Catholic Social Teaching

                         

                   

 

                                                   

 

 

The principles of Catholic Social Teaching guide us, as staff and children of St Paul’s Catholic Primary School, in how we live our lives.

The seven principles of Catholic Social Teaching that we follow at St Paul’s Catholic Primary School are shown below.

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Stewardship of God’s Creation

Family and Community

Dignity of the Human Person

Solidarity and The Common Good

Option for The Poor and Vulnerable

Dignity of Work and the Right of Workers

Rights and Responsibilities

 

At St Paul’s Catholic Primary School, we follow the Caritas in Action Scheme of Work for Catholic Social Teaching.

 

Term 1:  Stewardship of God’s Creation and Family and Community
Stewardship of God’s Creation to be the focus until Friday 29th September 2023 and Family and Community from Monday 2nd October 2023.

Term 2:  Dignity of the Human Person

Term 3:  Solidarity and The Common Good

Term 4:  Option for The Poor and Vulnerable

Term 5:  Dignity of Work and the Right of Workers

Term 6:  Rights and Responsibilities

 

Stewardship of God’s Creation

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Pope Francis’ letter, Laudato Si, encourages us to look after this great gift for future generations. When we respect human life we respect all of God’s creation. We are all called by God to be stewards of creation, take responsibility for it and live sustainably.

“Creation is a gift, it is a wonderful gift that God has given us, so that we care for it and we use it for the benefit of all, always with great respect and gratitude”

Pope Francis

What we do at St Paul’s Catholic Primary School:

  • We try to recycle as much as we can at school and home
  • We give up our time to litter pick around the school grounds
  • We help one another
  • We put litter in the bins around school

 

Family and Community

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God made us to be part of communities, families and countries, so all people can share and help each other.  We believe people have a right and a duty to participate in society, seeking together the common good and wellbeing of all. This is about living together as a community.

“A community needs a soul if it is to become a true home for human beings.  You, the people, must give it this soul.”

St. Pope John Paul II

 

What we do at St Paul’s Catholic Primary School:

  • We look after each other and care for each other
  • We support not only our children, but our families
  • We have close links with our local parish, St Paul’s Catholic Church, and one class each Wednesday attends Mass with the parish community
  • We help in our local community through activities such as litter picking
  • We visit residents in the local care home and sing Carols with them

 

Dignity of the Human Person

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This means we encourage the children by making them feel special through listening to them and helping to build up a community in which the gifts and uniqueness of each individual is celebrated.  God made each person in his image and likeness so every life is important and should be protected.

“How can it be that it is not a news item when an elderly homeless person dies of exposure?  But it is news when the stock market loses two points?  This is a case of exclusion.”

Pope Francis - Evangelii Gaudium

Then God said, ‘And now we will make human beings; they will be like us and resemble us.’ So God created human beings, making them to be like himself.

Genesis 1: 26-27

What we do at St Paul’s Catholic Primary School:

  • We look after those in the playground who are feeling sad and lonely by playing close attention to others
  • We organise events to celebrate talents of others, Well Done assemblies
  • We build up the confidence of others through their praise, encouragement and words of concern or thanks
  • Looking after the homeless
  • We follow The St Paul’s Way
  • We celebrate special days
  • We teach about Other Faiths
  • We pray for those in need

 

Solidarity and The Common Good

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God made everyone so we are all brothers and sisters in God's family where ever we live.  We are one human family whatever our differences. 

And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

Matthew 25:40

What we do at St Paul’s Catholic Primary School:

  • We support CAFOD and other charities
  • We organise charity events such as CAFOD cake sales and support the work of Stella Maris
  • We donate to the local Food bank and also organise and distribute food parcels in school
  • We pray for our community during liturgical prayer
  • We celebrate where everyone in our school community comes from
  • We write letters to our local MP and Prime Minister
  • We follow the three St Paul’s Catholic Primary School rules of Ready, Respect and Safe

 

 

Option for The Poor and Vulnerable

 

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God wants us to help people who are poor, who don't have enough food, a safe place to live or a community. 

“Even the weakest and most vulnerable, the sick, the old, the unborn and the poor, are masterpieces of God’s creation, make in his own image, destined to live forever, and deserving of the utmost reverence and respect.”

Pope Francis

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.”

Luke 4:18

“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

 

What we do at St Paul’s Catholic Primary School:

  • We support The Julian Trust
  • We support the local Food Bank and we organise and distribute food parcels at St Paul’s Catholic Primary School
  • We pray for those in need
  • We support charities such as CAFOD and Mission Together
  • We offer support to all our vulnerable families
  • We make sure that everyone is welcome

 

Dignity of Work and the Right of Workers

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Work is important in God's plan for adults and their families, so jobs and pay should be fair. Work is more than a way to make a living, it is a way of taking part of God's creation.

“Jesus became like us in all things, devoted most of the years of his life on earth to manual work at the carpenter’s bench.”

St. Pope John Paul II

Go and work in my vineyard and I will pay you whatever is right.

Matthew 20: 4

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for human masters.

Colossians 3:23

What we do at St Paul’s Catholic Primary School

  • We write to the local MP about local issues
  • We link with other countries, through our sponsorship of a child
  • We learn about Fair Trade
  • We show our appreciation to others
  • We support staff through training
  • We welcome past pupils to return for work experience
  • We support staff members going through challenging times through prayer and actions
  • We treat everyone in our school as family

 

Rights and Responsibilities

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God wants us to help make sure everyone is safe and healthy and can have a good life. The Catholic tradition teaches that it is only if human rights are protected and responsibilities met, that human dignity can be protected and a healthy community achieved. 

If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it.

1 Corinthians 12:26

And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

Matthew 25:40

 

What we do at St Paul’s Catholic Primary School:

  • We write to the town council, local MP or Prime Minister about local issues
  • We raise awareness of human rights locally, nationally and universally through visits, visitors, assemblies, charities and activities
  • Try to make the right choices
  • We try to make sure that we don't take more than our fair share
  • We help those who do not have food to eat and homes to live in