Catholic Social Teaching

Here at St. Richard's Catholic Primary School, Catholic Social Teaching is embedded through our Catholic Life, our curriculum and our School Mission and Gospel Values. We encourage all those around us, including staff, children, parents and governors to live out their faith through scripture within our school, our parish, our community and the wider world.  

Our faith supports and inspires us to use our gifts from God to help others and to bring joy and peace to our beautiful world. There may be challenges along the way, however, with God by our side we can find the strength to carry out our mission and strive to make the world an even more wonderful place to be. 

The Catholic Church has seven principles of Catholic Social Teaching which we share with our school community through our curriculum (not just RE, but all subjects), daily reflection, assemblies, masses, celebrations, being good role models and in our everyday actions. 

"We are stewards, not masters of our earth. Each of us has a personal responsibility to care for the precious gift of God's creation." Pope Francis

Human Dignity

"For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." Ephesians 2:10

We are able to recognise the human dignity in others by treating others equally, understanding that each and every one of us is made in God's image, treating every human and creature with respect and understanding civil rights. 

Solidarity

"Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God." Matthew 5:9

We can show solidarity by standing alongside one another, praying for others, making responsible social choices, looking after those around us, especially the poor, and writing to our world leaders. 

The Common Good

"Love is patient, love in kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. " 1 Corinthians 13:4

We can work together as community by being active role models within our community, working for the common good and by including everyone, participating and engaging with all. 

Protecting the Poor

"Those who are gracious to the poor, lend to the Lord, and the Lord will fully repay them." Proverbs 19:17

We can help the poor and vulnerable by supporting charities, sharing with others, raising awareness and giving others the respect and dignity they deserve. 

Peace

"Peace I leave with you: my peace I give to you." John 14:27

We can show peace by using our Gospel Values and Mission, by turning away from conflict, being kind to one another and by following our school rules. 

Creation and Environment

"Treat the earth as if your life depends on it." Genesis 2:15

We can all look after the environment by all taking a part in looking after God's world, making sensible choices about the environment, asking questions about the world around us and respecting every single part of our beautiful world. 

Dignity of Work 

"Be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded." 2 Chronicles 15:7

We recognise the dignity of work by respecting others and sharing our gifts from God, by making sensible economic choices, helping with wellbeing and making positive contributions to society. 

Cafod Visitors - July 2023

We welcomed Maggie from Cafod to our school and she told us all about Catholic Social Teaching. Maggie shared an assembly with us and then she visited each class to help us learn even more about how we can all be stewards of God. We learnt so much about the different principles of Catholic Social Teaching and how Pope Francis has called us to help both our world and our neighbours! We have begun thinking about how we can carry out this work in our school, in our community and in our wider world. 

Resources