| Labor Day 2006 |
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| Thursday, 31 August 2006 02:39 | |||
 Archbishop Henry J. Mansell With the annual celebration of Labor Day we are accustomed to reflecting on the significance of work. We conduct that meditation as persons created by God and called to collaborate in the ongoing work of creation. The fundamental purposes of work are to perfect the person and to build a better society. By creating goods and services we support families and advance the Kingdom of God. Through work we exercise and celebrate the gifts and talents with which God has endowed us. Work is key to the understanding of who we are. In the Offertory of the Mass we present the bread: “Blessed are You, Lord, God of all creation, through your goodness we have this bread to offer, which earth has given and human hands have made. It will become for us the bread of life.” We present the wine: “Blessed are You, Lord, God of all creation, through your goodness we have this wine to offer, fruit of the vine and work of human hands. It will become our spiritual drink.” With every Mass, therefore, we take elements from the earth that become the offering whereby Christ becomes present. We include in that offering all our work and all our lives. Immediately it must be understood that work is for the person and not the person for work. We pray for those for whom work is too difficult, too strenuous, for those who have no work. We pray for more jobs. Work is seen both as the way we make a living and the way we volunteer our services to make for better communities. For the frail and the sick the apostolate of prayer is invaluable work. It is a tradition on Labor Day to express gratitude for working persons and for the contributions they have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. They have brought about the greatest production and the highest standard of living the world has ever known. Labor Day celebrations were initiated by labor unions. It is important to recognize what unions have accomplished over the years in the struggle for justice, decent wages, meaningful voice in economic life, safety and security in the workplace, standards of work, workers’ benefits, etc. Popes, for more than a century, have been writing encyclicals on the economy and labor. Landmark documents include: Rerum Novarum (On Capital and Labor) by Pope Leo XIII in 1891; Quadragesimo Anno (On Reconstruction of the Social Order) by Pope Pius XI in 1931; Mater et Magistra (On Christianity and Social Progress) by Pope John XXIII in 1961; Laborem Exercens (On Human Work) by Pope John Paul II in 1981; Centesimus Annus (Addressing the Social Question in a Contemporary Perspective) by Pope John Paul II in 1991. Catholic labor schools in the United States have been very effective in translating the principles into effective action. From their work, people understood that encyclicals were not some type of Roman bicycles. A basic principle that was affirmed and promoted was the right of workers to organize for the purpose of collective bargaining. We support, of course, the right of workers to create or join a union. Workers at the same time have the right to determine how they wish to organize, or not to organize. It should be understood as well that just wages and remuneration should enable a dignified livelihood, taking into account the role and productivity of each worker, the state of the business, and the common good. The complex issues of immigration and work, particularly involving undocumented immigrants, have been facing our country for some time. It is estimated that 12 million or more undocumented immigrants are currently in the United States. They are important contributors to our society. Yes, our country has the right and duty to protect our borders, but there are other moral rights and duties to consider as well. It is generally agreed that our nation is in need of comprehensive immigration reform. The difficulties are in the details. We will continue to participate in the challenging dialogues on these issues. Two hallmarks of healthy maturity are the capacities to work and to love. As we look to the development of work, each of us must guard against the dangers of an underdeveloped heart. I would be remiss in this Labor Day 2006 column if I did not iterate my continuing gratitude for your outstanding work and generous giving in the 2006 Archbishop’s Annual Appeal. The total contributed as of this writing is $8,846,425. This sum is $115,000 higher than the amount contributed all of last year, and we have four months to go. It is dramatic evidence of diligent work and developed hearts. These results enable expanded work and stronger service. “Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build it.” (Psalm 127:1) With sentiments of profound esteem and respect for you, I pray God’s continued blessings on all of us. Happy Labor Day!
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