Advice on leaving secular career?

[CesarAugusto]

Hello all…

I’m an engineer and recently have been feeling this call to perhaps leave my secular job and work directly with the Church or other ministry.

I am married and have a little daughter.

Can you guys give me any ideas on what I could do? I’m really into learning more about scripture, apologetics, theology, etc. I wouldn’t be opposed to going back to school for a theology degree… But then what could I do with it?

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[KsMom]

CeasarAugusto,
Have you considered becoming a deacon? My husband also felt a deep calling to serve the church. After much discernment, he started the diaconate formation program for our diocese. The program takes 5 years (1 year of aspirancy and 4 years of candidacy). He still has 2 more years before he is ordained. His classes include theology, scripture, and apologetics.

My husband still has his full time job and will continue working after he is ordained. It has been a challenge for us as a family with the time commitments. There are times I have to take care of everything such as when he to be away on weekends for classes or is studying. We have found ways for us as a family to work out this issues.

The best thing my huband did was get a spiritual director to help him. His spiritual director helped him to remember that he needed to include me in these decisions that affect our lives. We have grown closer as a couple, but it has taken work for both of us.

Whatever you feel called to do, make sure to include your wife in discernment process. I highly recommend you have a spiritual director to help guide you. God Bless you and your family.

 

[cymonk]

Hello,

I am in a similar situation, longing to become part of the Church instead of sitting behind a computer (I am an IT Administrator). Just thought I would post where I see God taking my path, just as a possible idea. I will soon be joining the deaconate. I also hope to go back to school for teaching and head towards helping a catholic school someday. I will hopefully teach science/physics, computers, and math.

Cymonk

 

[msugeotech]

Wow. When I looked at the first post, I could have sworn it was written by me. I am an engineer also, married with 2 kids, and looking to do something for the Church. I have planned to start taking theology classes this fall to pursue a Master of Theological Studies. Our diocese has a pastoral minister/lay ecclesial minister program where, through your parish, they help with the tuition (diocese pays a third, parish pays a third, and you pay a third). I don’t know exactly what I will do when I’m done, but we’ll just see when I get there I guess. I plan to talk to our priest about this in the near future, and perhaps he will give me some guidance on what I can do.

Great post and great question. It’s nice to know there are others out there thinking of this too.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

I think you’re asking the question backwards. You said, “I wouldn’t be opposed to going back to school for a theology degree… But then what could I do with it?” I think it’s more important to figure out what you want to do, then get the appropriate education.

For example, one thing you could possibly do would be to teach in a Catholic school. If so, you would need the appropriate education. On the other hand, if teaching is something you’d never in a million years want to do, then classes toward a teaching credential would be useless.

So the first question is what is it you dream of doing? If money were not a consideration, where would you see yourself fitting in best? Are you involved in any ministries in your parish? What most fulfills you? What are you passionate about?

 

[cathyt]

I’ve always understood that it is the vocation of the priest to reach out to and serve primarilly those in the pews and the job of the lay person to be a presence out in the world, and oh what an important calling that is!

Obviously this is all something that you need to talk about with God, but perhaps you can do the most good in your current job? Acting as a Christian and sharing the Gospel when appropriate in your current secular environment might be the way for you to make the most impact. Bring that idea along with the others you’re considering into prayer. God will reveal your path!!

I work in youth ministry and sometimes I wish I lived more distinctly the life of a layperson…may sound strange but its true sometimes!!

 

[CesarAugusto]

CeasarAugusto,
Have you considered becoming a deacon? My husband also felt a deep calling to serve the church. After much discernment, he started the diaconate formation program for our diocese. The program takes 5 years (1 year of aspirancy and 4 years of candidacy). He still has 2 more years before he is ordained. His classes include theology, scripture, and apologetics.

My husband still has his full time job and will continue working after he is ordained. It has been a challenge for us as a family with the time commitments. There are times I have to take care of everything such as when he to be away on weekends for classes or is studying. We have found ways for us as a family to work out this issues.

The best thing my huband did was get a spiritual director to help him. His spiritual director helped him to remember that he needed to include me in these decisions that affect our lives. We have grown closer as a couple, but it has taken work for both of us.

Whatever you feel called to do, make sure to include your wife in discernment process. I highly recommend you have a spiritual director to help guide you. God Bless you and your family.

Thank you so much for your post.

Yes, I have considered becoming a deacon, and I am still not opposed to pursuing that vocation if I’m called. I believe that the call to the diaconate is even more important than a career change, since I would be following a second vocation (my marriage being the first).

I am keeping that in mind as I discern, and will be discussing that shortly with a spiritual director. I agree with you 100% that my wife needs to be “in” on it, and she already is.

The call I’ve been feeling is to dedicate my time completely to ministry though… I understand I can still do that while being a deacon, but I would probably have to change careers (unless Catholic Answers needs an Electrical Engineer with some database/IT knowledge- wink).

That’s what I’m struggling with right now… Maybe I should just discuss this further with my spiritual director…

Thanks again for the reply, I really appreciate it.

Cesar

 

[CesarAugusto]

Hello,

I am in a similar situation, longing to become part of the Church instead of sitting behind a computer (I am an IT Administrator). Just thought I would post where I see God taking my path, just as a possible idea. I will soon be joining the deaconate. I also hope to go back to school for teaching and head towards helping a catholic school someday. I will hopefully teach science/physics, computers, and math.

Cymonk

That’s a good idea, to be a teacher. I wouldn’t be opposed to that…Thanks for the (name removed by moderator)ut!

 

[CesarAugusto]

Wow. When I looked at the first post, I could have sworn it was written by me. I am an engineer also, married with 2 kids, and looking to do something for the Church. I have planned to start taking theology classes this fall to pursue a Master of Theological Studies. Our diocese has a pastoral minister/lay ecclesial minister program where, through your parish, they help with the tuition (diocese pays a third, parish pays a third, and you pay a third). I don’t know exactly what I will do when I’m done, but we’ll just see when I get there I guess. I plan to talk to our priest about this in the near future, and perhaps he will give me some guidance on what I can do.

Great post and great question. It’s nice to know there are others out there thinking of this too.

Haha, I’m glad I’m not the only one. Actually, isn’t Jimmy Akin an engineer also?

I’m looking into that option as well, an MA in Theology. I’m looking at my options for schools though, since I’m in Canada. I want to make sure it is a good orthodox school. There’s only one canadian school listed on the Newman guide and I don’t believe they offer graduate programs… I’ll keep looking.

Thanks for the (name removed by moderator)ut!!!

 

[CesarAugusto]

I think you’re asking the question backwards. You said, “I wouldn’t be opposed to going back to school for a theology degree… But then what could I do with it?” I think it’s more important to figure out what you want to do, then get the appropriate education.

For example, one thing you could possibly do would be to teach in a Catholic school. If so, you would need the appropriate education. On the other hand, if teaching is something you’d never in a million years want to do, then classes toward a teaching credential would be useless.

So the first question is what is it you dream of doing? If money were not a consideration, where would you see yourself fitting in best? Are you involved in any ministries in your parish? What most fulfills you? What are you passionate about?

What do I dream of doing… I wish I could spend 100% of the time with my family, and while I’m walking down the street I could snap my fingers in front of strangers’ faces and they’d become Catholics on the spot. That would be my dream job.

When I hear testimonies of people who left their careers to work on ministry full time, it’s rarely that they had a master plan or a dream… It’s always a “leap of faith” kind of thing…

I like teaching, and teaching the faith would be great. Maybe I should focus on that and see what’s out there.

Thanks for the reply!

 

[CesarAugusto]

I’ve always understood that it is the vocation of the priest to reach out to and serve primarilly those in the pews and the job of the lay person to be a presence out in the world, and oh what an important calling that is!

Obviously this is all something that you need to talk about with God, but perhaps you can do the most good in your current job? Acting as a Christian and sharing the Gospel when appropriate in your current secular environment might be the way for you to make the most impact. Bring that idea along with the others you’re considering into prayer. God will reveal your path!!

I work in youth ministry and sometimes I wish I lived more distinctly the life of a layperson…may sound strange but its true sometimes!!

Very interesting (name removed by moderator)ut from someone who works in the ministry. I appreciate that!

Yes… Discernment is not simple, is it?