St. Paul Roman Catholic Parish issued the following announcement on Sept. 20

The Encyclical (papal document on a pressing issue) Rerum Novarum (New Things), “on the condiƟons of labor” issued May 15th, 1891, by Pope Leo XIII was the game changer for the rights and dignity of workers. The document addresses the excesses of communism: a theory or system of social organizaƟon based on the holding of all property in common, actual ownership being ascribed to the community as a whole or to the state; and on the other hand the extremism of capitalism: an economic system in which investment in and ownership of the means of producƟon, distribuƟon, and exchange of wealth is made and maintained chiefly by private individuals or corporaƟons, especially as contrasted to cooperaƟvely or state-owned means of wealth (Retrieved 08/26/2020). Therefore, the document asks for cooperaƟon between classes; labor and capital should cooperate; work to have dignity and afford decent life; there should be just wages and workers’ associaƟons allowed; the state should ensure both employers and employees are treated accordingly; private ownership of property is a right; defense of the poor should be a priority to all in government.

The Catholic Social Teaching has evolved through the years, exploring the treasure of the wisdom imbedded in the promoƟon of jusƟce and peace. In addiƟon, the teaching promotes solidarity, cooperaƟon, commonality, and subsidiarity in the light of the gospel, in order to lead the society of God into wholesome holiness. It is in the character of the Church to uphold the dignity of the human person, whatever the level of life may be (foetus, baby, chap, adult, old, sick/acƟvely dying, rich or poor, educated or illiterate, strong or weak. Through ages the Church stretches out its neck to serve as voice to the voiceless, strength to the weak, hope to the hopeless, and courage to the discouraged.

The laƟn term ora et labora (to work and pray) is aƩributed to Saint Benedict; who encouraged his monks to work as a form of prayer, to ensure all their basic needs in their monasteries. The gospels and our Holy Mother, Church are clear about earning a living and preserving the dignity of the life given by God: “Anyone who does not look aŌer his own relaƟons, especially if they are living with him, has rejected the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1Timothy 5:8). SƟll Saint Paul instructs the faithful not to give food to those who refused to work (2Thessalonians 3:10). The essence of the laborers going into the field at different hours, demonstrates the fact that God; who takes the posiƟon of the owner of the field desired to supply the laborers enough for their upkeep not bent on the space of field covered. Our God is always ready to inconvenience Himself to make sure we come out beƩer and stronger in our faith and in our relaƟonships with others. Humanity is instructed to Ɵll the earth in Genesis to generate food to eat; it is a divine plan that mankind should work.

Origina source can be found here.