Seminars & Speaking Engagements

Michael O’ Hurley-Pitts, Ph.D., is a recognized leader in the non-profit and public sectors. He has used his unique talents and skills to help shape the success of myriad projects for a wide spectrum of Churches, social institutions and other non-profit organizations as well as in government, serving in the public interest. Michael is an often sought-after consultant, teacher, advisor, public speaker and writer.  Michael is a member of the Faculty of the Academy of Gift Planning.

A Recognized Leader in Religious Philanthropy - A best-selling author, respected leader in stewardship development, and contributor to several academic and professional journals, Michael has been an invited presenter at several ecclesiastical and nonprofit conferences and workshops in the United States and Canada. Recently these have included Duke University Chapel; the Government of Canada, Department of Corrections - National Chaplains Conference, the Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario, The York Area of the Diocese of Toronto, Christian Child Care International, regular coursed offered through The Learning Annex, the Canadian Council of Christian Charities at Redeemer College and others. Michael attended the International Catholic Stewardship Conference in Rome.

The Passionate Steward: Recovering Christian Stewardship from Secular Fundraising by Michael O’Hurley-Pitts; foreword by Archbishop Edward W. Scott (St. Brigid Press 2002) has become a best-selling book. It is now in use in many leaders, seminaries and theological schools; as well as parish stewardship and fundraising programs across North America. Michael has gained great distinction as being one of the very few Roman Catholic authors to have his work selected by the highly discriminating Episcopal Book Club as their Summer 2003 selection.

Under the title The Faithful Steward: Recovering Stewardship for Christ’s Kingdom by Michael O’Hurley-Pitts; foreword by Tony Campolo, the best-selling The Passionate Steward was co-published by both St. Brigid Press and The Canadian Council of Christian Charities (2003) with language more in keeping with the Evangelical community.

In 1999, Michael and Mary Fratini co-authored of a history of the Irish-Catholic community and the Archdiocese of New York entitled St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral The Heart of Old New York. Michael’s upcoming books include a treatment of Christian Stewardship and Jewish Teachings of Tzedakah, and The Gospel of Wealth: Andrew Carnegie’s Vision of Philanthropy Revisited both to be published in the coming year.

Of Public Sector Interest

As a highly decorated combat veteran who later served as a Legislative Assistant and later Counsel in the United States Congress, Michael continues to be involved in government, public policy, and international relations.

Michael has been a regular consultant to Canada’s most watched news broadcast on CTV, providing expert commentary and policy analysis after the tragedy of September 11th; the War on Terrorism; the War in Afghanistan; U.S. international relations; the War in Iraq as well as Bush White House. Michael has also been a guest on CBC Television and a contributor to CFRB Radio as well as stations across the United States.

Michael is an active member of several religious, social and civic organizations including Veterans of Foreign Wars (Life Member), the International Catholic Stewardship Council, The Episcopal Network for Stewardship (Sustaining Member), The ADR Institute of Ontario and several others. Dr. O’Hurley-Pitts has been the recipient of many awards including the Bronze Star Medal with Valor, the prestigious Congressional Achievement Award, and he has been recognized for his contributions to society by the United States Senate, The New York State Legislature, The Governments of Canada, Ireland and many others. Michael holds a Doctoral degree in Theology from St. John’s University and has recently been awarded a Doctor of Divinity degree (honoris causa) from Ignatius University.