The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has released a five page message for Labor Day that concludes:

Labor Day 2007 is a time to look back, look around, and look ahead. It is a day to celebrate the work and the workers who are at the heart of this holiday. It is a time to recall the powerful and consistent teaching of our Church on the dignity of work and the rights of workers. It is an opportunity to remember when we have fallen short and when we have made a difference. Most of all, like New Year’s Day, it is a time to resolve to do better. For Catholics, Labor Day 2007 is a time to recommit in our own small ways – to our own work, to treat others justly, and to defend the lives, dignity, and rights of workers, especially the most vulnerable. This is a requirement of our faith and a way to advance the promise of our nation.

The preceding four and three quarters pages are worth reading too. It contains an examination of our recent failed immigration debate and offers some suggestions for starting a meaningful and respectful dialog on this passion-raising issue. They suggest four guiding principles of reality, civility, morality and consistency. These sound like principles that could give us a better policy than the one we all agree is badly broken.

Even though North America stands alone in not celebrating Labor Day in May like the rest of the World, I hope all of you have a great Labor Day.

Quote Reference: Labor Day 2007.pdf (US Council of Catholic Bishops)