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 plan for every single one of us, whoever we are. Our part in this plan isn’t just limited to things ‘spiritual’, or times when we do “religious things.” It involves every aspect of our lives, from the things we pray about, to how we live as a responsible global citizen.

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

The Catholic Church has seven principles of social teaching that we share with our children through all that we do, through the curriculum, special events and activities and through our ordinary actions in school.

At St Oswald’s, Catholic Social Teaching is incorporated into our curriculum. Children are asked to put their faith into action and reflect on how their learning enables them to do so. Many of our assemblies and acts of worship link to Catholic Social Teaching which helps make the worship relevant to our lives today.

Catholic Social Teaching underpins the essence of our daily school life. As members of the Catholic Church, we are all called upon to preserve the dignity of all human beings, to care for creation, and to reach out to our sisters and brothers in need. Pope Francis emphasises that it is our duty to work together to bring about a more just and peaceful world: to put love into action. It is vital that our children can articulate the connection between Jesus’ teaching and doing good deeds. We use the Caritas in Action programme, a unique set of teaching and learning opportunities for the seven themes of Catholic Social Teaching. We are called to uphold the principles of Catholic Social Teaching.

Dignity of the Human Person

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 St Oswald’s we recognise the human dignity of others by:

• being respectful

• treating people equally

• raising awareness of civil rights

• preferential option for the vulnerable

At St Oswald’s we live our school mission. We follow our Golden rules. We hold regular CAFOD and Wonderful World assemblies. We learn about other faiths.

Family, Community and Participation

“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 St Oswald’s 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

At St Oswald’s we have excellent relationships with our parents and families. We have close links with our parish. We involve the community in services and assemblies. We hold regular family events. We have a Year 6 and reception buddy system. We work closely with the parish on the Sacramental programme. We embrace Faith in Action. We build relationships by singing at local care homes and Booths supermarket. We join with St Andrew’s church for a concert at Christmas. We donate to and support our local food bank as well as Caritas care.

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 St Oswald’s 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

At St Oswald’s we are attentive to guests and visitors. Our Year 6 children escort parents around school on open mornings. Staff are supported through training. Past pupils return for work experience. Every year we welcome students and their professor from Japan. We support staff members experiencing challenging times by our prayers and actions. Well-being for all is a priority.

 Common Good, Rights and Responsibilities

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 St Oswald’s 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

At St Oswald’s we pray for others. We fundraise and campaign for those in need through charities such as Alder Hey Hospital, Nugent Care, NSPCC, Children in Need, Sports Relief, We support Fairtrade. We give pupils the opportunity to be heard and have their say through the school council. We vote for team members democratically.

Stewardship and Care for Creation

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 St Oswald’s we show we care for creation by:

• taking responsibility for our environment

• making environmentally responsible choices

• having awe and wonder for the natural world

At St Oswald’s we have Forest School sessions across the whole school. We have a Climate Action Plan in development. We reuse and recycle wherever possible-DT/ART projects.

Solidarity

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

At St Oswald’s we show solidarity by:

• raising awareness of social justice

• writing to our local leaders

• praying for others

• making connections

• making socially responsible choices

At St Oswald’s we pray for others. We support Fairtrade. We understand how local actions such as recycling can affect others globally.

Option for the Poor and Vulnerable

“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 St Oswald’s 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

At St Oswald’s, We support charities. We take part in theme days such as Children in Need. We support vulnerable children and adults through counselling and NHS support.