Do you let on that you're Catholic at work?

[graceandglory]

2008 - I was nearly the person who told my boss he had something on his forehead on Ash Wednesday. I caught myself just in time.
2009 - I went to work on Ash Wednesday with ashes on my forehead.
2010 - Swimming the Tiber

Niiice.

kpeople: ***WELCOME HOME!!! ***
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[dad_o_six]

Being Catholic has a way of asking more than just having faith, eg not eating meat on Friday or being open to fertility. This is strange to non-Catholics. These circumstances are how being Catholic generally comes up for me. I neither hide my religious preference nor flaunt it. The fertility question has been especially problematic at times. I’ve struggled with how to respond and got some good feedback from this forum, but finally came up with a response that works for me. The nicer version is something like, “It’s [being Catholic] is not always easy.” The more direct and instructive version is more like, “It’s really difficult living by principles.” So far, no one has said that they felt I was implying they don’t live by principles. If they do, I will simply say that I’m sure they, too, have principles–just different but equally as challenging.

 

[lukefan]

I was nicknamed the “Pope” years ago at my job…so I obliged by putting up pictures of JPII in my cubie…those people who used to call me Popizzle are now gone but my pictures remain.

Being Catholic is so much of who I am, there is no way I could hide it all day…

Just recently I had two co-workers who were former Catholics saying not so nice things about Catholicism and priests…I spoke up reminding them that I am Catholic and was offended by what they were saying. We’ll see if it happens again…

 

[Janechantal53]

Everyone I work with knows that I am Catholic. I get asked questions on a regular basis, which I answer as calmly as completely as possible. Only once did someone give me a hard time. I think my co-workers respect me for it and I don’t foist my beliefs on anyone. It’s by my actions that I evangelize!

 

[Biblioassistant]

Oh everyone knows I’m a Catholic. I don’t get in your face about it, but I will talk about my faith to anyone who asks.

“Why they don’t eat regular pizza like the rest of us?” I explained about Lent and the no meat on Friday. To which she replied, “Well, I’m a Christian and I never heard about such a thing.” I took a deep breath because this is one of my biggest pet peeves and said patiently, “Catholics ARE Christians.” She said, “Say what? If they Christians then what’s that make me?” I said slowly, “… A Protestant!” WOW! God gave me patience with that one. After that she just kind of muttered some incoherant stuff.

Dear me. How very rude! I went to a sukkot that the Jewish student association put up and asked the nice young man some polite questions about it. I would never be as rude that that person.

 

[PetoVeritas]

Oh everyone knows I’m a Catholic. I don’t get in your face about it, but I will talk about my faith to anyone who asks.

Dear me. How very rude! I went to a sukkot that the Jewish student association put up and asked the nice young man some polite questions about it. I would never be as rude that that person.

You know, she was just one of those vocally loud people that had an opinion about everything. At the end of the day what can you do but shrug. Especially when you troop some knowledge up there to that skull of theirs. There’s a sinfully smug pride in that.

I am facinated with other faiths and religious traditions. I love sitting with people of other faiths and asking them all about what they believe. I would be most interested in speaking with a Jewish person. Especially it they were an Orthodox one.

Oh and one of the security guards here at work looked at me on Ash Wednesday and said, “Happy Lent”. Which made me laugh. I explained that Lent wasn’t really a “happy” time per se. So he asked about it and I shared what it was about. (This was a really light conversation, nothing like a conversion type thing.) So when he left me he said, “Okay, then… well… ‘Lent’.” That just made me laugh all the more.

 

[forever_always]

I think everyone in my office knows… one day they were talking poorly about priests because of the unfortunate incidences surrounding them lately with children. They were saying “if a priest could get married, then they wouldnt have to molest children” Uhm… what the hell? So they could molest their wives? I asked them this, and then I explained why priests don’t get married.
Also, when Pope Benedict was first… well… becoming Pope, I had Fox news on (LOL) and was watching it. I don’t have a tv in my cube (since i’m all alone in here), but the one accross from me (a cube shared by three people) does have one. Someone started talking smack about the Pope, so I said, “If its offending you, you can turn it off when my break is over.” And he said “Oh… i forgot youre catholic” and then he watched it too. >.>

I don’t have any religious items in my office (the military frowns on that) but I do have a rosary in my purse and a miraculous medal around my neck! There is also last weeks bulliten hanging out with a pile of papers on my desk. =]

 

[Chiltepin]

I am a high school sociology teacher at a public high school and I do “let on” that I am Catholic. Many of my coworkers and probably all of my students know.

I find that in the social sciences, my having faith sometimes allienates me from my liberal, secular-humanist coworkers. Public school history and certainly colleges teach that we are the bad guys. We are portrayed as very intolerant rather than loving humans and human dignity. We also get lumped in with people’s perception of evangelical Christians and sometimes people refuse to learn the difference.

I have found that my being openly Catholic is something that has brought me closer to my students. Teachers who adhere to no faith whatsoever walk on eggshells and make sure that students have no idea what religion or lack of religion they are. I may be young and foolish to have let it out of the bag, but my students are happy to have a teacher that was willing to talk about the subject or tell them. It really bugs them how most teachers won’t touch religion or politics with a ten foot pole. It makes them feel like I respect them as adults to have told them.

Also as a Sociology teacher who covers topics such as culture, custom, religion, etc. this is part of my life I can pull stories from. Many students are brought up as nominally Christian in rather inactive families. They are fascinated by my stories and examples of religious customs. It does not offend them as many of my colleagues assume because I am not actively trying to convert them or tell them their way is wrong.

I feel that my being “out” as a Catholic gives many of my religious students comfort, not just Catholics and not just Christians. I seem to identify strongly with my practicing Mormons and Mulsims. I think this is because we often feel pretty left out in this very secular culture. Teachers may think they are hiding their religious preferences, but students can pick up on anti-religious vibes. I think I am an oddity and irritation to some and a comfort to others.

 

[MarcoPolo]

They certainly know where I stand at work, but I don’t think I’m imposing at all. My agnostic cubicle neighbor even said so, so that’s a good thing. I think being well-versed in the faith helps with someone who might even think about an argument, although I think I work with good enough people who wouldn’t get in my face anyway. Even my agnostic boss knows I’m getting a master’s in theology and is proud of me for pursuing something I like. True the most important way to shine the light is in action and not always trying to make a verbal apologetic.

My cube is FILLED with Catholic stuff - I’ve even had a guy stop borrowing my cube when I’m working from home because he just didn’t like being surrounded by it.

Oh, mercy, I do love our brethren.

 

[CB_Catholic]

Everybody at work knows I am Catholic, but then again so are over half of my co-workers. I am very blessed. I am also blessed because my Protestant co-workers are not the type to bash the Cathoic religion, we all get along in this area quite well. We ask each other for prayers all the time.
I had one run-in with a co-worker who was an ex-Catholic, but that did not go anywhere because I stopped it as soon as it started, and one with an agnostic, which also ended because I again refused to argue. She is an ex-Catholic too. That was years ago, and it has been peaceful ever since.

Of course, it helps that I work in a Catholic hospital; that does not tolerate any type of discrimination or harrassment. Like I say, I am blessed.

 

[GAHere]

I work in a small office. Ash Wednesday and lenten Fridays don’t draw too much attention because most of us are Catholic. Going out to lunch and saying grace works with all of them. More often than not, the grace is silent when it’s everyone, but verbal when it’s just 3 or 4 people. The trouble I encounter comes more from my fellow catholics. There are only two of us who support non-married clergy, accepts the church’s position on gay marriage and contraception. The others are good on no female priests and no abortion, but mention euthanasia, stem cell research, celibate priests or contraception and things get heated with those catholics siding with the others against the church. I stand my ground and get scoffed at for it by all sides, but in the end they compliment me for defending the church’s position with them even though they disagree. I’m fortunate that we’re all able to have such discussions and still respect each other as coworkers and friends.

 

[kitafraya]

Yes, where I work my co-workers know that I am Catholic. I don’t hide it. I am pretty open about it. They all know that my kids go to a Catholic School & they know when they celebrating their sacraments.

 

[LSK]

I teach RCIA - and I always end a lesson with, “Don’t just prepare to be Catholic…prepare to be Catholic Out Loud!”. So, I guess I am pretty Catholic at work…it helps. hoo boy, does it help!

 

[cthulhubryan]

I’ve told a few people here at work that I am in RCIA, especially one Catholic friend. But many people have noticed differences in me and have asked about it.

That is one of the things I love about Catholicism. Being a protestant is about which church you go to on Sunday and Wednesday night. It sort of stops there unless you want to proselytize. Being, or even just becoming, Catholic is a lifestyle change.

I’ve always admired that about the Catholic Church, it is part of your daily life and culture and not just a choice of where to go on Sunday.

 

[redtech]

I work in a Catholic Hospital. As for the people in my department, I’m the only one that seems to brag about it! I’m the only one that abstains from meat on Fridays.

 

[Sailor_Kenshin]

If so, has it caused any problems for you? Sometimes, I find it hard to avoid it. For instance, you go out to lunch with coworkers on a Friday, and when you order appetizers, if you say you can’t eat it, because it has meat in it, people are going to ask questions. Normally, people are pretty professional about it, and I haven’t had any bad experiences, but sometimes it does get a bit awkward. I mean, I don’t flaunt my Catholicity at work, either. I guess I’m a little self-conscious about it. What’s your take on this? Thanks in advance!

I work alone. Pity me!

However, I find THIS interesting. A certain pro-abortion ‘Catholic’ politician was going to appear where DH works for some sort of project they have going there.

He doesn’t hide his religion but he doesn’t trumpet it—and then this occurred.

DH has written many critical letters to this politician due to his pro-death stance, and asked to be excused from the meeting, which was a biggie for his department. “It’s better all around if the two of us aren’t in the same room or even the same building.”

They gave him the go-ahead and NO grief whatever.

 

[Sr_Sally]

Ugh, never!
I mentioned in another thread that I had to come to work AFTER Ash Wednesday Mass.
Worst.
Ever.
I would never, ever, EVER let on that I am Catholic. That day, I just kept my head low. Ugh.
Have I mentioned that was the worst ever?
It’s wonderful that you all can show your faith at your work place!
What a blessing.
No such luck here. Now, if I were an atheist or agnostic, I could join the party, but

You know you can wash your face after Mass. You don’t have to wear your ashes all day/night.

I am sorry to hear the your workplace is so anti-Catholic. I will be praying for you.

 

[Sailor_Kenshin]

Another one from the DH files:

Today he told me he un-subscribed to an industry newsletter after someone wrote an editorial in it, praising the current administration for funding embyonic stem cell research.

He also told them, “Mr. (EditorialWriter) may not have a problem creating new life only to destroy it in the name of ‘science,’ but I do.”

He shoots, he scores.

 

[graceandglory]

I feel that my being “out” as a Catholic gives many of my religious students comfort, not just Catholics and not just Christians. I seem to identify strongly with my practicing Mormons and Mulsims. I think this is because we often feel pretty left out in this very secular culture. Teachers may think they are hiding their religious preferences, but students can pick up on anti-religious vibes. I think I am an oddity and irritation to some and a comfort to others.

You are so right!!! This is exactly my reality as a teacher!!!

When I teach, I mention, just for a little example, that Christmas is a holiday named after Christ. Most kids these days actually think it’s against the law to say that. I tell them they are allowed to talk about it, I just can’t tell them about me. But, it’s true, the religious kids, all of them, really do show a sign of relief.

This is what pre-glasnost days were like I think in the former USSR.

 

[KCT]

For instance, you go out to lunch with coworkers on a Friday, and when you order appetizers, if you say you can’t eat it, because it has meat in it, people are going to ask questions.

If you have an opportunity to explain the faith, great.

However, I don’t think one needs to explain what they are ordering. Suggest a meatless appetizer or just wait for your meal (which, of course, will be meatless). Honestly, I’m not sure people are THAT aware of what you order.

I teach in a Catholic school that wouldn’t dream of serving meat on Friday! All of our teachers must be practicing Catholics. A liberal would be so uncomfortable there!