Doing charity without partakang Eucharist

[hunter_x_soy]

I have this dilemna and it bugs me a lot.

I committed myself to spend my life doing charity works hence I joined the field of humanitarian work. I go to distressed areas afflicted with war and natural disasters and help provide medical care to those who are in need. I really believe that in doing this, I follow Jesus Christs commandments to take care of the least of his breathren.

The problem is that we are not allowed to go to church, which means I cannot partake in the Eucharist. It also means that if I have a 1 year assignment, it is 1 year of not going to Church.

As Catholics, we know how important this is. To be honest, I can feel the entrophy physically and spiritually everytime I am in the field. I am contemplating to quit this line of work but it feels like betraying my “commitment”.

I am aware that I should love God above everything else but I am aware that to do so means to love our neighbor.

I tried researching a lot about this matter. I stumbled upon videos of Bishop Fulton Sheen and Bishop Barron about False Compassion. I cannot exactly say that I do what I do for self gratification (just so people say I am amazing). I sacrifice a lot of things also to continue working in this field of work like instead of having a good time with friends and families, I am surrounded by strangers and foreigners. Instead of finding a good partner (wife), I am stuck with unbelieving women. I have to experience racism, exposure to violence etc.

I hope someone can help me.

 

[0Scarlett_nidiyilii]

Why aren’t you allowed to go to church? Who is controlling you?

 

[mrsdizzyd]

You know, there are many many Catholic humanitarian groups that you can join. You’d still be able to do your work, but you’d also be allowed to practice your faith.

Sounds like it’s time to change organizations.

 

[CRV]

The fact that it bugs you a lot, that you have spent I presume a lot of time researching and looking for answers/guidance in deciding what to do etc., makes me wonder if perhaps God might not be trying to suggest to you that fulfilling your commitment to doing charity work in another way? That perhaps you are unsettled or restless is because a change is needed?

So perhaps whilst your commitment to spend your life doing charity works still is right for you, perhaps the 1 year assignment is the wrong way to do so. Maybe serving in another area or maybe even closer to home, rather than a 1 year assignment. Or perhaps even a different form of charity work?

Perhaps you could do an exercise which was once recommended to me? You make the firm decision to take the 1 year assignment, remain firm in the decision for three days and take note of how you feel during this time, things that cross your path in perhaps what catches your eye in reading material etc. Then for the next three days, firmly decide to not take the 1 year assignment and assess as above. Before doing so, ask God to clearly show you His Will and what it is He wants you to do.

What feels good, feels right, leaves you at peace usually indicates the right path. What fills you with anxiety, restlessness, agitation, worry, indecision usually isn’t. But you have to be open to God in the sense that what He wants may not be what you want - either to take the assignment or not to take it, rather than hoping and reading the situation to align with what you want.

Ask yourself what it is the desire in your heart? God places desires in our hearts as one way in which He indicates His Will for us. Combine this with the gifts and talents you have, and see where this would be of most benefit. It may or it may not be overseas in areas of war/natural disasters etc.

I can feel the entrophy physically and spiritually everytime I am in the field. I am contemplating to quit this line of work but it feels like betraying my “commitment”.

I think you have your answer there.

The Eucharist is the centre of our lives.

I am aware that I should love God above everything else but I am aware that to do so means to love our neighbor.

Matthew 22:36-39 the first and greatest commandment is to love God. The second is like it - to love our neighbor as ourselves (Bold and italic is mine).

 

[hunter_x_soy]

Why aren’t you allowed to go to church? Who is controlling you?

I am not allowed to go to Church because of nuetrality especially in Islamic States. Control is more like a organizational policy.

You know, there are many many Catholic humanitarian groups that you can join.

Catholic humanitarian groups usually does social work like orphans and feeding for the poor. My expertise falls around health care. I am a nurse.

Sounds like it’s time to change organizations.

true. I felt like that may be the case but what I am worried is that " i follow my will" and not “His will”.

The fact that it bugs you a lot, that you have spent I presume a lot of time researching and looking for answers/guidance in deciding what to do etc., makes me wonder if perhaps God might not be trying to suggest to you that fulfilling your commitment to doing charity work in another way? That perhaps you are unsettled or restless is because a change is needed?

I agree with you in some extent- a lot of extent. What I am worried is that " i follow my will" and not “His will”. I am worried that it is The Satan who is discouraging me because that is what he does best.

Ask yourself what it is the desire in your heart? God places desires in our hearts as one way in which He indicates His Will for us. Combine this with the gifts and talents you have, and see where this would be of most benefit. It may or it may not be overseas in areas of war/natural disasters etc.

hunter_x_soy:

Clearly, I desire God the most (speaking out of sincerity and not of arrogance) and that is why I am scared that what i wants contradicts my desire for God. One factor why I am still doing what I do is because it may be my one and only talent to offer.

Despite what I said above though, I am setting up an exit strategy already, which kinda feels heavy in the heart. I would go for research (for policy making), communications or fund raising. All of this for the same purpose.

But I just can’t shake this feeling that I am running away.

Matthew 22:36-39 the first and greatest commandment is to love God. The second is like it - to love our neighbor as ourselves (Bold and italic is mine).

you mentioned this. Can you please elaborate your emphasis on “like”?

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To everyone: thank you for the speedy reply

 

[Mtatum1958]

One friend of ours is a nurse. She spent two or three years in Haiti working at a clinic in a rural area. Provided care and education and had the Sacraments available. Check out Haitian Health Foundation.

Thee must be many others.

 

[UpUpAndAway]

God bless you for your dedication to this work. Praying for you

Have you looked into Malteser International, the worldwide relief arm of the Order of Malta? Among other projects, they do work in the provision of health care and improving inadequate health care systems.

https://www.malteser-international.org/en.html

Here are some examples of health-related projects they are currently involved in around the world.

DR Congo: Strengthening the health system | Malteser International

Kenya: https://www.malteser-international....ting-aids-and-tb-in-the-slums-of-nairobi.html

Lebanon: Mobile medical care for refugees and locals | Malteser International

Iraq: Medical care for displaced people | Malteser International

Thailand: Better health for refugees and locals | Malteser International

 

[HeDa]

OP. Your diocese or arch diocese should know if there are Catholic organisation working with health care. Or you could contact the Catholic hospitals in your greater area. Someone should know. There are also sisters who are nurses and doctors - maybe they have contacts with some organisations?

 

[Tis_Bearself]

I’d say just find another organization and/or another part of the world where you can do the same work, but actively practice your faith.
It would bother me too - if I were doing such difficult work I would need to practice my faith even if it was a matter of keeping it on the downlow.

 

[hunter_x_soy]

@Mtatum1958 @UpUpAndAway @HeDa @Tis_Bearself @(name removed by moderator)

thank you guys for the replies. I really appreciate it. I think I will start to change an organization as soon as possible.

I just can’t articulate this feeling. You know you are doing “good” but you feel like an “excommunicant”. Being surrounded by unbelievers is not easy also (dealing with non-catholic christians, Muslims and Jews is easier). I don’t know. I don’t know if God is even pleased with my “offering”.

Thank you again, guys. It feels nice to talk about this things with fellow Catholics.

Have you looked into Malteser International, the worldwide relief arm of the Order of Malta?

Check out Haitian Health Foundation.

you could contact the Catholic hospitals in your greater area

I will check this. The world “over there” really needs all the support that it can get. I encourage people to contribute either by work or donation even if it is just a couple of dollar or euros (or whatever bank notes you have).

I want to share some pics but that would be unethical…also, against organizational policies.

 

[UpUpAndAway]

In order to be the most helpful to our suffering brothers and sisters we first have to take care of ourselves, and that isn’t only about eating properly and getting enough sleep. For many people, allowing spiritual health to suffer often results in not being able to properly lend a hand to those in need, just as not eating well or going without adequate rest for an extended period would.

I hope you’ll be able to find another organization, one that will enable you to take care of you, all of you, so you can continue to take care of others. God bless!

 

[CRV]

What I am worried is that " i follow my will" and not “His will”. I am worried that it is The Satan who is discouraging me because that is what he does best.

Whilst that is true - in your case, the fact that you say you won’t be able to receive Holy Communion for a whole year, would be more in keeping with Satans style as this way he keeps you separated from God. Whereas, I think the fact you realize this and are considering not taking that particular 1 yr assignment is more in Gods’ style because He desires so very much that you receive him frequently. God does not want to be separated from you.

Can you please elaborate your emphasis on “like”?

meaning it is not equal to the first and greatest commandment ie to love God above all else - others, ourselves, temporal things, and we even should love God for Himself rather than what he gives us - spiritual consolations and temporal blessings.
Humans are made in the image and likeness of God. * Like* means similar, resembling - not equal to or the same or identical. Hope that explains it.