Catholic Social Teaching helps us understand how God calls us to treat other people, care for creation and work together for a fairer and more loving world. It is rooted in Scripture and the teaching of the Catholic Church.

At St Theresa’s, children learn about the principles of Catholic Social Teaching through Religious Education, Celebration of the Word and the wider curriculum. They are encouraged to connect what they learn and pray about with the choices they make and the actions they take.

Through prayer, reflection and service, our children learn that they can make a positive difference in their school, parish, local community and wider world. In this way, Catholic Social Teaching helps us live out our mission:

“To do the little things well and to do them with love.”

 

Human Dignity

What does it mean?
Every person is precious, unique and created in the image of God. We should treat everyone with love, dignity and respect.

“God created humankind in his image.”
                                                                                      Genesis 1:27

The Common Good

What does it mean?
The common good means making choices that help everyone to live well and flourish. We think about what is best for the whole community, not only ourselves.

“Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.”
                                                                                         Philippians 2:4

Solidarity

What does it mean?
We belong to one human family. Solidarity means standing alongside others, sharing their joys and difficulties and working together to make our world fairer.

“If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honoured, all rejoice together with it.”
                                                                                        1 Corinthians 12:26

Preferential Option for the Poor

What does it mean?
We are called to notice and respond to people whose needs are greatest. We place those who are poor, vulnerable or excluded at the heart of our decisions and actions.

“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
                                                                                        Matthew 25:40

Our collection provided essential food and household items for St Helens Foodbank to share with local individuals and families who needed additional support. By contributing items, children, families and staff worked together to make a practical difference within our local community. Every donation, however small, became part of a much larger act of generosity. We learned that generosity means noticing the needs of others and responding with compassion, dignity and love. The collection helped us understand the Catholic Social Teaching principles of the Preferential Option for the Poor and the Common Good. We will continue to support our local foodbank and explore other ways to respond to the needs of our community. Children will be encouraged to recognise that small, thoughtful actions can bring hope and make a meaningful difference to others.

 

Participation

What does it mean?
Everyone has gifts to share and should be given opportunities to take part, contribute and have their voice heard. By using our gifts, we can help our community to flourish.

“Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.”
                                                                               1 Peter 4:10

Subsidiarity

What does it mean?
People should be involved in the decisions that affect them. Whenever possible, those who are closest to a situation should be listened to and supported in finding solutions.

“Select from among yourselves… people of good standing, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint to this task.”
                                                                        Acts 6:3

The Dignity of Work

What does it mean?
Work is a way of using our God-given gifts and contributing to the good of others. Every worker should be treated with dignity, respect and fairness.

“The labourer deserves to be paid.”
                                                                     Luke 10:7

Care for Creation

What does it mean?
The world is God’s gift to us. We are called to care for creation, protect living things and use the Earth’s resources responsibly so that they can be enjoyed by everyone.

“The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it.”
                                                                         Genesis 2:15

Promoting Peace

What does it mean?
God calls us to be peacemakers. We promote peace when we forgive, repair relationships, stand against injustice and use our words and actions to bring people together.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
                                                                        Matthew 5:9

On International Day of Peace, we wrote prayers for home, school, our community and the wider world. Our prayers helped us to remember people around the world who are affected by conflict. Our actions helped to make our classrooms and playground a kinder, calmer and more inclusive place. Children showed that being a peacemaker can begin with small actions, such as using kind words, including others, listening, sharing and forgiving. These choices helped friendships to grow and disagreements to be resolved peacefully. We learned that peace is not simply the absence of conflict. It is something that we can actively build through our everyday choices. We recognised that everyone has a responsibility to promote peace and reconciliation. We will continue to reflect on our peacemaking promises and look for opportunities to put them into action. Children will be encouraged to notice and share examples of peace, forgiveness and reconciliation across our school community.