Dear Friends,
As we celebrate Labor Day this weekend, we mark not only the quasi-official end to our summer season, we also celebrate the goodness and necessity of human work and those who work. We also commit ourselves to the promotion of the dignity of workers and work itself, the importance of being able to make a living wage, the importance of promoting safe work environments for all. This year, Labor Day falls at a curious time, for it is around this time that the additional money paid to those out of work due to COVID-19 comes to an end. It is hoped that more and more people will go in search of decent work, work that promotes their human dignity and at the same time affords them the satisfaction of supporting themselves. It is also hoped that the increase in those seeking work will stimulate the economy.
As I write these words, terrible events have shaken us all. The devastating earthquake in Haiti has caused incredible destruction and brought additional suffering upon a people who have suffered terribly already from all kinds of evils: earthquakes, political violence and upheaval, and disasters caused by weather. The debacle of the withdrawal of our troops from Afghanistan has already resulted in death and pain. Thirteen of our Marines and many more Afghans have died at the hands of terrorists. And now, Hurricane Ida has struck the Gulf Coast, leaving in its wake a swath of destruction. While we feel we may not be able to do much in the face of such suffering and disaster, we can pray and fast, as Pope Francis has urged, and we can share from what we have with organizations that provide charitable assistance in those areas. We are not completely powerless. We are not without hope.
Next weekend marks the twentieth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on our nation in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania. We will remember in prayer and in song all those who were lost due to the attacks and we will pray for peace in our country, especially in this time of heightened and bitter partisan rancor.
Have a good week!