May 5 & 8, 2013

Upcoming Events: Living Rosary May 18th @ 11amGIFT in June 2 & 5th will be to evaluate the

program Fall 2013 – Preschool break out group during

GIFT. Consider serving the parish community as a

catechist!

Reminder about Evaluation Forms & People of Faith magazines.

This session will introduce the principles of Catholic Social Teaching – but will focus on the Dignity of Human Life – the belief that every person is created in the image of God: every person is precious. As the U.S. Catholic Bishops explain, “The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. Our belief in the sanctity of human life and the inherent dignity of the human person is the foundation of all the principles of our social teaching…we believe that every person is precious, that people are more important than things, and that the measure of every institution is whether it threatens or enhances the life and dignity of the human person. “ (USCCB, Sharing Catholic Social Teaching, 4)

Introduction Opening Prayer Break Out Groups

K-8th with Catechists H.S. and Adults with Fr. Craig

Return for Summary and Closing Prayer

Dismissal

Our Catholic Social Teaching has origins in scripture. Let’s listen to

Jesus speaking to his disciples about how they, and we, should care for

one another…

Gat

her

Our Gospel is from Chapter 25 of the Book of Matthew

List

en

THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD.ALL: Thanks be to God.

List

en

“Created in God’s Image” Nametag

Create a nametag using the construction paper provided.

Write your name, then “Created in God’s Image” below it.

Draw symbols, pictures, words that describe who you are.

Share briefly with your table group your nametag and the symbols, pictures, words that you chose.

Discuss: If everyone always wore a nametag that said, “Created in God’s Image”, how would we treat our family, friends, co-workers and people we meet throughout the day?

How does it feel when other people treat us with respect, care and dignity? Share an example or two.

What if everyone in the world treated each other as if they were actually created in God’s image – with respect, care and dignity? What would our world look like? Res

pond

ALL:Father and maker of all,

you adorn all creation with splendor and beauty, and fashion human lives in your image and likeness.

Awaken in every heart reverence for the work of your hands, and renew among your people a readiness to nurture and sustain your precious gift of life.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever. Amen.

Go

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th

Group Sunday Catechist Wednesday Catechist

Kinder/1st Grade Ms. Sharon/Ms. Gigi and Nicole Greenberg

2nd Graders Ms. Jenny & Ms. Susan

3rd Graders Ms. Debbie B.

4th Graders Ms. Laura Mr. Michael

5-8th Graders Ms. Sabrina, Ms. Sandy, Ms. Debbie G., Mrs. Rose

H.S. /Adults Fr. Craig

Catholic Social Teaching

A central and essential element of our faithbring glad tidings to the poor (Lk 4:18)Matthew 25

To receive the truth in the Body and Blood of Christ given up for us, we must recognize Christ in the poorest, his brethren. (CCC #1397)

Our Beliefs

A triune God whose nature is communal God reveals himself as a relational God

We are made in God’s image and, thus share his communal, social nature.

We are called to reach out and build relationships of love and justice.

Human Dignity

Catholic Social Teaching is inseparable from our understanding of human life and human dignity.

Every human being is worthy of respect.

Human dignity comes from God.

Commitment

Our commitment to the Catholic social mission must be rooted in and

strengthened by our spiritual lives.

Conversion of the Heart

Love one another as God has loved us

Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching

Develop through a series of papal, conciliar and episcopal documents

1. Life and Dignity of the Human Person Human life is sacred and that the dignity

of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society.Abortion and euthanasiaDeath penaltyAvoid war

2. Call to Family, Community and Participation The person is not only sacred, but

social. Economics, politics, law and policy—

directly affects human dignity and the capacity of individuals to grow in community.Marriage and FamilyCommon good for the poor and the

vulnerable

3. Rights and Responsibilities Human dignity can be protected and a

healthy community can be achieved only if human rights are protected and responsibilities are met.Right to lifeThings required for human decencyDuties to one another, to our families, and

to society

4. Option for the Poor

A basic moral test is how our most vulnerable are faring.Divisions between rich and poorClose the gap—have’s and have not's

5. The Dignity of Work and the Right of the Workers The economy must serve the people,

not the other way around. If the dignity of work is to be protected,

then the basic rights of workers must be respected.Productive workDecent and fair wagesOrganizing and joining unionsPrivate property

6. Solidarity

We are one family whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic and ideological differences.Core virtue: Pursuit of justice and peaceGospel calls us to be peacemakersPromote peace in the midst of violence

7. Care for God’s Creation We show respect for our Creator by our

stewardship of creation.

Care for the Earth tied to our faithEnvironmental challenge which has

fundamental moral and ethical dimensions

Catholic Social Teaching

Without a vision people perish (Prov. 29)

Teachings offer guidance for the future Teachings offer ethical criteria for

action Teachings offer moral direction

Catholic Social Teaching

Differences and debate have and will occur over how these challenging moral principles are applied in concrete situations.

One Area: Restorative Justice

Think of everything you have done in this session to better understand the Church’s Social Teachings. To help you take your learning from this session and apply it in your lives, reflect on the following questions, discuss briefly with your table group then share with the large group.

Sum

mar

y

Share one thing you learned. Did you learn something new? Did you come to a deeper understanding of the Catholic Social Teachings as a result of something we did today?

God of Life, you proclaim that all human life is sacred and that every person is precious in your sight. Give us the courage to work toward a world that respects and protects the human dignity of all people regardless of what society tells us to think. Help us to create a world where every human life counts from conception to old age. Amen.

Gat

her

Response: Lord, hear our

prayer for dignity of all

people.

ALL:Father and maker of all,

you adorn all creation with splendor and beauty, and fashion human lives in your image and likeness.

Awaken in every heart reverence for the work of your hands, and renew among your people a readiness to nurture and sustain your precious gift of life.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Go

For

th

Please make sure you pick up a copy of

the People of Faith: Generations magazine to take home and continue learning!

Check out our newly designed parish website: www.stmatthiasparish.org