Dear Friends,
Happy Labor Day Weekend! As you may know, our Labor Day observances
have a long tradition. The first Labor Day celebrations were held in
New York in 1882, and we here in New Jersey began celebrating Labor
Day on the first Monday in September by virtue of a state law passed
way back in 1887. The day was set aside to recognize the
contributions of workers to the prosperity and well-being of our
nation. A principal point being emphasized in these observances was
that human labor was not just another raw material– human workers
must never be reduced to simple instruments of activity or
production.
The recognition that human labor– work– has profound significance
not only as a means of acquiring material wealth but also as a means
of enhancing our human and spiritual dignity was an often stressed
theme of our late Holy Father, Pope John Paul II. Especially in his
1981 document, Laborem Exercens (On Human Work), Pope John Paul
taught that "human work proceeds directly from persons created in
the image of God and called to prolong the work of creation . . .
work can be a means of sanctification and a way of animating earthly
realities with the Spirit of Christ" (Catechism of the Catholic
Church 2427).
In
examining the meaning of human labor, Pope John Paul focused
particular attention upon three points among others: first, that
human work was a means for each man and woman to become a partner
with God in the ongoing process of creation. Catholic teaching
understands God as a Creator who did not simply fashion the world
and then abandon it, but rather as an eternally interested and
involved Lord who participates in the ever unfolding plan of
creation. Human beings participate in this process of shaping their
own future and that of the entire created order by their labor. Each
act of human work, whether grand or minute, forms part the world’s
future.
The second theme emphasized by the late Holy Father was that one’s
work was a way of enhancing his or her dignity by participation in
the ongoing operation of society. Each person could better build
their own confidence and self-esteem as they recognized the
contribution that they were able to make to their community. The
Pope stressed that there was no one who was so limited that they
lacked the ability to contribute to the good of others.
Finally, Pope John Paul taught that work was an important way that
each person could provide the necessities of life for themselves and
their family. There is always this duality in Catholic social
teaching– the responsibility to contribute to society and the right
to have one’s legitimate needs met by that society– we are all here
both for ourselves and others. The Catechism of the Catholic Church
puts forth these twin teachings: "everyone should make legitimate
use of his talents to contribute to the abundance that will benefit
all and to harvest the just fruits of his labor" (2429), and
"everyone should be able to draw from work the means of providing
for his life and that of his family, and of serving the human
community" (2428).
Although our work can sometimes seem routine, tedious, or
unexceptional, the Holy Father’s teaching reminds us that all of our
activities are means for the betterment of ourselves and our society
as we bring the efforts of a follower of Jesus Christ to bear upon
whatever situations and circumstances we meet. Anyway, it’s
important to remember that Labor Day has dimensions even more
important then picnics and a trip to the beach– although they’re
important too!
Before I end, I want to say thanks again to our wonderful Men’s
Group– a couple of weekends ago they power washed all the chairs in
the school cafeteria– between that and the new coat of paint they
put on the cafeteria walls, our students (and everyone who uses the
cafeteria) will certainly begin the year in style. Special thanks
go to Michael Clayton, Deacon John Deitchman, Jim and Grace
Hamerschlag, Paul Wry, and Anthony Volpe. I also want to say thanks
to the members of our Youth Ministry who helped with a clean up of
the Chapel basement in August.
I
want to say thank you very much to the wonderful parishioners who
are responsible for developing and producing our parish newsletter.
Thanks so much to Ellen Clark, Beth Hamerschlag, Gretchen
Helpinstill, Germaine McGrath, and Tom Stiff. The newsletter always
looks so great! Thanks also go to Gretchen and her helpers who ran
the Summer Food Drive; we are very grateful to Matt Owens (who has
been transporting the food to the food bank for 19 years!) and to
Erin, Meghan, and Carolyn Gehan. And, of course, a very special
thanks to all those who donated bags and bags of food; I am sure you
made the summer much better for a good number of families.
Also, please be sure to set aside some time the afternoon of Sunday,
September 26, to be with us at our Parish Picnic. That afternoon is
when we draw the winners of our Super 50/50 Raffle. If you have not
yet sold and returned your raffle tickets, we would be so grateful
if you could do so as soon as possible.
To all our parish’s students, teachers, and parents
beginning the school year– we wish you all a wonderful, safe year
filled with many opportunities to grow in wisdom and knowledge. You
are all certainly in our prayers.
God bless,
Father John
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Perpetual Help Church. All rights reserved.
