Do you have a Duratec V6 or Zetec I4? Open the hood and look at the engine.
" Another coincidence that I am noticing is that I smell fumes in my car and the perimeter when I am done driving from work. I have a feeling it is my catalytic converter
that is causing this ruckus."
Do the cheap catalytic converter test. Plugged exhaust test.
For the Duratec, a good cheap way is to remove the O2 sensors, in this order (and see if the performance improves). Uninstall Bank 2 lower (radiator side) to determine if main cat is plugged, reinstall Bank 2 lower and then uninstall Bank 2 upper (radiator) to determine if Bank 2 precat is plugged, reinstall Bank 2 upper and then uninstall Bank 1 upper (hardest one, close to firewall) to determine if bank 1 precat is plugged. You don't need to mess with bank 1 lower as bank 2 lower will also be a test of that issue too (if it is an issue). Battery needs to be disconnected before uninstalling and installing O2 sensors.
Zetec test for blocked (plugged) exhaust.
A good cheap way to test for a blocked exhaust is to remove the upper O2 sensor, and see if the performance improves. Battery needs to be disconnected before uninstalling and installing O2 sensor. Good luck.
"Is it difficult to clean the airbag sensors? I notice on another thread they are at the corner of the grill and headlights. I just don't know what they look like."
Make sure the battery cables are disconnected from both terminals (and no chance of accidently touching the terminals). And wait 15 minutes or so before beginning to clean.
http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?ForwardPage=/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/1b/ce/97/0900823d801bce97.jsp
"And lastly, would the work I had done on my car have any bearing on the airbag code? I had both bearings done and they were clunking around in there to see why my engine light was on."
Probably unrelated.
"I was contemplating unplugging my battery and resetting my computer to see if all these lights go off."
Reset by pulling Fuses 4 and 11 (in the Power Distribution Box next to the battery) for a minute or two.
If you have the Duratec V6 you might need new ignition wires and spark plugs, or the Upper and Lower intake manifolds need cleaning or a new gasket. The IAC control may need cleaning out. Older 1995 -1997 Contours and Mystiques sometimes have wiring issues if they are in hot climates. The airbag 44 code might just mean that sensor has a poor wiring connection. Total lack of power with a hiss noise means the catalytic converter(s) needs replacing, plugged up, car can't exhaust. Did the shop provide a code number for the generic code?