September: A month of concerns and celebrations

There are many concerns for us to join in prayer together as we enter into the month of September with its ongoing heat and humidity. I call to our attention a few of these concerns.

September is a part of the height of the hurricane season. The hurricane season seems to be increasing across the calendar year and now stretches for six months from June through November. As we should always do during the months of hurricane season, let us remember in prayer to beg the intercession of Mary, Our Lady of Prompt Succor, that she appeal on our behalf to Jesus, her divine son, to protect us from all loss of life and property during this ongoing hurricane season. We all long for the cooler days of the fall season, when we shall be beyond hurricane season. Let us also remember in prayer those who are still recovering from last year’s hurricanes, especially those in Lake Charles and in the western part of our state. God grant that they may receive the assistance they need as they continue to rebuild their lives and property.

During the month of September, we also celebrate Labor Day and we give thanks to God for the gift of human labor. The dignity of human work assists us in providing for ourselves and for our families, and also experiencing and exercising that portion of our human nature that reflects the creativity and productivity of God, who created all things and placed us as caretakers over all creation. Labor Day bids that we pause and give thanks to God for the necessity and gift of human labor, which assists us in so many ways.
However, there can be a strong temptation to feel solely defined by and to see our value rooted only in what we do, in our employment, our jobs. While human work is an important part of our lives, it is not to be equated with the totality of who we are. We will always be much more than what we do for employment. We need to be reminded of this reality in ongoing ways, especially in difficult economic times, such as the present economy that continues to struggle here in our area. When we search for employment, we can also struggle with our own value and worth. What is needed at such times is a correct perspective on who we are apart from the employment that we have or that we seek. Each one of us is of inestimable value before God and one another. Each one of us, while recognizing the value, necessity and dignity of human work, is so much more than what we do. We are children of a Father in heaven who loves us and draws close to us in times of challenge to assure us of his presence and fill us with his peace. Each of us has a human dignity before God and before all humanity that ultimately finds its origin and value not in what we do, but in the gift of life that God himself has granted to each and every one of us.

On Sept. 9, we celebrate the Feast of St. Peter Claver. This is the annual day when the Catholic Bishops of the United States invite us to pray for an end to racism and for healing and reconciliation among people of different races, as well as to pray for peace in our communities. At the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales on Thursday, Sept. 9 at 7 p.m., we will celebrate a Mass for these intentions. I invite you to prayerfully join us at this Mass as we come together to commit ourselves and to be strengthened by the Eucharist to love each person as Jesus loves us and to commit ourselves, following the good example of St. Peter Claver, to work toward greater understanding and harmony between people of different races and cultures.

September also falls at the beginning of a new school year. Let us pray for a peaceful school year for all schools, and in a special way pray for the success of our Catholic schools to educate our children both spiritually and academically.

Finally, as COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations continue to be a challenge for our state and local community, let us pray that we will all do all that we can to end this pandemic. Let us also pray for those who are ill or infected with the COVID-19 virus, and for all who are overwhelmed by the number of cases and hospitalizations.