There is value in work. Look what it does:

â–º Provides the means to support ourselves and our families.

â–º Allows us to demonstrate certain talents, whether physical or mental; musical or athletic; alone or as part of a team working together for a common goal.

â–º Diversifies our appreciation of the needs of those around us.

â–º Allows us to determine and demonstrate our priorities by sharing our financial successes.

â–º Affirms the dignity of contributing to the betterment of the whole human family.

Catholic Charities wants to identify legitimate jobs which, even if paying entry-level wages, will help individuals build a resume, form new habits, and encounter others who are working, all while bringing home an honest wage to proudly support their families.

In these contexts, work is more than a four-letter word in some comedian’s routine. Legitimate work that is hard, tedious, boring or gratifying can be a noble, affirming activity. Work that is regarded from the point of view of man’s good, underscores efforts to encourage and provide gainful employment.

Such generalizations, however, cannot be used to justify — rationalize? — behavior which most would consider unhealthy, immoral or illegal.

Working in any part of drug trafficking, prostitution, or slavery has historically been lucrative for those who control such dehumanizing enterprises. Studies and news stories prove these activities still profit the tyrants of the cartels. Wealth has been built on such activity, but few today would put the title “Slave Trader,” “Drug Pusher” or “Pimp” on a business card to hand to a loan officer when applying for a mortgage or business line of credit.

“Project H.I.R.E.” — Helping Individuals Reach Employment — has begun thanks to support from some generous donors and advisors. Now we need to identify opportunities. So if you see a “help wanted” sign, or know a neighbor or co-parishioner whose business is hiring, please let us know. There may be a match that benefits everyone.

We are not going to get caught up in theories and statistics. We are looking for jobs, not trends in employment and unemployment rates. We are putting efforts into work rather than a study about political, fiscal and socio-economic theories. We can analyze the sufficiency of wage rates and whether to equate or compare the definitions of minimum wage, living wage, fair wage and competitive wage in other contexts, but not at the expense of identifying job opportunities.

Monetary and financial systems may be important for policy makers in government and interesting to economic theorists. Catholic Charities will concentrate on goals we can share, irrespective of political, economic or social theories that otherwise drive us apart. We will focus on our Mission Statement: assist people in achieving a degree of independence consonant with their human dignity.

 Now let’s get to work.