Difficulty finding study or work as a Catholic where I live

[Blue_Rose]

I’m in Australia and have studied in what we call the welfare work or community services industry (like social or youth work) I would like to further my qualification but the college system in these areas requires workers to promote things which are against Catholic teaching (such as access to abortion clinics, contraception and promoting Gay rights) so I don’t want to be forced into doing this so I’m thinking I have to abandon this career.
There’s no Catholic colleges or universities where I live unless you are a school student under 18.
I have no idea what to do. I don’t want to start a degree or anything since I might be entering religious life in about a year but until then I’m lost.

 

[Trishie]

I have a friend who teaches at an Australian Catholic university.
I know that she takes classes online. Have you explored this possibility?

 

[mountee]

Sorry about your problem, I would not know what to do next either. I will pray for God to lead you to the place He would have you be while you discern your possible vocation.

Memorare

REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

 

[pianistclare]

I think I might take some online courses from a Catholic University (there are many, and wonderful ones!) and also make myself available to the local Catholic parish. They are always in need of catechists for the children, volunteers in the office, back-up Sacristans, file management, and liturgical environment workers.
If you are willing to help, there’s a parish in sore need of more hands, trust me.
Check the Diocesan website for job opportunities.
God bless.

 

[Blue_Rose]

Thank you for the responses and I will look into these options.

 

[Xantippe]

I suspect social work may just be a particularly bad fit. Keep looking!

 

[EmeraldOak]

I have no suggestion but offer my prayer that God would guide you on how to proceed. May His will be done in your life.

 

[LoveandMercy]

There are catholic volunteering opportunities that take about a year which you would really benefit from, you will move in a place and food is all done for you and you get paid pocket money (small amount ) a week,. Look into it it looks brilliant

 

[PaulGH]

I’m in Australia and have studied in what we call the welfare work or community services industry (like social or youth work) I would like to further my qualification but the college system in these areas requires workers to promote things which are against Catholic teaching (such as access to abortion clinics, contraception and promoting Gay rights) so I don’t want to be forced into doing this so I’m thinking I have to abandon this career.
There’s no Catholic colleges or universities where I live unless you are a school student under 18.
I have no idea what to do. I don’t want to start a degree or anything since I might be entering religious life in about a year but until then I’m lost.

This is not exactly the advice you asked for, but one thing occurs to me upon reading your last line about possibly starting religious life in about a year: I know that at least in the United States, many young men and women who want to join a religious order are hampered by the fact that they owe a large amount of money in student loans. Sometimes they have to pay off the loans before they can enter the religious order. So if you are planning on taking additional college classes for the next year, whether it be for social work or for anything else, my advice would be to find a way to do so without taking on any additional debt.

 

[Blue_Rose]

This is not exactly the advice you asked for, but one thing occurs to me upon reading your last line about possibly starting religious life in about a year: I know that at least in the United States, many young men and women who want to join a religious order are hampered by the fact that they owe a large amount of money in student loans. Sometimes they have to pay off the loans before they can enter the religious order. So if you are planning on taking additional college classes for the next year, whether it be for social work or for anything else, my advice would be to find a way to do so without taking on any additional debt.

Yes that’s why I don’t want to go to university. College is different here and much cheaper.

 

[Rau]

I’m in Australia and have studied in what we call the welfare work or community services industry (like social or youth work) I would like to further my qualification but the college system in these areas requires workers to promote things which are against Catholic teaching (such as access to abortion clinics, contraception and promoting Gay rights) so I don’t want to be forced into doing this so I’m thinking I have to abandon this career.
There’s no Catholic colleges or universities where I live unless you are a school student under 18.
I have no idea what to do. I don’t want to start a degree or anything since I might be entering religious life in about a year but until then I’m lost.

In your title, you mention finding “work”. There are of course various Catholic counselling services (eg. catholiccare.org/work-us) & many Parishes employ (part-time) youth group leaders - are any of these potential opportunities for you with your current standard of training? I guess you’ve enquired of your local diocese?

If you are serious about joining an order (do you mean an order of nuns?), you could enquire of them what work their sisters undertake in the areas of interest to you, including counselling, youth work and the like, and what training they undertake. [Of course, the working opportunities would not be a sufficient reason to join an order, but I’m sure you know that!]

I am aware of some nuns who are in paid employment in a counselling capacity [their income is received by the order, and the individual nuns receive a stipend from the order] but I have no idea of the level of qualifications they have. I’m sure for many it is fairly minimal.