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

[LongingForLight]

When I was in college, I took an internship with a small start-up. It turned out that everyone there was agnostic/atheist, political mid-to-far-left liberal. I was Catholic, politcally right-end-of-liberal (I’m now left-end-of-conservative, LOL). This was during the Bush-vs.-Gore election season, and my first time being of age to vote in a Presidential election.

These people were frequently Christian-bashing at work. I kept finding myself feeling pressured to speak up and defend people voting for a guy I wasn’t gong to vote for myself, because these people were applying such horrible stereotypes - “dumb Christians”, etc. It was a horrible position to be in when I had no idea what professional behavior looked like and thought this must be normal - and felt I needed to speak up for Christians, even though I was the lowest ranking person in the under-10-employees company. I lost all enthusiasm for my work, and wasn’t doing my job well - and they quit giving me interesting work almost as soon as they found out I was Christian. The first week on the job was fun, but it went downhill from there.

Ever since then, I have always tried to remember to wear Christian jewelry when I go in for an interview. Hopefully anyone with such a bias won’t make me an offer. I wear a Jerusalem cross pendant that was given to me for Confirmation on a daily basis (or a crucifix, but mine broke ), because I have had similar problems with aquaintances and even friends who didn’t realize I was Catholic until they cracked an insensitive joke. I haven’t had any more problems while wearing the necklace, and it’s helped form a few friendships with other Catholics. I catch that “eye flicker” and subtle shifting of facial muscles that shows that they recognize what it means and like seeing it

ETA: I don’t think being “publically” Catholic has hurt my career since that internship. It might have helped a little, as it makes me stand out a bit. Not why I wear it, but no reason to remove the pendant either.

 

[Eileen_T]

I am working for a man who admits that he was once anti-Catholic although he is now searching and open to Catholicism but has a couple of reservations.

The end of my first week back working for him (after a 2 year break, he asked me to return) he had arranged a day’s"retreat" for Christian men in business and he invited me along. The only female and the only Catholic. Two of the men also happen to be close work associates, so they found out from the start that I am Catholic.

This leads to rather interesting discussions as they have their own ideas about what the Church teaches and are frequently surprised to learn they are wrong. They have learned that I can take Church teaching back to Scripture and that I can quote from the ECFs to make a point.

One is SDA and although he tries to talk the others to his point of view he hasn’t tackled me seriously for over a year. I jokingly said to my boss that I felt discriminated against “doesn’t he think I am worth saving?” He surmised that he was doing some heavy researching before tackling me again. Personally I think I took the wind out of his sails when I admitted that Saturday was indeed the Sabbath, but Sunday is our Holy Day and has been from the earliest days of the Church, and that it all comes down to Authority.

He has become a good friend over he past 18 months and I think he respects me even if he can’t understand why I would choose to be a Catholic.

The others I work with are two women, neither of whom appears to have come from a Christian background. We get on very well and one is making a real efffort to not use Jesus’ Name as an expletive after I asked her not to.

I think the key is Charity. Love your neighbour, pray for them, especially if they say or do something offensive. Romans 12:20-21 tells us how to behave, we must overcome evil by doing good.

 

[KC91]

Well, outside of school I have debates with non-Catholic relatives, and while I have no answer for what they say on scripture, Mary, etc as that is not my sort of thing, I reply by saying that I prefer Catholicism as it is a stronger religion with strong answers for society, and there is always something more to learn from a regime which has lasted for 2000 years than minor sects that have lasted only for 500; they concede my point that socially, the Church is better, although they still do not agree religiously.

 

[GraceDK]

Being a Catholic-Christian in public is the renewed marterdom. There are people out there that will want to shoot you down for your beliefs. Like the apostles; go away happy to be chosen to suffer along with Christ Jesus for the glory of God.

“I am Catholic - what do you want to know”“Compassion, caring and cooperation is NOT the same as concession” these are statements to remember and use.

Please do not deny your Catholicism to the world (work place) - it is your chance to be named with the saints in heaven.

Do realize that when you carry the name of Catholic, people are watching you, it is a very great responsibility.

Pope Benedict XVI came out in Africa this week and said condoms are NOT the answer. Less promiscuity IS. Wow that strength! Do you think the world as a whole is on his side? NO way!

Like or dislike the things the Church stands for, IT does STAND for the TRUTH.

“If you don’t stand for something you’ll fall for ANYTHING.” Our world has fallen, but the Church HAS NOT. Abortion, remarriage, female priests, perpetual virginity, confession, Eucharist, cultural morality, love, family values, humility - the Church has never changed and never will change. That is what draws souls to the Church. You are an instrument of the Church militant and have a requirement to be ready to give a reason for your HOPE.

If you DO NOT have hope, start digging. You can find it in the Church everywhere. You may not be called to be fed but to feed. Remember I AM will guide you.

Halleluja PREACH it brother! :dancing:

 

[GraceDK]

Well, outside of school I have debates with non-Catholic relatives, and while I have no answer for what they say on scripture, Mary, etc as that is not my sort of thing, I reply by saying that I prefer Catholicism as it is a stronger religion with strong answers for society, and there is always something more to learn from a regime which has lasted for 2000 years than minor sects that have lasted only for 500; they concede my point that socially, the Church is better, although they still do not agree religiously.

Truth is not a set of rules. Truth is not a book. Truth is not a church, or even a Church. Truth is a Person, namely Jesus Christ. If He says: Eat My Flesh, then I will go where His Flesh is eaten. If He says: You are Peter and to you I give the Keys to heaven… then I will go where Peter is found, if He says: Confess your sins, then I will go where confession is possible. If He commands us to be one and love our brethren, we better stay in the first Church even if its a hazzle sometimes.

Anyone who gives another answer for his Church affiliation than love of Christ needs to get to the core of what it means to be a disciple. I am not saying you lack understanding. You might just have pointed out one aspect of why you prefer Catholicism. But I just wanted to give my 2 cents anyway.

Peace and Shalom.
Grace:thumbsup:

 

[RazzsMom]

I work in a hospital. Everyone in my department knows I am Catholic as I have never hidden it - I have a wooden Crucifix in my cubicle and wear a Crucifix and Miraculous Medal. I must “wear” it well in my person, too: One time, when I was still working on the nursing units doing patient care, we were having a VERY stressful day (unlike the NORMAL stressful days, lol). It was around 2 or 3 PM and I was still four hours away from the end of a 12-hour shift. I don’t remember if I was speaking in some happy voice or smiling or what, but a co-worker snapped, “WHAT ARE YOU SO HAPPY ABOUT???” One of my other co-workers replied rather casually, “Oh, she’s Catholic. She’s always like that.”

 

[RazzsMom]

I have had some sad encounters lately at work. Last Friday we held a potluck in my department for “Social Workers Week”. The organizers decided to make it a Taco Bar. And then some of them acted as though I was “dissing” the Social Workers by not eating the tacos. (Hey! I ate the ice cream cake!! )