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Holy Cross Catholic Primary School

Catholic Social Teaching

Catholic Social Teaching is based on the belief that God has a plan for creation, a plan to build His kingdom of peace, love and justice. It holds that God has a special place in this story for each of us, whoever we are. Our part in this plan isn’t just limited to things ‘spiritual’, or things we might do on Sundays, but that it involves every aspect of our lives, from the things we pray about, to how we live as responsible global citizens.

It is very clear that Catholic Social Teaching is not just for adults – children need to learn and participate in the life of the Church too.

Our part at Holy Cross in this story is a vocation for the common good, a call to treat everyone as our brothers and sisters and is something that we all share.

Catholic social teaching is rooted in Scripture, formed by the wisdom of Church leaders. It is our moral compass, guiding us on how to live out our faith in the world. Our faith calls us to love God and to love our neighbours in every situation, especially our sisters and brothers living in poverty. Following in the footsteps of Christ, we hope to make present in our unjust and broken world, the justice, love and peace of God.

Dignity of the Human Person

We know that everyone is important and valuable: no one is better than anyone else. At Holy Cross, we know that we must make everyone welcome. We live, love and learn by the teaching that 'we are all made in the image and likeness of God.'

 

At Holy Cross we recognise the human dignity of others by:

  • being respectful
  • treating people equally
  • raising awareness of civil rights
  • preferential option for the vulnerable
 

Family and 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) At Holy Cross, we know that we must treat our school community as we would our family, pouring our love, understanding and compassion in to the way that we behave and treat others.

 

At Holy Cross 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

Solidarity and the Common Good

Solidarity arises when we remember that we belong to each other. We reflect on this in a special way at Mass. Solidarity spurs us to stand side by side with our sisters and brothers, especially those living in poverty.

At Holy Cross, we work together to help those who are most in need. In our school, we work together so that our community is good for everyone to live in. 

 

At Holy Cross we show solidarity by:

  • raising awareness of social justice
  • writing to our local leaders
  • praying for others
  • making connections
  • making socially responsible choices
 

Rights and Responsibilities

The Church has been clear in defining basic human rights which are founded on the dignity of the human person. However, the Church also recognises that one cannot have rights without responsibilities. At Holy Cross, we work hard to ensure that the Corporal Works of Mercy are part of our community – our works of charity help us to give alms to the poor.

 

At Holy Cross 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
 

Option for the Poor and Vulnerable

This area of Catholic Social Teaching is about the emphasis which the Church places upon helping the poor and those who are vulnerable. We share what we have so that everyone gets some; we make sure the people who have the least get served first. In our school, we show care for those who have less than us – we gather together and make donations to charities which support those who need it most such as through our foodbank collections. 

 

At Holy Cross 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
 

Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers

The Dignity of Work is to be found in scripture and in the ministry of Jesus. Jesus himself worked as a carpenter before starting his ministry. Work is also seen as something which brings dignity to the human person and at our school we work hard to equip all pupils with the skills for learning and life essential for working life. We explore vocations and what God calls us to be.

 

At Holy Cross 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
 

 

Stewardship of God’s Creation

The Church’s teachings show that we have a duty to ensure that the gift of Creation is shared with all and used wisely and respectfully to ensure its protection both now and for the future. In Laudato Si, Pope Francis has reminded us that the earth is our ‘Common Home’. At Holy Cross, we work hard to care for our environment by recycling and reuse as much as we can, for example.

 

At Holy Cross we show we care for creation by:

  • taking responsibility for our environment
  • making environmentally responsible choices
  • having awe and wonder for the natural world