January
Welcome 2021!!!
So 2020 was not easy for anyone, most are happy to see it in our rearview mirror. 2020 forced us to reimagine how GOF can take place remotely, and we anxiously await the time when we can get back together for pancakes early on a Sunday morning. Until then, we have a couple more month of online/at home sessions. Please spend some time at the dinner table covering the subject matter, and if you missed a session or two, please just go back and review them as a family. All of the sessions are still fully available. Thank you for all of your efforts in leading discussions in your family. Maybe the increased ability in having these discussions at home is one of the positives we take away from 2020.
Generations of Faith Family Experience
The topic of Catholic Social Teaching (CST) in it's seven distinct categories is great for teaching our older students what we hope to do as Catholics, but it's a rather abstract concept for our younger kids. So our challenge is to offer the basics of CST that is relatable to our children of varying ages. For our younger children we recognize those that point to the way we should live with other, and the message that we should love others as Jesus taught. For our older children it is important to show them what forms what the church teaches. Our older children may feel called to question why the church takes a stance on a topic, and most often we can find the answer in the Catholic Social Teaching. All of that points to why some of the materials below are directly related to CST, while others can point to the basic human dignity of a person which is the basis of all Catholic Social Teaching. Please use them in a way that points the primary message that each person deserves dignity, respect, and love because they are children of God. From there the discussions needs to evolve based on the maturity of your child.
There is a lot here, please use what is applicable for your family.
Our general format for your at home session is the following:
There is a lot here, please use what is applicable for your family.
Our general format for your at home session is the following:
- Scripture: Our Gospel reading from Celebrating Sunday for Catholic Families points to how the disciples of Jesus followed him and spread his teachings. The teachings of Jesus gave dignity to everyone.
- Age appropriate materials: The Faith Stories materials on Prophets and Heroes (for K-6) gives us the the opportunity to think about those people that point us toward God, or the way of Jesus, both of which encompass the entirety of CST. For our 7th and 8th graders the chapter on Preferential Option for the Poor, is one of the tenants for Catholic Social teaching. (If you look closely you'll notice that the entire Glorify the Lord by Your Life book is based on CST)
- Videos: The two videos address Catholic Social Teaching and its application. These may be a bit over the head of our younger ones, but there's a chance that they may take something away from them. (You may find the answers to the family activity in the videos)
- Catholic Social Teaching: This breaks down the seven points of CST into fairly understandable, and actionable points. There are videos you can watch instead of reading the seven points.
- Family Activity: What do you do as a family? Any charitable act, or anything you do that gives dignity to another can fall under one of the points of CST. Talk about the points of CST and determine what your family does that aligns with Catholic Social Teachings.
- Complete survey
1. Scripture:
From our Celebrating Sundays for Catholic Families book, pages 48-49
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2. Age Appropriate Materials:
For younger students, K-2nd grades
| god_calls_12_-_younger.pdf |
For older students, Grades 3-6
| god_calls_12_-_older.pdf |
For 7th and 8th graders
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Read pages 33-42 in Glorify the Lord by Your Life, and talk about questions 1-3 on page 43 as a family.
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"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me, to bring glad tidings to the poor."
Luke 4:18
Luke 4:18
3. Videos
4. Catholic Social Teaching
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1. Life and Dignity of the Human Person
It all begins with what you believe about human life and dignity. The Catholic Church believes that a person’s dignity doesn’t come from things like wealth, power or fame – things that can be taken away – but from the fact that each of us was created in the image and likeness of God. In other words, our dignity is hard-wired into us! Every human being is equally precious in God’s eyes, which is why every human life is sacred. And that is what Catholic social teaching is all about – respect for the sacredness of life. |
2. Call to Family, Community, and Participation
The desire for community is part of our nature as human beings. Family is the most important community because that is where we learn how to relate to others. The other groups we might belong to – school, friends, clubs, etc. – are also good, but there is one ‘club’ that everybody has membership in – society. Whether our local society or the global one, everybody has both the right and the responsibility to work for the common good. Simply put, the Catholic Church believes that all people should participate when it comes to making decisions that affect their lives. |
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3. Rights and Responsibilities
There are some rights that everybody has just because they are human. For example, everybody is entitled to food, shelter, freedom of religion and protection from harm by others. There are other rights that depend on your culture and the society you live in. But along with every right comes a responsibility to use that right wisely and unselfishly. It is only when we respect each other’s rights – while accepting our own responsibilities as members of society – that we can truly live together in peace. |
4. Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
If you want to know the moral health of a society, all you have to do is look at how their poorest and most defenseless members are treated. The reality in most societies – including our global one – is that it is really hard for the poor to rise out of poverty. That is why the Church believes that the poor and the powerless everywhere deserve extra help. Whether choosing a new president or a new pair of shoes, it is always important to ask, “How will my decision affect the poorest and most vulnerable among us?” |
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5. Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers
It was never God’s plan that people work just to survive. A person’s job should give them a chance for a better life. But for work to be life-giving, both workers and bosses need to play their part. Workers have the right to a fair wage, to voice their concerns and to join with others when negotiating with employers. On the flip-side, employers have the responsibility to pay workers fairly, to listen to their concerns, and to make sure that working conditions are safe and dignified. Once again, it’s all about respect. |
6. Solidarity
Solidarity is another way of saying we are all in this together. As one human family, our choices affect each other, sometimes in ways we never realize. Solidarity moves us to pay closer attention to what happens throughout the world – instead of just our own backyards – and to consider the impact our actions have on those events. Solidarity is where awareness – of ourselves, our choices and the realities of other people – spills over into action that makes a real difference for the better |
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7. Care for God’s Creation
We end where we began, with respect for life – but this time we are talking about not only human life but all life on Earth as well as Earth itself. God has entrusted this planet to our care. We are responsible for how we use the gifts of creation. As we are becoming increasingly aware, all life is impacted by the choices we make as individuals, organizations and nations. Proper use of the Earth’s natural resources will allow us to preserve and pass on to future generations the beautiful, nurturing world as our Creator intended. |
Source: Walk with the Poor, Christian Foundation for Children and Aging l 1 Elmwood Ave., Kansas City, KS 66103 l 800.875.6564 l www.walkwiththepoor.org
Video alternatives, or additional inspiration for families.
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5. What do you do as a family?
After reviewing the information on Catholic Social Teaching talk about what you do as a family that aligns with Catholic Social Teaching. Any charitable act, act that gives dignity to another, or care for God's creation align with the basic teachings of the Catholic church (CST) and the message of Jesus. How does your family act our Catholic Social Teaching?