Over Labor Day weekend, I invite you to reflect on the tenets of our faith that proclaim that all workers have sacred worth and, therefore, they deserve dignity and respect. Catholic Social Teaching further instructs us that all workers should have safe work conditions and family-sustaining wages. Yet, as we know, the income gap between the wealthiest and poorest among us continues to grow, resulting in many of our hard-working families living below the poverty line.

In response to the growing income inequality around us, Pope Francis recently instructed, “We can no longer wait to solve the structural causes of poverty, to heal our society from a sickness that can only lead to new crises. Markets and financial speculation should not enjoy absolute autonomy. Unless we solve the problems of the poor we shall not resolve the world’s problems. We need programs, mechanisms and processes that lead to a better distribution of resources, the creation of jobs and all-around promotion of those who are excluded.”

Over this holiday weekend I hope you will reflect on how we as Catholics are called upon to end the exploitation of workers. The Archdiocese is proud to be a partner with Arise Chicago, a 28 year-old interfaith organization that boasts Msgr. Jack Egan as one of its co-founders. Arise teaches workers their rights, builds leadership skills, and advocates for public policy changes –all of which transform lives and communities. This weekend, in partnership with the Chicago Federation of Labor (CFL), Arise Chicago has prepared speakers in over 100 services, lifting up the sacred link between work and faith.

As a part of our Labor Day reflection, we need to turn away from the idolatry of wealth that can deceive us into believing that we are selfsufficient, and instead embrace the truth that we are all divinely connected to each other. We cannot live in a world without car mechanics, shoe salespersons, teachers, hotel workers, grocery store clerks, nurses, etc. I invite you to honor through your prayers and actions the dignity of workers, especially those who you encounter in your daily interactions. Reflect on how each of us, through our work, contribute our unique God-given gifts to the common good of humanity. Hold in prayer all of those longing for jobs and all of those who labor under poor working conditions. Our interconnectedness in faith and our dependence on each other in life give us a lot to celebrate together! Blessed Labor Day!

Sincerely,
Bishop John Manz
Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago

Has your toddler outgrown a parent-child play group but isn’t quite ready for preschool? Consider enrolling in our Bridge Day Care Program. For children 2 years old on or before September 1st of the school year in which they are enrolling. Half-day morning sessions are available for
Bridge Day Care students from 8am to 11:30am. There is a choice between a 3-morning (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) and 5-morning (Monday thru Friday) program session.

With a set curriculum, an emphasis on socialization and having fun, this program recognizes thespecial gifts of each child as our loving staff works to:

• meet each child’s needs in order to become a selfconfident, inquiring learner.
• promote each child’s growth and well-being through the development of cognitive skills, social competence, positive self-image, and healthy physical and emotional development.
• provide an atmosphere that encourages a love for learning.
• provide a program that is supportive of families and communicates effectively with them.

For more information, contact the Queen of Angels School at 773-769-4211.

Catholic Charities continues to work with the Archdiocese of Chicago, plus city, state and community partners to assist the 12,000 asylum seekers who have arrived recently in Chicago. More than 40 families have now been matched with parishes, for up to six months through the Parish Family Sponsorship Program. This program provides direct assistance, financial aid, or both to these families in dire need as they get established.

For details about how your parish can join the Parish Family Sponsorship Program, email welcomethestranger@catholiccharities.net

All heads of parish and school organizations should have received an email this week regarding calendar submissions for 2023-2024. Please review the message and respond with your group’s events and meetings to the master calendar for August 2023 through July 2024. Someone from your organization MUST respond and abide by rules for facilities use in order to enter events. Please help us to be good stewards of our time and facilities by making the parish calendar as accurate and comprehensive as possible, even for events meeting regularly in the same place or meeting off-site or virtually. We all belong to and are part of Queen of Apostles Parish.

If you believe you have been missed in this communication, please email rhohner@queenofangelschicago.org to submit your group events and get on the mailing list.

Thank you!