In the difficult economy, some parishes in the Diocese of Toledo are reaching out with prayer and support to Catholics and others struggling with unemployment in their communities.

Toledo St. Patrick of Heatherdowns and St. Joan of Arc are sponsoring a workshop May 17 to offer employment resources along with opportunities for private spiritual direction and community prayer. The workshop, called “Going Forward,” begins at 2 p.m. in the Holy Family Center at St. Patrick, 4201 Heatherdowns Blvd.

Mike McCartney, founder and president of McCartney Consulting and a member of St. Joan of Arc, is to give a presentation at the workshop to share some insights and encouragement for those facing the challenge of uncertainty in their careers.

Notre Dame Sister Regina Fisher, St. Patrick’s pastoral associate, says the event is for anyone who has lost a job, is concerned about someone they know who has lost a job, or is otherwise struggling in the difficult economy.

 “We want people to know that as a parish we care for them, and we’re in this together,” says Sr. Fisher.

Priests and religious sisters are to be available to speak or pray with participants individually at the event, which concludes with a community prayer service at 3:30 p.m.

“People are welcome to come and pray with us,” Sr. Fisher says.

To make a reservation for the free workshop, call 419-381-1540, ext. 125 or 419-866-6181. All are welcome to the community prayer service at St. Patrick.

Catholics who are out of work and seeking employment can also find support in the St. Joseph Job Club, which held its first meeting April 2 at Lima St. Charles Borromeo.

Named after the patron saint of workers, the job club is meant to provide participants with spiritual and emotional support and connect them with resources in the community.

“It’s support, it’s networking, it’s trying to meet the needs they have, plus give them any job leads,” says Father Stephen Blum, pastor of St. Charles.

The idea for the club came from Eric Broughton, a member of the parish social concerns committee who says he has been on “both sides of the fence” when it comes to job loss. Mr. Broughton explains he has professional experience in helping dislocated workers find jobs, and he has experienced periods of unemployment in his own life.

“After awhile, people get discouraged and frustrated and start to lose hope,” says Mr. Broughton, who adds he thought the parish job club could be a way to renew that hope for people.

The concept of a job club has been around for some time, he says, explaining the group gives people who are out of work a chance to come together to share successes they have had and problems they have encountered. Guest speakers may also be invited to meetings to offer tips on topics such as resume writing and interviewing.

Searching for a job can be “lonely, frustrating work,” says Mr. Broughton, but the job club can provide people with new ideas and motivation.

The social concerns committee is using the church bulletin to promote the job club and solicit job leads from parishioners, and the St. Joseph Job Club now has five members who meet every two weeks for prayer, support and networking, according to Fr. Blum.

He says the first meeting in April included an opening prayer service and time for the four parishioners who attended to introduce themselves and share their stories.

“I think the most helpful thing was that they didn’t feel alone,” says Fr. Blum. “As they told their stories, some of their stories were similar.”

He adds the job club is a great way to share ideas, support and resources.

“There was networking happening among those four people,” says Fr. Blum. “They’re in the know about a lot of the resources available.”

Another parish, Mansfield St. Mary of the Snows, is directly providing financial aid to members.

The parish has pledged financial assistance to any parishioner in need up to a ceiling of $1,000, “simply for the asking,” says Father Keith McCormack, pastor. They have already filled several such requests, he adds, with those in need taking the money in increments to help meet their ongoing needs.