Hello Friends!

On Thursday, the Church celebrated a 70th anniversary - namely the commemoration of May 1 as the Feast of St. Joseph the worker.  Pope Pius XII added this great feast to the liturgical calendar for two reasons.  Firstly, to honor Joseph, who is our model for the dignity of human work.  Secondly, to counter the communist observance of May 1 as May Day.  At this moment in history, the world was suffering through the Cold War. The pope was rightly concerned with the ills of communism.  May 1 had become a day which idolized division, materialism, and productivity…but stripped the purpose of work, and the dignity of the person, from their final purpose…glorifying God and being happy with Him.  

While we no longer have to deal with the Cold War, we still face our share of problems Today: unemployment, workplace politics, burnout, greed, envy, anxiety…  Let us go to Joseph and win for ourselves a great intercessor in our troubles!  If we are unemployed, let us remember Joseph who was out of work in his flight to Egypt…let us trust in God that he will provide and ask Joseph for consolation and protection in our trying time. When we encounter a coworker who is difficult to work with, let us remember Joseph and pray for patience and charity.  When our good work goes unnoticed, let us approach this silent saint who worked for the good of his family and for a love of God; He will bring your work to his son, who will reward his good and faithful servant.  St. Joseph is willing and ready to help us in these and all our struggles.  

St. Joseph, patron of workers, Pray for us!  

Ite ad Joseph,

Fr. Matt