Financial trouble? Your parish can help
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
The economic downturn and increasing levels of unemployment have become a great source of stress and tension for families throughout the nation. But when faced with financial difficulties or the loss of a job, Catholics can turn to the Church for assistance.
In addition to the many useful secular resources and programs available, parishes are able to provide families with a unique form of ministry to see them through fiscal uncertainties, according to Deacon John Flanagan of St. Catharine Parish, Holmdel. Deacon Flanagan, whose parish has operated an unemployment ministry for 30 years, helped to sow the seeds for other parishes to begin their own similar ministries in a workshop entitled Ministering to Families in Financially Troubled Times May 19 at the St. Francis Retreat House, Easton, Pa.
While individuals may not often think of their parish as the first place to turn in times of financial need, Deacon Flanagan explained, the Church can be a useful resource, not only for finding a job but for addressing one’s spiritual needs during stressful times.
“We find that when people are out of work, it spawns other problems like marital conflicts or stress for children. It is a domino effect,” he said. “People are looking to us as ministers to give them spiritual encouragement.” When someone loses a job or begins to hit hard times economically, Deacon Flanagan recommended that they contact their pastor, deacon or other pastoral minister while also reaching out to other nearby parishes.
“When you are hurting, seek all the help you can get,” he advised. “There is no stigma or shame or embarrassment to being in a job transition.”
The workshop, sponsored by Region III of the National Association of Catholic Family Life Ministries, was created to better equip parishes with the tools needed to provide such ministries. Linda Richardson, director of the diocesan Office of Family Life/Respect Life, said that in speaking with others in parish and diocesan family life ministries, she noticed a strong need for a program aimed at helping families with financial troubles.
“This ministry is so needed and so relevant,” Richardson said. “It’s important that people see the Church as their source of support during all of life’s ups and downs. As a community of faith, we need to be comfortable reaching out for help when we need it, and also to give help to those in need when we are able.”
During his presentation, Deacon Flanagan, a renowned Dale Carnegie certified instructor and retired Prudential Insurance vice president, shared the wisdom he gained from his own parish ministry with the attendees. He also cited many Biblical passages which mandate the need to serve each other in time of need [“We are our brother’s keeper” (Genesis 4:9); “For I was hungry and you gave me food…” (Matthew 25:31-39); “Speak up, judge righteously, champion the poor and needy.” (Proverbs 31:9) and read from numerous papal encyclicals and bishopric letters which addressed caring for the poor and disenfranchised among us.
The Korean War veteran also drew parallels between church ministry and his stint in the military.
“We are in spiritual combat,” he proclaimed, “but my overwhelming emotion and prayer is hope. If you remember your Bible, in the end, God wins and we will too.”
Teamwork, he added, is key in this healing ministry. Deacon Flanagan encourages all parishioners to network and share their knowledge for the community’s benefit: business professionals can dedicate a few hours a month at their parishes to assist in their fields of expertise, and even the unemployed can aid their church family members and give themselves new purpose as they seek a new career.
Deacon Flanagan recommended an open dialogue within the parish so that the congregation’s needs are best served. If a parish does not offer such assistance programs, or if one has a unique gift or skill set to share with fellow parishioners, he advocated approaching the pastor or parish council to request such an entity to be instituted.
Citing Ephesians 4:29-32, Deacon Flanagan told the group, “ ‘Never let evil pass your lips, but only such as is good so that it may impart grace to those who hear.’ The congregation already knows what their problems are, just tell them the good things they need to hear. People are anxious to hear the message of hope.”
Resources for families in troubled times
A number of resources are available to families coping with unemployment or financial hardship. Anyone struggling through economic upheaval is encouraged to contact their local parish to explore some of the options that may be available in the church, including:
Employment resource groups: These volunteer organizations refine résumés, gather job leads, conduct practice interviews, keep abreast of the latest job search engines and methods and offer career guidance to the unemployed and underemployed.
Speakers/resource libraries: Churches periodically invite government representatives to speak to the staff and parishioners; still others maintain a library of printed resources such as the United Way or Catholic Charities directories in order to inform those in need.
Online information: The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops recently launched a new website looking at the Catholic teaching on economic life (www.usccb.org/jphd/economiclife), which includes information on the Church’s social teaching, ideas for parishes and stories of how others are coping with the economic crisis. Information on local seminars, programs and workshops can also be found on the Diocese of Trenton’s website.
Financial counseling: Money management is a primary source of stress of many households. Families may be able to seek assistance in their parish from the congregation’s accountants, tax preparers and lawyers who are willing to volunteer their expertise a few hours a month to assist their fellow parishioners in budgeting and housing issues.
Government aid liaisons: Federal, state, county and local governments have many resources to aid people in financial crisis, however, determining the most appropriate avenues for assistance can be daunting. Parishes may have a designated liaison or resident expert who can navigate the system and direct one to the best program/person.
The Monitor: The Catholic newspaper of the Diocese of Trenton offers its readers a “Seeking Position” feature on the Marketplace page wherein business professionals in need of employment can advertise their strengths and qualifications at no cost.
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The economic downturn and increasing levels of unemployment have become a great source of stress and tension for families throughout the nation. But when faced with financial difficulties or the loss of a job, Catholics can turn to the Church for assistance.
In addition to the many useful secular resources and programs available, parishes are able to provide families with a unique form of ministry to see them through fiscal uncertainties, according to Deacon John Flanagan of St. Catharine Parish, Holmdel. Deacon Flanagan, whose parish has operated an unemployment ministry for 30 years, helped to sow the seeds for other parishes to begin their own similar ministries in a workshop entitled Ministering to Families in Financially Troubled Times May 19 at the St. Francis Retreat House, Easton, Pa.
While individuals may not often think of their parish as the first place to turn in times of financial need, Deacon Flanagan explained, the Church can be a useful resource, not only for finding a job but for addressing one’s spiritual needs during stressful times.
“We find that when people are out of work, it spawns other problems like marital conflicts or stress for children. It is a domino effect,” he said. “People are looking to us as ministers to give them spiritual encouragement.” When someone loses a job or begins to hit hard times economically, Deacon Flanagan recommended that they contact their pastor, deacon or other pastoral minister while also reaching out to other nearby parishes.
“When you are hurting, seek all the help you can get,” he advised. “There is no stigma or shame or embarrassment to being in a job transition.”
The workshop, sponsored by Region III of the National Association of Catholic Family Life Ministries, was created to better equip parishes with the tools needed to provide such ministries. Linda Richardson, director of the diocesan Office of Family Life/Respect Life, said that in speaking with others in parish and diocesan family life ministries, she noticed a strong need for a program aimed at helping families with financial troubles.
“This ministry is so needed and so relevant,” Richardson said. “It’s important that people see the Church as their source of support during all of life’s ups and downs. As a community of faith, we need to be comfortable reaching out for help when we need it, and also to give help to those in need when we are able.”
During his presentation, Deacon Flanagan, a renowned Dale Carnegie certified instructor and retired Prudential Insurance vice president, shared the wisdom he gained from his own parish ministry with the attendees. He also cited many Biblical passages which mandate the need to serve each other in time of need [“We are our brother’s keeper” (Genesis 4:9); “For I was hungry and you gave me food…” (Matthew 25:31-39); “Speak up, judge righteously, champion the poor and needy.” (Proverbs 31:9) and read from numerous papal encyclicals and bishopric letters which addressed caring for the poor and disenfranchised among us.
The Korean War veteran also drew parallels between church ministry and his stint in the military.
“We are in spiritual combat,” he proclaimed, “but my overwhelming emotion and prayer is hope. If you remember your Bible, in the end, God wins and we will too.”
Teamwork, he added, is key in this healing ministry. Deacon Flanagan encourages all parishioners to network and share their knowledge for the community’s benefit: business professionals can dedicate a few hours a month at their parishes to assist in their fields of expertise, and even the unemployed can aid their church family members and give themselves new purpose as they seek a new career.
Deacon Flanagan recommended an open dialogue within the parish so that the congregation’s needs are best served. If a parish does not offer such assistance programs, or if one has a unique gift or skill set to share with fellow parishioners, he advocated approaching the pastor or parish council to request such an entity to be instituted.
Citing Ephesians 4:29-32, Deacon Flanagan told the group, “ ‘Never let evil pass your lips, but only such as is good so that it may impart grace to those who hear.’ The congregation already knows what their problems are, just tell them the good things they need to hear. People are anxious to hear the message of hope.”
Resources for families in troubled times
A number of resources are available to families coping with unemployment or financial hardship. Anyone struggling through economic upheaval is encouraged to contact their local parish to explore some of the options that may be available in the church, including:
Employment resource groups: These volunteer organizations refine résumés, gather job leads, conduct practice interviews, keep abreast of the latest job search engines and methods and offer career guidance to the unemployed and underemployed.
Speakers/resource libraries: Churches periodically invite government representatives to speak to the staff and parishioners; still others maintain a library of printed resources such as the United Way or Catholic Charities directories in order to inform those in need.
Online information: The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops recently launched a new website looking at the Catholic teaching on economic life (www.usccb.org/jphd/economiclife), which includes information on the Church’s social teaching, ideas for parishes and stories of how others are coping with the economic crisis. Information on local seminars, programs and workshops can also be found on the Diocese of Trenton’s website.
Financial counseling: Money management is a primary source of stress of many households. Families may be able to seek assistance in their parish from the congregation’s accountants, tax preparers and lawyers who are willing to volunteer their expertise a few hours a month to assist their fellow parishioners in budgeting and housing issues.
Government aid liaisons: Federal, state, county and local governments have many resources to aid people in financial crisis, however, determining the most appropriate avenues for assistance can be daunting. Parishes may have a designated liaison or resident expert who can navigate the system and direct one to the best program/person.
The Monitor: The Catholic newspaper of the Diocese of Trenton offers its readers a “Seeking Position” feature on the Marketplace page wherein business professionals in need of employment can advertise their strengths and qualifications at no cost.
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