Catholic Briefcase: Tools for Integrating Faith and Work

by Randy Hain, Patrick Lencioni (Foreword)

The Catholic Briefcase helps Catholics integrate their faith with their jobs through practical tips, relevant examples, and the inspirational stories of others who have successfully learned how to bring their Catholic identity with them to work. This book provides tips and ideas for finding time for prayer and reflection throughout the day and explores ways to make business decisions through the filter of Catholic teaching. Being a "light for Christ" is ultimately the best way to share your faith with others as they will be drawn to you by your good example and joy. The Catholic Briefcase helps the reader evaluate where they have been in their business life and where being a "light for Christ" can take them. The practical nature of the content gives the reader a roadmap to a deeper faith in an area (the workplace) they have likely ignored in the past. Paperback

Genres: Catholic

160 pages, Paperback

First published November 20, 2011

About the author

Mr. Randy Hain is founder and president of Serviam Partners (www.serviampartners.com) in Atlanta and actively serves on a number of non-profit boards in the Atlanta community. He is the Senior Editor for The Integrated Catholic Life eMagazine which he co-founded with Deacon Mike Bickerstaff in 2010. Randy is a co-founder of the Annual Atlanta Catholic Business Conference, the Catholic Business Cafe and leads the St. Peter Chanel Business Association (Faith at Work) Ministry.

Randy is a prolific writer and frequent presenter on a number of topics including faith, family, integration, leadership and human capital.

All of his books can be found on Goodreads and Amazon. Titles include:

*The Catholic Briefcase: Tools for Integrating Fathe and Work (Liguori 2011)
*Along the Way: Lessons for an Authentic Journey of Faith (Liguori 2012)
*Something More: The Professionals Pursuit of a Meaningful Life (Liguori 2013)
*LANDED! Proven Job Search Strategies for Today's Professional (Serviam Press 2013)
*Journey to Heaven: A Road Map for Catholic Men (Emmaus Road Publishing 2014)
*Joyful Witness: How to Be an Extraordinary Catholic (Servant Books 2014)
*Blessed Children, Special Fathers: A Book of Encouragement for the Fathers of Children with Special Needs (Emmaus Road Publishing, was released May 22nd, 2015)

His blog, Surrender & Strength, can be found at: http://www.integratedcatholiclife.org...

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Randy Hain doesn’t mess around in this book. It reads like the great business books I’ve read, and it offers suggestions that, though I’m arguably not as much in the business world as I am in the home world, applied to me.

For example, Randy suggests using an examen throughout the day. Inspired by this suggestion, I set alarms on my phone and retyped what he provides in the appendix of his book. This practice has helped me enormously in the few weeks I’ve been implementing it.

My favorite part of this book, though, is Randy’s attitude about the integration of faith and work. This is no surprise from the co-founder of the Integrated Catholic Life e-zine. Faith is not EVER separate from who we are, whether we are at work in an office, in our home, or out at the grocery store. This book is a handy guide, a helpful examination of priorities, and a barrel of possibilities. Randy’s deep faith is evident and his joy in the inevitable overlap of his business world and his faith are apparent.

Highly recommended!

[Rvincent324 · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the title suggests, The Catholic Briefcase: Tools for Integrating Faith and Work, is all about taking our faith to work. Randy Hain has written an approachable, practical book that calls us to examine the totality of our lives, not just our spiritual lives, and make the shift to a Christ centered life. Note the difference between a Christ centered spiritual life, which is lived in a particular space of our total existence, and a Christ centered life, where everything we do is filtered through the lens of our faith.

I found this book interesting and challenging in a way I would bet many of us need to be challenged. The shift in perspective the author suggests is evolutionary but, if embraced, could have revolutionary results for the individual Christian and those with whom we interact at work.

I should say, so no one gets the wrong idea, that the author isn't suggesting any "in your face" sort of interventions or anything close to that. His central thesis is that we should be seen as Christians, by our actions, anywhere we go and in any situation. It's not much more complicated than that. He just challenges us to stop leaving our faith at home or at church.

Thinking about the nine fruits of the Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control (see Gal 5:22). How would our workplaces change if we truly took those fruits to work with us. I think that's what Randy Hain suggests in this book.

At 136 pages, including reference materials at the end, The Catholic Briefcase isn't a long read, but one worth your time. I definitely suggest it as part of your summer reading.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good read if you are a business person. I am a preschool teacher and I found a few useful tidbits but there will be more useful information for business people.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for a small church community group

[Ted Leon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book for anyone looking to integrate their faith into our money and prestige obsessed culture.

[Darren Cary · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's not bad; it's just not very deep. It reads like a magazine article with its bullet points and Q&As with Catholic business leaders. It was fine, and quick to read, but I would not re-read it.

[Bob · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was clearly written for business leaders who have lots of scheduling freedom throughout the day. Those of us who work solid hours or on the clock will not gain much from this book. Pray during the day and make the sign of the cross at meals, no matter who's watching. Be humble. That's about all I got.

[Annie Gauthier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practical tips, well-presented

I enjoyed this book and the practical examples of faith integration throughout. Not preachy. Supportive and relatable. I'd recommend it.