Work as witness

Catholics cannot separate their spiritual life from their work. In the boardrooms, breakrooms, negotiations and daily interactions, the workplace is one of the main spaces where faith is “tested”, “refined” and “manifest,” said Chairman of Catholic Media Services Ltd (Camsel) Board of Directors, Peter Gillette.

He was speaking at The Catholic News’ inaugural God @ Work Business Conference,  themed Fuelled by Faith and Hope: Fired up for Success! held at The Cascadia Hotel, St Ann’s, Saturday, June 28. More than 100 people from various sectors attended the event, which brought the Catholic lens to workplace experiences.

Gillette told attendees there are countless opportunities to be the hands and feet of Christ in a world desperately in need of God’s light. Referring to Jesus’ admonition to His disciples that they cannot serve two masters, he said Catholics in the workspace are “called to be faithful servants of God navigating the complex demands of modern business”. This, he explained, is not a tension to be resolved “but rather a sacred challenge to be embraced”.

Gillette emphasised that Catholic men and women are called to transform the marketplace through witness and commitment to Gospel values. He encouraged them: “Each of you brings unique talents, experiences and challenges—gifts that God has entrusted to you for His greater glory and service of others”.

After sharing an anecdote about seeing the Christ in others, Gillette invited participants to carry this perspective into their professional lives—whether  dealing with a frustrating colleague, a difficult client or competitor, or an employee seeking guidance.

“Any one of them might be Christ in disguise. When we approach our business relationships with this sacred awareness we don’t change our workplaces—we transform ourselves,” Gillette said.

He described the conference as a transformative day of faith, fellowship and professional growth. He identified three fundamental questions addressed by the forum’s speakers—questions that every Catholic in business must grapple with: How to discern God’s calling in one’s professional life; How to move beyond success to discover one’s true purpose in the workplace; and How to maintain faith when faced with market pressures, ethical dilemmas and a culture that seems hostile to Christian values.

Camsel’s General Manager Kathryn Tardieu said participants who said “yes” to the conference were saying “yes” to the Holy Spirit. Held on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, she encouraged attendees to continue to open their hearts to the Holy Spirit, allowing God to reveal what they needed to take away from the experience.

Feature presentations were delivered by Debra Sardinha, executive chef and owner of Foodlingo and DSM Creative Cuisine, on ‘God’s Calling in Your Professional Life: Discernment and Purpose in the Workplace,’ and Fr Dr Gerard McGlone SJ, on ‘Faith in Challenging Times: How to Stand Firm in Your Beliefs When Facing Challenges’.

Following the break there were interactive sessions, including a panel discussion on ‘Living out Christian Values in a Secular World’ and breakout sessions focused on self-empowerment and wellness.