“So, what are you doing now?”

“Ah, I have been working with the Catholic Chaplaincy at university.”

“I see, are you looking for a full time job?”

“Yes, yes I am. I am keeping an eye out for things. I guess I’m slowly learning to embrace my future and not rush into it.”

“Yeah man. Doing work for religious groups is great, but you don’t want to end up doing that all the way. Working with religious groups , that sort of work is more suited to the end of one’s working life man.”

“Hahaha.”

“Like being a church custodian or something.”

* * *

For almost my entire life, I’ve been a student of primary, secondary and tertiary education. There was never any break in between because there wasn’t an opportunity to do so and certainly, my parents would never agree to such a thing. The idea of pausing is irrelevant as we are always moving, acting, fretting and searching. The problem with that is that we are never just being.

By fate or by provision, however you want to call it, this year, I had that opportunity. After completing my degree, the question was what now?. I took a break of two weeks and during then, I went to see some of my friends at my alma mater and visited the Catholic chaplaincy. One of those days, I had a very early dinner with the priest there and in the most casual of conversations, I mentioned that I had some time now and that maybe I can help out at the chaplaincy. The very next day, I was told that they were keen on hiring me.

As I was in Australia on a tourist visa, I told them I would volunteer until my working visa came through. I volunteered for the first few months and then I became a part-time staff after. The work that I did varied from time to time. Sometimes, I would set up BBQs or make ice blended drinks to give out to people. Some days, I designed prayer cards and posters. At other times, it was just me talking to students. Having been a student myself, I know what the struggles are and I used that experience to help me along the way.

Can you imagine? I designed flyers and posters to promote events. This is completely on the opposite spectrum of what I studied which was aerospace engineering. I’ve never studied design or did a BBQ in my life but I done all of it in one go. It’s beautifully amazing where life takes you to when you allow it to happen. So during this time, I was of the impression that the chaplaincy did good work in bringing others to their faith.

Upon time, I grew into my role and got better at my job. Something felt missing. What’s the purpose all this? Do students even respond to us?

It wasn’t until a few weeks ago that this postgraduate student came up to me and asked what does works of mercy mean. I started explaining to her and as we converse, she begin to delve into her worries about her studies and research. At the end of it, she said something really striking,

“If I have any troubles or need someone to talk to, can I just come here and talk to you or father?”

I replied, “Definitely, that’s what we’re here for,”

That’s when I realise the work the Chaplaincy have been doing is great work. It didn’t come down to how many posters we design. Neither did it come down to how many BBQs we organised. It came down to being the steadfast presence of the Catholic faith in the secular world. It came down to just being there.

I remember a friend telling me when I was doubting myself in this line of work, “That’s true. You talk to so many people and they don’t respond at times. It’s always the little things that makes a difference though. Maybe it’s you saying hi. Maybe it’s you asking them how they’re doing. Maybe it’s you offering them a drink. It’s amazing what people are thirsty for.”

You know, I’ve had multiple drafts of this post. I’ve always wanted to write about my experiences at the chaplaincy but in my mind, there was always this thought, ‘Who would want to read about this?’ It’s nothing special or neither is it emotionally powerful. Then, I remembered that it is to me.

Having now found a full time job and the fact that I have left the chaplaincy, I’m in a better position to write about the totality of this experience. I don’t regret ever taking up the part-time job. I know I have some friends who tell me that the chaplaincy job is not something you do for life. I have some friends who tell me that as long as I am happy, that’s all that matters.

The truth is the chaplaincy job, the caring for people aspect, the talking to people, the little things you do for people, that should be our lives and not just a job. It’s not only towards the end of one’s working life that one does these things. We are all called to be church custodians.

When I wrote my goodbye letters to my bosses at the Chaplaincy, my eyes welled up because I remembered what it was like to be a student. It was stressful and hectic. Some days were overwhelming and others were insane. Over the years especially in my last year, I started going to daily mass more often. When I have time, I will always drop by the office and I will see the people working there. There will be these great smiles on their faces and I would smile too. The staff, the priest and especially the mass was my oasis. It was my oasis of joy. I can’t believe that I could be part of that experience to others as well.

One day, I hope I will return to this post. Maybe in 10 years. Maybe in 15 years. I hope to recall this experience of mine and wherever I am at in my life then, I pray I am still in love with the Church. If I am not, I hope this post serves as a reminder to never lose faith in the things that are good and to fight for it for the rest of our lives.