Our Catholic Social Teaching

'All members of the school community understand and embrace the mission, ‘Love God, Love Learning, Love Life’ and their active participation in this enhances the Catholic life of the school. They state that the school ‘helps us to follow Jesus’ path, to be like him, caring for the poor,’ and that ‘all are created in God’s image.’ Catholic Social Teaching is fully embedded in the school and pupils gladly embrace this.'

( Catholic Schools Inspectorate, 2023)

Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is rooted in Scripture, formed by the wisdom of Church leaders. It is our moral compass which helps guide us on how to live out our faith in the world. CST calls us as a school to work for the common good, help build a just society, uphold the dignity of human life and work for the justice and dignity of all of our brothers and sisters. 

Catholic Social Teaching is exactly that… social. 

Pope Benedict wrote:

“No man is an island, entire of itself. Our lives are involved with one another, through innumerable interactions they are linked together. The lives of others continually spill over into mine: in what I think, say, do and achieve, and therefore my life spills over into that of others.”

Catholic Social Teaching calls us as a school to work for the common good, help build a just society, uphold the dignity of human life and work for the justice and dignity of all of our brothers and sisters.

 

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

Human Dignity – Everyone is Special

 St Paul tells us that each person is a work of art, created by God and chosen for a unique purpose. Ephesians 2:10

At SJS we recognise the human dignity of others by:

• being respectful

• adaptation in the classroom 

• treating people equally

• raising awareness of civil rights

• learning about other faiths and cultures

• preferential option for the vulnerable

The Common Good– Taking Part in our Communities

 "You are not making a gift of your possessions to the poor person.  You are handing over to them what is theirs." St Ambrose (340-397 AD)

 At SJS 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 – The dignity of Work

 Do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honour. (James 3:17) 

And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40

 At SJS 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

Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right- Psalm 106:3

Fear not for I am with you. I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

At SJS 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

 The ecological crisis is also a summons to profound interior conversion…Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or a secondary aspect of our Christian experience. Pope Francis - Laudato Si

 At SJS 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

Blessed Pope Paul VI taught that "If you want peace, work for justice". The Gospel calls us to be peacemakers.

At SJS 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

‘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

At SJS 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

...we are agreed today that the earth is essentially a shared inheritance, whose fruits are meant to benefit everyone.’ Pope Francis, Laudato Si’

 At SJS we recognise the need to share the worlds resources fairly by:

• by sharing our belongs

• by taking turns
• by making fair choices

 

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

 “Our common bonds of humanity demand that we live in harmony and that we promote what is good for one another. These ethical implications are the reason why solidarity is a basic key to peace.” St John Paul II

 At SJS we show we are people of peace by:

• treating each other kindly

• turning away from conflict

• creating bonds between people

 

Human Dignity

We are beautifully made in the image and likeness of God.

• Staying safe online and celebrating Safer Internet Day
• Being an inclusive school
• Anti-bullying week
• PSHE lessons and across the curriculum
• Learning about other faiths and cultures
• Adaptation in classes
• Respect for workers

 

Stewardship

We are guardians of God’s creation.

• Recycling for clothes, paper and batteries.

• Pupil leadership promoting awareness of energy use.

• Through our curriculum, for example plastic pollution. 
• Litter pick
• Promoting the message of Laudato Si