They entered, one after another, carrying briefcases and business cards alongside their hopes and prayers. Men and women — husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, parents and children — ventured into St. Elizabeth Seton Church in Orland Hills on Jan. 12 to see light as many of them travel a path mired in darkness. Given the purpose of the Mass, the kick off of H.O.P.E. Ministry’s 2010 work for the area’s unemployed, “Be Not Afraid” served a fitting opening hymn, reminding all of God’s presence in trying times. While unemployment can easily invite despair, hopelessness and an inability to cope, St. Elizabeth Seton pastor Father Richard Homa urged faith and a recognition of God’s company. “I do know that God enters the situation of despair and pushes against that demon,” he said at the close of his homily during Mass. “I do know that God will help.” This is the second consecutive year H.O.P.E. Ministry, a faithbased outreach ministry based at St. Elizabeth Seton Parish, has hosted its January meeting with a Mass at the southwest suburban parish. H.O.P.E., which stands for Helpful Outreach for People seeking Employment, leads employment meetings the first Tuesday of each month, blending prayer with practical business advice. A faith-filled search Starting 2010’s slate with a Mass reminded all participants of faith’s place as one pursues professional opportunities. “The job search is more than people sending resumes. It’s also hope and faith and a realization that it’s not our will, but God’s will,” H.O.P.E. Ministry’s Tom McMahon said. “God is not like MapQuest. His plan isn’t visible to us. Without seeing the route before us, it’s easy to become afraid and fearful. We’re trying to help combat that with our gatherings.” With unemployment in Chicago still topping the 10 percent mark, dim prospects continue to dominate the headlines. Homa, H.O.P.E.’s leaders and alumni from the group, sought to offer a message of optimism and faith to the approximately 75 attendees. Comparing today’s unemployment woes to a roller coaster ride, Homa said that God accompanies us all on life’s journey. “The promise of God is to be with us … as we go through the twists and the turns, the dips and the bends,” he said. Power of prayer After enduring a roller coaster of her own and two years of unemployment, Judy Janes could have easily given into desperation and despondence, losing faith in herself and God. Instead, Janes, of south suburban Crete, elected to pray and elevate her faith to new heights. “When I got to know the Lord personally, things began to fall into place,” said Janes, who prayed regularly with her sister and mother. Janes attended H.O.P.E.’s monthly meetings for nearly one year before landing her position with the Chicago-based American Joint Committee on Cancer last August. She credits the group with providing her the support and confidence to push forward and remain upbeat, a positive experience she wanted to repay with her attendance at the Mass. “I wanted to come here tonight to pray with others, to offer my thanks for the Lord’s help, but also share encouragement with those who are still struggling with unemployment,” she said. Encouragement One of those Janes prayed for was Chuck Keskel. Keskel lost his IT job in March 2009. The New Lenox resident immediately began attending H.O.P.E.’s monthly meetings seeking a mix of professional counsel and religious impact, both of which have kept him positive as his job search enters its tenth month. “Instead of feeling frustrated and giving into the situation, I’ve tried to remain involved and continued to strive for regular goals,” Keskel said, citing H.O.P.E. for helping him reject a defeatist attitude. “I’ve gotten prayer and encouragement and professional support here, all of which have helped me avoid being stagnant.” When the economy struggles, McMahon says, faith tends to drop. The unemployment Mass serves a reminder of faith’s place in life’s struggles and the need to continue the march to brighter days. “It’s easy to point the finger and blame God because it can be hard to see beyond the finances,” McMahon said. “But praying is one of the best things people can do right now and hope is one of the greatest gifts people can have.”