Ann Garrido, D.Min.

D.Min., Aquinas Institute of Theology
Director of the Doctorate of Ministry in Preaching and MAPS-CGS Programs; Associate Professor of Homiletics
garrido@ai.edu

First became interested in theology
My senior year of college. I was completing a twelve-week research project in Kenya on the history of the Catholic Church's missionary activity in East Africa. I was there as a history major when suddenly I realized that I should have been a theology major. Of course, it was a little late to switch degree programs at that point, but the project did set me on the right direction for my future.

Current interests include
Probably a few too many things! When I was a theology student, I could never find one area of theology that interested me more than another. I loved them all! The same remains true now. Having served as field education director for seven years, I am very interested in ministry formation. What kinds of experiences best prepare one for ministry? What should one know? What skills should one possess? As a married woman and mother, I am very interested in the theology of marriage and parenting. What does it mean to work out one's salvation in the context of family life?

At present, however, my professional energies are focused mostly in two directions. One is preaching. I started studying preaching when I was a M.Div. student. I had always heard of preaching being an "integrative discipline" but I never knew what that meant until I was an intern in a parish. Suddenly, when I had the opportunity to preach, it made sense. Preaching is where it all comes together! All of those areas of theology that I loved, all that I had ever studied, all the experiences I had gleaned - all were drawn upon in the act of preaching. I had been considering a Ph.D., but couldn't decide one area on which to focus. I discovered that further study in preaching allowed me to pursue them all! I completed my doctorate in preaching in 2003. Now, I have the honor of directing the doctoral program from which I graduated.

Our D.Min. program the only Catholic doctoral program for preaching in the world. On one hand, this is a very prestigious distinction. On the other hand, it is rather overwhelming. The need for quality preaching in a variety of venues is great. Students who graduate from our program continue to make significant contributions to preaching in the U.S and beyond. They are teachers of homiletics, parish pastors and associates, and leaders of missions and retreats. They publish widely, speak internationally, and advocate consistently for excellent preaching. It is very energizing to work with so many great preachers from around the globe who care deeply about the proclamation of the Gospel.

My other great passion is the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. CGS is a Montessori-based religious formation program for children, beginning at the age of three. It seeks to create and facilitate a "hands-on" environment for children called an atrium, in which both children and adult catechists can hear, ponder, and celebrate the most essential mysteries of the Christian faith together. I have been involved in CGS for over a decade now and two years ago, we were able to launch at Aquinas the first ever masters in CGS in collaboration with the National Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. As director of the MAPS-CGS program, I have the privilege of working with other catechists from all over the United States, helping them to access the kind of advanced scriptural and liturgical study that can serve their own spirituality and their work with children. This past spring, we graduated our first student from the MAPS-CGS program and about 15 more are currently completing their studies. They are doing amazing catechetical work in parishes and schools around the nation - from Arizona to Massachusetts, Texas to Wisconsin, and a variety of places in between.

At first glance, the two programs (D.Min. and MAPS-CGS) seem quite different from one another. They both are one-of-a-kind! But, at the same time, both serve a very similar purpose: celebrating the gift of God's Word and effectively sharing that Word in a meaningful way with as many people as possible.

Recently published / presented

"Reading the Resurrection Narratives with Children,"Occasional Papers of the Center for Children and Theology (Summer 2007)
"Theological Reflection in the Dominican Tradition" in Towards the Intelligent Use of Freedom: Dominican Higher Education (Summer 2007)
"The Gift of the Child," Journal of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (Fall 2006)
"Should Your Exegesis Show?",Preach (Fall 2006)
"Preaching Among Children," Liturgical Ministry (Winter 2006)
Mustard Seed Preaching (Liturgy Training Publications, Fall 2004)

Recent addresses / preaching events

"Living the Our Father" - Midday Prayer Preaching, March 2006.
"Blessed are the Poor" - Midday Prayer, September 7, 2005
"Paschal Journey of the Theology Student" - Midday Prayer Preaching, September 2004

Personally enjoys
Swimming; walking around the park with my sisters; reading every night before bed with my twelve year old son. Last year, while I was on sabbatical, my son and I took the opportunity to travel together and learn on the road. We visited fifteen different states and four foreign countries. It was a wonderful year!