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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/.