred Pach Sr. Janet Schaeffler, OP Rev. Jeremiah Browne (RENEW South Africa office) Sr. Áine Hughes, HC (RENEW South Africa office) Charmaine Woolard (RENEW South Africa office) Dr. Mariela Saravia (RENEW Venezuela office) Publications and Resources Deacon Charles Paolino, Managing Editor President Emeritus Rev. Msgr. Thomas A. Kleissler Interns Natalie Else Anne Howath Samantha Howath
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