Vocation vs Job

The deacon at the Epiphany mass also requested that we encourage our children to consider the religious vocations of the priesthood, brotherhood, and sisterhood (Guess what? There is a collection next week for the vocations.). Again, my mind went off down another path. Why aren't we praying and encouraging our children to consider vocations in the ministries such as pastoral associates, liturgists, theologians, directors of religious education, etc. The number of people in the traditional religious vocations are dwindling. Wouldn't it make sense to also promote the lay ministries.

Honestly, I could see my daughters being a pastoral associate or liturgist much more than I can see them as a sister. Actually, I giggle somewhat when I think of my youngest daughter, who really wants to be a zookeeper, as a sister. I guess she could preach to the animals. Of course, this is the same child who argues each week that going to church is boring and there is no way for her to do something like the rest of us. She ends up going to church but she does have a valid point as a 2nd grader the homilies sure aren't geared to her, she's too young to be an altar server or in the choir. Maybe this is where we need to start promoting religious vocations by making the children a vital part of the community.

The other night I had a conversation with a few people in our parish about vocations and careers. Some of our parish staff (and they seem to be the ones in favor with the pastor) will mention how much they work and how little they are paid. I'm around the parish a lot. These people tend not to be around in the evenings or on Saturdays when parishioners aren't at their jobs. Their hours are really flexible especially if something is going on in their personal lives. Parishioners notice these things especially when parishioners are putting in 40-60 hours in the workplace, taking care of families, and then volunteering at the church.

Now, I have a job. I go to work for 8 hours each day and it is over. I knew once I had children that this is how I wanted to handle my work life. I asked one of the people I was talking to, if these professional lay ministers realize that they are in vocations. That in a vocation, you work when people need your assistance and your busy seasons happen to be at the holidays. Everyone participating in the discussion agreed that you know this, when you decide this is the path you are going to take. I worked in a university library. If I remained in that field, I knew that my workday would not be 9-5. I would probably have evening and weekend hours. I knew I would have to be there when students (my customers) would be there. Eventually, I decided I needed another path. That doesn't seem to happen at this parish. If parishioners really need staff assistance, they need to meet the hours of that staff person.

People with vocations are lucky. I realize sometimes they do work many hours and pay could be better. But these people are doing something they supposedly love. They are working in a field where there work does make a difference. Presently, I work in a job, that works better for my young family now. As my children get older, I can see myself changing paths again and going to a vocation. That vocation maybe secular or maybe a professional ministry position, but I expect it to be more personally rewarding than doing a job. And if I get to the point in my life where I do have a "vocation", I hope I remember to make myself available when needed and to offer my assistance rather than wait to be asked.