The Joy of The Working Woman: A Call to Embrace Your Work with Purpose
As a Catholic woman, you are blessed with the unique ability to make a profound impact in the world, whether you are working outside the home, within it, or both. Your work is not just a job; it’s a calling. A calling to serve, to share your talents, and to embody the dignity and liberty that Christianity has given women like you.
2025 is a Jubilee year, a time for restoration and renewal, and we want to encourage you to reflect on your own life, your work, and your faith.
2025 WORD OF THE YEAR
Mama Jane “I have chosen "RESTORE". It’s a reminder that God is always at work in our lives, bringing healing and restoration even when we feel like we’ve lost our way. I believe this can also be your word—whether it’s restoring balance in your work life or restoring peace to your heart.”
Mama Vicki: “ I have chosen "PEACE" as my word for the year, especially in response to the challenges I’ve faced within my family. Peace doesn’t always come naturally, but it’s something we can choose daily. For me, it’s about letting go of the things I cannot control and trusting in God’s plan. I encourage you to reflect on your own challenges and consider how embracing peace might transform your work, your family, and your heart.”
God’s Nature and the Call to Serve
Let’s talk about God for a moment. In the Old Testament, He’s often seen as stern and just, holding His people accountable. But when Jesus came, He showed us a new way—a way of love, forgiveness, and mercy. The God we know now is one who desires a relationship with us, one who sent His Son to restore us to Him. This new covenant offers us not only salvation but also the opportunity to live out our faith in every area of our lives, including our work.
As women, we have the freedom to use our gifts and talents in the workplace to glorify God and serve others. God gave us those gifts, and He calls us to use them. I want to challenge you to consider how you use your gifts at work. Whether you are serving at home or in an office, are you bringing your whole self into that work? Are you using your talents to bring about good, to spread joy, and to glorify God?
The Role of Working Women
Whether working outside the home or managing your household, your work has value. We often hear women talk about the challenges of balancing these roles—working from home versus working outside the home. We get it. It’s not easy. But we want you to remember that both are sacred in their own way. The expectations are different, but the calling is the same. You are called to be a light in your workplace and in your home, to use your gifts in a way that serves both your family and your community.
Think about how Christianity has empowered women. From the early saints like Mary Magdalene and Martha to women like St. Gianna Molla, women have used their professional and personal gifts to serve the Lord. St. Gianna Molla, a pediatrician who gave her life to save her child, is a powerful example of how we can offer our professional lives as a sacrifice of love.
Role Models and Holistic Care
As we think about role models, we can’t help but reflect on St. Gianna Molla, . Gianna exemplified faith in the workplace and in her family. St. Gianna, a doctor who worked to help children and families, showed deep devotion to both her family and her faith—she lived out the holistic approach to serving God in both their professional and personal lives.
Holistic care goes beyond the physical—it’s about nurturing the mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of our being. Mama Vicki has seen this firsthand in her work as she has served birthing mothers and their newborn babies. I encourage you to take a holistic approach to your work as well. When you serve, whether in a hospital, office, or your own home, be sure to serve the whole person. It’s not just about checking tasks off a list—it’s about caring for the people you interact with, offering them kindness, love, and a sense of peace.
Living Faith in the Workplace
Faith At Work
Now, let’s talk about living your faith at work. This doesn’t mean preaching at every opportunity or forcing religion into every conversation. But it does mean bringing Christ into your workplace through your actions. Whether you’re a nurse like Mama Vicki is or managing a team, you have the ability to influence those around you by how you live your faith. Show people God’s love through your kindness, your work ethic, and your integrity.
Don’t fall into the trap of compartmentalizing your life—living one way on Sundays and another way the rest of the week. Your faith should be lived out every day, no matter where you are or what you're doing. The more you live your faith consistently, the more others will take notice and be drawn to the love of Christ.
Gratitude and Joy in Your Work
The last thing we want to leave you with is gratitude. It’s easy to get bogged down by the daily grind, to focus on the things we don’t like about our work or the challenges we face. But we want to challenge you to take a step back and find joy and gratitude in your work. No matter where you’re working or what your role is, God has given you the ability to contribute. Find joy in the small things—whether it’s completing a task, helping a colleague, or simply serving your family. The more gratitude you can cultivate, the more peace and joy you’ll find in your work.
Action Steps for You
We challenge you to take a few steps as you move forward in your work life:
- Journal about your view on working outside the home vs. working from home, and whether you find it a gift or a source of resentment. Reflect on what God is calling you to in this season.
- Meditate on the gifts and talents God has given you. Remember, every gift you have can be used for His glory. How can you use them to serve the Lord in your workplace?
- Join our community on Facebook, Cycles and Sanctity FB Group, and share your work experiences.
Let’s make this year one of restoration and peace. Let’s use our gifts for His glory, embrace joy in our work, and live out our faith boldly in every area of our lives.