The beginning of September slowly signals that a new season will soon begin, with somewhat cooler temperatures (in the Valley) and a weekend we call Labor Day weekend. Our Catholic Social Teaching has a strong emphasis on the dignity of human labor. We look to Pope Leo XIII and his encyclical Rerum Novarum, which means revolutionary change. Written during the Industrial Revolution, it addressed the following:

• the dignity of workers
• the right to a just wage
• the right of workers to form unions
• the obligation of employers to treat workers justly

Pope John Paul II, in 1981, wrote Laborem Exercens, meaning "through work," and made some important points on work:

• Work is a participation in God's creative activity.
• The worker is always more important than the product produced.
• Work exists for the person; the person does not exist for work.
• The rights of workers flow from their human dignity.
• Unemployment, exploitation, and unjust wages are assaults on human dignity.

There is much more written about our Catholic faith's teaching on the dignity of work. This Monday we honor workers everywhere. The Church tries to point to a powerful theme from Pope John Paul II: that work shapes character, serves the common good, supports families, and allows participation in God's ongoing care for creation.

Happy Labor Day.

MUSIC MINISTRY AT ST. PATRICK- for many years I have been amazed at the talent of music and instrument playing from our parishioners. When a child from our Singing Angels leads the assembly in the psalms, you can see on the faces of parishioners how pleased they are that such a gift from a child is used to honor God. Over the years, our youth — our teens and young adults — serve us before they leave for college or move away, gifting us with their passion for music. Adults who have been so dedicated with their voices or instruments inspire powerful worship of God.

As pastor, I am asking parishioners to please consider an important part of Catholic liturgy: the music ministry. Our singing raises our voices to touch hearts that words alone cannot reach.

Paul Hillebrand has led this ministry for many years, and he alone cannot do this ministry. It takes people supporting and even giving their time to do this ministry well. Please consider this gift of sharing the love of God through music. The talent is there; it is the commitment that seals the deal. Paul and our music leadership make room for everyone to sing and share their love of music. Contact Paul Hillebrand at the parish office and/or see him after Mass.

LAST SUNDAY'S HOMILY- learning to preach and believe in the cross and the Gospel means learning the difference between our personal agenda and what Jesus is asking of us. That is a lifelong journey. The Church, meaning all of us, is on a journey to follow St. Peter in Matthew's Gospel, letting go of our agenda to hear and believe what Jesus is truly asking of us. I share some steps that we, as Christians and as the Church, can take to deny ourselves and allow the Gospel to lead us. Click button below to listen to the homily.

YOUR SUNNYSLOPE VIKINGS INVADE SCOTTSDALE THIS FRIDAY AT 7 PM VS NOTRE DAME PREP- It is a BIG football weekend for me personally beginning with your Sunnyslope Vikings invading Scottsdale this Friday playing at Notre Dame Prep beginning at 7:00 pm. BIG SATURDAY for the Sunnyslope alums being on TV all day. It begins with Nebraska hosting Ohio as 91-Kyle Cunanan kicks for the Cornhuskers. Texas State Bobcats travel 30 miles north to Austin to play highly ranked Texas Longhorns as 41- Dylan Cunanan kicks for Texas State. The evening ends with the New Mexico Lobos hosting Central Michigan. The Lobos have a quarterback battle and 10- Luke Moga will be in the rotation. All three are really great young men and I am excited to have been part of their journey.