Caritas in Action
What does the word Caritas mean?
- It means LOVE.
- A special kind of love - charitable love for humankind.
- It comes from the Latin language.
- It leads us to Faith in Action.
"Ubi caritas Deus ibi est".
Catholic Social Teaching is: The underlying insight is that everyone has the right and responsibility to live in our world constructively, not destructively, and to ensure that we leave it in a better state than when we entered it.
At the core of Catholic Social Teaching are a number of key concepts and principles.
These are: human dignity, family and community, the common good, rights and responsibilities, the option for the poor and the dignity of work and stewardship.
At St Mary and St Joseph's we use Caritas in Action to embed Catholic Social Teaching across our curriculum. Click on the link below to access the Curriculum Map.
Embedding Catholic Social teaching means putting Caritas in Action
This is the key mission of our school.
At St Mary and St Joseph's we teach our children to follow in the footsteps of Christ, to be active in their faith and to take action for the greater good of others and our world. We offer our pupils many opportunities to take ownership of this through various roles and responsibilities within school, taking part in both local and global fund raising events and developing pupils' understanding of their wider responsibility and role in society.
Here are some of the many ways we show action.
1. Dignity of the Human Person
Every human person is created in the image and likeness of God. Therefore, every person’s life and dignity must be respected and supported.
2. Family and Community
The human person is not only sacred, but social. How society is organised, be it socially, economically, legally or politically has a direct impact on the dignity and growth of every human person and community. Marriage and family should be supported and strengthened. Every person has a right to work to support themselves and their families as well as the building up of the common good for all.
3. Solidarity and the Common Good
We are all People of God, one family. Therefore what happens to one has an impact on all, locally, nationally and globally. At the heart of solidarity is the pursuit of peace and justice. Our love for all calls us to work for a peaceful and just society where everyone has a fair share of the goods needed for a sustainable life, and opportunities for growth and development are offered equally. The dignity of every person is respected.
4. Rights and Responsibilities
Every person has a fundamental right to life. It is this right that makes all other rights possible. Everyone has the right to food, health care, housing, education and employment. We all need to strive to secure and respect these rights for others both locally and globally.
5. Option for the poor and vulnerable
Society is judged on how it cares for the poor and vulnerable – our brothers and sisters. We read in scripture how God has a special concern for the oppressed, poor, vulnerable and those forced to the margins of society. The Church calls us to respond to the cry of the poor and put their needs first. This preferential treatment for the poor and vulnerable must be seen in action in our daily lives.
6. Solidarity and the common good
Work is a way in which we can continue to participate in God’s creation. Work gives dignity to life and must be carried out in such a way that the basic rights of workers are respected. Everyone has the right to productive work, to fair and liveable wages, and to organise and join a union. The economy must be conducted so that it serves the needs of the people.
7. Stewardship
The world God has created for us has been entrusted to everyone and we are responsible and accountable to God as stewards of the earth. The world has been given to us as a gift, to enjoy and care for so that future generations can enjoy it too. It is in caring for creation that we show our love and respect for its creator.