Catholic Social Teaching
Catholic Social Teaching
Putting our faith into action
At St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Catholic Social Teaching (CST) helps us understand how our Catholic faith calls us to live and act in the world.
Catholic Social Teaching is rooted in Scripture and the teachings of the Catholic Church. It reminds us that our faith is not only something we learn about — it is something we live out every day through the choices we make, the way we treat others and the way we care for God’s creation.
Jesus teaches us to love one another, particularly those who are poor, vulnerable or in need. Through Catholic Social Teaching, our children learn that they can make a positive difference in their school, their local community and our wider world.
Catholic Social Teaching at St Joseph’s
We use CAFOD’s Catholic Social Teaching resources to help our children explore and understand the principles of CST in an age-appropriate and meaningful way.
CAFOD identifies a number of important principles which help children understand how we are called to build a fairer and more loving world:
Human Dignity
Every person is created by God and is precious and unique. We treat everybody with respect and recognise the value of every human life.
The Common Good
We are called to work together so that everyone can flourish. We think about how our actions and decisions affect other people.
Solidarity
We are one global family. We stand alongside our brothers and sisters around the world, particularly those experiencing poverty, injustice or hardship.
Preferential Option for the Poor
Jesus showed particular care for people who were poor, vulnerable or excluded. We are called to do the same and to put the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable first.
Stewardship
God has entrusted creation to us. We have a responsibility to care for our common home, protect the environment and use the gifts of the Earth wisely.
Participation
Everyone has gifts to share and has the right to take part in decisions that affect their lives and communities. We encourage our children to use their voices and talents to make a difference.
Subsidiarity
People should be listened to and involved in decisions that affect them. We encourage children to recognise that their voices matter and that change can begin within our own communities.
Distributive Justice
The gifts and resources of our world should be shared fairly. We help children to recognise injustice and consider how they can help create a fairer world.
Promoting Peace
We are called to be peacemakers. Following the example of Jesus, we encourage forgiveness, reconciliation, kindness and peaceful ways of resolving difficulties.
How do we live out Catholic Social Teaching?
Catholic Social Teaching is woven throughout the Catholic life and mission of our school. Children encounter CST through Religious Education, prayer and liturgy, Scripture, assemblies and across the wider curriculum.
Most importantly, we give our children opportunities to put their faith into action.
This may include caring for our environment, fundraising for those in need, supporting CAFOD, helping within our local community, praying for our global neighbours, speaking out against injustice and making choices which contribute to the common good.
Through these experiences, our children learn that they are never too young to make a difference.
Faith in Action
At St Joseph’s, we want our pupils to understand that Catholic Social Teaching is not simply something to know — it is a way of living.
Inspired by Jesus, we encourage every member of our school family to ask:
How can I show love?
Who needs my help?
How can I make things fairer?
How can I care for God’s creation?
How can my actions help build a better world?
In doing so, we help our children grow into compassionate, responsible and active members of our local and global community, living out the Gospel message through both their words and their actions.
Find out more
CAFOD provides wonderful child-friendly resources, animations, prayers and activities which we use to explore Catholic Social Teaching in school.
Explore CAFOD's Catholic Social Teaching resources for children:
https://cafod.org.uk/education/primary-teaching-resources/cst-resources-for-children