St James Catholic Church

On this Labor Day weekend, when we recognize all those who work to provide for their families, their communities, this nation and the Church, we also celebrate the World Day of Prayer for the care of creation, praying that together we can work to ensure that the world God made can be enjoyed by future generations for centuries to come.

We work in many different ways. Most adults work for an employer, working at a job site or a desk, getting paid by their employer. Many adults work for their families, raising their children or caring for an elderly or family member with special needs. Many adults work multiple jobs or have many responsibilities. For children and teens, school is their main work. But there is a whole other work that we have as Christians, and that’s the work of hearing the Word of God and nourished by the Eucharist and guided by the Spirit, putting it into action in our world. As St. James says, “Be doers of the Word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves.”

If we leave today and do nothing to put God’s word and Jesus’ presence into action this coming week, we will have failed. If we return next week realizing we have not given any thought to our faith since today, we will have failed. Are we finding and taking opportunities to do justice socially, economically, or environmentally? To hear the call for justice is good, to take it to heart and preach it is better, but what we are truly called to do, is to do it. Let us praise God for this wonderful world and the opportunity to work in it.

We pray in a special way for all the workers in our annual rummage sale, for all those contributed items, and for its success both financially and spiritually, that we may grow closer as the family of St. James.

Love, Peace, Joy,

Fr. Bob