Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota News and Blog

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Faith Amid the Storm. IHM Seminary Honors Msgr. James Shea Faith Amid the Storm: IHM Seminary Honors Msgr. James Shea Despite severe weather, over 500 guests gathered for Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary’s annual Bishops and Rector Dinner, honoring Monsignor James Shea and raising more than $100,000 to support seminarian formation. New for 2026: Silent Auction at IHMS’s Bishops & Rector Dinner New for 2026: A Silent Auction at IHMS’s Bishops & Rector Dinner New for 2026 is a silent auction at the annual IHMS Bishops & Rector Dinner. Read the article to see a sampling of what you can bid on at the event. Photo of Morgan Lowney, Development Specialist Meet the Team: Morgan Lowney, Development Specialist Learn how Morgan Lowney strengthens the Catholic Foundation through integrity, data excellence & dedicated service to parishes, donors & our wider community. FAQs for Helping Your Parents Apply to Seeds of Faith Tuition Assistance Grant 2026 Seeds of Faith Tuition Assistance 2026 Frequently Asked Questions Answers for school leaders to our most commonly asked questions about helping families apply to this year's 2026-27 school year Seeds of Faith -Tuition Assistance Grant Program. Seeds of Faith Tuition Assistance Applications are Now Open DOW-R 2026 Seeds of Faith Tuition Assistance Applications Open Apply now for the 2026 Seeds of Faith Tuition Assistance Grant and make Catholic education more accessible for your family through a secure FACTS process. Adapting with Purpose - How the Foundation is Preparing for Future Needs Adapting With Purpose: How CFSM Is Preparing for Future Community Needs We’re preparing for the future at CFSM. Strategic planning is underway, and new 2026 programs will help support parishes and families. Learn more. Adapting With Purpose: How the Catholic Foundation Is Preparing for the Future Needs of Southern Minnesota Itinerary for upcoming Holy Land tour with Fr. Peters and St. James Coffeehouse Ed-Venture Changes Lives with Tours of the Holy Land Ed-Venture, Inc offers the opportunity to plan a guided trip through the Holy Land with trusted guides and partners. One such trip will be hosted by Fr. Ben Peters in partnership with St. James Coffeehouse. You're Invited to Panels on Stewarding Resources in Turbulent Times Evenings of Clarity and Confidence: Stewarding Parish Resources in a Turbulent Time Attend upcoming free events to learn how parish leaders can navigate investing, donor behavior, & financial decision‑making with confidence today. Work Dignity and the Call to Local Catholic Leadership Work, Dignity, and the Call to Local Catholic Leadership Explore how you can help locally to strengthen families and parishes through dignified work, local partnerships, and Catholic Social Teaching. First Annual Witness of Hope Grant First Annual Witness of Hope Grant: When Blessings Become Responsibility The first annual Witness of Hope Grant supports urgent needs across Southern Minnesota through humble, faith-filled giving. Building the Future of Catholic Stewardship in Southern Minnesota New 2026 Programs New Paths for Catholic Stewardship in 2026 in Southern Minnesota You spoke. We listened. Discover new stewardship tools for 2026: stewardship education, collective parish endowments, panels, & more for Southern MN Catholics nov15socialimage When the Headlines Scare Us: AI, Dignity of Work, and Stewardship in Southern Minnesota I saw the viral “scariest chart of all time” graphic. Did you? The one that lines up the last few years of S&P 500’s surge against the collapse in U.S. job openings? Let's take a look at cash, assets & discernment Cash, Assets, and Discernment: A Stewardship Reflection for Uncertain Times Holding cash is often seen as a way to protect our ministries from risk but there is a hidden cost - inflation. Learn more about your options. The Table of Plenty: A Reflection and Action on Local Food Insecurity Here at the Table of Plenty: A Reflection and Action on Food Insecurity Hamburger Helper sales spike got us thinking. Food costs are rising & we see the impact locally. Read the article to hear a story from Owatonna & find ways to help. Well Done, Good & Faithful Steward. 

Partnering with St. Mary’s Parish to help parishioners prepare with grace & intention Well Done, Good & Faithful Steward: Preparing your Legacy with Grace and Intention Catholics are called to be good stewards of the gifts entrusted to us, especially at the end of life. Hear about our local, no cost planning seminars here: Let's take a look at interest rates, inflation and AI for Catholic orgs What Interest Rates, Inflation and Artificial Intelligence Could Mean for Catholic Organizations How does the latest drop in interest rates affect how Catholic organizations should be investing? What about the future of inflation, jobs and AGI? Read on Hiring Contract Planned Giving Advisor Hiring Contract Position: Planned Giving Advisor CFSM is seeking a mission-driven Planned Giving Advisor to support our seasonal outreach efforts across So MN. This is a flexible, part-time contract role. Inflation Ripple Effects | A Hypothesis Investigating Inflation’s Ripple Effects on Catholic Stewardship in 2026 Reported inflation vs everyday reality. The impact of Stablecoin. And what it all could mean for Catholic organization's short and long term holdings. PII Policy Header Your Privacy Is Sacred to Us | PPI Policy We believe stewardship extends beyond caring for finances—it includes secure handling of personal information. Learn more about our PII policy. Cemetery Fund Best Practices Best Practices for Cemetery Fund Placement Stewarding financial resources of cemeteries is no easy feat. We consulted Diocesan and national financial leaders for best practices on where to invest. News Tiered Rate for Managed Funds Tiered Rates for CFSM Managed Funds Beginning October 2025, CFSM will employ a tiered rate schedule, designed to align with peer Catholic foundations, as well as sustain our organization. Read more. Roman Coloseum Walk Where Faith Has Walked: The 2025 Pilgrimage to Rome Paul Larsen shares how the upcoming pilgrimage to Rome will step travelers into the sacred story of the Early Church. The trip blends Scripture, worship, history, and culture into a profound spiritual experience. Read the full article now. A New Leaf for the Catholic Foundation of Southern MN in 2025 Foundation Turns a New Leaf in 2025 There is a new energy reshaping the Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota. We are pleased to welcome two new team members to our organization! Read on: