The Catholic Working Mom's Guide to Life. JoAnna Wahlund

spent an hour of my commute sobbing as I cried out to God, telling him that I felt like I was Sisyphus — forever pushing my boulder up the hill, alone, unsupported, with no relief in sight. I arrived at work emotionally exhausted but feeling slightly better for having poured out my troubles.

      Throughout the day, I received encouraging e-mail messages from friends — even though I hadn’t shared my struggle with any of them. Another friend wrote a blog post about Saint Francis de Sales that included this quote, which was immensely comforting:

      Do not look forward in fear to the changes in life; rather, look to them with full hope that as they arise, God, whose very own you are, will lead you safely through all things; and when you cannot stand it, God will carry you in his arms. Do not fear what may happen tomorrow; the same understanding Father who cares for you today will take care of you then and every day. He will either shield you from suffering or will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations.

      I found that quote so helpful that I printed it out and hung it in my cubicle. It helped me realize that I wasn’t Sisyphus, pushing my immense burden uphill all by myself, unless I chose to be Sisyphus. I had a burden, that’s true, but that didn’t make me any different from any other human being on this earth. Instead of struggling alone with a burden that was insurmountable, I could choose to be like Jesus, carrying my cross of reluctantly working with patience and offering up my sufferings for others.

      As long as I viewed my trials and sufferings as burdens I had to deal with by myself, I would be a victim; but instead, I could learn to view my suffering as a work of love for others and be more like Jesus.

      “Offering it up” is a concept that is foreign to many, even those raised in the Catholic Church. The more I thought about it, though, the more it made sense. It was not God’s will for the world to contain suffering, but it was one of the consequences of the free will of our first parents. Adam and Eve chose to sin, and God respected their choice — even though it meant his beloved sons and daughters would have to suffer.

      God, however, has given us the ability to take our suffering and use it for the good of others. As he so often does, he will bring good out of a bad situation. Our suffering does not have to be in vain, whether it is suffering caused from physical pain, emotional damage, or just the common trials of everyday life — including working when we would much rather be at home with our children.

      While investigating this subject, I found many suggested prayers to use when consciously trying to offer up our suffering. My favorite was this one:¹¹

      Dear Lord,

      Help me to remember in these troubled times

      The cross you carried for my sake,

      So that I may better carry mine

      And to help others do the same,

      As I offer up (whatever your concern or problem here) to you

      For the conversion of sinners

      For the forgiveness of sins

      In reparation for sins

      And for the salvation of souls.

      Amen.

      Chapter 4

      Finding Peace When You Do Want to Work

      So you’re a Catholic mother who works not because of financial necessity--or not only because of financial necessity--but because you feel a genuine calling from God to be his active instrument in the workplace, utilizing your intellect and gifts not only in your home, but in a professional capacity.

      As it turns out, you’re in excellent company! You aren’t strange, or odd, or any “less” of a Catholic woman simply because you have discerned a secondary vocation in addition to your vocation as a wife and mother.

      As Catholic women, we are called to use our diverse talents and gifts for the betterment of the Church, our family, and the world at large. Some of us are called by the Lord to use our talents solely within the sphere of the domestic church, but others are called to the mission field of the workplace. Consider how vastly different the calls of each of the saints were, and remember that you are just as unique.

      In Scripture, Jesus made it clear that he expects us to use the talents he has bestowed upon us for the purpose of building up the kingdom, instead of hiding them away (cf. Matthew 25:14-30). Through the Catholic Working Mothers Facebook group, I love seeing the varied ways Catholic women multiply the talents God gave them, and how they demonstrate to their children the ways their work — inside or outside the home — complements their vocation as a Catholic wife and mother.

       “I have prayed about being called to my secondary vocation. It’s hard when surrounded by women who stay at home and talk about homeschooling. But it comes down to the fact that I have been blessed with certain gifts, and I’m called to use those, which involves working out of the home. Plus, I’m a better mom when I work. It’s not just about money sometimes. It’s about mental health, burnout, anxiety, etc.”

       — Kathryn W.

      I’d love to be able to share all of their stories with you; however, since my space is limited, I’m going to share interviews with six of my good friends. They are Catholic wives and mothers who also excel in the workplace, and who use their gifts to serve the Church and the world as well as their families.

       Stacy’s Story

      Dr. Stacy Trasancos holds a PhD in chemistry from Penn State University and an MA in dogmatic theology from Holy Apostles College and Seminary. Currently, she works for the Saint Philip Institute of Catechesis and Evangelization founded by Bishop Joseph Strickland in the Diocese of Tyler, Texas. Formerly, she taught chemistry and physics for Kolbe Academy online homeschool program and served as the science department chair. She teaches chemistry and Reading Science in the Light of Faith at Holy Apostles College and Seminary, which is located in Cromwell, Connecticut. She is author of Science Was Born of Christianity: The Teaching of Fr. Stanley L. Jaki, 20 Answers — Bioethics, and Particles of Faith: A Catholic Guide to Navigating Science. She is married and has seven children. Her website is http://stacytrasancos.com/.