This is Holy: Your Guide to Bringing Christ into Your Summer Job

One thing you might not know about me is that right now I work at a grocery store. For 20 to 30 hours a week, I help customers, make sandwiches, slice meat and cheese, and help clean my department. It's not the most glamarous job.

But despite that, I've learned to love what I'm doing. It's not my dream job, of course, and I know it won't last forever- but for now, it's where God needs me for some reason, and so I make the best of it.

So for today's feast day, the Feast of Saint Joseph the Worker, I wanted to talk a little bit about work. Many of us in college (and even high school) find ourselves working in jobs just to make a little extra cash. These jobs aren't the ones we'd think of when we think of "ministry" or as giving us oppurtunities for prayer and evangelization- but I promise you, there are plenty!

Here are some ideas for evangelization and prayer within your job. If you have a job that I didn't list here, comment below and I'll put some ideas together for you!

BARISTA OR WAITRESS

• Pray for each customer as you make their drink or take their order

• Smile as you work and greet customers joyfully

• Make each person you meet feel like they’re the only person in the world. Give them your full, undivided attention.

• Wear a Crucifix, Miraculous Medal, or other religious jewelry. Fantastic conversation starters!

LANDSCAPING

• Pray as you work, taking the opportunity for interior silence as the noise of the world is drowned out by machinery.

• Offer up your manual labor for the sake of the souls in Purgatory or other prayer intentions.

• Pray for the people who own the home you’re working on.

• Do small, extra tasks for free if you’re able, as acts of kindness.

  
  

RETAIL CASHIER

• Treat each customer as beloved by Christ and greet them with love (no matter their attitude!)

• Wear religious jewelry.

• Engage in conversation. Make people feel seen, known, and loved.

• Smile at people!

• Pray for each customer you’ll encounter before and after your shift.

FOOD SERVICE

• Embrace the monotonous tasks- dishes, cleaning, etc.- and offer them up for specific intentions.

• Pray over each dish you serve as you’re preparing it.

• Stay calm and joyful, even in rushes or stressful situations.

• Take care to create a clean, sanitary environment to protect each customer you are serving.

OFFICE ASSISTANT

• Create a welcoming environment.

• Offer a smile and sense of peace to those you encounter or speak to on the phone.

• Have a mindset of service- even when your work is not recognized.

• Practice gentleness in your speech, emails, and phone calls

• Set your laptop background as a Bible verse, Saint Quote, or Sacred Artwork

BABYSITTER

• Pray for the children and families you serve.

• Give the children you’re caring for your full, undivided attention with love, gentleness, patience, and joy.

• Put your phone away!

• Ask the Holy Family for help in difficult moments.

• Strive to react from a place of love rather than frustration.

TUTORING

• Pray the prayer for students by Saint Thomas Aquinas before your session or with your student.

• Encouraging the struggling with the love of Christ

• Practice patience and mercy when concepts are being misunderstood.

• Wear t-shirts, jewelry, etc. that serve as tools for evangelization and sharing the faith.

• Ask the Holy Spirit to help you as you teach.

No matter what sort of job you are working in, you can glorify God and make Him known to those you serve.

Saint Joseph the Worker, Pray for us.