Photographic Evidence

More reasons that I love my job...

...absolutely serene...

Blessings

What are the 3 things that you aren't supposed to talk about in mixed company? Politics, sex and religion. I'm not going to write about politics or sex here. I am uneasy talking about religion, but I feel like I have to give you a little background to talk about the interesting position I find myself in at work. I am working as the Life Enrichment Director at a retirement community for retired nuns.  Aside from feeling like I don't have enough hours to do the job justice, this is the most happy and satisfied I have ever been in the working world.

So here is a brief background on my religious life. I am what you might call a "fallen-away" Catholic. I was born and baptized Catholic. I even made my first Communion. Beyond that, going to Mass was not a priority in my home. We went to church on Christmas and Easter...sometimes. I think part of it was that my mother was divorced and was not able to participate fully in services. It became easier not to go. What I remember about going to Mass is that I loved the ritual and was comforted to belong to something that seemed so big.

In high school, I felt a need to be part of some kind of religious community. I joined a Bible study group and started going to a Christian church with friends. As a senior in high school, I joined a lovely little community church in Indiana, was married in that church and even had Jennie baptized at Grand Avenue UMC. I felt a great sense of belonging there.

Fast forward to 2013. For many reasons that I won't go into now, belonging to a church became much less important. Now I can describe myself as spiritual, but not at all religious. After my illness and being unemployed for over a year, it was time to dive back into the working world. A friend connected me to a friend of hers who had recently started working at this retirement community for nuns. We had a phone interview that went very well and then agreed to a time for a face to face interview. I was nervous, but once again, things went well and I was offered the position.

I recently passed the 6 month mark of working at this retirement community. It is the most rewarding job I have ever had and it gives me so much satisfaction to do things for these women who have spent their lives in service to others. I had worried that me not being Catholic would at some point become an issue, but not once have I been asked what my religious affiliation is. The Sisters are always gracious and grateful for even the smallest things I do for the Community. I have had the opportunity to attend Mass on occasion and it has reminded me of when I was young and enjoying the ritual of it all. Even though I have no intention of rejoining the Church, I do feel that in some way I have come back. It is enough for me to get to spend time with the Sisters doing things for them and organizing events and activities to enrich their lives.Working with them and for them is a real blessing.

Today I am grateful for my job!