PASTORAL CARE OF WORK

PASTORAL CARE FOR WORKERS

2026–2027

 Building the Kingdom of God Through Our Daily Work

1. Introduction

In this 2026-2027 Pastoral Year, under the theme “Jesus, My Lord and My God,” we desire that He accompany all our brothers and sisters in the world of work. We continue his teachings through the Catholic Social Teaching, the teaching of the Bishops of Usa, and that of our Local Church. Our Bishop Oscar Solis, and the Diocese of Salt Lake City speak to us about Comprehensive Faith Formation. As we conclude the second phase of our Great Project of Evangelization (GPE), the Pre-Catechumenal Phase, we are activating this Pastoral Care for Work to help our parishioners understand that through faith, integrity, and service, every worker can contribute to the common good and bear witness to the Gospel each day.

“Building the Kingdom of God Through Our Daily Work” invites participants to recognize that work is more than an occupation: it is a vocation and an opportunity to serve God, family, and community.

2. Team Members

1. Fr. Sebastien SASA, PhD, MPA
2. Lucia ARAIZA
3. Luis Carlos SENDER
4. Octavio AGUILERA
5. Jairo and Yolanda NÚÑEZ

3. Foundation

Human work is much more than a necessity of life. It is a gift from God and a participation in His ongoing work of creation. From the beginning, God entrusted the earth to humanity, calling men and women to cultivate, care for, and develop it. Through work, people express their talents, serve others, and contribute to the common good.

The dignity of work comes first and foremost from the dignity of the person who performs it. Every worker, regardless of occupation or social condition, reflects the image of God. Therefore, no one should be treated merely as an instrument of production or valued solely by economic performance. Work exists for the person, not the person for work.

Science, technology, and economic progress can be valuable tools when they promote the integral development of the human person. However, they must always serve humanity and never endanger human dignity, family life, or social justice. The Church reminds us that labor takes priority over capital because people are always more important than things.

Work also has a social dimension. It supports families, strengthens communities, and helps build a more just society. Workers are called to mutual solidarity, defending fair wages, dignified working conditions, and respect for the rights of every person.

Although work involves effort and sacrifice, especially in a world marked by sin, it remains a path to holiness. Through faithful work, people develop virtues, responsibility, creativity, and love. When offered to God, daily work becomes prayer and service.

As Christians, we give thanks for the gift of work and ask the Lord to bless all workers, those seeking employment, families, and employers. May all human work contribute to the dignity of the person, the good of society, and the glory of God.

4. General Objective

To form disciples who live their faith in the workplace and recognize their daily labor as participation in God's mission.

5. Specific Objectives

1. Promote awareness of the Faith and Work ministry’s events and activities.
2. Increase participation among workers and their families.
3. Strengthen parish identity centered on the dignity of work.
4. Foster mutual support and the integration of faith into working life.

6. Leadership

1. Pastor
2. Coordinator(s) of the Pastoral Ministry of Work
3. Secretary
4. One of the diaconate candidates
5. A business owner

7. Action Plan

The “Faith and Work” initiative of Saints Peter and Paul Parish for the period August 2026 – July 2027 seeks to accompany workers and their families spiritually, helping them integrate the Catholic faith into everyday work life.

Through monthly small-group meetings, participants will reflect on topics such as Christian leadership, the dignity of work, mission and mental health, professional ethics, vocation, workplace relationships, work-life balance, and service to the community. Each gathering will combine prayer, formation, discussion, and practical applications for daily life.

The program will also include special parish events, such as the Blessing of Workers, an Advent Testimony Night, an Employment and Professional Networking Workshop, and a Family Picnic, strengthening community bonds and promoting mutual support.

In this Pastoral Year 2026-2027, we will organize the first UTAH CATHOLIC LABOR WEEK (UCLW) 2027.

It will be a full week dedicated to honoring workers, integrating faith and labor, and promoting Catholic Social Teaching in Utah’s multicultural workforce. This week should feel like a missionary celebration, a catechetical experience, and a community-building event. The Key goals are celebrating the dignity of every worker, offering spiritual and practical support, strengthening parish identity around work and vocation, building solidarity among families, migrants, and workers, and Making Saints Peter and Paul the Utah reference point for Catholic labor ministry.

A) Intended Participants

1. Workers from all professions and trades
2. Unemployed individuals or those in career transition
3. Parish families
4. Young people discerning their professional vocation
5. Business owners and community leaders
6. Parish ministries

B) Monthly Pastoral Activities

August 2026

Leadership and Servant Leadership

Living Christian leadership with humility, a spirit of service, and accompaniment of others.

1. Leading like Christ in the workplace
2. Humility, teamwork, and mentoring
3. Scripture: John 13:14-15

 

September 2026

The Dignity of Work and Workers

Reflection on the Church’s social teaching and the value of every profession.

1. Catholic Social Teaching on work
2. Labor Day reflection and Worker Blessing
3. Scripture: Genesis 2:15
4. Mass for Workers

October 2026

Mission, Stress, Mental Health, and Prayer

 How to face workplace pressures through faith and prayer. Work as a mission.

1. Missionary workers (work as mission)
2. Managing work-related stress through faith
3. Developing prayer habits during the workday
4. Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7

November 2026

Gratitude and Generosity

Recognizing the blessings received and sharing our gifts with others. Also remembering deceased workers.

1. Gratitude for employment and blessings
2. Sharing time, talents, and resources
3. Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:18
4. Mass for Deceased Workers

 

December 2026

Advent: Hope in Our Daily Work

 Discovering God's presence in everyday tasks and preparing for Christmas.

1. Preparing our hearts for Christ
2. Finding holiness in ordinary tasks
3. Scripture: Isaiah 9:2

 

January 2027

Work as Vocation and Peace

 Understanding work as God’s call to service and personal growth.

1. Discovering God’s purpose in our work
2. Serving others through our occupations
3. Scripture: Colossians 3:23-24

 

February 2027

Workplace Relationships

 Promoting respect, communication, and reconciliation in the workplace.

1. Communication, respect, and forgiveness
2. Christian witness among coworkers
3. Scripture: Romans 12:18
4. Mass for Sick Workers

 

March 2027

Integrity and Ethics

 Making just decisions and acting honestly in professional life.

1. Making moral decisions at work
2. Living with honesty and responsibility
3. Scripture: Micah 6:8

 

April 2027

Stewardship of Gifts and Talents

Recognizing and putting at the service of the community the talents God has given us.

1. Identifying and developing our gifts
2. Using talents for the common good
3. Scripture: 1 Peter 4:10

 

May 2027

Saint Joseph the Worker

Reflecting on the example of Saint Joseph as a model worker, husband, and father.

1. Saint Joseph as Patron of workers
2. Family, faith, and responsibility
3. Scripture: Matthew 13:55

 

June 2027

Work-Life Balance

Valuing rest, family life, and spiritual priorities.

1. Sabbath rest and spiritual renewal
2. Balancing commitments and priorities
3. Scripture: Mark 6:31

  

July 2027

Serving the Community Through Work

Understanding how our work contributes to the common good and the building of God’s Kingdom.

1. Building the Kingdom through daily work
2. Solidarity with workers, migrants, and families
3. Scripture: Matthew 25:40

 

C) Quarterly Parish Events

September 2026

Mass and Blessing of Workers

 December 2026

Advent Dinner and Testimony Night

 March 2027

Professional Networking and Employment Support Workshop

 

June 2027

Family Picnic: Faith, Work, and Fellowship

D) Daily Work as a Concrete Way of Living the Gospel

The annual theme seeks to help participants discover that their daily work is a concrete way of living the Gospel. To translate this message into action, each group can promote personal, family, and community commitments.

1. In the Workplace

1. Begin the workday with a brief prayer.
2. Practice honesty and responsibility in every task.
3. Treat coworkers, clients, and supervisors with respect and dignity.
4. Seek solutions that benefit the team rather than personal interests alone.
5. Identify one monthly act of service or support for a coworker.

2. In the Family

1. Share with family members how God was present during the work week.
2. Set aside time for rest, prayer, and family togetherness.
3. Teach children the value of work and service to others.
4. Celebrate work-related achievements with gratitude and humility.

3. In Small Groups

1. Begin each meeting with testimonies about living faith at work.
2. Reflect on real workplace challenges.
3. Promote mutual prayer for those seeking employment or facing work-related difficulties.
4. Create professional and personal support networks among participants.

4. In the Parish

1. Organize an annual Blessing of Workers.
2. Invite professionals from various fields to share their faith testimonies.
3. Offer job-preparation workshops, résumé-writing assistance, and interview training.
4. Publicly recognize the contributions of different trades and professions to the community.

5. In the Community

1. Participate in service projects for people in need.
2. Support unemployed workers and newcomers to the community.
3. Promote parish initiatives of solidarity and social justice.
4. Collaborate with local organizations that serve working families.

6. Suggested Annual Commitment

1. Each participant can answer three questions every month:
2. 1.  How did I serve God through my work this month?
3. 2.  How did I contribute to the well-being of others?
4. 3.  What can I improve to live my faith more fully in my work environment?

 

Father Sebastien SASA, PhD, MPA

Pastor of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church

Director of Missionary Center Saints Peter and Paul

West Valley City, UT