Job ministry a "candle of hope" for those in career transition
“The loss of my job came as a lethal blow,” said a member of the St. John Neumann Job Network (SJN2) recently. “I was a dedicated employee with every intention of retiring from this company.”
That theme is echoed time and again by members of the parish’s employment ministry.
“I was with the company for 13 years and stuck through the highs and the lows,” said another person. “I really felt betrayed. I was very loyal to them.”
Nevertheless, “I was hurt, but felt God wanted me to move on and, without this happening, I probably never would have done that. I am now concentrating on the future instead of the past,” she said.
Moving on from employment loss is important, according to counselors and experts familiar with this all-too-common situation in today’s economy. Often, people identify themselves by what they do—“I’m an engineer” or “I am an executive”—that they lose not only their jobs and their income, but also part of their identity, their self-esteem and their relationships with others. Many job seekers go through stages of grief, similar to losing a loved one.
“The best advice is to let go of the anger—and do this immediately,” counseled an SJN2 member from Fairview Park. “Although you may have some self-doubt in your abilities due to being downsized, once you begin to approach your job search as a journey of growth and discovery, you will find that there is a whole new world out there.
“The church groups helped to fill the outplacement void,” he continued, “and they have had an open door to help those in need.”
“To say that my faith has been tested is an understatement,” said another member. “The job search process has been an interesting and powerful personal journey.
“I was lucky that, through volunteer work, I met some people who noticed me and offered me contract work,” she continued. “After 16 months of diligently searching—and more interviews than I care to count—I was offered a full-time position with benefits earning 50% less than my previous income.
“Luckily, I have learned humility in my search process and accepted the position after only an hour to think and pray about it.
“When God closes a door, a window always opens. However, it can be lonely in the hallway. The hallway is where we need our support groups.”
“It is human nature to feel shame and embarrassment when you find yourself in a position of helplessness,” said a member. “You put on a happy face and create an illusion that everything is OK, but in truth, you watch in horror as you consume your resources. You’re shocked that the financial security that took you years to build is being exhausted at an alarming rate. You go through periods of panic attacks, nightmares, depression and despair.”
“As far as the role SJN2 plays,” said the first person above, “well, it holds up a candle of hope. It gives you a constructive direction in which to move…In unity there is strength. We need one another to hold us up when we can’t do it alone.”
The St. John Neumann Job Network is a faith-based community outreach ministry of the parish that has been meeting since March 2009. Having grown to more than 230 members, it is open to all and free of charge, regardless of religious affiliation or residence. Most members are business professionals from the ranks of middle management, technical and operational fields.
“I look at the St. John Neumann job club as a ministry,” said a member from Broadview Heights, “and have been warmly welcomed into this group even though I am not a member or the church or a Catholic. I think this shows that God is at work in good times and bad, and that SJN2 is an outreach to the community rather than an exclusive club for parishioners.”
An ongoing need is for parishioners to serve as network contacts for members. If you learn of a job opening, are willing to make introductions at your place of employment or can acquaint a member with your field of work, you are a needed addition to the group.
“The biggest thing the parishioners can do is notify you when they hear of an opening at their place of employment and maybe a contact or referral to anyone who is qualified for the position from our group,” explained another member.
If you would like to join SJN2 as a job seeker or serve as a network contact, contact Joe Wollet at (440) 846-8080 or jwollet@gmail.com or visit the group’s next monthly meeting 7:30-8:30 p.m. Wed., May 18 in the Gathering Room.
That theme is echoed time and again by members of the parish’s employment ministry.
“I was with the company for 13 years and stuck through the highs and the lows,” said another person. “I really felt betrayed. I was very loyal to them.”
Nevertheless, “I was hurt, but felt God wanted me to move on and, without this happening, I probably never would have done that. I am now concentrating on the future instead of the past,” she said.
Moving on from employment loss is important, according to counselors and experts familiar with this all-too-common situation in today’s economy. Often, people identify themselves by what they do—“I’m an engineer” or “I am an executive”—that they lose not only their jobs and their income, but also part of their identity, their self-esteem and their relationships with others. Many job seekers go through stages of grief, similar to losing a loved one.
“The best advice is to let go of the anger—and do this immediately,” counseled an SJN2 member from Fairview Park. “Although you may have some self-doubt in your abilities due to being downsized, once you begin to approach your job search as a journey of growth and discovery, you will find that there is a whole new world out there.
“The church groups helped to fill the outplacement void,” he continued, “and they have had an open door to help those in need.”
“To say that my faith has been tested is an understatement,” said another member. “The job search process has been an interesting and powerful personal journey.
“I was lucky that, through volunteer work, I met some people who noticed me and offered me contract work,” she continued. “After 16 months of diligently searching—and more interviews than I care to count—I was offered a full-time position with benefits earning 50% less than my previous income.
“Luckily, I have learned humility in my search process and accepted the position after only an hour to think and pray about it.
“When God closes a door, a window always opens. However, it can be lonely in the hallway. The hallway is where we need our support groups.”
“It is human nature to feel shame and embarrassment when you find yourself in a position of helplessness,” said a member. “You put on a happy face and create an illusion that everything is OK, but in truth, you watch in horror as you consume your resources. You’re shocked that the financial security that took you years to build is being exhausted at an alarming rate. You go through periods of panic attacks, nightmares, depression and despair.”
“As far as the role SJN2 plays,” said the first person above, “well, it holds up a candle of hope. It gives you a constructive direction in which to move…In unity there is strength. We need one another to hold us up when we can’t do it alone.”
The St. John Neumann Job Network is a faith-based community outreach ministry of the parish that has been meeting since March 2009. Having grown to more than 230 members, it is open to all and free of charge, regardless of religious affiliation or residence. Most members are business professionals from the ranks of middle management, technical and operational fields.
“I look at the St. John Neumann job club as a ministry,” said a member from Broadview Heights, “and have been warmly welcomed into this group even though I am not a member or the church or a Catholic. I think this shows that God is at work in good times and bad, and that SJN2 is an outreach to the community rather than an exclusive club for parishioners.”
An ongoing need is for parishioners to serve as network contacts for members. If you learn of a job opening, are willing to make introductions at your place of employment or can acquaint a member with your field of work, you are a needed addition to the group.
“The biggest thing the parishioners can do is notify you when they hear of an opening at their place of employment and maybe a contact or referral to anyone who is qualified for the position from our group,” explained another member.
If you would like to join SJN2 as a job seeker or serve as a network contact, contact Joe Wollet at (440) 846-8080 or jwollet@gmail.com or visit the group’s next monthly meeting 7:30-8:30 p.m. Wed., May 18 in the Gathering Room.
posted by Joe Wollet at 11:21 AM
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