The Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus: A Case Study in Stewardship
- Molly Judd
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Right around this time last year, I attended a gala for the Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus. If we’re being honest, most galas look the same—the happy hour, the food, the table settings, the nice dresses. But something about this evening was different. The difference became even more striking when the program began, and a video produced for the Sisters played.
The video featured many beautiful things about their life, but Sr. Mary Joseph, who had recently passed away after a long battle with breast cancer, played a moving part. She was only 58 years old and had lived a life of joy, service, and stewardship, wholly given over to the Lord whom she loved. In one of her final interviews, captured before the gala, she radiated such vitality that there wasn’t a dry eye in the room—not out of sadness, but because her joy was so infectious.
As Catholics, we might say, “Well of course! Being with Sisters comes with a special grace.” That’s true. But this was something more. Though I had known the Sisters personally, I left the gala feeling called to share in their mission—to give of myself the way Sr. Mary Joseph did. To say “yes” to what Jesus entrusted to them.
On their website, the Carmelites describe their mission this way: “Impelled by our love for the Divine Heart of Jesus in the spirit and zeal of the Carmelites of old, we seek to win all souls for Christ by our contemplative and apostolic works of charity.” Based in St. Louis, the Sisters serve the elderly and the young, and their mission infuses everything they do—including stewardship.
That gala video wasn’t just moving—it was the stewardship that Jesus was talking about. It was stewardship that communicated mission in a way no brochure or appeal letter could, it invited everyone in the room to go on mission.
And, I wanted to know how it came to life.
So I called one of KPC’s own, Steve Mamanella, who led the project with videographer Sam Mangeri of Fiat Films.
Steve admitted he knew little about the Carmelites before the project began, but he was struck immediately by their warmth and trust. They didn’t dictate the video length or format. Instead, they collaborated openly, landing somewhere between their original 10–15 minute idea and a tighter, more impactful final product.
The team filmed for three days: interviews the first day, and b-roll the next two. Steve handled the interviews; Sam captured the visuals. They spoke with four Sisters, as well as coworkers, residents, and family members connected to their ministries about what living this charism was like. Each person with a different lens, but in Steve's own words, “Sr. Mary Joseph came in on fire that day.”
Then Steve spent days listening carefully, weaving together the strongest sound bites to build a story. The result? A powerful narrative with Sr. Mary Joseph at its heart. Her words became not just part of a video but part of the Sisters’ living witness—an invitation to see stewardship as joy-filled discipleship.
Some Key Takeaways for Parishes and Ministries:
Lead with Mission, Not the AskPeople respond to stories of life, joy, and mission—like Sr. Mary Joseph’s witness—far more than numbers or dollar goals. Stewardship starts with discipleship and people will give if they believe in the mission
Use Storytelling as a Stewardship ToolVideo, testimony, and authentic witness connect hearts more effectively than facts alone. Ask: How do we communicate our story? Whose story best illustrates the mission we want to communicate?
Collaborate with TrustThe Carmelites entrusted their story to the KPC team, and that trust allowed for creativity, clarity, and impact. It can be vulnerable to tell your story, but that's why we want to help. The best stewardship communications happen when leaders invite collaboration rather than control.
At KP Consulting Group, this is why we do what we do. Stewardship isn’t just about fundraising. It’s about communicating a mission so clearly and beautifully that people can’t help but want to be a part of it.
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