Working for the Church vs the world

[Teresashepherd]

After being a stay at home mom raising ny children, volunteering
in their ccd classes and youth group I began working full time at my large parish a few years ago and love my work and put my whole heart into it in a way I would not in a secular job. This year. because of the recession and because our parish wants to build a new Church to meet the present and future growth many cuts have been made in staffing. People who have worked hard for many years have been let go because a more economical way has been proposed to do their jobs. My job, directing the CCD is safe for now and yet if a rich volunteer with a theology offers to do my job for free or perhaps a new nun at our wants my job I would probably be let go too. I know this is common practice in the corporate world because the world just cares about profit not people. I have seen my father and many others forced to retire. My nephew who also works for my parish said this is even more to be expected when working for the church which depends on donations. Should not people who faithfully do their jobs well have some type of job security, if not I the world at least in the Church? Some of those let go from my parish are very depressed, feel like they were kicked out of a family and while not losing their faith in Jesus, will never work or volunteer in the Church again. Some have been asked to sign a paper promising not to sue and given extra severance to do so. Is this normal? My husband, nephew and others say I am too idealistic and even in the Church it is every man for himself . Is this just my parish or is it the norm? I have become very disillusioned and afraid to trust. I feel like working for the Church should be a different from working in the world as the spirirt form the flesh, Am I headed for a fall?

 

[Veronica7978]

In the current economy people are giving less to the Church, that’s a fact. So, if the Church has less income, they must economize, and just like with any budget, they must figure out how they can save money in order to stay afloat. If there is not money to pay all the workers, what should they do? I’m not sure I follow the logic not to ever work or volunteer for the Church because you get let go do to budgetary constraints? Or did I miss something from your post?

I mean, how can you pay people when you don’t have money? Keeping people on staff when you cannot pay, or you foresee problems down the line would be irresponsible.

I mean, you mention profit…but 501c3’s do not make a profit so the comparison doesn’t make sense to me.

 

[TDiGaetano]

If you work for $$ your a slave to $$. If you work for free your a slave to nothing.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Teresashepherd

Should not people who faithfully do their jobs well have some type of job security, if not I the world at least in the Church?

Its a job, don’t view it as something more. If the parish runs on
free will offerings, if the revenues are not there, they have no choice but to let go of employees.

Some have been asked to sign a paper promising not to sue and given extra severance to do so. Is this normal?

This is the norm in the private sector. When I was let go from my last job, I had to sign a paper which stated that I would not sue the company. If I did, I would lose my severance pay, which was significant.

Legally, and employer can just tell you you’re fired, and not give you anything. Under the “Employee at Will Act,” the employer can fire an employee, for any reason, other than race, religion or gender.

My husband, nephew and others say I am too idealistic and even in the Church it is every man for himself .

The Church is the body of Christ, its members. Employees of the parish, even being members, are still employees. The Pastor has the responsibility in keeping the parish financially sound, and if it means cutting back on hired help, so be it. Don’t take it personal.

Am I headed for a fall?

Don’t worry about bridges you may never have to cross.

If you lose your job, put it in God’s hands. Meanwhile, be thankful for having kept your job, and pray for the others who have lost theirs. When I lost my last job, it turned out to be the best thing that could’ve happened. Ironically at the time, older workers told me the same thing, but it takes experience to understand this fully.

BTW, the parish won’t replace you with anyone they have to pay and nuns get paid too.

God Bless
Jim

 

[Teresashepherd]

Thank you for all the responses. It has given me a better perspective.It is hard to balance whether the parish is a business or a family. . It is just hard to see so many co workers become so hurt after being let go and it has brought a sadness, lack of trust among our parish and everyone wonders who will be next to get the axe. So many of our leadership councils that advise the pastor are ceo’s and sometimes the decision seem so cold, but know God is in control. It is God’s kingdom, not ours and we are about saving souls, not turning a profit. I guess this is a struggle to ballance in other places besides Southern CA.

 

[Veronica7978]

Thank you for all the responses. It has given me a better perspective.It is hard to balance whether the parish is a business or a family. . It is just hard to see so many co workers become so hurt after being let go and it has brought a sadness, lack of trust among our parish and everyone wonders who will be next to get the axe. So many of our leadership councils that advise the pastor are ceo’s and sometimes the decision seem so cold, but know God is in control. It is God’s kingdom, not ours and we are about saving souls, not turning a profit. I guess this is a struggle to ballance in other places besides Southern CA.

They probably aren’t as good as “letting people go” as CEO’s who have more experience. I don’t think they enjoy it.

 

[puzzleannie]

for OP inquire with the office of catechetics in your diocese, you should be working on a standard contract common for all catechetical leaders. that being said, all paid employees of a parish or diocese must understand this simple fact of life: you are an employee at will, and can be let go at any time, whether or not you have a contract or work agreement, with or without severance pay. the only secular law that applies is that regarding COBRA (continuing your medical benefits at your cost).

NO ONE should plan a career working for the Church w/o this reality check.

the parish is neither a business nor a family, it is a structure under Catholic Canon law, and operates under that law, and that law says the pastor can delegate anyone he wishes to carry out the duties of administering the temporal affairs of the parish, and his duties of teaching and evangelizing and whatever is not strictly reserved to the ordained ministers. It is not a matter of turning a profit, it is a matter of complying with canon law including the particular law of the diocese which applies canon law in that jurisdiction.

your parish council has NO authority under canon law, its function is to advise the pastor who is free to take or ignore their advice. the only structure required is a finance council and that too is advisory in nature.