AMDG

Dear OSJ Family,

Where has the summer gone? It feels like just yesterday that we were welcoming the spring flowers and the longer days of summer. As those sunny days have been getting noticeably shorter, and as our hemisphere moves toward the autumn equinox this month (Sept. 22—the time when the sun crosses the celestial equator going southward), we will be blessed with the bright colors and crisp days of fall for which our part of the country is known. While we still have a few more weeks of “summer” weather to enjoy, this weekend our nation traditionally marks the end of the summer and return to school with Labor Day.

On Labor Day we celebrate a time when, as a nation, we pause to remember and honor the good work of all people, work that helps to build up our society in a myriad of ways, and can if we allow it, bring glory to God. Regardless of our respective occupations, we all should remember that we each have our work to do, and our own part to play, in the building up a more just, loving, and productive world.

In truth, working is a holy endeavor. God works. God labored to create our world in seven days and God’s Holy Spirit is constantly working in us to guide us in living a holy life each day. Indeed, even in our darkest moments and most arduous trials, God is working!

This Labor Day, let’s all take a moment to reflect on how our work may give glory to God. Then, after some reflection, we can give thanks and we can relish the many gifts that He has given us. It is fitting to recall the words of our Holy Founder, St. Ignatius Loyola, who rightly said:

“Work as if all depends on you, pray as if all depends on God”

With that in mind, thank you for all you do to help our parish community to work so well, and have blessed and restorative LABOR DAY!

In the Lord,
Father Phil Florio, S.J.
Pastor

321 Willings Alley
Philadelphia, PA 19106
DIRECTIONS
215.923.1733
office@oldstjoseph.org

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Mass Schedule
Sunday at 7:30 AM, 9:30 AM and 11:30 AM

Tues., Wed., & Thurs. at 12:05 PM

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