Book Review Assignment

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Book Review: Redeeming Administration: 12 Spiritual Habits for Catholic Leaders

Aundria Baumann
University of St. Thomas
Dr. George Laird, Professor
EDUC 6331 KL44, Administrative Internship II

Book Review Assignment

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Book Review
Redeeming Administration: 12 Spiritual Habits for Catholic Leaders
By: Ann M. Garrido
The book in which I chose to read and review was called Redeeming Administration: 12
Spiritual Habits for Catholic Leaders in Parishes, Schools, Religious Communities, and Other
Institution, by Ann M. Garrido. Redeeming Administration is a reflection on the vocational
journey of any Catholic administrator. It offers fresh insight as to how Catholic administrators
can reflect their leadership style centered around the values of Christ. Garrido gives several
reflections on how to separate the challenges of any administrative position and enlightens their
experience as a crucial ministry of the Catholic Church. Through Garrido humor, comforting,
and real-life dialogue it makes any educational leaders or teachers relate to these real life events
that she discusses throughout the book.
Garrido focuses on 12 spiritual habits that we are to focus on as an administrator, these
spiritual habits are the following; breadth of vision, generativity, trust, agape, integrity, humility,
courage, reflection, humor, forgiveness, embrace death, and hope. In each of these categories
Garrido provides personal reflection on Garridos time as an administrator, then a journey of a
saint that used that habit during their life, then questions that spark our own personal reflection,
and a prayer of encouragement to pick up each of these habits as on time as an administrator.
Garrido purpose of this book is for administrators to find purpose and meaning in the
administrative job positions.
When deciding a book to pick to reflect on. I found myself not interested in the how to
books of administration. Since I am working in a Catholic School and have no intention of
transferring to public school I wanted to find a book that would help me become a better
Catholic School leader. Through my time here at the University of St. Thomas, a professor had

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recommended to the class that they pick up Redeeming Administration and read it at least once
during their time as a Catholic School teacher. I decided that this was a good sign that I should
read this book to enhance my knowledge in the Catholic Leadership. Originally, I thought that
this book was going to be a reflection and how to of becoming a Catholic School leader. I found
it to be much more fulfilling than just that.
When reading Redeeming Administration, I felt empowered. Through the stories of the
saints, humorous reflections on Garridos time as an administrator, and the prayers of courage
and assistance, I found myself laughing, crying, and ultimately building a relationship with God
around my future profession. This book did not only brought great insight as to how to handle
yourself as an administrator but it also offered reflections for administrators to discern their
calling to becoming a principal. As humans, we often do not take the time to reflect on how we
can improve as a person. This book allows you to follow the call of discernment of the
administrative career, through several reflections and spiritual/situational stories.

Redeeming

Administration approaches administration as a vocational journey. As we continue, on our

journey to become administrators I found that Redeeming Administration gave me a renewed
sense of why we are destined for the jobs. It gave me a strong sense of where I want to be in the
next couple of years and how I can grow to become the disciple that God wants me to be.
As Catholics, many often forget that we are not the ones that are in control of our life and
things are going to happen that can be out of our hands. Our decisions become centered around
our ideas and goals and yet we often forget to include God in these decisions. Redeeming
Administration allows for one to take the time and focus 12 spiritual habits that will allow
administrators to be successful in their job position but also will get them a ticket to the kingdom
of heaven. God calls us daily to be saints, Redeeming Administration allows you to do just that.

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References

Garrido, M. A. (2013) Redeeming administration: 12 spiritual habits for Catholic leaders in

parishes, schools, religious communities, and other institutions. Ave Maria Press. Norte
Dame, Indiana.