USCCB 2016 Labor Day Statement

"This Labor Day, we draw our attention to our sisters and brothers who face twin crises - deep trials in both the world of work and the state of the family. These challenging times can pull us toward despair and all the many dangers that come with it.  Into this reality, the Church shares a word of hope, directing hearts and minds to the dignity of each human person and the sanctity of work itself, which is given by God.  She seeks to replace desperation and isolation with human concern and true solidarity, reaffirming the trust in a good and gracious God who knows what we need before we ask him (Mt. 6:8).

Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski of Miami, Chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, recently offered the conference's Labor Day Statement for 2016.In this statement he reflected on the challenges being faced by those in the work force and on families "bent under the weight of . . . economic pressures and related cultural problems." In his statement, Archbishop Web=nski reminds us that the Good News is still good and that "[d]ignified work is at the heart of our efforts because we draw insight into who we are as human beings from it."

"Let us always remember in these difficult times the Lord's offer of 'rest' for 'all you who labor and are burdened.'  As Pope Francis writes, the Sabbath Day 'proclaims 'man's eternal rest in God.''  As we advocate for all who are struggling to find sufficient work that honors their dignity, we should also affirm in society the need of all people to rest, and finally to 'rest in God.'  In times of restlessness and discouragement, let us recall the beautiful prayer of St. Augustine, who wrote: 'You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.'

"There is much to be done!  Let us go forth with the hopeful expectation of the Psalmist:

"Fill us at daybreak with your kindness,
that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.
And may the gracious care of the LORD our God be ours;
prosper the work of our hands for us!
Prosper the work of our hands!  (Psalm 90:14-17)"

To access the complete 2016 Labor Day statement, please visit:

USCCB: Labor Day Statement 2016