Any shift workers out there?

[sheila0405]

I have been Catholic since 2004. I am in my fifties, I am a nurse, and my schedule requires that I work every weekend. Many times I work double shifts, which is 16 hours. Anyone else out there with that type of schedule? How do you stay on track with your devotional life?

 

[Andruschak]

I have been Catholic since 2004. I am in my fifties, I am a nurse, and my schedule requires that I work every weekend. Many times I work double shifts, which is 16 hours. Anyone else out there with that type of schedule? How do you stay on track with your devotional life?

I work for USPS, 3:00 PM - 11:30 PM, Monday through Friday. I make unofficial adjustments to my prayer schedule. For me, a day doesn’t end at midnight, but more like 2 AM. “Morning” prayer may be after noontime, and "evening prayer around 1 AM.

I am unable to attend daily mass, and do not feel guilty about this.

I do prayers, reading, and other devotions as time allows, but on no fixed schedule

 

[lduncan]

I work 12 hours shifts, mostly nights, 7P-7A.

When I work on the weekend, I go to the 17:00 Vigil Mass which is conveniently located in the hospital where I work. Sometimes, I stay up and go to Sunday morning, but if I get out of work late, this isn’t an option, so the Saturday Mass works better.

I keep the Offices as close to the time of day as possible - except for Compline which I move to prior to my sleeping. This means that on workdays I combine Morning Prayer and Compline which I’m sure there is no provision for. I don’t as ofter combine Evening Prayer with Compline as I try to keep Evening Prayer around 17:00 on both work and off days.

I like keeping the Hours of Prayer by the clock because it gives a structure to my days that they wouldn’t otherwise have.

 

[magnolia_bloom]

**I work a 4am shift until whenever, so sometimes I get off work between 1 and 4, I also work weekends.

There’s a church down the road from work and I can stop in for Adoration (they have a 24 hour chapel). Sunday’s are an especially busy workday and usually don’t get out before last Mass at 1:00.

I am so grateful for the Adoration Chapel because I don’t feel so rushed (when speeding to try to make Mass times) and it is so wonderfully quiet (work is soooo noisy).**

 

[asia53]

I have been Catholic since 2004. I am in my fifties, I am a nurse, and my schedule requires that I work every weekend. Many times I work double shifts, which is 16 hours. Anyone else out there with that type of schedule? How do you stay on track with your devotional life?

I work weekends. It always seems the scheduler schedules me late on Saturdays, so I can’t make 5 PM Mass. Or, I’m scheduled early Sunday, or late Sunday. I juggle, and sometimes have to travel to other parishes for Mass.

Although, when I was going to school full/time, working full/time and working overtime (double shifts, Saturdays, & Sundays), I learned there are times when you must say NO. My devotional life was more important.

Good luck to you!

 

[puzzleannie]

I have been Catholic since 2004. I am in my fifties, I am a nurse, and my schedule requires that I work every weekend. Many times I work double shifts, which is 16 hours. Anyone else out there with that type of schedule? How do you stay on track with your devotional life?

not now but was on such a schedule for many years while kids were small to middle school age, between working midnights and finishing college, and taking doubles whenever possible to get extra income. It was very tought to make Mass when I had to rely on public transportation, except for years when I worked or went to school downtown and could usually find an early or late Mass that worked. and in working class neighborhoods, was not shunned for wearing workclothes to church. when I had a car, Cleveland is big enough and Catholic enough, or was then, that Mass was usually doable, even if it meant a lot of driving. Does St. Felicity still have a Sunday evening Mass?

 

[Snowball]

My husband now works third shift, so it’s almost impossible for him to make it to Mass on Sundays. Alot of the time, he goes to early morning Mass right after work. He also always carries his rosary in his pocket. He likes to get to work early, and sits in the car and prays the rosary before clocking in, and listens to the Catholic radio station on his way (it’s a 2 hr drive for him).
Hope this helps…God bless you.