Bringing Catholic Social Teaching To Life In Your Classroom and School

WAYS OF IMPLEMENTING AND TEACHING PRINCIPLES OF CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING

What is Catholic Social Teaching? Best Kept Secret of the Catholic Church!

There are SEVEN Principles and each one has its foundation in scripture. Human DignityDignity of WorkCall to Family and CommunityOption for the PoorHuman RightsSolidarityCare for Creation

Jesus Mission StatementLuke 4:16-20When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He found the place where it was written:

The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lords favor. Whose Lives Does Catholic Social Teaching Touch?check this out

Where did it come from? Pope Leo XIII encyclical letter in 1891, but can also be traced to Saint Thomas Aquinas and Saint Augustine of Hippo. However, each of the seven principles has its roots in Biblical Teaching. The Franciscan School took baby steps as we began our journey. We started in 2007, working with just 4th and 5th grade classes. We got a commitment from the school to pursue these lessons as well as a commitment from the 4th and 5th grade teams of teachers. How did we start? Where did we start? We did not reinvent the wheel!!! Like Harry Wong, we owned it. We started with one set of lessons for both 4th and 5th grade. This was one set of seven lesson plans taken from many different sources.

Catholic Social Teaching 2012-2013 Monthly Themes and Experience DatesProgram Kick off: Wednesday, September 26, 2012October: Dignity of Work/ Gift It UpFriday, October 26November: Human Dignity Mary RonanDecember:Option for the Poor Passage Home food drive January:Family and CommunityNational Migration Week: Tracing our family rootsFebruary:SolidarityMarch:Human RightsApril:Care for Creation (Earth Week: April 22, 2013)

June: Justice Fair: Friday, May 31, 2013

Kindergarten Lesson

Human Dignity Purpose: this lesson will introduce the concept of dignity of all people, no matter what their differences from us. The focus is on special needs persons. Materials: A Very Special Critter by Gina and Mercer MayerThis is the story of a new boy (critter) at school. It tells of the special talents that the new boy has and how the children work to help each other in work and play.

Closing prayer: Lord, open our eyesThat we may see You in our brothers and sisters.Lord, open our hearts,That we may love each other as You love us.Lord, free us and make us one.Amen

Second Grade Lesson Human Dignity Begin by holding up pictures and just let the children look at them.

20

Opening PrayerFather of all people, We thank you for the gift of life. Help us to see the beauty in each person. Help us to see Jesus in all who we meet. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.Reading from Genesis 1:26-31What is God telling us about human beings? What does this tell you about yourself? Re-read Genesis. What does it mean that humans are created in Gods image? How can all people be created in Gods image? What does this mean for the way we should treat others? Close Your EyesThink about the person you like least in this world. The person you find it hardest to love. Dont tell their name, just picture that person in your mind. Now, remember, that person is a holy child of God. How should you treat this person? How should you treat all people? Fifth GradeLesson onHuman Dignity

Seventh Grade Human Dignity LessonRead Genesis 1:26, 27, 31: Then God said, and now we will make human beings, they will be like us and resemble us so God created human beings, making them to be like himselfGod looked at everything he made and was very pleased.

After the reading: How would you have responded to the conditions that Rosa Parks and others face under segregation?

What would it be like to live under conditions that constantly reminded you that you were a second class citizen: Not allowed to eat in certain restaurantsNot allowed to go to schools of your choiceNot allowed to have certain jobs Justice Fair, 2012June 6, 9:00-12:00Stop Hunger Now: Students will hear about world hunger and package fortified chicken/rice casserole to be sent to school lunch programs throughout the world. Animal Rehabilitators: Lin Dunay, a licensed wildlife rehabilitator will bring several birds that are being held in captivity because of injuries that prevent them from being released back into the wild. Water, water: Water, water: Hear from Chris Winter, a TFS kindergarten parent, as he tells "The Story of the Thirsty". Through pictures, video, storytelling, and a water walk, learn about the 884 million people worldwide that are living without access to clean, safe water.Down syndrome: Unlimited Potential: Hear from TFS parent Michelle Pfeiffer about what life is like for a child living with Downs SyndromeFair Trade: Nancy McMahon of Ten Thousand Villages will share her experience in Uganda and Kenya and show how fair trade helps artisans from those countriesFight Hunger Locally: Students will have a chance to pack a lunch that will be given to those in need.A Day In The Life of Lulu: TFS parent Stephanie Sjoblad will bring her dog Lulu and demonstrate how her hearing service dog helps her in her daily living Comfort Kits: This HSA sponsored event will allow students to make kits to be brought to local hospitals. Students will package crayons, color books, and write notes of encouragement.Social Justice Fair Slideshow!Other Experiences Added The Franciscan School has taken on a brown bag ministry on the Fifth Saturday of each month to feed the homeless men and women who live in Moore Square in downtown Raleigh. Grade levels sign up for the date and collect, cook, and serve food.

Service to our Brothers and Sisters in Quito, Ecuador

Dear Mrs. Stevens and TFS Community, Thank you for the extraordinary kindness that you showed to our brothers and sisters in Quito, Ecuador. The generosity and solidarity of the TFS community has once again changed for the better the lives of those in need. To say the very least, the clothing drive turned out to be a tremendous success, thanks in large part to you all. When I first approached Mrs. Stevens with the idea for the clothing drive, it was not with the expectation that the students, families, teachers, parishioners, and staff would so eagerly contribute to the cause for which I stood. I was then overwhelmed with the outcome,which included nearly thirty great bags of clothing and shoes for the children at Baca Ortiz Hospital. When we returned to the hospital in late summer, we took with us the donation, vacuum-sealed and packed into enormous suitcases as far as the airlines would allow us and then some. We delivered the donation to the hospital after appropriately sorting and organizing the clothes. The organization for social justice there at the hospital was rendered speechless by the sheer size of the donation. I explained to them how the TFS community had rallied together to offer the clothes to the children at the hospital, and they were quick to say that your quiet and thoughtful giving would not be forgotten by God. Some families went so far as to call you, the students, families, teachers, parishioners, and staff, angels. I can never hope to convey their gratitude for the generosity of the TFS community. Please continue to pray for our brothers and sisters in Quito, especially those that remain patients at Baca Ortiz Hospital. Thank you.Most sincerely,Eliza Hardy

37Questions?Comments?Our Email Addresses

cheryl.stevens@stfrancisraleigh.orgstacey.kababik@stfrancisraleigh.orgstefanie.horgan@stfrancisraleigh.org