Page 14 - Lessons and Activities on What Makes Us Catholic

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CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING
Objective
To gain a deeper understanding of Catholic Social Teaching, applying it to everyday situations
Background for Catechists
In reality, Catholic Social Teaching is very old. roughout the church’s history, the church has always talked about and acted on issues of our social life—our life with each other—following the teachings of Jesus. Often, however, the term “Catholic Social Teaching” refers to documents from the popes, the Second Vatican Council, and the bishops that have been written within the last 120 years.
ese documents and exhortations address various areas of our life together, including the political, economic, social, and cultural. ey talk about current realities in the lives of people and societies, highlighting the bene ts and dangers in those realities that a ect the dignity and rights of all people.
Several years ago, the U.S. bishops named seven key themes that are at the heart of our tradition of Catholic Social Teaching. (See the handout summarizing the themes in language that children/youth can understand.)
Materials
□ Copies of handout □ Internet access □ Newspapers, magazines □ Sunday bulletins □ Pencils, paper
Lesson Starter
Ask: Are there people in your life (parents, teachers, grandparents, godparents, etc.) who help you understand what is happening in your life, in the world around you? Who help you to
understand the advantages and the pitfalls of your attitudes and actions?
As a church, we are fortunate because that happens for us too.
Explain in a simple fashion the body of Catholic Social Teaching within the church and the seven key themes.
Activity
Divide your learners into seven groups. Give each group one of the themes of Catholic Social Teaching. Invite them to search the Internet, magazines, newspapers, Sunday bulletins, etc., looking for articles, pictures, and words that illustrate their theme.
After they have collected a wide variety of words, pictures, and articles, invite them to design a television documentary about their theme. Encourage their creativity. In addition to the “script,” they might wish to use Power- Point, posters, visuals, songs, interviews, etc.
Prayer Together
Jesus, Light of the World, help us to bring light to your world. Jesus, who sought out those who were hurting, help us to bring care to your world. Jesus, Prince of Peace, help us to be peacemakers in your world.
Options
▪ Invite your learners to write letters to TV stations, newspapers, legislators, and others about their theme of Catholic Social Teaching. Even small children
can understand and write about many of the issues, such as peace, respect for creation, and caring for the needy.
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Twenty-Third Publications Sample