Faith

Message from Fr. Michael

Catholic Social Teaching

This term as a school we are focussing on Catholic Social Teaching. Catholic Social Teaching covers all spheres of life – the economic, political, personal and spiritual. With human dignity at its centre, a holistic approach to development founded on the principles of CST, is what Pope Paul VI called ‘authentic development’. This fortnight we have explored the Catholic Social Teaching principles of Solidarity and The Common Good and how this guides the work of Caritas and Roman Catholics around the world.

Solidarity

Everyone belongs to one human family, regardless of their national, religious, ethnic, economic, political and ideological differences. Everyone has an obligation to promote the rights and development of all peoples across communities, nations, and the world, irrespective of national boundaries. Our school expresses solidarity by reaching out to those who are most marginalised. We are committed to long-term engagement and sustainability.

Prayer:

Loving God,

We believe that every person is created in your image and this makes us all very special. May we always work to end poverty and make things fair so all people can live a full and beautiful life.

Lord hear us.

Response: Lord hear our prayer.

The Common Good 

What is ‘true community’? The common good is reached when we work together to improve the wellbeing of people in our society and the wider world. The rights of the individual to personal possessions and community resources must be balanced with the needs of the disadvantaged and dispossessed. 

Each person is a member of society, and we are all called to further the development of human society as a whole.

Paraphrase from Pope Paul VI, Populorum Progressio, 1967, #17

Prayer:

Loving God,

You help us see beyond what we need to what is good for all people. May we work towards a world where everyone has their fair share.

Lord hear us. 

Response: Lord hear our prayer.

Suzanne Deefholts

Religious Education Leader