When I was in college, I attended a worship group meeting one day because one of my (at the time) favorite professors was giving a talk. He discussed the importance of making sure that the classes, and the subject matter you're studying for them, relate to your beliefs. That is, one should be constantly asking oneself, "How does what I'm studying in this class relate to my faith?" Even things like the formation of ionic bonds should be considered alongside a belief in God.
This idea struck me at the time as being really difficult. However, being a philosophy major, I felt like everything that I studied was mostly meaningful and significant...But, how was a biology major to relate their studies to God? Now, I see how important it is to make sure that what we are studying or working as (in my case, a waitress) is in line with my beliefs. That is, I should be a humble servant while I am waiting table (i.e. be nice and not complain about customers). Seems simple, but it has very good and very far-reaching branches. The way in which we work, the attitude towards even mundane tasks, can reflect our beliefs and a sense of integrity.
Today, I was awoken early by some inspectors. The building I rent is being resold so the potential new owners are making sure the building is sound, I guess. One of the inspectors was very friendly and made the intrusion less invasive seeming. On his way out, he dropped off a couple of packets of dip-mix that his wife makes and puts together. I'm sure they'll be very delicious. I thought to myself, this man is finding a way to connect with people in his job, he's finding a way to include Christ in his work--most of which involves inspecting crawl spaces and running tests, fairly mundane things. I hope to be able to do the same.

Apologizing

I have often found myself being faced with the choice of whether or not to defend the Catholic faith. The opening dialogue goes something like this:

Friend: So, you're Catholic?
Me: Yup, I was baptized about a year and a half ago.
Friend: Oh, yeah. I just really don't think I should have to confess to a priest. I believe that everyone should just talk to God directly.
Me: Uh huh.

There are probably three very common responses, wherein the friend or other launches into a speech about how he/she does not believe in either confession, the church's stance on birth control, or the papacy...With the exception of the latter (right?), those aren't paramount beliefs of the Catholic faith. The essence of being a Catholic is believing in one God, the Holy Spirit, and His son Jesus. Also, that it's important to help your neighbor. Birth control, confession, and the papacy are waaaaay down the list of important issues.

I believe that, in general, people tend to latch onto stereotypes and don't really have much interest in learning that those stereotypes are just that--stereotypes. Thus, I usually reply with "uh huh," and then listen for about 5 minutes as the "friend" character rambles off the usual stereotypical information about how there is a corrupt power system in the Catholic church, that priests are into young boys, that there shouldn't be intermediaries (priests, saints, etc.) and gauge whether or not it's worth correcting the other person about what they have heard about the church.

I haven't yet found a worthy occasion to be an apologetic, to defend my faith, to be a sole spokesperson in that moment for the entire Catholic faith. I allow the other person to air their stereotypical views and then change the subject.

However, if someone were to ask me, "I heard that Catholics believe such-and-such...Is that true?" I would definitely respond with information and engage in a dialogue. However, I've yet to experience this and instead am flooded with offensive accusations towards the Catholic church.

I used to be one of "those people," so I know how hard and surprising it can be to face stereotypes about a church. I have also had it pointed out to me lately that I tend to have a similar attitude towards Jehovah's witnesses and Mormons (I've not spoken "to" either directly, just "about" their beliefs to people of other faiths). Still, I would like to learn more about those particular religions, if only to avoid the pitfall of pointing at others' ignorance while ignoring the log in my own eye. I would hate to fall into the following scenario:

Me: Oh, so you're a Jehovah's witness?
New friend: Yup.
Me: So, you don't believe in receiving blood transfusions?
New Friend: Right....

Instead, I would prefer to be able to have an intellectual discussion with a Mormon one day about the metaphysical implications of the belief that God has a physical body but is also unlimited in power. Doesn't that sound like a more interesting discussion?