Cardinal's Introduction to Catholic Social Teaching

Care of Creation (Autumn 1)

As Christians, we are called to be good stewards of creation.

That means we are meant to look after the world that God created for us.

We must all work to leave our world in a better condition for the people who come after us.

Our first Catholic Social Teaching theme, was Care of Creation. We had a whole school assembly to introduce the theme to the children, and read Gospel passages where the creation of our Earth is mentioned and how we have been instructed to look after it.

This was then linked to Pope Francis' direction in Laudato Si and we discussed the guidance given so that we can become good stewards of the earth. 

The children produced work in class that showed their focus and level of understanding towards this theme.

We finished the half term with our Harvest Celebration which included the pupils and families of the school bringing in food and toiletry donations for our local food bank. 

Loving God,

We come together to thank you for our world. You created the Earth for us to live and prosper in. You taught us how to care for the world you created but we have not followed those laws..

Let us give thanks for the joy our world brings us and pray that we become good stewards of creation.

Amen

 Preferential Option for the Poor (Autumn 2)

The ‘preferential option’ means allowing someone to have the first choice. It means giving someone the best that is available; not just the scraps or leftovers.

God calls us to look for those in need and work hard to support them as best we can.

Our second Catholic Social Teaching Theme was Preferential option for the Poor. Again we had a whole school assembly and we discussed how we can help those around us who may feel that they can not help themselves.  The assembly and class work highlighted the fact that the Bible tells us to speak up for those who can not and the importance of helping the poor.  

The children followed up the assembly with great work in class to consolidate their initial learning.

We had a wonderful presentation from Max Elgot from The Passage who informed us of the plight of the homeless people in London at this time. 

Loving God,

We come together to thank you for our world. You created our world so that everyone may have enough but there are those who do not have enough.

Help us to follow the example of Your Son, Jesus Christ, and reach out our hands to those in need.

Solidarity and Peace (Spring 1)

Solidarity is a word which can be overused and little understood. However, it is fundamental to the way in which we treat one another.

If we truly believe that we are all sisters and brothers of one another, made in God's image and likeness as seen in the guideline of human dignity, then seeking the good of one another cannot be ignored. 

Our third theme for our Catholic Social teaching area this year is Solidarity and Peace. The quotation from St John Paul II is an ongoing challenge. Solidarity is not just feeling sorry for those who suffer. It is a commitment to action. "We are all really responsible for all" - all of us, wherever we are, whatever our age, whatever our circumstances. We are all responsible for one another, those close by, and those far away. All of our actions have consequences locally and globally. From how we treat people we meet in the street, to the coffee we buy in the supermarket. It is how we live out Caritas, love in action.

Loving God,

We come together to thank you for our human family. You created our world so that we may live in harmony with one another.

Help us to follow the example of Your Son, Jesus Christ, by spreading Your peace and by standing in solidarity with those who cannot speak for themselves.

 Community & Participation (Spring 2)

As human beings, we are called to live in community, with others, growing together and flourishing as a result. We are also called to get involved.  At World Youth Day in 2013, Pope Francis challenged us:

“Don’t be observers, but immerse yourself in the reality of life, as Jesus did.”

We are called to be active members of society, our local and global community. Observing the reality of the world, remembering that first guideline of the dignity of all people, supporting one another and recognising how our gifts and talents could be used to the advantage of the wider community.  We can’t just sit back and bemoan what’s happening, whether in our own parish and community, society, or the world.  We are called to get our hands dirty, to get involved, to help build a better world.  We’re all called to put love into action.

Year 6 took part in an Urban studies Event where they spoke about improving the world around us by encouraging us not to use single use plastic bottles.