Synopses & Reviews
Tending the Flock: Shepherding Catholic Retirement Plans (2013) is an up-to-date and quick read that provides valuable information, insights, and information, and it is specifically written for retirement plan sponsors within Catholic organizations. The book is a comprehensive, practical guide for plan stewards of Catholic organizations written to deliver best practices for building a new secure retirement plan structure in todays post-Great Recession economy.
Review
“As counsel for numerous Catholic organizations around the country, I have been counsel in numerous fiduciary obligation lawsuits and have seen the negative impact litigation has on everyone involved. It is my considered opinion that if the guidelines set forth in this book are followed, fiduciary obligation litigation will be reduced substantially. I believe this book should be required reading for all Archbishops, Bishops, Chief Financial Officers, and plan sponsors of Catholic organizations.”
--From the Foreword by Mike Patterson, J.D., L.L.M.
“...In this age of hidden and unexpected liabilities a fiduciary and churchmen must consider how they can protect the assets of the Church...”
--Timothy R. Busch, J.D., CPA, Founder of the Busch Firm, co-founder of Magis Institute
“...The authors have provided a clear turn by turn roadmap to understanding and implementing benefit plans...”
--Dan Burke, Executive Director of EWTN’s National Catholic Register and founder of the Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation
“...The book is well written and is a must read for all Diocesan CFO’s whose organizations provide or are contemplating a defined contribution plan...”
--Loren Schillinger, Finance Officer, Diocese of Cheyenne, WY
“...I started reading this book and had to finish it in one go...”
--Aad de Lange, CFO, Catholic Diocese of Jackson, MS
About the Author
Mary Brunson is a Wealth Advisor and the Vice President of Investing for Catholics, a division of Index Fund Advisors, Inc. She is co-author with Harry Markowitz, Nobel Prize winner in Economics and Father of Modern Portfolio Theory, of "Does Portfolio Theory Work During Financial Crises?" and "Can You Do Well While Doing Good?," which was added to MBA course curriculum at University of California, Berkeley. She embarked on the specific mission of Investing for Catholics to advance education about faith-based prudent investing with a strategy that seeks to enhance both spiritual and financial returns. This effort is designed to facilitate a deepening of faith and stewardship by providing a sound investment approach to Catholic organizations. Mary provides fiduciary advice and services to religious orders, Archdioceses and dioceses, endowments and foundations, as well as individuals. Mary is a board member for the Magis Center of Reason and Faith, an institute spearheaded by Father Robert J. Spitzer, S.J. She is also the Spirituality Commission Chair for the National Council of Catholic Women (NCCW), the women's organization representing the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and she is a frequent writer for the organization's publication. Mary earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from University of California, Irvine. Her professional designations include a Series 65 license, and she is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF).Judy Baba is the liaison for Institutional and 401 (k) Retirement Services at Index Fund Advisors (IFA). In this role, she provides assistance to retirement plan participants, helping them understand the various aspects of the retirement plan process. She also supports IFA advisors as a Client Services Representative in setting up individual and corporate brokerage accounts. In previous positions, Judy has worked with individuals and organizations both in the development of new retirement p