An Ironic Job

This is a strange job for someone--Sunday Reference Librarian. First, I think it could rightly be classified as a job that would inherently suck, since it's definitely part time and yet advertised on a national jobs website. One day a week, that's all, and only during the academic year. I bet that means no benefits, and I'd bet it's also low paying.

What's particularly ironic about this part-time Sunday librarian position is that it's at a Catholic college--Saint Joseph College in West Hartford, CT. Apparently they don't want any Catholics applying, though, since the only day you'd have to work is the one day Catholics aren't supposed to.

In case you think I'm making this up, let me quote from the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
"2185. On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are to refrain from engaging in work or activities that hinder the worship owed to God, the joy proper to the Lord's Day, the performance of the works of mercy, and the appropriate relaxation of mind and body."

Maybe all the other librarians are Catholic and they don't want to work on Sunday, so they've invented this job to save themselves the trouble. That too is a problem: "2187. Sanctifying Sundays and holy days requires a common effort. Every Christian should avoid making unnecessary demands on others that would hinder them from observing the Lord's Day."

There is a caveat about "social necessity" sometimes requiring people to work, but it's questionable whether this is a social necessity, and if it is a social necessity whether it's necessary that it's always the same person working. I don't think those Catholic college librarians at St. Joseph are trying hard to avoid making unnecessary demands on others.

So congratulations to the St. Joseph library for posting job that sucks both inherently and spiritually. Catholic College Library Job: No Catholics Need Apply.