WHAT IS MY CHILD LEARNING THIS MONTH?
This month, your child learned about the Church’s rich social justice tradition, commonly referred to as Catholic social teaching. We spoke about []. We went over the three pillars of Catholic social teaching—human dignity, solidarity (defined to the students as compassion), and subsidiarity (defined to the students as unity)—and how these can be practiced in our everyday lives. We did an activity where the Jr. High students pretended to be governing officials in Ridgewood and were called to address 1 important issue within the lens of Human Dignity (Why should we care about this issue? How does it affect human dignity?), Solidarity (How can we bring awareness to this issue in our own lives?) and Subsidiarity (What are some practical steps/laws that we can put into place to address this issue?).
Terms we went over:
Human Dignity: the idea that all human beings were created in the image and likeness of God (see Gn 1:27), whether saint or sinner, imprisoned or freed, powerful or marginalized. All people are created with an innate sacredness and dignity that cannot be taken away from them. Christ died for all, so all can have fullness of life and therefore every human life is considered sacred. Above all else, this is the heart of Catholic social teaching; all stem from this one fact. We are all called to respect, uphold, and treat all people with dignity. From Pope Francis, “If we are to share our lives with others and generously give of ourselves, we also have to realize that every person is worthy of our giving. God created that person in his image, and he or she reflects something of God’s glory. Every human being is the object of God’s infinite tenderness, and he himself is present in their lives” (Evangelii Gaudium, §274).
(Taken from https://www.caritas.org.nz/catholic-social-teaching/human-dignity)
Solidarity (Compassion): the idea that all people are brothers and sisters in Christ and that we are called to work together towards their good. The word compassion comes from the Latin compati, meaning “to suffer with.” We are called to build relationships with others different from us and understand what life is like for them. We are especially called to understand the livelihood of the most poor, most marginalized, and most vulnerable people in our society. We are called to bring awareness to, and ensure the well-being of, all people. From St. Paul: “If one member suffers, all suffer with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it” (1 Corinthians 12:26).
(Taken from https://www.caritas.org.nz/catholic-social-teaching/solidarity)
Subsidiarity (Unity): the idea that all communities of people deserve to be empowered and make decisions that uphold the well-being of people in their community. It is the principle that holds that social and political issues should be dealt with at the most immediate or local level. Larger organizations must work together with local communities, who have important insights into what is best for their communities. They need to have a say and to influence the outcome. From Pope Francis, “It is the responsibility of the State to safeguard and promote the common good of society. Based on the principles of subsidiarity and solidarity...it plays a fundamental role, one which cannot be delegated, in working for the integral development of all” (Evangelii Gaudium, §240).
(Taken from https://www.caritas.org.nz/catholic-social-teaching/subsidiarity)
BRINGING THIS SESSION HOME
This month, parents are asked to go over the seven themes of Catholic social teaching with their children. The Catholic Church has a rich treasure of wisdom about building a just society and living lives of holiness amidst the challenges of modern society. Modern Catholic social teaching has been articulated through a tradition of papal, conciliar, and episcopal documents. The depth and richness of this tradition can be understood best through a direct reading of these documents. In these brief reflections, we highlight several of the key themes that are at the heart of our Catholic social tradition. Watch the following videos and read the descriptions for a better understanding of the themes!
(Taken from The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops on the Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching)
Life and Dignity of the Human Person / Vida y dignidad de la persona humana
The Catholic belief in the life and dignity of the human person is the foundation of our moral vision. All life is sacred, and all people must be treated with dignity.
Call to Family, Community, and Participation / Familia y comunidad
Participation in family and community is central to our faith and to a healthy society. From this foundation people participate in society, fostering a community spirit and promoting the well-being of all, especially those who are poor or vulnerable.
Rights and Responsibilities / Derechos y responsabilidades
The Catholic Church teaches that every person has a right to life as well as a right to those things required for human decency. As Catholics, we are responsible for protecting these fundamental human rights in order to achieve a healthy society.
Option for the Poor and Vulnerable / Opción por los pobres y vulnerables
As Catholics, we are called to pay special attention to the needs of poor people. We can follow Jesus’ example by making a specific effort to defend and promote the dignity of those who are poor or vulnerable and to meet their immediate material needs.
The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers / Dignidad del trabajo y derechos de los trabajadores
The Catholic Church teaches that the basic rights of workers must be respected: the right to productive work, to fair wages, and to private property, and the right to organize and join unions and to pursue economic opportunity. Moreover, Catholics believe that the economy is meant to serve people, not the other way around.
Solidarity / Solidaridad
Because God is our Father, we are all brothers and sisters with the responsibility to care for one another. This spirit of solidarity unites all people whether they are rich or poor, weak or strong. It also helps to create a society that recognizes that we live in an interdependent world.
Care for God’s Creation / Cuidado de la creación de Dios
God is the creator of all people and all things, and he wants us to enjoy his creation. We are called to make the moral and ethical choices that protect the ecological balance of creation both locally and worldwide.
PRAYING TOGETHER
This month, we ask that families choose a person/people in their lives that especially need prayers. This could be a family member who is suffering, or a friend who is going through a difficult time. Perhaps offer it up for someone who you have a difficult relationship with. Throughout the month, offer up our prayers and actions throughout the day for this person. Compassion means “to suffer with,” so we ask that you lift up your actions—your work, your days, and especially your sufferings—up to God for the intention of this particular person in prayer. When we offer up our sufferings to God, we unite ourselves with Christ, who suffered and died for us. They take on a redemptive power, and can be offered for this particular person who is suffering.
To learn more about this, take a look at this article here. You can use this prayer when praying with your family, either in the morning, at night, or during the day:
O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
I offer you my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day
for all the intentions of your Sacred Heart
in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world,
for the salvation of souls, the reparation of sins, the reunion of all Christians,
and in particular for the intentions of the Holy Father this month.
Amen.
