Our school community endeavours to live by the following Catholic Social Teachings:
Dignity of the Human Person
- All people are scared, made in the image and likeness of God’s. This means we each have a God-given dignity. We are all infinitely loved by our Creator. God is present in every human person. Each one of us is unique and beautiful. We are called to treat every person and every creature with loving respect. People do not lose dignity because of disability, poverty, age, lack of success, or race. This emphasizes people over things, being over having.
Let us love one another because love is from God. 1 John 4:7-12
You are holy, for you are God’s temple and God dwells in you. 1 Corinthians 3:16
Solidarity
- We are one human family. Solidarity arises when we remember that we belong to each other. Our responsibilities to each other cross national, racial, economic and ideological differences. We are called to work globally for justice. We should commit ourselves wholeheartedly to the good of all, to stand in solidarity with our one human family. We express solidarity by reaching out to those who are most marginalised.
Living in right relationship with others brings peace. Psalms 72
The love of God in us is witnessed to by our willingness to lay down our lives for others as Christ did for us. 1 John 3:16-18
The Common Good
- We can only live life in all its fullness when we are in relationship with others – through community. The common good means that the fruits of the earth belong to everyone. No one should be excluded from the gifts of creation. We realize our dignity and rights in relationship with others, in community. “We are one body; when one suffers, we all suffer.” We are called to respect all of God’s gifts of creation, to be good stewards of the earth and each other. We are part of life, we are not the owners and masters of it.”
You have been told, what is good, and what the Lord requires of you: Only to do the right and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
If one member of Christ’s body suffers, all suffer. If one member is honored, all rejoice. 1 Corinthians 12:12-26
Care for the Poor and Vulnerable
- We live in an amazing world with enough resources for everyone. Yet, many miss out. The option for the poor reminds us of God’s preferential love for the poorest and most vulnerable people. We are called to look at public policy decisions in terms of how they affect the poor.
True worship is to work for justice and care for the poor and oppressed. Isaiah 58:5-7
What you do for the least among you, you do for Jesus.
Care for our Common Home
- We are responsible for looking after the world we live in. The goods of the earth are gifts from God. We have a responsibility to care for these goods as stewards and trustees, not as mere consumers and users. In this deeply influential letter, Pope Francis invites everyone on the planet to consider how our actions are affecting the earth and the poorest people. Everything is interconnected, and all of creation praises God. It is our Christian vocation to care for creation. Laudato Si’.
God loves and cares for all of creation. Matthew 6:25-34
Creation reveals the nature of God.
The dignity of work and participation
The role of people in positions of power is to look after the good of all. The human person should always come before the pursuit of profit. Work is an essential part of our human dignity and everyone has the right to participate.
Open your mouth to speak on behalf of those in need. Proverbs 31:8-9
Act justly, love kindness, walk humbly with God. Micah 6:6-8
Rights and Responsibilities
People have a fundamental right to life, food, shelter, health care, education and employment. All people have a right to participate in decisions that affect their lives. Corresponding to these rights are duties and responsibilities to respect the rights of others in the wider society and to work for the common good.
Faith without works is dead.
The Lord blesses our work so that we may share its fruits with others. Deuteronomy 14:28-29
This is my commandment: love one another as I have loved you. John 15:12-17
