Catholic Social Teaching
At St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, the principles of Catholic Social Teaching (CST) guide how we live, learn, and grow together. These values shape our relationships, our decisions, and our commitment to building a just and compassionate world.
Each term, we focus on one of the seven key principles of CST, paired with the Jesuit Virtues and the liturgical season, helping children connect faith with action in meaningful ways.
| Term | Jesuit Virtues | CST Focus | Liturgical Connection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Attentive & Discerning | Human Dignity | Start of Year / Ordinary Time |
| Term 2 | Faith-filled & Hopeful | Common Good | Advent & Christmas |
| Term 3 | Eloquent & Truthful | Participation | Ordinary Time |
| Term 4 | Compassionate & Loving | Option for the Poor | Lent |
| Term 5 | Intentional & Prophetic | Solidarity & Distributive Justice | Easter Season / Pentecost |
| Term 6 | Grateful & Generous | Subsidiarity & Promoting Peace | End of Year / Ordinary Time |
Stewardship, the care for creation and responsible use of resources, is woven through every term. It is highlighted in assemblies, lessons, and school-wide initiatives throughout the year, reminding us of our shared responsibility to protect God’s creation.
Through this framework, our children grow not only in knowledge but in wisdom, compassion, and courage — living out their faith in everyday actions.
We use the CAFOD resources to help teach our children about CST.
The animal mascots are used with EYFS, KS1 and KS2. We think about how we act to build a better world.
The principles of Catholic Social Teaching:
Human Dignity – Everyone is Special
"God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness.“ Genesis 1:26
St Paul tells us that each person "is a work of art, created by God and chosen for a unique purpose". Ephesians 2:10
At St Mary’s, we recognise the human dignity of others by:
- following our motto of 'love, care, share' in all of our interactions with others
- seeing God in everyone we meet
- being respectful
- treating people equally
- raising awareness of justice
- preferential option for the vulnerable
The Common Good– Taking Part in our Communities
“All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would... distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need.”
Acts 2:44-45
At St Mary’s, we show we are part of a community by:
- working together for the common good of all
- participating and engaging
- being active members of our community
- contributing to school council meetings and decisions
Participation – We all have the right and duty to participate fully in society
When each separate part works as it should, the whole body grows and builds itself up through love.” Ephesians 4:16
“Each of us has a part to play, a gift to share, a service to offer, for building up the Body of Christ in love.” Pope Francis, 19 June 2013
At St Mary’s, we recognise the dignity of work by:
- sharing our talents with others
- joining in during lessons
- joining extra-curricular activities after school
- respecting all the staff at school
- working together as a team
- encouraging others to take part
- helping other people feel included
- representing our school in sporting competitions and other activities
Subsidiarity– All people Should have a Say
"Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right" Psalm 106:3
“...together we want to give voice to all those who suffer, to all those who have no voice and are not heard". Pope Francis, 20 September 2016
At St Mary’s, we acknowledge everyone's right to a voice by:
- listening to each other
- empowering pupils to lead and to help make decisions in school e.g. school council
- standing up for what is right
- following our school rules
Stewardship – Caring for God’s Creation and Gifts
“The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it.” Genesis 2:15
"...the world we have received also belongs to those who will follow us.” Pope Francis, Laudato Si’
At St Mary’s, we show we care for creation by:
- encouraging recycling and using resources wisely and thoughtfully
- participating in school Eco-Council
- taking responsibility for our environment
- making environmentally responsible choices
- having awe and wonder for the natural world
Solidarity – We are One Big Global Family
"... all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28
"We are a single family dwelling in a common home.” Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti, 17
At St Mary’s, we show solidarity by:
- raising awareness of social justice
- making connections in our local community
- praying for others
- making socially responsible choices
- raising funds for charities that support global development e.g. CAFOD
- taking part in CAFOD Family Fast Day
Option for the poor –putting the needs of the most vulnerable first
‘For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Matthew 25:35-40
At St Joseph’s we show a preferential option for the poor and vulnerable by:
- fundraising for charitable causes in the UK and abroad
- raising awareness
- treating others with dignity and respect
- thinking of the needs of others
Distributive Justice – Being Fair
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8
"...we are agreed today that the earth is essentially a shared inheritance, whose fruits are meant to benefit everyone.’ Pope Francis, Laudato Si’
At St Joseph’s we recognise the need to share the worlds resources fairly by:
- celebrating Fair Trade Fortnight
- donating to food bank
- by sharing our belongings
Promoting Peace – We can be God’s instruments of Peace
"...those who promote peace have joy.” Proverbs 12:20
“Our common bonds of humanity demand that we live in harmony and that we promote what is good for one another. These ethical implications are the reason why solidarity is a basic key to peace." St John Paul II
At St Joseph’s we show we are people of peace by:
- treating each with kindness and being gentle
- turning away from conflict
- being peacemakers
- praying for an end to conflict in our world
- Celebrating World Peace Day
- Commemorating Red Wednesday and Armistice Day