Catholic Social Teaching
Catholic Social Teaching
Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is the Church's way of helping us understand how to live out our faith in the world, especially when it comes to treating others with kindness and fairness. It’s based on the teachings of Jesus and the Bible, guiding us to respect the dignity of every person and take care of the most vulnerable.
There are seven main ideas in CST:
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Life and Dignity of the Human Person: Every person is precious and deserves respect because we are all made in the image of God.
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Call to Family, Community, and Participation: People are social by nature and should work together to build a supportive community where everyone can thrive.
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Rights and Responsibilities: Every person has basic rights, like food, shelter, and education, but we also have a responsibility to make sure others' rights are protected.
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Option for the Poor and Vulnerable: We should give special care to those who are most in need, like the poor and vulnerable, ensuring they have what they need to live a dignified life.
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The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers: Work is important for supporting ourselves and our families, and workers should be treated fairly with good wages and safe conditions.
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Solidarity: We are one human family, no matter where we come from, and should stand together, helping one another.
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Care for God's Creation: We are called to protect the environment and be good stewards of the earth, caring for everything God has made.
At Our Lady of Grace, we teach children these values so they can understand how their faith can inspire them to make the world a better place. We want them to see injustice and feel motivated to help others, creating a society that reflects love and care for everyone.
Monday 11th November 2024
Today, our children had the privilege of a visit from a CAFOD volunteer, Gillie Drinkall, who spoke with them about Catholic Social Teaching and the incredible work CAFOD does to brighten the lives of people in developing countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo. The children learned inspiring stories of people who have transformed their lives by acquiring skills that offer sustainable livelihoods—such as carpentry, sewing, and mushroom farming. Through this visit, our children gained a deeper understanding of how skill-building can empower individuals and communities to overcome challenges and create a better future for themselves. It was a valuable experience that reinforced the importance of compassion, resilience, and global solidarity.
Herbert - I learned that human dignity means that everyone is special
Tayden - We learned that everyone has their right to have a say
Michelle - Today we learned that it is important to put the people who are in need FIRST
Catholic Social Teaching Training for Staff
We are pleased to share that our staff recently completed training in Catholic Social Teaching at Our Lady of Grace, where we received certification from CAFOD. This training helps us further integrate values of compassion, justice, and dignity into our teaching, aligning with our Catholic ethos. If you're interested in learning more about Catholic Social Teaching, you can explore resources on CAFOD's website here. https://cafod.org.uk/pray/catholic-social-teaching
