Chapter 7

Objectives Explain the subjective and objective dimensions of work and give examples of each. Understand the duties and benefits of work. Discuss how work is a share in the Cross of Christ.

The Angelus Jean-Francois Millet, c. 1857

Summary “Work” was always part of the human condition before the Fall, it became arduous as a consequence of the first sin. One has a responsibility to work, and yet work also benefits one as a human being and member of society. “When people work, we imitate the very action of God.” Work is a way for us to unite our sufferings and sacrifice to the Cross of Jesus, by offering up our daily toil that comes from work.

… work is a way to unite your suffering and sacrifice to the Cross of Christ Jesus. Through work, you can share in God’s saving plan for the world. Your earthly work can help you participate in the work of your own Redemption. Working is a way to strengthen your relation- ship with Jesus and join him in his threefold mission of prophet, priest, and king… (p. 221)

“Opus Dei” Handout Thoughts? Comments?

Objectives Understand that each individual has the right to work List and explain worker’s rights Describe abuses of children and adults in the workplace

Rerum NovarumRerum Novarum – Catholic Social Justice Why is the historical milieu of Rerum Novarum important to understanding Pope Leo XIII’s concerns? What is the relation between poverty and worker rights? Why is the Church by necessity so interested in this topic? Bishop Dom Helder Camara said, “When I fed the poor they called me a saint. But when I asked why they are poor they called me a communist.” What did he mean? What were other notable quotes from this program?

Summary Work is not only a duty given to a person by God, but also a right. The Church sees full employment as a goal for every society. The Church sees work as important to development of families. The Church encourages the importance and role of women in the workplace and taking advantage of immigrants.

Summary Workers have certain rights within the workplace: – the right to a just wage, – the right to rest/worship, – the right to a safe workplace, – the right that one’s conscience to be safeguarded, – the right to aid for unemployed workers, – the right to a pension and insurance, – the right to social security connected to maternity, – the right to form and assemble associations, – and the right to strike. Abuses in the workplace – paying people what they will take, not what they deserve; committing fraud.

Mexican-American Cesar Chavez ( ) was a prominent union leader and labor organizer. Hardened by his early experience as a migrant worker, Chavez founded the National Farm Workers Association in His union joined with the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee in its first strike against grape growers in California, and the two organizations later merged to become the United Farm Workers. Stressing nonviolent methods, Chavez drew attention for his causes via boycotts, marches and hunger strikes. Despite conflicts with the Teamsters union and barriers, he was able to secure raises and improve conditions for farm workers in California, Texas, Arizona and Florida.

On March 25, 1911, the Triangle Shirtwaist Company factory in New York City burned, killing 145 workers. It is remembered as one of the most infamous incidents in American industrial history, as the deaths were largely preventable–most of the victims died as a result of neglected safety features and locked doors within the factory building. The tragedy brought wide– spread attention to the dangerous sweatshop conditions of factories, and led to the develop– ment of a series of laws and regulations that better protected the safety of workers.

Proposal: Stipend for Stay Home Mothers or Fathers Some would argue that thus would provide a great service to the family and society as a whole. Some have proposed that the government should provide some sort of stipend or “pay” for them since such arrangements could stabilize society. Is this in keeping with the principle of subsidiarity? Should private business pay for this? Would there be a negative effect in society?

Planning A Budget Project Page 240

Objectives Explain unbridled capitalism and why there are errors in both unbridled capitalism and socialism Dangers of consumerism Moral guidelines for economic systems

Summary The Church insists that justice be applied to economic life in whatever system. The economy exists for the person, not the other way around. The Church condemns any political system that has no regulations or safeguards for workers, such as what can happen in unbridled capitalism. Likewise, the Church condemns socialism where the government controls all means of production. The Church believes that every person has a right to economic initiative. There is nothing inherently wrong with money possessions – the difficulty arises when our affections are dominated by love of money and possessions.

Blessed Pope Paul VI on Socialism “Too often Christians attracted by socialism tend to idealize it in terms which, apart from anything else, are very general: a will for justice, solidarity and equality. They refuse to recognize the limitations of the historical socialist movements, which remain conditioned by the ideologies from which they originated.” (Bl. Pope Paul VI, Apostolic Letter Octogesima Adveniens, May 14, 1971, n. 31)

Pope Benedict XVI on Socialism “The State which would provide everything, absorbing everything into itself, would ultimately become a mere bureaucracy incapable of guaranteeing the very thing which the suffering person - every person - needs: namely, loving personal concern. We do not need a State which regulates and controls everything, but a State which, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, generously acknowledges and supports initiatives arising from the different social forces and combines spontaneity with closeness to those in need. … In the end, the claim that just social structures would make works of charity superfluous masks a materialist conception of man: the mistaken notion that man can live ‘by bread alone’ (Mt 4:4; cf. Dt 8:3) - a conviction that demeans man and ultimately disregards all that is specifically human.” (Encyclical Deus Caritas Est, December 25, 2005, n. 28)

The Saints and the Popes on Unbridled Capitalism “How mistaken are the great majority of men! If they are rich, they at once desire honors; and if they are obtained, they are still unhappy; for never can that heart be satisfied which seeks everything but God.” ~ Blessed Zelie Martin “Christ alone can free man from what enslaves him to evil and selfishness: from the frantic search for material possessions, from the thirst for power and control over others and over things, from the illusion of easy success, from the frenzy of consumerism and hedonism which ultimately destroys the human being.” ~ Pope St. John Paul II

Pope Francis on Justice in the Economy “We can no longer trust in the unseen forces and the invisible hand of the market. Growth in justice requires more than economic growth, while presupposing such growth: it requires decisions, programmes, mechanisms and processes specifically geared to a better distribution of income, the creation of sources of employment and an integral promotion of the poor which goes beyond a simple welfare mentality. I am far from proposing an irresponsible populism, but the economy can no longer turn to remedies that are a new poison, such as attempting to increase profits by reducing the work force and thereby adding to the ranks of the excluded.”

Is Capitalism Catholic?

Discussion Questions What aspects of capitalism are problematic with principles of Catholic social teaching? Why is the Acton Institute perceived to be controversial within the Catholic Church? What does Fr. Robert Sirico mean when he says, “The problem of capitalism is not the economic system as such, but the distorted values that may be present among actors in a market economy.”

10 Principles of Economic Life See page 228 of your text

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Then [Jesus] said to the crowd, “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.” Luke 15:12

Handout 7A: Scripture on Money

Objectives Understand the importance of the Lord’s Day One’s career vs. one’s vocation Steps to finding a career

Summary Work is important, but should not consume one’s life. Observing the “Lord’s Day” is a gift from God that helps us keep work in its proper place. Christians are called to be more than just people of the weekend, like the rest of culture; instead their joy should be rooted in the Lord’s Day. A person’s career should be more than just a job, but rather a profession and a part of his or her Christian vocation. The laity’s vocation is lived out in the world. The vocation of parenthood is very crucial. When one is choosing a career – one should pray, determine one’s interest and abilities, research jobs, gain experience, and work on career goals

Activity: Your career and vocation

Prayer Service: My Work

Discussion Questions Why do you attend Mass/Church when you do? If you don’t always attend Mass/Church, why don’t you? Attending Mass is the minimum requirement for Catholics on Sunday. What else does observing the Lord’s day entail? Should employers permit employees to take off from work on their Faith tradition’s holydays? Why or why not?

Just as any wheel in balance must have the hub directly in the center, any life in balance must be centered on Christ. He is the power source for a dynamic Christian life just as the wheel is driven driven forward by the power of the hub. The direction of any wheel also comes from the hub and so every mature believer follows the Lordship of Christ. He sets the direction for their lives.

“How Our Parents Work”

What Is Your Vocation?

Fisher’s of Men