Whether you’re freelancing or temporarily removed from the office, here are seven ways to pray while working from home! And the best part is, you can use all of these when you go back to the office in person! 

#1: Start a Prayer Group 

When COVID-19 lockdowns first began, people were stressed and scared more than usual. My husband, the only Catholic at his company, was asked to begin a prayer group with his co-workers every morning. They started fifteen minutes earlier than the regular work day. This grounded their work and lives in the Lord and each other’s prayers. 

It can be uncomfortable to suggest praying with your coworkers, especially virtually. If prayer per se is too bold to pull off, you may consider starting a moment of group support or reflection, open to all faiths. Who knows, you may end up surprised how many Christians or even Catholics you already work with that you didn’t know about!

#2: The Angelus

Though the history of the Angelus is a bit more sparse than many other Catholic prayers, it remains a popular devotion for working Catholics. The Angelus is a brief meditation on the Annunciation traditionally said three times a day: at 6 a.m., 12 noon and 6 p.m. In past times, church bells would toll at those hours to summon the surrounding Catholics to stop work and pray. 

If you aren’t already waking up at 6 a.m., it might be tough to begin doing so just for the Angelus. Try setting an alarm for noon to remind you to take a quick break and pray right where you are! If you’re already stopping for lunch, it might be just as easy to pray this beautiful prayer before your midday meal.

#3: Say Grace

While most Catholics say grace before the three main meals of the day, feel free to incorporate it into your snacking routine, too! Saying grace is a great reminder to be grateful for all the food that we are given, and to ask God’s blessing upon it. Whether it’s a mid-morning PopTart or some afternoon veggies, saying grace is a great way to pray while working from home. 

Many families like to add their own little personal prayers to grace. Scripture quotes, intercession for those who are less fortunate, and prayers for the poor souls in Purgatory are all popular ones. In this year of St. Joseph (a saint with great advice for working Catholics), my husband and I like to add “St. Joseph, please intercede for all the men of the Church” to the end of our grace. 

#4: Literally Pray While Working

Not all prayer needs to be vocal or standardized. Internally practicing gratitude or asking for patience with a frustrating problem are ways to cultivate a relationship with Him without stopping everything. 

Talking to God throughout your work day is helpful in building a reliance on His grace and support. It also alleviates some of the stress of your job. Keeping an Image of Our Lord taped to one of the three flat screen monitors in your workspace can make it easy to pray while working – all you have to do is glance over and say “Hi” or if you’re a simple soul, maybe you can give Jesus a quick fist bump.

#5: Find a Patron Saint

Sometimes it can seem like ancient saints are out of touch with our contemporary work world. Remember, saints are alive in Heaven and want to pray for us as much as we want to be prayed for! 

There are numerous patron saints for modern problems and careers. Saints are given patronage for a reason! Learning about the saint of your work can aid in your decisions to pray while working. You can also offer any highs and lows up to the Lord through the hands of the patron.

#6: Use Your Commute Time

If you are back in the office, use the time where you’re driving to work to pray or meditate on the upcoming day. And if you’re still working from home, use the time you normally drive to sit quietly in the presence of God to calm your soul and ask for strength for the coming day.

One of the coolest things about Catholic prayers is that there are prayers for just about any length of time. Is your commute normally five minutes long? A chaplet of Divine Mercy or morning offering will work well. Fifteen minutes? Listen to the liturgy of the hours. Twenty? Get that daily Rosary in! Even longer? Mix and match, turn on some worship music, or just talk to God out loud! 

#7: Make the Sign of the Cross

The sign of the cross is one of the simplest ways to pray while working, and yet it is deeply profound when made with intentionality. The sign of the cross is a reminder to ourselves that we are marked as Christians. We are protected by the Lord, and are asked to carry our own crosses each and every day. Demons flee from the sign of the cross, and it will strengthen and refocus you on what is most important. 

You can make the sign of the cross at any pivotal moment of your workday. Before work begins, before a big meeting, before and after any other prayers, and right after you sign off. Making your work a prayer and bookending it with such a powerful sign is a way to integrate your faith into your professional life. If you haven’t yet, get yourself a bottle of Holy Water and keep it handy in your home. Using it with reverence and humble petition allows God to touch us in ways we may not even see.

Concluding Remarks:

One of the most important elements of a holy lifestyle is the ability to orient all aspects to the Lord. Christ should be the vibrant, burning center of a life that revolves around him – work, chores, play, charity, eating, etc. 

Hopefully these ways to pray while working, even from home, will help you in giving your entire day to Jesus and keeping the faith alive even while doing your job. 

About the Author

Ella Matthews is an actress and writer who graduated with a Communications Media degree from a film school in California. She lives with her husband in Indiana, loves tea and interior design, and wants to be a mom.

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Admit it.

You’re sitting in your office cubicle daydreaming again, aren’t you? You want to build your Catholic resume or portfolio, but simply don’t know where to start.

Your job was rewarding at first. HR did a great job selling you on the company’s mission and the internal opportunities for growth. The pay is good, and the benefits are great. But lately everything’s been feeling mundane, even… meaningless.

You want to do something that really matters, something with eternal significance.

You daydream about bringing souls to Christ — working full-time for His Church and putting your skills and talents at the service of the Gospel. But you have a problem…

You’ve never worked in Catholic ministry.

Heck! You’ve never even volunteered to read at Sunday Mass.

Or maybe you’re concerned because you have no formal education in Catholic theology, catechesis, ministry, evangelization, or apologetics.

In other words, there’s nothing particularly “Catholic” on your resume or in your portfolio. You’ve been looking around at all the opportunities for ministry in your diocese, but you can’t help but wonder: “Why would anyone want to hire me for a ministry job? My current skillset doesn’t fit any of these job descriptions.”

If this sounds familiar, “Be not afraid” (sorry—John Paul II pun…)…

Here are five helpful tips you can use to build your Catholic resume or portfolio before you quit your day-job:

1. What skills are on your current resume or portfolio?

The first helpful tip you can use to build your Catholic resume or portfolio is pretty simple. Determine your skillset!

You have a definite skillset.

Whether you realize it or not, your current skillset can be put to use in the service of the Gospel. The Church needs you… and your skillset! So sit down, write out your skills, and brainstorm how you intend to use them in the service of the Gospel.

Are you good at building websites? As we’ve seen recently with the beatification of Carlo Acutis, the Church needs men and women who are capable of building attractive websites that folks want to come back to again and again.

Is digital marketing your thing? Great! The Church needs marketers and content creators who are adept at creating compelling content for evangelizing on the “digital continent.”

Do you work in sales or corporate coaching? The Church needs men and women like you; capable of creating stunning presentations, building compelling cases, and making persuasive arguments in favor of Catholicism.

The truth is, it doesn’t matter what your current skillset is. The Church needs you and your abilities. So write down what it is that you’ve been trained to do, and start thinking of ways you can use your skills in the service of the Church.

2. Figure out your talents

In his First Letter to Corinthians, Saint Paul says:

“There are many different gifts, but it is always the same Spirit … The particular manifestation of the Spirit granted to each one is to be used for the general good” (1Cor. 12:4, 7).

He then goes on to say that, as the body as a whole needs its various parts, so too does the Church need her members to use their various God-given gifts and talents for the sake of spreading the Gospel.

Ask yourself: “What talents has God given me?”

Are you musically inclined? Or maybe you have a gift for the written word. Do you “come alive” when you’re speaking in front of a large crowd? Or maybe one-on-one coaching is more your thing.

You have a talent. Most likely you have several talents. And you can use each talent to build up the Body of Christ. Find out what your talents are. And if you struggle to figure it out (*ahem* you’re not alone), ask a couple close friends or relatives what they think your talent is.

3. Volunteering can build your Catholic experience

Worried that you have no direct experience working in ministry or in a Church-related role? Not a problem!

Your parish may need RCIA sponsors who are available and knowledgeable enough to answer an RCIA candidate’s questions. Or maybe your parish priest could use some extra help ministering to the Youth Group, even if there is already a full-time Youth Minister employed by the parish.

Does your parish have a blog? Why not volunteer to write weekly or monthly articles?

Ask around. There are more than enough opportunities for you to volunteer and put your unique skills and talents to work, while at the same time building up that Catholic resume or portfolio you’ve been working on.

One great way to get involved as a volunteer is to join your local St. Paul Street Evangelization team!

4. Add Catholic education to your resume or portfolio

Who among us hasn’t been put off by the “Master’s Degree in Theology and three years of experience as a catechist or youth minister” requirement for that Director of Religious Education job you know you’d be perfect for!

You’re already working on building your experience by volunteering your time as a catechist, sponsor, street evangelist, or youth minister. Now, thanks to the internet, you have multiple ways to fulfill that education “requirement.”

If you need formal education, there are some amazing Catholic schools that offer Master’s degrees in theology, ministry, or catechetics 100% online! Franciscan University of Steubenville, Catholic Distance University, and the Augustine Institute are three of the best schools out there offering online degrees in theology.

But if you just need to brush up on your knowledge of the Faith, and want a certificate to show for it, there are some great options out there. The St. Paul Evangelization Institute and Catholic Answers School of Apologetics are two great places where you can solidify your knowledge of Catholicism, while also earning a certificate to post on your LinkedIn profile and brag about on your resume.

5. A final word to help you build your Catholic resume or portfolio

Building up your Catholic resume or portfolio is great and all. But there’s one thing you can do right now that will launch you into full-time Church-work faster than that perfect resume or portfolio ever could.

Networking!

Get out there and meet some people, especially the “key players.” Spend time getting to know your parish priest. Go to your local “Theology on Tap” events. Join or start a parish or diocesan book study program.

Get out there and meet people. After all, ministry and evangelization aren’t so much about what you know. They’re all about bringing the Gospel to people.

And if you’re already putting some of the above advice into practice, then you’re well on your way to launching your Church career.

Philip Rolfes is a freelance direct response copywriter, connecting people with the missions they’re passionate about.

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Getting hired in ministry can be one of the most challenging steps in a career. Parishes, schools, and organizations, seek to further their mission and serve their members. But at the same time they have to be very careful about who they hire. I don’t envy those who do the hiring, but I’ll be the first to admit that I see more challenges for those who seek employment in ministry. With that said, here are Ten Tips For Getting Hired in Ministry.

1. To get hired in ministry, you need to be upfront

Be clear and honest with your potential employer about your financial needs. It’s easy to get so passionate about ministry or so desperate for employment that we settle for less. And while doing so isn’t inherently bad, it can become a problem later. If you can’t afford to pay your rent or your salary doesn’t cover your student loan payments, the stress in your personal life will prevent you from being present to the needs of those being served by the ministry. If you’re a parent and your potential employer isn’t interested in paying for your child’s necessary health insurance (I speak from experience on this one), the opportunity is not worth your time. So be clear about your needs. 

2. Don’t be intimidated

Often, successful ministry people (especially those in the public eye) appear like celebrities. And instead of learning from them, we see them as unapproachable, and we practically idolize them. Instead of seeing Christ working through these people, we see them. We need to celebrate the ministry successes of others, not envy them. You too are capable of doing something incredible! Find inspiration from those who came before us. Saints like St. Therese of Lisieux

3. You Are Interviewing Them Too

I’ve been there. Interviewing for a position, hoping desperately to get the job. And then one of the worst possible things happened; I was offered the position and I accepted it. In retrospect I realized I should have asked more questions. It became clear that I should have been myself more in the interview. But once I was hired, it didn’t take long for me to realize that I was in the wrong place. That led to a bumpy transition for all involved. Come prepared with questions to help ensure that it’s the right place for you.

4. Pray, Pray, and Pray Some More

Pray for guidance and pray that God’s will be done. Many of us in ministry spend too much time focusing on our plans. Ministry is not supposed to be self-serving. But for too many of us it becomes exactly that. Focus on God’s plans.

In his youth, my father was a competitive swimmer, a swim coach, and a pool manager. This was a big part of his life. And throughout his life he drew parallels to swimming and pretty much anything else. In his wisdom he would say, “You can’t save someone else from drowning until you learn to swim yourself.” And he was right. Nowhere is this truer than in ministry. We cannot give what we don’t have. And what we need to give comes only from God.

So instead of running a retreat, attend one. Before organizing an evening of Adoration, visit the Blessed Sacrament, and before sending in your résumé, pray your favorite prayer (I suggest the Divine Mercy Chaplet). 

5. Be Persistent, But Not a Pest

Reach out to potential employers. And always make sure to follow up with them. Even if they say, “we’ll be in touch” or “we’ll let you know”, reach out to them. Following up with a potential employer demonstrates to them that you have a strong interest in the position and practice taking initiative.

Don’t go overboard. The last thing you want to come off as a disruption to their other responsibilities.  

6. Make contacts to get hired in Ministry

You will find this tip in any “business 101” discussion. But out of necessity, ministry often finds itself managed like a business. And all ministry work is inherently relational anyway. So make contacts. Now don’t confuse relationships with some form of nepotism (although that happens sometimes). Getting to know people intimately will enable you to trust each other. You can do this through online social networks like Linkedin.com or Facebook, but nothing beats face-to-face connections.

7. Be Patient

There are a lot of qualified and unqualified people serving in ministry, and even more looking for opportunities. And those who are in a position to higher you are under enormous pressure to get it right. This pressure may cause them to overlook qualified candidates. Or they may simply be drawn to another candidate. Resist discouragement. Remind yourself before every interview, every email, every application, and every teleconference that all things are to happen on God’s time.
As for self-starters it typically takes a successful small business at least two years to be profitable. So if you are a freelancer or you are starting your own ministry, keep in mind that the money might not come in as quickly as you hoped.

8. Recognize a Difficult Truth

For most of us who dedicate ourselves to ministry, we have a preconceived notion about what our ministry will be like. We have goals and we have talents to share. So we construct a scenario in our minds and build expectations around that. A difficult truth for those seeking ministry work is that whatever position or opportunity you get, it will not match what you have in your mind. In most cases you’re coming into an established system that will demand flexibility on your part. This is true for parish employees, diocesan employees, freelancers, and even people who are starting their own ministry.

9. (When Possible) Don’t Turn Down Volunteer Opportunities

Ministry work is supposed to mirror the work of Christ. And Christ sought out those most in need.

And fill that resume! You can be the most talented speaker, musician, writer or retreat leader, but nothing makes you more appealing as a candidate than experience. And the easiest way to get experience is as a volunteer. Volunteer opportunities are out there. Some will be boring, but each time you volunteer you will learn something that will help you in the future.  

Now, this comes with and important exception. Never commit yourself to a volunteer opportunity if you can’t fulfill the commitment. Inability to fulfill commitments will hurt you in any professional field.

10. Stop Competing, Start Cooperating

Of all the challenges facing people who serve in ministry is the attitude of competition. We become jealous when someone else gets the paid gig.  We feel like our talents aren’t recognized, and we begin competing with one another for resources and opportunities. This divisive approach doesn’t help build God’s kingdom.  Instead of competing with one another, we should be focusing on cooperating with God’s will.

Trust God’s Plan

Throughout my years in ministry, I have been passed over for positions many times and hired for both long term employment or one time events many times. Early in my ministry career, I found myself engulfed in self-pity when a position went to someone else. But one of the high-points of my career was when I didn’t get hired as the Campus Minister at an all-male high school. Two weeks later I was offered a job that was a much better fit!  And the person they hired instead was definitely the right person for the job.

Humility and Service

One of the dirty little secrets of the Church is the struggle of competition. Too often, Catholic parishes, schools, and organizations find themselves desperate for resources and members. Which often results in a I’ve personally witnessed a Pastor defend their parish’s “border” with a determination rivaled only by those who defended the need for the Berlin Wall. This pastor went so far as to turn dismiss a young family’s interest in the parish because they lived within the boundaries of another parish as established by the Archdiocese. As people who feel called to work in ministry, we are susceptible to these same temptations. We must work to avoid turning ministry into business, while still acknowledging that running a ministry can sometimes mirror the structure of the modern business.

There are many challenges and considerations when seeking to get hired for a ministry job.  Don’t let these obstacles discourage you. In times of discouragement, we should all turn to Sacred Scripture and the lives of the Saints.  If you haven’t read the Book of Job, make sure to check it out.

References:

Chron.com: Average time to reach Profitability for a Start-Up

USSB: The Bible

Catholic.org: Saints

CareerKey.org: Choose a Career

Chaplet of the Divine Mercy

– Tim Lucchesi is the Director of Chaste Love Ministry. But more importantly, he is a Beloved son of God, a husband to an amazing woman and the father of two children: the most beautiful little girl and a precious baby son. Tim loves cheesecake and sees every superhero movie that he can. After six years in parish and regional youth ministry, Tim felt called to create Chaste Love, because everyone deserves healthy relationships. Follow him on Twitter @tim_lucchesi and Instagram @timlucchesi

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After nearly two decades in full-time, active ministry, I founded my own company which specializes in helping Catholic organizations find experienced temporary, casual and seasonal staffing. We also offer training and coaching on a variety of ministry related topics. Along the way, I’ve trained several people who have walked away from unsatisfying jobs in the corporate world to devote their lives to the service of the Church. Thinking about following in their footsteps?  Here are some things to consider when making the switch from for-profit employment to work for the Catholic Church.

10 Considerations:

1. Make a Difference:

First of all, you need to understand that you will make a difference in more people’s lives than you may ever know.  I continue to encounter people who express appreciation for the things that God accomplished through our collaboration.  This has happened even many years after we worked together.

2. The need is great:

Parishes need your help-now more than ever! Today’s pastor could be responsible for the administration of as many as five churches.  This is often the case, even with very little support staff.

3. Education options:

Today it’s easier and more affordable than ever before to gain advanced credentials in religious studies or theology.  If you don’t have the degree that is generally required for the kind of work you’d like to be doing, there are lots of good options available.

4. Youth Protection policies:

The Catholic church has strict guidelines related to child and youth protection which differ among dioceses. The best way to make sure your on-boarding goes smoothly is to complete all required steps with the earliest available appointments.

5. Your Example Matters:

Remember who you are and what you represent. You represent your Church everywhere you go. If you are living your best Christian life, this shouldn’t be a big deal, but keep in mind that some people are more critical than others.

6. Work for the Catholic Church means long Hours:

Most work-related conversation takes place outside of normal business hours, including nights and weekends. If you have a family, be sure that they understand what may be expected of you, before you dive in head first.

7. It takes time:

Everything takes time. Even in parishes that are less collaborative, a pastor or administrator may need to consult diocesan leadership before moving forward with a particular initiative.

8. Conflicts:

The same conflicts that you’ve witnessed at your current job will probably happen in ministry too. Priests, deacons, and religious are human beings who make mistakes. Don’t be surprised when one of them has a bad day and says something, possibly to you, that you didn’t expect.

9. Work for the Catholic Church probably means lower compensation:

Furthermore, compensation in ministry is generally less than the secular world. If your family relies upon you to be the principal wage earner, you may want to look for side jobs that you can do around the rhythm of pastoral life.

10. Active Discernment:

Lastly, you can begin the transition from secular employment to ministry now, without leaving your current job. Start by discerning the gifts that God has given you, and the ways you can offer them in joyful service to your parish community.

Take the plunge

In conclusion, as you consider whether or not to work for the Catholic Church, there are many things to keep in mind.  As you cultivate a relationship with your parish at a consistent interval, you’ll become synchronized with the rhythm of parish life. As a result this could eventually lead to a paying job in the parish, a recommendation for a paying job in another parish. Your first year will be challenging. You may make mistakes. You may even feel like giving up, but don’t get discouraged. Christ has called you to cast your nets on the other side of your boats. May your catch be enough to feed the ones you love, and the hungry of the world.

Elena V. Brandt is an experienced leader with a proven track record of implementing effective pastoral initiatives.  Elena is a versatile pastoral innovator with over 15 years of experience in intercultural parishes. She has formed liturgical ministers on the diocesan level and most recently, was a presenter at diocesan workshops for the implementation of the Misal Romano, Tercera Edición.

Elena has a Bachelor of Arts in Music from CUNY, Queens College, a Master of Arts in Religious Studies from St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers, New York, and a Certificate in Church Management through Villanova University & Our Sunday Visitor.

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