Catholic Social Teaching

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.

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 kind-of vocation for the common good, a call to treat everyone as our brothers and sisters.  It is something that we all share.

At Sacred Heart, 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.

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 emphasised 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 principles.

The animal mascots are used with EYFS, KS1. The posters are introduced in the resources for Key Stage 2.

HOW DO WE LIVE THESE CST PRINCIPLES OUT AT SACRED HEART

We are called to uphold the principles of Catholic Social Teaching.

 

Human Dignity – Everyone is Special

At Sacred Heart we recognise the human dignity of others by:

·         being respectful

·         treating people equally

·         raising awareness of civil rights

·         preferential option for the vulnerable

 

The Common Good– Taking Part in our Communities 

At Sacred Heart we show we are part of a community by:

·         working together

·         working for the common good

·         participating and engaging

·         being active members of our community  

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

At Sacred Heart we recognise the dignity of work by:

·         respecting all workers

·         contributing to society

·         making responsible economic choices

·         supporting wellbeing and workers' rights

·         sharing our talents with others 

 

Subsidiarity– All people Should have a Say 

At Sacred Heart we acknowledge our rights and responsibilities by:

·         recognising our duties as members of a community

·         standing up for what is right

·         following our school rules

 

Stewardship – Caring for God’s Creation and Gifts 

At Sacred Heart we show we care for creation by:

·         taking responsibility for our environment

·         making environmentally responsible choices

·         having awe and wonder for the natural world

 

Solidarity – We are One Big Family 

At Sacred Heart we show solidarity by:

·         raising awareness of social justice

·         writing to our local leaders

·         praying for others

·         making connections

·         making socially responsible choices

 

Option for the poor – Some People need Extra Help 

At Sacred Heart 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

 

Distributive Justice – Being Fair 

At Sacred Heart we recognise the need to share the world's resources fairly by:

·       sharing our belongings

       pupil led charity choices

       learning about Fairtrade

      Respecting diversity 

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

At Sacred Heart we show we are people of peace by:

·         treating each other kindly

·         turning away from conflict

·         creating bonds between people

 

Please see below for a complete overview of Catholic Social Teaching at Sacred Heart

This year, we have embarked upon CAFOD's Live Simply Award. The Live Simply award is an opportunity for Catholic communities to respond to Pope Francis’ invitation in Laudato Si' to “work with generosity and tenderness in protecting this world which God has entrusted to us”.

The Live Simply award is earned by  schools who can show how they have been living:

• simply

• in solidarity with people in poverty

• sustainably with creation.

The award celebrates what we have already done and inspires us to do more. It helps our community to live, not just more simply, but also more fully.

 

For full details of how we, at Sacred Heart, intend to put this into action please click below.