Faith and Work in Practice
Anne, who is on placement with an MP offers her personal reflections on how her faith informs and drives her work in parliament.
Working in parliament is fast-paced, unpredictable and not one day is the same. I couldn’t have imagined a better way to be thrown in at the deep end, especially straight out of university. My work consists of managing my MP’s diary, drafting her speeches, researching, writing policy responses, and providing daily briefings on public and parliamentary issues that align with her interests.
It’s been a great learning experience so far in understanding how concerns are raised in parliament and the impact it has on constituents; especially knowing that important matters are listened to. To be able to play a small role towards that gives real meaning to my work.
Every Wednesday evening, I look forward to attending Mass at The Chapel of St Mary’s Undercroft. This has been a huge blessing to me. At times, the work environment in parliament can be very intense and busy, and yet it gives me a lot of peace knowing I have a familiar place that I can return to. I remember the homily that was given during my first term, and it helped me to settle into my parliamentary placement. There was a line that I heard, and it hasn’t left me since: “You know that you are called to do God’s work in your job when you feel God is with you and closest to you, every moment, every hour despite challenges. Whatever you may encounter, when you feel God’s presence in the midst of it all, it’s because He has called you to be there for a reason”.
This experience has shown me how I can apply my faith to my job and really live out my faith through politics!
My time as a parliamentary intern so far has helped me to believe that God has called me to carry out His work in my workplace, to work to the best of my ability and to entrust all that I do back to Him. This experience has shown me how I can apply my faith to my job and really live out my faith through politics!
I have also met inspirational people from charities, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference and its agencies who have been real examples of faith-led leaders – especially women in leadership roles. Both my MP, and the Director of Partnerships & Public Affairs at the Bishops’ Conference have been an example of this for me. It has helped me see the genuine need for laity involvement within the Catholic Church and the importance of this continuing to grow. I am excited for the coming months, and look forward to growing in my faith and learning more about the impact we can have as Catholics in politics and public life.
I have also met inspirational people from charities, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference and its agencies who have been real examples of faith-led leaders – especially women in leadership roles.
