Self-Care OR Stewardship of Self R210C Pastoral Formation Maria D. S Self-Care OR Stewardship of Self R210C Pastoral Formation Maria D. S. Andrade Johnson, Ed.D., M.A.

WHY Stewardship of Self: Balance the expectations and stressors of religious leadership and the intellectual, physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of life. Model of Jesus who, during his public ministry, took time alone and with others to reflect and pray Incarnating Christ (Rom 12:1f) is a process of putting on Christ (Gal 3:27), a solidarity in Christ, a sharing in his dying and rising; stewardship of self helps achieve psychological, spiritual, and emotional unity to prepare us for “putting on Christ.” Stewardship of self is part of the process of “equipping saints for ministry” (Ephesians 4: 12).

HOW of Stewardship of Self: Balance Biblical spirituality: spiritual nurture for ministers Regular prayer (both private and communal) Contemplation and reflection (journal, meditation, long walks, hiking in nature-green is good!) Concrete involvement and service with the poor and marginalized Involvement within a church community (small faith groups, friendships, social connectedness) Willingness to be vulnerable for love Attend to physical, psychological, and emotional health

BECOMING a Good Steward of Self: Where do I spend my time? How do I spend my time? When do I make time for space to be with God? When do I make time for space to be with family, friends, activities that bring me joy and wonder? Have I attended to forming a network of resources for critical times?

What are your big marshmallows? “You might think that no matter how full our schedule is, we can always squeeze in more things to do, but unless you first place the big marshmallows into the jar, you are never going to get them in. The big marshmallows represent the important things in your life… your family, your friends, and your personal growth. If you fill your life with small things, then you will never have time for your important things.”

Renewal How do you renew your mind How do listen to the quiet of your soul? What transforms you?

Your Garden… What and where is your garden? What nourishes your garden? What is present? What is missing? Who and what waters your garden? What is crowding your growth? What helps you grow? What needs to be weeded out?

Gratitude…It’s about the “Rising” Are you focused on the tomb or looking out of the tomb? Are you focusing on the death or the Resurrection? We are called to be thankful. How can we be thankful if we do not take the time to notice what we have been given? What do we spend our days noticing? In what areas of your life have you experienced grace?

A Crazy Idea…

Principals of Time Management for Self-Stewardship Prioritize, spread out tasks, delegate non-essential Make appointment with yourself-calendar it! Identify and manage distractions Know yourself: What’s your most productive time? What are conditions that foster creativity and productivity? What are signs you are spent? Make a plan to use “dead time” Plan ahead—set goals Be flexible, allow yourself to fail, have a plan for getting up again Take time for fun, enjoyment, relationships

Managing Stress… Remove source of stress by: Solving the problem Direct communication Planning Time management Prevent stress by: Letting go Saying no Delegate Withdraw

Burn Out: state of fatigue/frustration brought on by… Saying yes to every thing Not mindful of boundaries Seeking perfection Negative thinking Being in more than a handful of ministries Etc…

Dealing with Burn Out Give someone in your life the responsibility and authority to challenge you when you begin to internalize and behave out of unrealistic expectations Allow others to use their gifts to minister to you Follow the model of Jesus in the gospels: learn to say “no” and to set limits, pray, retreat Be as kind, gentle, loving, compassionate, and forgiving toward yourself as you are with others

Some Helps Online... Catholic Apostolate Center “how to” webinars https://www.sliconnect.org/lay-formation Catholics on Call-online retreats http://www.catholicsoncall.org/online-retreats An Online Retreat website, Creighton http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/cmo-retreat.html 3-Min. Online Retreat, Ignatian spirituality https://www.loyolapress.com/3-minute-retreats-daily-online-prayer Lunchtime Examen, Ignatian spirituality https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/the-examen/lunchtime-examen Sacred Space, Irish Jesuits, Ignatian spirituality https://www.sacredspace.ie