What is Catholic Social Teaching?
"Love your neighbour as yourself" (Mark 12:31)
Catholic social teaching (CST) is rooted in Scripture, formed by the wisdom of Church leaders, and influenced by grassroots movements. It is our moral compass, guiding us on how to live out our faith in the world.
Jesus’ instruction to "love your neighbour as yourself" (Mark 12:31) is at the heart of how we believe they should participate in their community and the wider world.
At Joseph's. we teach our children about the principles of Catholic Social Teaching (CST). As Catholics, we believe that it is our role to help others in need and care for the world we have been given.
CAFOD Catholic Social Teaching in 3 minutes
Please click on the video link below to watch a 3 minute video from Cafod explaining Catholic Social Teaching for children.
Our House Liturgies about Human Dignity
The Seven Principles of Catholic Social Teaching
This week we are learning about the Common Good
Loving God,
We believe that we are all brothers and sisters.
Help us to think about what is good for everyone, not just ourselves.
Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer
Lent Fundraising 2023
This year we have beentaking part in the Big Lent Walk, raising money for Cafod to help fight global poverty.
So far, we have raised an incredible £165 for CAFOD!!
If you would like to donate, there is still time - please click on the link below.
To find out more, please click here https://walk.cafod.org.uk/about-the-walk/
CST Workshops
We were delighted to welcome Carole Sawyers from CAFOD for a Catholic Social Teaching workshop where she helped us all to understand some of the different themes. We were introduced to the CAFOD characters and have been spending more time getting to know them and how we can help to make the world a better place!
Loose Ends Liturgy
Loose Ends is a drop in centre in Newbury serving food for the homeless and vulnerable. Here at St Joseph's, our wonderful children and families have chosen to support Loose Ends by collecting food items to donate.
We have been overwhelmed by your generous donations to Loose Ends and want to thank you for all of them. They will go to those in need. Father Michael came to school on Wednesday afternoon to say our Harvest Mass and bless these offerings and it was a wonderful occasion. Thank you all!”
"A huge thank you from everyone at Loose Ends to all your pupils and staff for giving us such an amazing Harvest Festival donation. There were so many items, everyone has been very generous! We are very, very grateful and I can assure you every item will be used by someone in need. Many thanks again"
Loose Ends Trustee October 2022
Newbury Food Bank
NSPCC Fundraising
CAFOD Fundraising
Living out our Mission
There are many ways we have responded to our call to follow in Jesus' footsteps, following the principles of Catholic Social Teaching
Recent examples of these include:
Solidarity:Sending Christmas cards to our elderly neighbours in the local Care home
Solidarity:Singing Christmas carols at a local care home
Participation:Year 6 leading a special evening as part of the Newbury Living Advent Calendar, raising money for
Solidarity,Human Dignity,Preferential Option for the Poor: Support for Newbury Foodbank
Solidarity, Human Dignity, Preferential Option for the Poor: Support for Loose Ends Homeless Charity
Cafod Lent fundraising , including raising over £1000 during lockdown on our sponsored walk
Fundraising for the NSPCC every year
Solidarity and the Common Good:Creating St Joseph's stones of love to share with everyone in our school family during Lockdown 2020, when we couldn't be together.
Ash Wednesday
Promoting Peace
Planting trees to care for the environment
Stewardship
Loose Ends - Harvest Donations
Solidarity, Human Dignity, Preferential Option for the Poor
Mini Vinnies - Cake Sale!
Our Mini Vinnies group have been fundraising for children in India to support them in going to school. They planned and ran a cake sale after school and raised £220! Well done Mini Vinnies!
Mini Vinnies
In school we have a Mini Vinnies group.
Mini Vinnies are children in years 4,5 and 6 who help us to live out the Catholic Social Teaching and its messages. This term we are exploring the theme of human dignity and subsidiarity as we look to support projects around the world. We work closely with our parish SVP and Mrs Bretz comes and helps us each week.
COINS
We are very lucky to have worked closely with COINS for many years. COINS run lunchtime clubs with our Key Stage Two children, as well as events such as "The Christmas Gift" and "Easter Eggsplored"
“ Year 6 were delighted to take part in the Christmas Gift. The Christmas Gift is a chance for us to celebrate the story of Jesus' birth with other local churches. The children enjoyed completing a range of activities including: line printing, discussions and drama. The children were able to answer questions thoughtfully and were a credit to the school.” Mr Robinson
CAFOD Club - Starting June 2023
We are setting up a CAFOD club. It will give your child the opportunity to come together with Mrs Bosher and other children in school to learn about the wider world.
There will be global games, activities and projects for the children to enjoy and to help widen their understanding of the world and develop an excellent range of skills.
In the club, children will explore ways they can brighten up the world and reach people who urgently need our help.
Because CAFOD is part of a global Church network, it has the potential to reach those that others cannot reach. From helping a child to have enough food to eat, to campaigning for justice, children in the CAFOD club will be supporting members of our global family to flourish and reach their potential.
Club details will be sent home on School Ping!
Diwali celebration - welcoming our friends from Argyles Care Home
Last week we had a wonderful day learning all about the Hindu Festival of Diwali. Each class spent time learning about the special festival and completing a creative activity about it.
In the afternoon, we welcomed some residents from Argyles Care Home to our sharing assembly. Some children from each class came to present their work and to complete some Diwali art activities with them. Mrs Amin led the afternoon with a wonderful powerpoint and information about the festival. Our friends from Argyles were extremely impressed and said how much they had enjoyed the afternoon with our super children.