Catholic Social Teaching

Catholic Social Teaching is based on the belief that God has a plan for creation, a plan to build his kingdom of peace, love and justice. Catholic Social Teaching is founded in Scripture and includes statements and letters written by Church leaders, such as the Pope's Encyclicals. It offers wisdom and insights on living the Gospel in today’s world. Jesus tells us to love God and to love our neighbours, especially our sisters and brothers living in poverty. 

It holds that God has a special plan for every single one of us, whoever we are. Our part in this plan isn’t just limited to things ‘spiritual’, or times when we do “religious things.” It involves every aspect of our lives, from the things we pray about, to how we live as a responsible global citizen.

Our part in this story is a vocation for the common good, a call to treat everyone as our brothers and sisters.  It is something that we all share.

The Catholic Church has seven principles of social teaching that we share with our children through all that we do, through the curriculum, special events and activity and through our ordinary actions in school.

At St Joseph’s, Catholic Social Teaching is incorporated into our curriculum. Children are asked to put their faith into action and reflect on how their learning enables them to do so. Throughout the year, collective worship refers to Catholic Social Teaching which helps make the worship relevant to our lives today. We can link our Virtues, SCARF lessons, RE lessons and RSE lessons all to Catholic Social Teaching.

Catholic Social Teaching underpins the essence of our daily school life. As members of the Catholic Church, we are all called upon to preserve the dignity of all human beings, to care for creation, and to reach out to our sisters and brothers in need. Pope Francis emphasises that it is our duty to work together to bring about a more just and peaceful world: to put love into action. It is vital that our children can articulate the connection between Jesus' teaching and doing good deeds. We use the CAFOD Catholic Social Teaching resources and the animal mascots to support the children’s understanding of the principles.

The principles of Catholic Social Teaching:

Human Dignity – Everyone is Special

"God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness.“ Genesis 1:26

St Paul tells us that each person "is a work of art, created by God and chosen for a unique purpose".  Ephesians 2:10

At St Joseph’s we recognise the human dignity of others by:

• following our motto of 'love, care, share' in all of our interactions with others
• seeing God in everyone we meet
• being respectful
• treating people equally
• raising awareness of justice
• preferential option for the vulnerable

The Common Good– Taking Part in our Communities

“All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would... distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need.”

Acts 2:44-45

At St Joseph’s we show we are part of a community by:

• working together
• working for the common good of all
• participating and engaging
• being active members of our community

Participation – We all have the right and duty to participate fully in society

When each separate part works as it should, the whole body grows and builds itself up through love.” Ephesians 4:16

“Each of us has a part to play, a gift to share, a service to offer, for building up the Body of Christ in love.” Pope Francis, 19 June 2013

At St Joseph’s we recognise the dignity of work by:

• respecting all workers
• contributing to society
• working together as a team
• sharing our talents with others
• joining in

Subsidiarity– All people Should have a Say

"Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right" Psalm 106:3

“...together we want to give voice to all those who suffer, to all those who have no voice and are not heard". Pope Francis, 20 September 2016

At St Joseph’s we acknowledge everyone's right to a voice by:

• listening to each other
• empowering pupils to lead and to help make decisions in school
• standing up for what is right
• following our school rules

Stewardship – Caring for God’s Creation and Gifts

“The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it.” Genesis 2:15

"...the world we have received also belongs to those who will follow us.” Pope Francis, Laudato Si’ 

At St Joseph’s we show we care for creation by:

• encouraging recycling and using resources wisely and thoughtfully
• taking responsibility for our environment
• making environmentally responsible choices
• having awe and wonder for the natural world

Solidarity – We are One Big Global Family

"... all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28

"We are a single family dwelling in a common home.” Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti, 17

At St Joseph’s we show solidarity by:

• raising awareness of social justice
• making connections in our local community
• praying for others
• making connections
• making socially responsible choices
• charitable giving

Option for the poor –putting the needs of the most vulnerable first

‘For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Matthew 25:35-40

At St Joseph’s we show a preferential option for the poor and vulnerable by:

• fundraising for charitable causes
• raising awareness
• treating others with dignity and respect
• thinking of the needs of others
• following our motto of 'love, care, share' in all of our interactions with others

Distributive Justice – Being Fair

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”  Micah 6:8

"...we are agreed today that the earth is essentially a shared inheritance, whose fruits are meant to benefit everyone.’ Pope Francis, Laudato Si’

At St Joseph’s we recognise the need to share the worlds resources fairly by:

• celebrating Fair Trade Fortnight
• collecting food for the homeless
• supporting St Patrick's and the Gianna Project
• by sharing our belongings

Promoting Peace – We can be God’s instruments of Peace

"...those who promote peace have joy.” Proverbs 12:20

“Our common bonds of humanity demand that we live in harmony and that we promote what is good for one another. These ethical implications are the reason why solidarity is a  basic key to peace." St John Paul II

At St Joseph’s we show we are people of peace by:

• treating each with kindness and being gentle
• turning away from conflict
• being peacemakers
• praying for an end to conflict in our world