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An Encyclical On “Human Work”
VATICAN CITY (NC) - New forms of socio-economic organizations are
needed by workers to avoid the evils of capitalism and Marxism, says Pope John
Paul II in the third encyclical of his pontificate, “Laborem Exercens” (On Human
Work).
The encyclical also criticizes economic imperialism, whether by multinational
companies or by managers in socialized societies, which adversely influences the
relationships between workers and management in many countries.
The 99-page encyclical was issued Sept. 15 at the Vatican and dated May 15 to
mark the 90th anniversary of Pope Leo Xffl’s encyclical “Rerum Novarum,” the
first papal social encyclical of the modem industrial era.
Pope John Paul’s encyclical takes a broad view of work, defining it as “any
activity by man whether manual or intellectual” and relates past church teachings
on the dignity of workers to current situations.
The church has always taught “the principle of the priority of labor over
capital,” says the pope in criticizing abuses of a “rigid capitalism” which places
profit above the well-being of the worker.
Although “the proper position of labor and the worker in the production
process demands various adaptations in the sphere of the right of ownership of
the means of production,” the encyclical emphasizes that Marxism, which
advocates class struggle, is not the answer to overcoming the evils of capitalism.
Marxism also places the worker in subordination to production and does not
see that the answer lies in cooperation between labor and capital, says the
encyclical.
As examples of cooperation, the pope says Catholic social teaching supports
“proposals of joint ownership of the means of work, sharing by the workers in the
management and-or profits of business, so-called shareholding by labor.”
The pope stresses that any new forms of labor-capital relationships must keep
in mind that the principal aim is to benefit people.
“When we speak of opposition between labor and capital, we are not dealing
only with abstract concepts or ‘impersonal forces’ operating in economic
production. Behind both concepts there are people, living, actual people,” the
encyclical adds.
The Catholic Church “diverges radically from the program of collectivism as
proclaimed by Marxism and put into practice in various countries in the decades
following the time of Leo XIII’s encyclical,” says Pope John Paul.
“At the same time it differs from the program of capitalism practiced by
liberalism and by the political systems inspired by it,” says the papal document.
Regarding capitalism, “the difference consists in the way the right of
ownership of property is understood,” it adds.
“Christian tradition has never upheld this right as absolute and untouchable.
On the contrary, it has always understood this right within the broader context of
the right common to all to use the goods of the whole creation,” it says.
However, the “deeply desired reforms” of capitalism “cannot be achieved by
an a priori elimination of private ownership of the means of production,” the
encyclical says. This is not enough to insure “satisfactory socialization’’because
the new managers form another special group “from the fact of exercising power
in society,” it says.
“This group in authority may carry out this task satisfactorily from the
viewpoint of the priority of labor; but it may also carry it out badly by claiming
for itself a monopoly of the administration and disposal of the means of
production and not refraining even from offending basic human rights,” it adds.
“Merely converting the means of production into state property in the
collectivist system is by no means equivalent to ‘socializing’ it,” says the
encyclical written by the Polish pope, the first pontiff to come from a
communist-ruled country.
A way to satisfactory socialization “could be found by associating labor with
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Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta
Vol. 19 No. 32
Thursday, September 17,1981
1.00 per year
CATECHETICAL YEAR BEGINS
“Called To Share In The Work Of The Lord”
Less Memory.
More Love
BY MSGR. NOEL C. BURTENSH AW
Maria Friedrich is an Atlanta Catholic. She will tell you that the sisters taught
her from the very beginning in classrooms that were Catholic from A to Z.
“We went to St. Anthony’s for grade school. Then it was over to old Sacred
Heart for high school until it closed and St. Pius opened. I graduated from St.
Pius.”
Maria’s children are Atlanta Catholics too, but that same road through the
Catholic educational system is not there for them. Along with thousands of other
children in North Georgia, Maria Friedrich’s three young ones go to the religious
education program of her parish.
“It’s different,” says Maria who, along with husband Dave, attends
Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. “When I was coming up it was a lot of
memory stuff. We learned the do’s and don’t’s. And they do too. It is less memory
today and more love action in their lives. I think maybe it’s harder today. But
we’re into it.”
Both Dave and Maria work and Sunday is a day of rest and relaxation for the
family. But participation in the parish program of religion cuts into that needed
weekend rest.
“There’s ho way around it,” grins Marla. “We simply have to get them up and
to class on Sundays mornings. Then we know that along with class we must get
them to Mass. It shoots down Sunday morning, but our children need this
program.”
Maria Friedrich will tell you that she knows parents will send the children to
Sunday school and not to Mass because of the inconvenience. “I can’t do that.
The religion program and the Mass are all part of our faith. We work it out.”
From a parent’s point of view, with so much to do in her home and at work,
Maria continues to have enormous admiration for the staff and teachers who
make the religion program possible for her three children. “They are great,” says
Maria from the shoe store she runs. “They are so well prepared and I find the
children do get a lot out of it. I want to mention one teacher in particular over at
IHM, Julie Cashin. She has been really great. Last year she got Dave and I involved
too. It was something.”
Seemingly, Mrs. Cashin was teaching a class on marriage to her fourth grade
class. So she invited Dave and Maria to come and speak to the class about THEIR
marriage.
“We enjoyed it and the kids really got into it. We explained how home life
meant sharing, togetherness and support. They asked us how we shared at home
and really it was funny. You see, Dave likes to do things in the house like cook.
I’m the opposite. I like the outdoors so I cut the lawn. Some of those kids said
‘Hey, that’s not what Moms are supposed to do.’ But we explained that’s how we
best share our lives as married people.”
“And we brought our wedding pictures. They loved it. Now that never
happened when I went to school. Those kids really learned, it was fun for them
and, really, it was fun for us. We learned lots, too.”
Sunday mornings can be hectic and tough to get going for the Friedrichs. The
three children, Mike, Karen and Catherine aren’t always thrilled to get over to
class. “Sometimes it’s a hassle to get them started, but I must admit, once they get
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One Who Echoes lhe tfaith
BY FATHER J AMES F. KELLY
Archdiocesan Director of Religious Education
Each year the third Sunday of September is designed as “Catechetical
Sunday.”
It is a day when the total parish community is ealied to focus on the
ministry of catechesis. This SuMfy is an opportunity to clarify the
vision and to understand that pail of the ministry of the Word that we
call “catechesis.” As we are reminded in the National Catechetical
Directory, catechesis’ goals are to make our faith conscious, living and
active by light of instruction. The term catechist means “one who echos
the faith” and shares the rich tradition of the teachings of Jesus, passed
down through the Church, the People of God. It is vital for all of us,
catechists, parents, priests, pastors, youth, to realize that
catechetical ministry is a lifelong process of maturing our faith,
deepening our commitment to living that faith in Jesus, in this time and
space in which we live; for us to understand and develop this catechetical
ministry in the spirit of the National Catechetical Directory, the official
planning and vision statement for United States Catholics.
It is a great challenge for us and a wonderful invitation to “Share the
Work of the Lord,” this year’s theme for Catechetical Sunday. The Word
of the Lord is the proclamation of the Kingdom. This is the essential
mission of Jesus. We, as Church, are called to continue that mission, in
the Ministry of Word, Worship and Service.
The purpose of catechesis primarily concerns our faith, our
relationship to Christ. The parish community is the context for
developing this relationship. Its purpose is to promote, foster and
support its members in becoming one with Christ, through its
sacramental and educational life.
Being “Called to Share in the Work of the Lord” reminds us that we
are all members of God’s community and as members of this
community, we are challenged to be 1
God. Jesus calls us to follow him. Part of our 1
means sharing our faith in Christ with others, s
is, by the way we live. r
our lives, whether it be in the parish, the home, t
this sense we are called catechists, echoers of the faith in Jesus.
In the commissioning services throughout the Archdiocese this
Sunday, we are all called to “Share the Work of the Lord.”
Religious Education Staff
DIRECTOR: Rev. James F. Kelly.
CONSULTANT: ADULT
EDUCATION: Sr. Lorraine Masucci.
CONSULTANT: YOUTH
MINISTRY: Mrs. Dolores Waters.
CONSULTANT: ELEMENTARY
EDUCATION: Rev. James F. Kelly.
SEARCH COORDINATORS: Ms.
Kim Larsen, Mr. Jerry Silhavey.
OFFICE MANAGER: Mrs.
Barbara Scudellari.
AUDIO VISUAL LIBRARIAN:
Ms. Janet Koller.
RECEPTIONIST/GEN.
SECRETARY: Mrs. Sue Baldwin.
All members of the Religious
Education staff assist in catechist
formation, and in-service
opportunities for those involved in
education ministries. Their services
are especially available to those
parishes who do not have professional
religious education personnel. For
information, call 881-6131.
Parish Effort
Stressed
BYTHEA JARVIS
At Immaculate Heart of Mary
Church in Atlanta, catechesis is the
affair of the entire parish family.
This past Sunday, parishioners,
catechists, staff and students gathered
at the 10 a.m. Mass for a proper
beginning to the catechetical year,
initiating religious education for the
One of the chief goals of IHM.s
catechetical commissioning and
attendant ceremonies and meetings
was “a better understanding of what
religious education is and more
involvement on the part of parents,”
said Carol Homrich, director of
elementary religious education. “If
our parents can learn and are willing to
educate themselves, they will be
“Catechetical Sunday is a reminder that you and I are called to
share the work of the Lord, to make all things new, ’’according to the
Board of Education of the United States Catholic Conference.
“Each of us, parents, children, young adults, priests, religious,
teachers, adults - in short, all of us are ‘called to share in the work of
the Lord. ’”
IHM community on the elementary,
high school and adult levels.
Teachers of religion - catechists -
were commissioned by IHM pastor
Monsignor Donald Kiernan with the
congregation taking an active,
prayerful part in the ceremony.
Lectors took time to explain the
meaning of “Catechetical Sunday”
and youth and adult representatives
spoke briefly during the Mass,
explaining the upcoming year’s
programs. The parish board of
education carried the offertory gifts,
representing the efforts and intentions
of the whole community.
Following the Mass, the parish’s
focal point for the inauguration of
catechetical activities, a brunch was
held in the IHM school cafeteria,
where catechists, IHM elementary
school teachers, board of education
members and adult advisors met for
fellowship and discussion.
On Sunday evening, parents and
teens joined assistant coordinators
Pam and A1 Buckmaster to gain a
deeper insight into youth and peer
ministry.
1
AT IHM CHURCH IN ATLANTA, catechesis is
the affair of the entire parish family. Above, (l.-r.)
parishioner Jane Jacobs and
two-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Nancy, join
Sister Kathleen Purser, IHM principal, Monsignor
Donald Kiernan, pastor, Carol Homrich, director of
elementary religious education, and IHM religion
teachers Joan Moran and Pat Ruttenbur for a look
at the parish banner, designed by parishioner Joe
Molloy.
Numbers Tell Tale
23,000 elementary school children are served in Parish
schools of Religion.
4,700 high school youth are served in parish Youth
Programs.
2,000 Catechists, mostly lay volunteers, serve the parish
Religious Education Programs.
3,000 Adults are formally enrolled in parish Adult
Education Programs.
351 Coordinators receive mailings from the Archdiocesan
Office of Religious Education.
Since 1976 enrollment in parish Religious Education
Programs has increased by 77 percent.
better educators of their children.”
Mirroring the IHM experience,
parishes throughout the Archdiocese
of Atlanta will be holding
commissioning ceremonies Sunday,
September 20, designated
Catechetical Sunday by the bishops of
the United States.
Such ceremonies give recognition
and encouragement to catechists and
enlist support from the entire parish,
recognizing that sharing the Good
News is an effort in which the
community joins hands in a
cooperative faith experience.
“Catechetical Sunday is a reminder
that you and I are called to share the
work of the Lord, to make all things
new,” according to the Board of
Education of the United States
Catholic Conference.
“Each of us, parents, children,
young adults, priests, religious,
teachers, adults - in short, all of us are
‘called to share the work of the
Lord.’”
The commissioning ceremonies
that will be occurring during Sunday
Masses September 20 recognize in a
special way the role of the catechist in
carrying out the Church’s promise “to
support, to pray for, and instruct the
baptized and foster their growth in
faith,” in the words of the USCC.
Such events reflect the vitality and
diversity of the Church throughout
the United States. The USCC notes
that in the Diocese of Pittsburgh the
suggestion has been made to include
public school teachers in the
Catechetical Sunday celebrations.
“It is true they are not teachers of
religion, but they are called to share in
the work of the Lord by being
Christian witnesses within the public
school community.”
Further USCC guidelines observe
that “Many parishes across the
country make a deliberate attempt to
strengthen the role of the parents as
catechists and witnesses to their
children”, and encourage creative
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