Redeeming Administration: 12 Spiritual Habits for Catholic Leaders in Parishes, Schools, Religious Communities, and Other Institutions

by Ann M. Garrido, Gerard J. Olinger CSC (Foreword)

Ann Garrido’s 2009 article in America magazine on the spirituality of administration in Catholic settings created a wave of demand in this successful academic administrator’s already full speaking schedule. Garrido admits that she sometimes finds administration draining, even boring, as it fractures her days into “tiny shards of time” that make it impossible to focus on “the big ideas.” And yet she has found spiritual gifts in her many years as a theologian, parish minister, and administrator in higher education. In Redeeming Administration , she reveals those gifts by examining twelve spiritual habits for Catholic leaders in parishes, schools, religious communities, and other institutions—presenting a saint who embodies each habit—and showing readers how to experience their administrative work as a crucial ministry of the Church. A brief prayer and questions for personal reflection, group conversation, or spiritual direction complete each chapter. Free downloads to accompany Redeeming Administration include a small-group guide and prayer resources.

Genres: Leadership, Education

225 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 9, 2013

Reviews

[Jaslyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gift from my boss :) and one that deepened my appreciation for administrative work considerably! A very insightful and focused book dedicated to the glorification of God through working in the office. More later I'm sleepy

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring, thoughtful and full of wisdom. Definitely recommend!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading a chapter a month was a great way to study the different themes throughout the year. I enjoyed Garrido's Redeeming Conflict also.

[John Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are involved in any kind of administration work, in the church or not, Catholic or not, I highly recommend this book. Garrido writes not so much to improve your administration work but to help you grow spiritually--as an administrator, for sure, but also as a person. Perhaps every administrator can relate to thinking that their work is a grind. Garrido invites us to think of it as a blessing and opportunity (while acknowledging the curses).

I love this book even though my primary work is not as an administrator. Administration is part of what I do, as a pastor, and even in that small portion of my work, Garrido has some significant tips.

[Alyssa Foll · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a brilliant book!

I read this slowly, devotionally for the last two weeks as I am in a place of discernment about my work and whether administration will be a part of it. Ann Garrido's words are wise, comforting, and challenging--all in turn. She writes from her own experience as a seasoned administrator, but also draws from the well of church history and theology.

I plan to keep this book close by as I grow in leadership and I will very likely foist this book on all the administrators that I know. Highly recommended.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would give this book 10 stars if I could. It spoke directly to my needs as a long time administrator and faculty member in higher ed. I know this is my vocation. It certainly makes more of me. For a long time I have sought to integrate my path of faith into my work and here it is - and it is beautiful.

I have gifted copies of this book to colleagues. It has had such an impact on me over the past few months. I will read it again.

[Sarah Gautam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. An unusually good companion to your spirituality as an elder. Inspired by this book, I have also written a blog on Spiritual Habits. You must also read my blog, it is very interesting Visit Here

[Brojoho84 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for people of all denominations in Christian ministry

[Grant Hartley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, down-to-earth, and inspiring exploration of the spirituality of administration.

[Joshua Reinders · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book describes characteristics that are helpful for the sometimes tedious work of administration from a Christian perspective, and then pairs these comments with a story about a Saint who demonstrates that characteristic. We read this as a department at work and had several interesting conversations. Garrido writes with liveliness; a wonderful simplicity and clarity.

[Deb]

We used this Redeeming Administration as a staff discussion with one chapter on a monthly basis. This worked very well as one staff member lead the discussion.

[Heidi Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this as my Lenten reading. In many places I found Garrido expressing realities and feelings and beliefs about administration that are my own, and she challenged me to see them as spiritual gifts. The vignettes about saints to illustrate her reflections are terrific. I think this would be a wonderful book for administrative and leadership teams to read and discuss one chapter at a time as part of their formation.