Thank you to everyone who joined us last night.

You can find pictures of last night here.

Your presence continues to make these evenings something truly special.

Your support brought forward the story of Tim Busch, a story that began on a single stoplight street in Clinton, Michigan, passed through supermarket aisles, law offices, and the halls of the Cincinnati Reds, and ultimately became a bold act of faithful entrepreneurship: building over 13 hotels, the NAPA Institute, and a vision of Catholic life fully integrated into business, culture, and public witness.

Through his work, Tim showed us how faith is not an obstacle to success, but its very engine. Not through ideology, but through daily mass, the rosary, and the radical conviction that every business decision is an act of co-creation with God.

We hope this evening encourages you to trust in Providence even when the train stops unexpectedly (like his did last night on his way to New York) and to see your work not as a career, but as a vocation.

📆 Upcoming Events

• Apri 9th 🕯️ Candle lit dinner with Raj Bhakta, Founder of WhistlePig Whisky, BHAKTA Spirits and former candidate for the U.S congress

  • Brief words from Raj:

    ​"I lost the race in '06, spent a little time in India, figured it was time to sort of settle down in life and wait for God to talk to me about what I should do next, because I didn't have a clue. Bought a 500-acre farm and sort of stared at the seasons changing, expecting a voice from the heavens to open up and reveal to me what I should do next. That didn't happen. No revelations really come from the Almighty. The economy tanks. I need to figure out a way to make the farm productive." [In that moment he was given an opportunity.] (source)

• May 15th 🏆 Awards Evening — more details to be announced soon!

Without further ado, here are 3 golden takeaways from Tim Busch's conversation that we hope will stay with you:

1. Humility Is the Root of Every Virtue

Tim opened not with his resume, but the most important virtue, which he told us, is humility.

His reasoning was simple:

This wasn't abstract philosophy. It was the thread running through his entire story from a paperboy in small-town Michigan to one of the most influential Catholic entrepreneurs in America.

He never lost sight of where he came from. He never stopped learning.

2. Wealth Is Stewardship, Not Ownership

Tim closed with a challenge that lingered in the room long after the evening ended.

He has given away extraordinary amounts and found, paradoxically, that he owns more than he ever imagined.

This is not guilt. It is freedom.

The wealthiest people he counsels, Tim told us, are often the emptiest — because they are co-creating with themselves instead of with God.

The antidote is not poverty. It is surrender.

3. Your Spouse Is Your Most Important Business Decision

Tim surprised the room when he turned unexpectedly and without hesitation to marriage.

More important than your education. More important than your career. More important than your network.

He told the story of meeting Steph on Good Friday in Newport Beach, California his uncle approaching two women at a restaurant, returning to Tim with a quiet certainty: I just met your wife.

Four years of persistence followed. Then a marriage of over three decades.

His point wasn't romantic it was strategic and deeply Catholic.

He reminded the room that the people you are surrounded by now in rooms like this one are exactly where God works.

Student Entrepreneurship Ticket Fund

We are thrilled to welcome students from Columbia University, NYU, Fairfield University, Baruch College and beyond to our events each month completely free of charge.

At the high-school and university level, students are forming both their intellect and moral compass. They are bold thinkers but often financially constrained. Your sponsorship allows them to attend our events free of charge on a monthly basis, giving them direct access to experiences that shape both character and career.

Thanks to the Knights of Columbus Charitable Fund, we can now accept tax-deductible donations to support this program.

Please consider making a contribution at the link below and helping put the next generation of Catholic entrepreneurs in the room.

We would like to thank our beverage, food and book sponsors!

Started by my good friend Antonio Motta who was one of our past speakers we invite you to experience the pleasure of Brazil 🇧🇷!

Brut Sparkling wine from the heart of Southern Brazil. More information can be found here.

Founded in 2005, Roots Run Deep was very kind to sponsor us with some of their Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.

You can find more information here about their story!

Back in May 2025 Jacob Ciccarelli of Truthly shared at their talk at Old Saint Paticks theirCatholic AI app designed to empower people with instant, reliable Catholic answers to any question or problem.

Now backed by clergy, evangelists, and influencers around the world, Truthly has grown to over 100,000 downloads and is partnering with dioceses, seminaries, and ministries to provide priests and religious free access to this powerful tool for evangelization.

We cannot thank them enough for sponsoring student tickets at our upcoming event!

You can find more information about them here!

Founded in 1888, The Catholic Herald transitioned from a weekly newspaper to a monthly magazine in 2014, bringing in-depth Catholic journalism to a modern audience.

As a follower of Fides you get a special discounted ‘3 months for $3 subscription! Sign up here to get your special discounted subscription!

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.

You can find more information about them here

Catholic Founders is run by my good friend Silas Mähner, and he's on a mission to help Catholics start and grow their businesses so that, through entrepreneurship, we can convert the country in the next 20 years.

What sets Catholic founders apart isn't just faith as a backdrop it's the virtues. Prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance aren't just spiritual ideals; they're practical tools that shape how we build companies, lead teams, and serve customers. Catholic entrepreneurship is about building businesses that are not only profitable, but genuinely good rooted in a moral framework that the secular world increasingly lacks.

They have a weekly podcast and newsletter that explore these topics with top entrepreneurs like Alessandro Di Santo and distill those into lessons for you and me to take away.

I highly encourage you to follow their podcast and newsletter and check out their peer group called the Catholic Founders Guild.

You can more information here about his mission

Berimbau (Main dish sponsor) is where the Brazilian table comes alive in the heart of New York. More than a restaurant, it is a cultural space built on the belief that food is never just food — it is where stories unfold, bonds grow stronger, and time slows down. Around their table, flavors become feelings and every dish invites you to stay a little longer. We are proud to have them bring that warmth and hospitality to our evenings.

You can find out more about their story here.

Felix Empanadas (Desert Sponsor) has been handfolding tradition since 2017, starting in Charlotte and now bringing their flaky, seed-oil free empanadas to New York's Lower East Side, Optimist Hall, The Alley, and soon Miami. Traditional or fusion, steak or sides every empanada is made the way it should be: by hand, with care, without shortcuts. The kind of food that reminds you that the simplest things, done well, are always worth it.

You can find out more about their story here.

Tridentine Brewing began the way the best things do — as a family hobby, passed down through generations. Founded by Jeff Alcorn and his sons Trevor and Cameron, the brewery takes its name from the Traditional Latin Mass, and its motto says everything: Braciare ad majorem Dei gloriam Brewing beer for the greater glory of God. What started in a kitchen, rooted in a grandfather's wartime faith and love of country, has grown into a commercial craft brewery carrying that same spirit in every can. Faith, family, and country brewed into every batch.

You can find out more about their story here.

If you are interested in becoming one of our sponsors please reach out to us at [email protected]