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16 | October 4, 2018 | The Homer Horizon faith
homerhorizon.com
Pastor Column
Living our faith with, at our work, no matter the job
Pastor Dana O’Brien
Cross of Glory Lutheran Church
I’ve been a pastor for
about 10 years. Before
that, I was an attorney,
working for a corporate
law firm in Milwaukee and
specializing in retirement
plan law.
I mention this because
since becoming a pastor,
I’ve found that some people
seem to think religious work
is somehow more pleasing
to God than non-religious
work. While I’m not sure
where this idea originated, I
can assure you that it is not
true. God gives each of us
unique gifts and talents, and
when we use those gifts and
talents to make this world
a better place through our
work, God smiles.
My work as an attorney
was as important to God
as what I do now. Indeed,
it doesn’t matter whether
you’re an accountant, or
nurse, or businessperson,
or retail worker, or CEO,
or stay-at-home-parent, or
pastor, or ... whatever —
all these jobs are equally
valued by God.
Not only does God value
what we do, but God also
calls us to live out our
Christian faith at work.
We’ve talked about this
before — our faith is not
just for Sunday mornings.
If we claim to be followers
of Jesus, then we are called
to live as his followers 24/7,
wherever we are and whatever
we’re doing. And that
means we live our Christian
faith no less at work than
we do in worship.
Now some days, living
our faith at work fits like
hand in glove. But other
days, it’s pretty hard to live
out Jesus’ teachings at work.
After all, work environments
can be pretty challenging.
However, living as a follower
of Jesus means doing
our best, even if we’re not
thrilled with the job we
have. It means treating our
coworkers just like we want
to be treated — with kindness
and respect — even
when we don’t get along all
that well. It means dealing
with our competitors fairly,
even if we’re not getting
the same in return. It means
being honest with our customers
and clients, all the
time. It means acting with
integrity and calling out
unjust situations when we
see them occurring.
Granted, that’s not always
easy. But here’s the thing
— even on those days when
living your faith at work is
tough, it can also be one of
the most rewarding things
you’ll do. Because when
you live as a follower of
Jesus in your workplace,
you’ll see glimpses of God’s
kingdom popping up all
over. And you’ll see God
smile — because God values
what you’re doing.
The opinions of this column are
that of the writer. They do not
necessarily reflect those of The
Homer Horizon.
Knowledge and Prayer Series
to present program on crime
of human trafficking Oct. 15
Submitted by Multi-Parish
Respect Life Ministries
The Knowledge & Prayer
series has announced its next
program slated for Monday,
Oct. 15, at Our Mother of Good
Counsel Church in Homer Glen.
The program is titled Invisible
Chains: The Scourge of Human
Trafficking and will raise
awareness about the problem
of human slavery in the modern
world.
Human trafficking is the most
insidious crime of our age. Victims
of all ages are usually invisible.
They live in our neighborhoods,
country and world.
Greed is the driving force.
Sister Jean Okroi, Institute of
the Blessed Virgin Mary, will be
the speaker. For 15 years, she
has been raising awareness and
educating others about this new
form of slavery. Okroi initiated
the Illinois Women Religious
Against Human Trafficking
committee. She is also a member
of the Cook County subcommittee
of the Human Trafficking
Task Force.
Representing several women’s
religious orders, Illinois
Women Religious Against Human
Trafficking works closely
with area churches and organizations,
as well as local and
federal government agencies,
to combat this scourge. Okroi
knows about the subject and local
situation and will share how
this reality could be happening
in plain sight.
Our Mother of Good Counsel
Parish is located at 16042 S.
Bell Road, just south of 159th
Street and Bell. The Knowledge
and Prayer Series is sponsored
by the Multi-Parish Respect
Life Ministries of Our Mother
of Good Counsel, St. Bernard’s,
St. Francis of Assisi, Our Lady
of the Woods, St. Michael and
Annunciation Byzantine Catholic
Parish.
FAITH BRIEFS
Cross of Glory Lutheran Church
(14719 W. 163rd St., Homer Glen)
Adoption/Foster Support Group
6:30 p.m. second Monday of each
month. This group is open to anyone
touched by the adoption or fostering
process. One has something to share
wherever they are in the adoption/
fostering process. The next meeting
is Monday, Oct. 15.
Welcome Place Preschool’s Annual
Trick or Treat Tailgate
1-2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27.
Families, friends and neighbors are
welcome to come see decorated car
trunks filled with goodies. There is
to be games, crafts and a costume
parade. If interested in decorating
your vehicle, please contact the preschool
at (708) 301-3883. You will
need at least two to three large bags
of candy to pass out.
Canned Protein Drive to Support
Fairmont
Donations are being collected for
the Fairmont Community Center
Food Pantry. Canned protein items
to be donated include cans of tuna,
chicken, meat and pasta, etc.
Our Mother of Good Counsel Parish
(16043 S. Bell Road, Homer Glen)
Adult Faith Formation
1-2:30 p.m. Thursdays, Sept.
13-Nov 15. The second session is
7-8:30 p.m. Mondays, Oct. 8-Dec.
13. These are led by the Rev. Joseph
Broudou. To RSVP, call (708) 301-
0214.
Catechism of the Catholic Church
The Rev. Joseph Broudou will
facilitate weekly meetings to learn
about the Catechism. All are welcome
to attend. Refreshments will
be served. Meetings are to be held
on Thursdays from 1-2:30 p.m. Sept.
13 through Nov. 15 and Mondays
from 7-8:30 p.m. Oct. 8 through
Dec. 17. For more information, call
(708) 301-0214.
Help Save a Life Knights of
Columbus Fall Blood Drive
8 a.m.-noon, Sunday, Oct. 14, at
the church. No sign-up is necessary.
Please bring a photo ID.
Knights of Columbus Annual Fall
Spaghetti Dinner
4-6:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14 at the
church. This dinner includes homemade
red sauce, Italian salad, artisan
bread and soda. The cost to attend is
$8 for adults, and $4 for children 12
and under. Proceeds go toward the
American Cancer Society.
St. Bernard Parish
(13030 W. 143rd St., Homer Glen)
St. Vincent de Paul Clothing Drive
Oct. 6 and 7. Bring clothing items
to the church during the first weekend
of October. Donations needed
include clean, gently used items such
as clothing, shoes, purses, small appliances,
dishes, cookware, lamps,
books, toys, bedding and towels.
First United Methodist Church of Lockport
(1000 S. Washington St., Lockport)
Sunday Worship
9 a.m. Sunday School
10:25 a.m. Worship
Communion
First Sunday of the month.
Parkview Christian Church - Homer Glen
(14367 W. 159th St., Homer Glen)
Students Fall Retreat
Oct. 12-14. This retreat is for all
junior high and high school students.
It will be held at SpringHill Camps
in Evart, Michigan. For more information,
call (708) 478-7477, ext.
211.
Have something for Faith
Briefs? Contact Assistant Editor
Jacquelyn Schlabach at
j.schlabach@22ndcenturymedia.com or
call (708) 326-9170 ext. 15. Information
is due by noon Thursday one week prior
to publication.