www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Lost, worried and looking for advice

The Catholic Order of Foresters is a fraternal insurance program. They've been established for over 100 years and are solidly Catholic. Here's the link to their website, click on "careers" for job opportunities.

http://www.catholicforester.org/

Actually, you can get courses for training to be say a Phlebotomist. A friend took the course and it was a huge $500.00, that is it. Of course you don't have to mind taking people's blood. I believe it was offered at the hospital where she worked, but it can be done elsewhere. Good pay, benefits, sometimes crazy hours to start with, but everyone works their way up from someplace else.

Healthcare related work is good, and can be quite rewarding. It is also spiritualy uplifting..you get to make a difference for people.

However, it can be stressfull. Depending on what type of facility you are employed at you could be dealing with pt's who are critically ill, elderly pt's suffering from dementia, or see kids who have been sexually abused.

I'm the last person to discourage anyone from going into healthcare. It's been a great career for me.

Christos Voskrese! (Christ is Risen!
Voistinu Voskrese! (Indeed He is Risen!)

IgnatiusBenedict--you said in your original post "I just feel like I'm lost at sea without a compass. I'm not sure where I'm going or how I'm going to get there. I know I want to serve the Church, but I don't see how I can support my family working for the radio station. I've been looking at other Catholic jobs but there are none in my area. Plus, anything that's considered a good job I'd have to move my family away so we'd potentially lose my wife's teaching job. "

I spent almost twenty years as a dj and talk show host in commercial radio. Then I taught radio broadcasting for 13 years at a Big Ten University and continue to do voiceover work for various radio stations and businesses as well as fill in work at various stations for vacations and holidays. I can speak quite knowledgeably about the world of radio and broadcasting in general. Trust me when I say this--you can't support your family working for the radio station. I'm sorry, but you simply can't. The economy is too bad right now and all radio stations are struggling. The field may not exist for too many more years. It already doesn't exist in the same form as when I started in 1980.

You can't support your family in radio. Don't try. And right now your family is the most important thing--and the biggest responsibility--in your life. That is how God is calling you and what he is asking you to do. Take care of your little ones and your wife. Move if you need, as our ancestor's did when they realized life in the "old country" simply wasn't working. They were in the same position as you are now. What did they do? Move. It's not easy. I've done it. But it needs to be done.

Your wife will be able to find a job teaching almost anywhere you go. Don't worry about that. Trust God. He will provide. It is incredible how Jesus comes through. I know that as well. Just when you least expect it, and need it the most--something will happen to carry you through. But you need to believe and don't be afraid to ask for God's help. That's what prayer is for. God wants you to pray and ask for help. And he will listen.

Others have said it as well--you will not believe how much of a difference you can make in the world by being who you are--a Christian. If you are a bank teller or a grocery store checkout or work at McDonald's it doesn't make any difference. Be who you are and show other's what you believe by living a true Christian life and you will be doing God's work. Just live the life you should live and want to live and you are testifying to what God is all about. That's a form of evangelizing. One of the most powerful ones too. Every job there is allows you to show God's love for everyone. Every time you do anything, whether at work or not, you have the opportunity to be a good Christian and show others what Christianity and Catholicism is all about. But your kids and wife are your first responsibility.

Good luck. Look at jobs available in higher education as well. Universities and Colleges are being hard hit with the economy as well, but a job there is usually a good one, a decent salary with wonderful benefits and normally pretty secure. Once you are in, your job is normally quite secure. And the hours are great compared to the crazy world of radio! 8-5 Monday through Friday, normally no nights or weekends, holidays off, etc. I wish radio were like that, but it never was. At least not for me.

Take care. I will remember you in my prayers.

Tim

Thank you all.

Bob: I've used up all my education credit the military provides with attaining my marketing degree. I once tossed around being a male nurse. Then the movie "Meet the Parents" came out, and then I decided against it. No, I thought about it but didn't think I was the medical type. I find it fascinating and rewarding work, just not sure I could excel.

My desire is to provide financially for my family. That's part of my heartache. Here I am at home with my daughter (I love every minute of it, she's so precious) and I feel useless (other than taking care of her by trying to be a good father) basically. I was raised in a home where my dad worked and my mom stayed at home and babysat on the side. My wife and I wish she could just stay at home and raise our children. Unless something magical happens, I don't foresee it happening.

When I pray the Liturgy of the Hours, I ask God for him to lead my life and provide a job. I know he will answer if I'm putting forth the effort and if I'm patient enough.

I'm not opposed to moving. In fact, I'm all about packing up and moving to California! I've never been, however I've seen pictures and it's beautiful out there! Also, I wouldn't mind moving to New York. I've been there about 10 years ago and I love the Big Apple. But, I have to think of my wife. She doesn't want to leave NW Ohio because our family is there. She did say if we do leave that I must have a good enough job to allow her to stay at home with our children. It gets harder and harder to trust people today with your children.

I just want to thank you all for your advice and prayers for myself and my dear family. Also, thank you for your kind words regarding my girls.

God bless,

James

Dear James,

This is the reality of family life today...It is so hard for the mother to stay home to raise her children. Atleast, you have your in-laws close by for the relief, the assistance, and the great blessing to your children that grandparents are!

This is a humbling trial for any man of any age. Let this bring you ever closer to the Lord, and He will hear your prayers, for He does not spurn a humble heart crying out to Him.

In the meantime, enjoy the precious moments you have being with your daughter. Many men never get those moments at home...so such situations can also be blessings.

Also, remember that as soon as your daughter is of school age, your wife's career is one of the best a woman can have in order to enjoy both the income of a job and the raising of her family. Where else can one come home at the same time as one's children return home from school, and also have the same days, holidays, spring and winter breaks, and summers off as their children?

Don't worry, things will get better. Try to get to church and be involved in church as much as possible, for your own sanity to be with other men, to be in God's temple, but also to network. Talk to your priest too...they can often be the best people to give advice of this sort, and to even help lead you or put in a good word somewhere for you, since they know so many people...and at the very least, their moral support and prayers are helpful.

Try to find a prayer group, a church, (I know that many Catholic shrines offer daily masses for people's intentions), a monastery, etc. that can also pray for you, and don't forget to pray together with your wife, since Christ is there where two or more are gathered in His name.

May St. Joseph intercede for you and grant you gainful employment, dear brother, and also gracious patience in this trial.

In Christ,
Alice