Background Article

Our Church teaches that the need to promote and preserve the dignity of individuals is essential to justice. Catholic social teaching calls us to give preference to the needs of the poor and vulnerable. This raises an important issue that is often overlooked. Although we may seek to ensure that those in need receive the basic necessities, often the administration of social programs can sometimes dehumanize those who need help.

The needs of the poor take  priority over the desires of the rich; the rights of workers over the  maximization of profits; the preservation of the environment over uncontrolled  industrial expansion; the production to meet social needs over production for  military purposes.

USCCB, Economic Justice for All: Pastoral Letter on Catholic Social Teaching and the US Economy, 94, 1986

Therefore, we should look to the Gospels and observe how Jesus treated the poor and sick. Jesus gives a clear example of the need to respect those to whom we minister. We should periodically review our charitable programs and actions and keep Jesus words in mind, “…whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40) Let’s remember that we are ministering to the Lord himself.

• Which Gospel story about Jesus and the disenfranchised comes to mind?
• How might I apply this Gospel story to my own life?

Links
Option of the Poor and Vulnerable Resources
From the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Photo by SJU Undergraduate Admissions

Background Article

The Catholic Church teaches that every human being has been created by God in his divine image and is precious to him. This is why the sanctity of human life and the inherent dignity of the human person are the foundation of Catholic social teaching.

We are asked to love and honor the life of every man and woman and to work with perseverance and courage so that our time, marked by all too many signs of death, may at last witness the establishment of a new culture of life, the fruit of the culture of truth and of love.

Pope John Paul II, Evangelium Vitae (Gospel of Life), 77

In our society today, human life is under direct attack from abortion, embryonic stem cell research, euthanasia, cloning, and the death penalty. Every Catholic has the moral obligation to protect human life from conception until natural death.

• Which of the life issues do I think is in most need of advocacy today?
• What are some ways that I can help to promote a Culture of Life?

Links
Culture of Life Resources
From the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

CST 101 | Life and Dignity of the Human Person
From Catholic Relief Services YouTube

Photo by lunar caustic

Unit Activity

Guide the children to work in small groups. Have them create skits to illustrate ways that children their age can express themselves positively. Encourage them to create skits that model good manners. Encourage them to portray scenes at home, school, church, or the community.

Talk with the children and ask them to name individuals with whom they interact in their daily life. For example, they may name a parent or family member, catechist, priest, senior citizen, police officer, bus driver, or friend. Then encourage them to think about and discuss the ways in which that they show respect to that person on the list. End by asking how they show respect for themselves and for God.

Photo by International Information Program (IIP)

Unit Activity

Contact personnel at a nursing home or assisted living home in your area and ask if they can suggest a list of things residents might appreciate receiving from a group of third graders. Many administrators are happy to contribute ideas. They might even supply the names of residents who do not receive many visitors or much mail and would enjoy either or both.

Share with the children the list you received. Work with them to help choose items from the list in which they are interested. For instance, one child may choose to write a letter, another to draw a picture, or a small group may decide to create greeting cards. Or, you may decide to arrange a “field trip” so that children could sing or put on a skit for the residents.

Invite the children to share if they have elderly family members living with, or near them, or elderly neighbors with whom they are friendly. Encourage the children to offer ways that these people could benefit from their help.

Record on the board their ideas about ways to help. Then, ask the group to select one or two of the listed ideas and discuss how they might act on them individually or as a group.

Photo by JSmith Photo