Five Complicated Realities of Working for the Church

It’s important to name the complicated dynamics of working for the Church

Part V of the Working Church Series

Imagine this: you go to confession on a Wednesday and then see the priest who you confessed to the following day at a meeting. This is just one of the very unique realities that lay people face as they work for and in the Church.

As the saying goes, it’s complicated.

A situation like this can grow your faith as you really have to trust the priest, the seal of the confessional and the truth of Christ’s reconciling power through the sacrament. But, let’s be honest at the same time. It can be awkward for both you and the priest.

So what do you do?

Let me first name five realities that I think ought to be put on the table for those who work for and in the Catholic Church. Then, I’ll offer simple strategies for dealing with each of the situations mentioned.

1. Going to Confession to priests with whom you work. You know what I mean. You need the grace of the sacrament but would rather not confess to a priest with whom you work closely. You would absolutely rather not go to Confession to your boss.

2. Promoting excellence without alienating or being a jerk. You know that homilies should be better but don’t want to point it out every time. You wonder how much preparation went into that homily that fell flat.

3. Holding confidences amidst gossip. You see that priests are people too. (I’m talking about things outside of Confession).

4. Resenting the perks of another’s vocation. You see a priest take another vacation and think, “must be nice” as you plan for your one vacation in the summer.

5. Becoming an expert as a layman. You actually know stuff and are good at things but aren’t ordained so you have to carve out the social capital to prove your expertise. This can take years to develop.

I had to work hard to limit this list as there are likely many more that could be mentioned. It’s simultaneously amazing to work for the Church and difficult. The dynamics are different from what you would find at a bank, a software company or a hospital. People are people but the realities differ greatly from one context to the next.

What would you add to your it’s-complicated-working-for-the-church list?

Ok let’s get to our strategies. These are simple, no-cost things you can do to respond to the realities mentioned above.

1. Going to Confession to priests with whom you work.

   1. Consider going to Confession in another Diocese or to priests in a religious order. While this will take some planning, it will completely remove the awkwardness of Confession to a priest with whom you work.

2. Promoting excellence without alienating or being a jerk.

   1. Find a parish that you love and focus on being a good parishioner who actually participates and grows as a disciple.

   2. Spend more time in prayer so that your love for the Word and the Sacraments grows.

   3. Pray for your priests by name.

3. Holding confidences amidst gossip.

   1. Be careful with what you say and to whom you say it.

   2. Remember that each and every email you send can and may be forwarded to someone else.

   3. Pray for those who are known to gossip.

4. Resenting the perks of another’s vocation.

   1. Take responsibility for your own leisure.

   2. Lean into your hobbies.

   3. Speak up for yourself when you need a break.

5. Becoming an expert as a layman.

   1. Build a website for yourself.

   2. Submit articles to be published in America, NC Register or Momentum.

   3. Start a podcast that can showcase your expertise.

Working for the Church is a great blessing. Like a garden, it’s a space where you have to know the lay of the land. The more you do it, the better your yield will be and the more peace of mind you’ll enjoy.