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Fides Entrepreneurship: 3 Inspirational Takeaways from Msgr Sakano and Zachary Schierl
Luca Zocche
November 14, 2025
Thank you to everyone who joined us last night. You can take a look at last night’s pictures here (thanks to our photographer Gabriel Spence)
Your presence truly made it an unforgettable evening.
Your support also continues to bring these remarkable stories to light, like Monsignor Sakano’s, who turned abandoned buildings into more than 2,500 units of deeply affordable housing,(taking 723 homeless of the streets) and Zachary Schierl, whose work with Julius Capital shows that the Church doesn’t have to sell the rock in order to fund its mission.
We hope this encourages you to see your own vocation whether as founder, investor, or professional as part of the same call: to use capital in a way that protects the dignity of every person, builds homes where people can encounter God, and trusts Our Lady even when you hit “brick walls” along the way.
We also cannot thank enough Fr Cassian Derbes, Fr Vincent Bernhard, Shannon Sullivan and Brandon Di Meglio at The Catholic Center at NYU for hosting us in their space!!
Without further ado here are 3 golden takeaways from Monsignor Sakano and Zachary’s conversation that we hope will stay with you:
1. Don’t Sell the Rock, Steward It Creatively
Zach explained Julius Capital’s founding conviction: the Church should never have to sell its land to fund its mission.
“Why is the Church selling the rock? Don’t sell the rock.”
Through creative structures — ground leases, tax-exempt bonds, and what he calls “five loaves and two fish funding” — a parish with almost nothing can unlock tens of millions without surrendering ownership.
Their St. Austin project turned $600,000 and a failing plot into a $45M parish center and a 29-story building without selling a square inch of land.
Ask not, “What don’t I have?” but “What has God already placed in my hands?”
Mission grows when we steward what we already possess.
2. Housing Is a Gospel Mission, Not Just Real Estate
Monsignor Sakano reminded us that affordable housing is indeed a business which has budgets, risk, debt, insurance but for Catholics, its foundation is discipleship.
“It’s a business grounded in the Gospel… environments where people can encounter God.”
Highbridge now owns and manages 44 buildings and over 2,500 units, yet their mission is simple: protect the dignity of every tenant.
They work with struggling tenants endlessly — “forever,” as he put it — unless safety is at risk.
95% now pay on time because the culture is relational, not adversarial.
Whatever you build — a real-estate project, a startup, a fund — let the human person be the organizing principle, not an afterthought.
3. Brick Walls Are Often Our Lady’s Redirections
Both speakers spoke honestly about resistance: deals sabotaged, reputations attacked, partners stealing, diocesan politics, and spiritual discouragement.
The answer wasn’t cynicism. It was Marian trust.
Zach shared his family’s devotion to Our Lady of the Brick Wall (not an actual devotion for the record but used to give perspective on how Our Lady and God work)
“When you hit a brick wall, it’s Our Lady saying:
‘The path is actually over there. You’re walking the wrong way.’”
For Monsignor, perseverance came from prayer, community, and a lifetime awareness of God’s presence.
When you hit resistance, don’t panic.
Stay close to Our Lady, pray the rosary, and look for the archway God is opening.
Bonus Quote: The Path to Sainthood Starts With Honesty
Monsignor closed with a line that we may have heard many times before but need reminding of its important on a daily basis:
“We’re all saints. It starts with knowing you’re a sinner — that the only way out is Jesus Christ.”
Upcoming events
Thursday December 4th 2025 at 19:00
Our December Speaker is Rob Kaczmark, Co-Founder & Executive Director of Spirit Juice Studios, an Emmy Award-winning creative firm dedicated to spreading the Gospel through media.
Rob’s story is one of faith, creativity, and conviction. From his roots in youth ministry and BMX culture (punk rock, tattoos, ect) to building one of the most recognized Catholic media production company in the country, which has worked with Jonathan Roumie, Hallow, Bishop Baron and Mark Wahlberg.
During COVID, when churches were closed, Rob and his team livestreamed daily Masses from their in-office chapel, offering hope to thousands. His short films like The Veil Removed to launching a Catholic kids’ channel on YouTube continue to shape how Catholics experience and share their faith.
“A small little video, a livestream Mass or Divine Mercy hits the right person at the right time… Sometimes even just the appearance of someone on camera praying that looks a little different can bring someone in.”
Rob will share:
How his creative journey led to founding Spirit Juice Studios
Why incorporating a chapel into his office and offering mass there changed his company’s culture
How media can be used to plant seeds of faith in unexpected places
This Talk will take place at The Catholic Center at NYU in Lower Manhattan*.
We are deeply thankful to the support of Father Cassian and his team for making this possible!
Sign up here to confirm your attendance. *Location subject to change.
If you are an NYU Student or work for the university please reach out to us to get a free ticket, at [email protected] .
Tuesday December 9th 2025, 19:00-00:00
It’s officially more then 1 year since we started Fides Entrepreneurship!
After many ups and downs we’re very happy and thankful to God to have been able to reach this milestone!
Such is why we’re hosting a Christmas Party to celebrate all that has happened over the last year!
Other then joy and celebration as Christmas is around the corner you will also hear a word from each one of our past speakers and attendees on the impact Fides has made on them as well as meet many people who have supported us since the very beginning.
Not only that but this party will help sponsor Catholic high school and university students so they can attend our monthly Fides Entrepreneurship events throughout 2026.
Like how the New York Economics Club and Wings Club have sponsors, who sponsor student tables your support will allow students Universities and local Catholic high schools to attend for free, gain real world business experience, be part of a community of mentors, founders, and ultimately learn what it means to make an impact through ones faith.
We truly cannot wait to see you there as we share with you what’s next for Fides, as well celebrate all the great things that have come to be in the last year!!
Attire: Black Tie/Formal
Location: 134 4th Ave, New York, NY 10003
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We cannot thank enough Monte’s for sponsoring our Nov 13th event!
Monte's Trattoria is an Italian institution in New York City, boasting a rich and storied history that spans over a century. Established in the early 20th century, the trattoria has become a symbol of Italian-American culture and cuisine in the heart of New York.
The Catholic Center at NYU is the center of Catholic university life for students in New York City. The ministry supports Catholic students in their academic and career goals while also helping them grow in their Catholic faith and foster a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Their ultimate goal is making professional catholics
Edizioni Padre Pio da Pietrelcina is the official Capuchin publishing house in San Giovanni Rotondo, created to preserve and spread the authentic life and spirituality of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina.
It publishes his letters, official biographies, and other spiritual works while also offering religious articles. Working closely with Voce di Padre Pio, Tele Radio Padre Pio, and Padre Pio TV, it forms part of a broader Capuchin mission to communicate Gospel values and continue Padre Pio’s legacy of faith, charity, and evangelization through modern media.
If you are interested in becoming one of our sponsors please reach out to us at [email protected]