Faith, Finance, and Mission: Inside LMU’s FASTS Program for Sisters

LMU College of Business Administration is helping sisters strengthen their ministries through the Financial Acumen and Stewardship Training for Sisters (FASTS) program. In partnership with the Office of the Vicar for Women Religious of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, FASTS equips participants with the financial, managerial, and entrepreneurial skills needed to lead their communities and ensure long-term sustainability.

"Sisters are often entrusted with leading complex organizations and ministries, yet many have not had access to financial formation tailored to the realities of religious life," said Fr. Dominic Chai, S.J., Ph.D., associate dean of strategy and mission, who helped launch the program at LMU. "FASTS offers practical tools for financial stewardship while honoring the values, charisms, and mission that guide their work."

Launched in spring 2026 on LMU's Westchester campus, FASTS offers an immersive, in-person learning experience rooted in collaboration, reflection, and real-world application. The program consists of three workshops totaling 20 hours of instruction, each concluding with a Mass and an optional shared meal, reinforcing the spiritual and communal dimensions of the experience.

A defining feature of FASTS is its emphasis on peer learning. Participants engage with sisters from a variety of religious communities, creating a "community of communities." Through shared dialogue and collaboration, they exchange ideas, discuss common challenges, and learn from one another's experiences. These connections often extend beyond the classroom, creating an ongoing network of support and shared learning.

The FASTS curriculum covers financial management, budgeting, long-term planning, nonprofit governance, compliance, and accountability, with special attention to the unique needs of religious organizations.

"FASTS helped me recognize that other religious communities are wrestling with similar questions about finances, long-term planning, and sustainability," said Sr. Rosalia Meza, former provincial superior of the U.S. Province of the Verbum Dei Missionary Fraternity. "The program provided a space where we could openly explore those questions and discern our next steps with greater clarity and confidence."

Additional sessions introduce participants to banking relationships, investing fundamentals, and financial products, while helping them build confidence in working with financial advisors. The program also examines fundraising and development strategies, including matching gifts, estate giving, and stock contributions.

Instruction is led by LMU faculty members and affiliated professionals who bring both academic expertise and practical experience to the program. Course content is tailored to the realities of religious communities, enabling participants to apply concepts immediately within their ministries and organizations.

"The sisters who participate in FASTS are already doing remarkable work in their communities," said David Choi, Ph.D., Conrad N. Hilton Chair of Entrepreneurship and one of the program instructors. "By applying an entrepreneurial lens, we encourage participants to think creatively about sustaining their ministries and identifying new ways to advance their mission."

Building on the success of its inaugural cohort, LMU College of Business Administration will host another FASTS program this fall. All program fees are generously supported through the Mission Initiative and Social Impact Fund.