I was watching my son’s scrimmage on the final day of his Real Madrid soccer camp. It was the first day of my summer break, a long-awaited relief after a busy school year. As a Catholic school teacher, I never take for granted the blessing of having two months to rest, reset, and spend time with my family. At the same time, in two days, my daughter and I were flying to the Philippines to visit my mother, who has been sick. My daughter was also preparing to lead her first Catholic youth retreat – a YFC Youth Camp, for my friends’ children. This would be her first mission serving as a leader, not just assisting. I was very excited for her and couldn’t wait to see her step into this responsibility and grow in her faith and leadership.

The Unexpected Call

That same day, I received an unexpected call from my school’s administration, asking me to come in for a meeting, even though the school year had officially ended. When I arrived, I was informed that my contract would not be renewed. I was shocked. In teaching, these decisions are usually communicated weeks, or even months, in advance. To hear this after the year had already ended felt sudden and deeply discouraging. When I asked why, the administration explained politely that they were “going in a different direction.” I appreciated the courtesy, but the reasoning felt vague and left many questions unanswered. I later thought that perhaps the news had been delayed to avoid strong reactions from students and parents, since I had grown to love the families I served, and I believe they felt the same about me. My only intention had always been to help form their children through faithful, classical Catholic education, guiding them to know Jesus personally, to experience His love, find peace and hope in Him, and to follow Him in their daily lives, especially amidst the challenges they have faced. In the end, many of them learned over the summer that I was let go, and their support reminded me of the love and trust that had been shared.

Reflections on Past Challenges

Although I was shocked, I was not entirely surprised. During the three years I taught at that school, I had been called into the administration’s office several times- often simply for teaching what the Church actually teaches. I reflected on some of these experiences in my previous piece, Speaking the Truth Even When It Costs, which gives a fuller picture of the challenges I faced. That year, for example, I was reprimanded for displaying sacred images; the War in Heaven, the original Sacred Heart of Jesus, a priest raising the Holy Host facing the altar, and St. Joseph as the Terror of Demons, most of which I had carefully sourced from the Baritus Catholic art/ sacred images shop, which has excellent sacred art. Many more details can be found in my previous reflection, which helps explain why the decision to let me go came as it did. It was also disheartening to realize that a religious sister had been involved in the decision from the beginning. While I was puzzled and unsure why it had come to this, I share it only as part of my experience- truthfully, and without judgment.

Timing and Unexpected Challenges

The timing made it even more difficult. Since my daughter and I were leaving for the Philippines in just two days, I had no real opportunity to apply for full-time positions. Anyone in teaching knows that most hiring happens before summer begins. Later, I learned that my replacement had already been hired the month before. Still, I tried to receive the news with grace, leaning on my long-standing part-time role as a parish Confirmation director, a ministry I had faithfully served for eleven years.

Two weeks later, shortly after returning from the Philippines, I was placed on administrative leave by the HR office of the diocese overseeing the Church I was working with, due to an issue with my Safe Environment training. I had believed my certification was still valid, so I was caught off guard. They informed me that it had expired, a fact I had not been aware of. Normally, HR or my supervisors inform me when a certification expires- a responsibility that had never been an issue in my eleven years of service. As soon as I was notified, I completed the retraining online immediately and brought everything fully up to date that same day.

Instead of resolving the matter, I was told I was under investigation, without explanation, without dialogue, and without guidance. I was not permitted to enter the youth ministry office, and even the pastor I had served alongside for over a decade remained silent. Seven weeks later, I was finally called into a meeting. There was no real conversation or opportunity to fully explain myself; the decision had already been made, and I was terminated that day.

The reasons given were administrative in nature: training oversights, volunteer certifications, and a pastoral decision regarding Confirmation preparation. None involved moral failure, misconduct, or criminal wrongdoing. If there had been an administrative lapse, it was never intentional, and I addressed it immediately once it was brought to my attention.

The Impact

What affected me most deeply was being told that I would no longer be eligible for employment anywhere within the diocese. As the primary provider for my family, that statement shook me. It affected me not only professionally, but also personally and spiritually.

I share this not in anger, but in sincere reflection. In a Church that speaks about synodality– about listening, dialogue, and walking together, I had hoped for the opportunity to be heard. During this Jubilee Year, which calls us to mercy and reconciliation, I had hoped there might have been room for clarification or conversation, especially since the concerns were administrative rather than moral in nature. For reasons I may never fully understand, that opportunity never came.

And yet, in the midst of uncertainty, silence, and pain, I continue to pray. The hardest part has been seeing my wife hurt. In our journey and mission together, we have already endured so much.

Two jobs lost almost at the same time. Doors closed without explanation. No clear answers. So I find myself asking the Lord, with a heavy heart: What are You doing Lord? Where are You leading us?

We do not yet have clarity, but together, we choose to trust Him.

How I Chose to Respond as a Catholic:

Through prayer, often in the midst of struggle, I asked the Lord not only why this was happening, but how He was calling me to respond. These are the graces I believe He gave me:

1. I acknowledged the injustice, without allowing bitterness to take root.
I do not deny that I was treated poorly. Decisions were made without transparency, dialogue, or the opportunity for correction. That reality hurt deeply. But as a Catholic, I am called to speak the truth without hatred. Naming injustice does not require surrendering one’s heart to resentment. As Scripture says, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil… if it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:17–18).
2. I entrusted my reputation and future to the Lord.
There were moments when I wanted to defend myself, demand explanations, or force accountability. Instead, the Lord invited me to surrender what I could not control- my name, my career, and my sense of fairness- into His hands. Like St. Joseph, I was asked to trust God’s providence without being given reasons. I also reminded myself that the job our family truly needs, the one that will allow me to provide for them, will come in His perfect time.
3. I chose forgiveness, not because it was easy, but because grace made it possible.
Forgiveness did not come instantly; it came slowly, through prayer. I forgave not because what happened was right, but because Christ asked me to. Forgiveness does not erase injustice; it refuses to let sin have the final word. As Scripture reminds us, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).
4. I prayed for those who wronged me, for the sake of their souls.
In all honesty, I still hope that those responsible will one day recognize the harm done, not out of fear, but out of love for the truth. As a Catholic, I cannot desire anyone’s downfall. I can only desire their conversion, their accountability before God, and their salvation. Justice belongs to the Lord, and I entrust it to Him. As Scripture says, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them… that you may be children of your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:44–45).
5. I deepened my trust in God’s fatherly care, especially through St. Joseph.
Losing two jobs nearly at the same time shook me as a husband and father. Yet this season drew me closer to St. Joseph, Patron of Workers and Families- a man who knew uncertainty, silence, and sudden change. I re-read Consecration to St. Joseph by Father Donald Calloway for 33 days, reflecting and slowly submitting to God’s will. Through St. Joseph, I was reminded that God does not abandon those who try to serve Him faithfully. Even when doors close painfully, His Providence is still at work.

6. I remain faithful to the Church, despite the imperfections of its leaders.
 Even though some Church leaders, pastors, bishops, or others entrusted with responsibility, may act poorly or fail to take necessary action, I do not abandon the Church. This season hurt deeply because my family and I were directly affected, but the Church is not defined by human weakness. Christ Himself established her, and He will never abandon her. As Scripture reminds us, “I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). I cling to the Eucharist, the heart of the Church, and the sacraments Christ instituted. While humans may sin or fail, the Church is His, historical and enduring. My faith does not rest on human perfection, but on Christ, who is faithful.

Persevering in Faith

These responses were not easy. They required prayer, silence, Eucharistic Adoration, counsel from priests I trust, and encouragement from friends. Yet, by God’s grace, I was able to persevere. He continues to work in me, strengthening my faith, guiding my steps, and reminding me that His timing is perfect, even for the job that will provide for my family.

Finding Hope in Others

A few weeks ago, my daughter Sofia and I attended the funeral of my good friend Paul J. Kim’s son, Micah. During the vigil, I watched Paul stand beside his son’s casket. He was grieving deeply, we all were, but even in his sorrow, there was hope in him. That moved me. In the middle of heartbreaking loss, he remained faithful. I reflected on this experience more fully in an article I wrote, which you can read here.

During the service, the song “Rest” by Matt Maher was sung. The words lingered in my heart: “Even though I walk through the valley of death, You restore my soul and You give me rest, Oh the memories of Your faithfulness.… I trust in You.” In that moment, I was reminded that faith is not tested when life is comfortable, but when we walk through valleys we did not choose.

If God can sustain a father in that kind of sorrow, He can sustain my family in this season of uncertainty. The same Lord who restores the soul in grief also restores it in times of trial. He gives rest not because everything is resolved, but because He is faithful.

I do not yet see where the Lord is leading my family, but I trust that He knows better than I do. I choose to trust Him with the jobs I have lost, to forgive those who have hurt me, and to remain faithful, not because everything makes sense, but because Christ is still King. God’s promises in Scripture are sure and unfailing, and we need only say, “God said it, I believe it, and that settles it.”

Courage is needed not when life is easy, but when it is hard. He is wiser than we are, and His plans are always better than ours. Even in times of darkness, when we do not yet see His promises fulfilled, we can wait patiently, confident that they will come to pass, because God does not lie. I have seen this in my own life. I have experienced His faithfulness again and again. I have seen Him bring good out of hardship.

So even now, I will not give in to fear. The same God who has guided us before will guide us again. He knows better. He sees farther. And in His time, He will provide.

And so, like the song says, I choose to say it again: I trust in You.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5–6)