Many of us labor in a workplace that seems increasingly at odds with the teachings of Christ. Christian principles may be dismissed as being out-of-step with a modern understanding of society. Those who attempt to promote traditional values may be disrespected, marginalized, and encouraged to keep quiet. But we know that being quiet is not an answer.
The late Pope Benedict XVI asked, "Is it consistent to profess our beliefs in church on Sunday, and then, during the week, to promote business practices contrary to those beliefs?” He then answered his own question by stating, “Any tendency to treat religion as a private matter must be resisted. Only when faith permeates every aspect of their lives do Christians become truly open to the transforming power of the gospel.”
Bringing Christ to Work is a three-part series intended to provide Catholics with guidance on how to live out their faith more completely while at work, and as a result, to become open to the full transforming power of the gospel. The first session will delve into the Church’s teaching about the significance of human work as reflected in St. John Paul II’s encyclical Laborem Exercens and Pope Leo XIII’s encyclical Rerum Novarum. This will help us understand that our work transforms us and enables us to participate in God’s continuing act of creation.
The second session will focus on today’s workplace challenges and how Catholics and the Church have met such challenges in the past. The third session will cover strategies we can employ in communicating our faith, coping with conflict, exercising leadership and ensuring unity of life.
Please join the discussion with Dr. Brian Engelland, professor emeritus and former dean of the Busch School of Business at the Catholic University of America. All are welcome.
Many of us labor in a workplace that seems increasingly at odds with the teachings of Christ. Christian principles may be dismissed as being out-of-step with a modern understanding of society. Those who attempt to promote traditional values may be disrespected, marginalized, and encouraged to keep quiet. But we know that being quiet is not an answer.