Sunday, March 27, 2011

Recommended Reading

Recommended by Fr. Pisut and Grand Night Gary Hoeger
Electrician sparks life commitment by turning down abortion clinic job
By Dave Hrbacek
.- A sign in the bathroom of Tim and Nicole Roach’s home in Fari bault, Minn. reads, “Gratitude, Always Remember to Count Your Bles sings.”

“It should say, ‘August, wash your hands and brush your teeth,’” joked Nicole, referring to her 9-year-old son.

The sign has come in handy recently as the family, which be longs to Divine Mercy in Faribault, continues to struggle with Tim’s unemployment, which began in July 2009 when he was laid off of his job as an electrician. And, the couple had to take an even harder look at the concept of gratitude when a huge blessing unexpectedly appeared recently, then vanished in a matter of seconds.

In mid February, Tim, got a call from his local union with the news every laid off worker longs to hear — a job offer.

It couldn’t have come at a better time. Tim’s unemployment benefits were about to run out. He could hardly believe what the voice on the other end was presenting to him —  an offer to be a job foreman for at least 11 months, with a salary of $65,000 to $70,000 a year.

Perfect, Tim thought. Then came the bad news — he would be working on construction of a new Planned Parent hood Clinic in St. Paul on University Avenue. The highest of highs became the lowest of lows as he quickly turned down the offer.

“The roller coaster started going downhill,” said Tim, 38. “He [union rep] wasn’t really sure if there were going to be abortions there. He kind of sidestepped that, I think, to try to entice me to say yes. But, I said, ‘Wait a minute. It’s a Planned Parenthood.’”

Facing financial fears
And, just like that, Tim went back to being unemployed with no immediate prospects — and his unemployment benefits set to run out sometime this month. Fortu nate ly, his wife, Nicole, 37, has a full-time job as a media specialist for Akin Road Elementary School in Farming ton. Still, things are tight financially for the family, which also includes 11-year-old Adeline.

For the rest of the article click here:  Catholic News Agency

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