What is Catholic Social Teaching?
Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is a rich and essential part of the Catholic tradition that guides us in how we live together as a community, treat each other, and care for God’s creation. CST helps us understand the dignity of each person and calls us to work for justice, peace, and the common good. At St Patrick’s, we believe that living out the principles of CST is central to forming compassionate, responsible, and active members of society.
CST is a body of doctrines that address the dignity of the human person, the call to family and community, and the rights and responsibilities of individuals. It is rooted in Scripture, the teachings of the Church, and the example of Christ. CST is a commitment to love others, especially the poor and marginalised, and to work towards justice, solidarity, and the care of creation.
There are several key principles of CST that shape our daily lives at St Patrick’s:
How we live out CST at St Patrick’s:
At St Patrick’s, CST is integrated across all areas of learning and school life. Each subject presents opportunities for pupils to learn, reflect upon and practice CST principles. We explicitly teach the principles of CST, and help our students understand the importance of social justice, care for creation, and the dignity of every person. Students are encouraged to reflect on how their faith calls them to act in service to others and to live out the gospel values of love and compassion.
CST is not only taught in the classroom but also lived out in the many extra-curricular activities and enrichment projects offered at St Patrick’s. These include, but are not limited to:
Key Stage 3 Retreats:
Our retreats are designed to help students reflect on their faith, deepen their relationship with God, and understand their responsibility to serve others. They focus on themes such as social justice, care for creation and the dignity of every person.
- In Year 7, the whole cohort visit Savio House for a retreat, which includes team-building.
- In Year 8, there is the opportunity to join a residential retreat to Castlerigg.
- In Year 9, all forms will learn more about stewardship as a key principle of CST during their retreat to the Laudato Si Centre at Wardley Hall.
Girls with Grit:
This programme empowers young women to build confidence, resilience, and leadership skills while also fostering a spirit of solidarity and support for one another. It encourages participants to be bold in standing up for justice and to use their voices to advocate for change in their communities.
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Training:
Our MMA training program emphasises discipline, respect, and perseverance. Students are encouraged to use these virtues to serve others and to cultivate inner strength that leads to compassionate action in their communities.
Volunteering at Lourdes:
Each year, Key Stage 4 students have the opportunity to volunteer at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, where they learn the value of service and experience first-hand the importance of offering help to the sick and vulnerable. This aligns with the CST principle of caring for the poor and marginalised.
Christmas Parties for Senior Citizens:
Students come together to host Christmas parties for elderly members of the local community, particularly those who may be isolated or lonely. This act of kindness reflects our commitment to the common good and the dignity of every person, especially the elderly.
At St Patrick’s, we strive to ensure that Catholic Social Teaching is not just a taught concept, but a way of life. We encourage our students to practice CST in their daily lives, both in school and in their wider communities. By embracing the values of justice, service, and compassion, we prepare our students to make a positive impact in the world, following the example of Christ.
