Tomorrow almost every American has the day off in celebration of the dignity of "human labor" --- both the dignity of the human laborer and also the work done.    As we enjoy the holiday of ease and relaxation, let's each recall the tremendous God-given dignity of laboring our best with sweat and tears at our daily tasks.    Remember Jesus Himself was known as the "Village Carpenter" and as the "Carpenter's Son".

In 1955 His Holiness, Pope Pius XII, named St. Joseph the Worker as the Patron of All Laborers.     

During the Second Vatican Council, the Bishops reminded us that "in our labor we have always striven to improve the quality of our lives . . . As a result, where formally we looked especially to the supernatural forces for blessings, we now secure many of these benefits for ourselves thanks to our own efforts and labor . . . God so fashioned us that we have been commissioned to master the art of His work and continue His work of creation." (Gaudium et Spes [Church in the Modern World] ), pars. 33 & 34).

No matter what our labor might be, how ordinary or humble it might seem, let us never forget the dignity God has attached to it.     No matter what each of us does for his/her daily labor, we continue the work of God's Creation.     And so, let us each resolve to daily perform our tasks to the best of our abilities.

St. Joseph the Worker, help all who labor!    St. Joseph the Worker, pray for us!

Encuentro 2000 will hold its Next Session on Wednesday, September 27^th, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.      All are welcome!     This next session is for families.     Plan to attend and bring along your 8^th graders and above.

The theme for this fourth session will be:    "Sharing our histories in Christ . . . How can we our parish community better reflect the gifts and contributions of all its members?       How is the history of our parish family a source of hope and inspiration in confronting the challenges we face today?        What changes in our attitudes might take place when challenging realities are faced and approached from our common faith in Christ?"

Encuentro 2000 is the National Celebration of the Jubilee Year by the Catholic Bishops of the United States.     In each parish throughout our country, six participant friendly sessions are being held with the goal of bringing together ministries that make-up our American parishes and improving on how we interrelate.     New parish members are particularly encouraged to attend and get involved.

We meet to discuss and learn, not to challenge nor to judge, nor to try to change others.    Rather, through dialogue, we seek to develop better strategies for our parish to welcome all, celebrate racial, ethnic, cultural, and other group diversities. All are encouraged to attend.      If you have any questions, please call Joe Bowman at 818 - 889 - 6879 after 6:00 p.m.

We will follow our Holiday Mass Schedule tomorrow.     There will be only one Mass at 9:00 a.m.

Also, all Parish Offices will be closed.

During the Celebration of the Eucharist, so as not to disturb all participating, please disengage all Cell Phones and Pagers.     Thank you ever so much for helping all have a prayerful time of worship and prayer unto the Lord.

However, if you are an emergency person, all will surely understand if you leave your emergency device engaged, so as to be able to quickly respond.