Catholic Social Teaching

Our faith calls us to love God and to love our neighbours in every situation, especially our sisters and brothers living in poverty. Following in the footsteps of Christ, we at St William of York hope to make present in our unjust and broken world, the justice, love, and peace of God.

Led by our Caritas Ambassadors, we take part in many fundraising events across the year.  We recognise our responsibility to help all our brothers and sisters in God’s world. We know that Jesus has called us to love others and to help others. At St Williams, we try to follow this call. Our Caritas Ambassadors are activists for social change and are ambassadors of the Catholic Social Teaching agenda at school.

• To promote and develop social action projects within the school, parish and local community
• By demonstrating “faith in action” and raising awareness of Caritas within the Salford Diocese
• To help lead and coordinate activities which encourage others to join in

This year, we have been lucky to take part in many activities that promote our Mission.

•  Regular Foodbank Friday donations, which we take to the Emmaus Centre in Bolton.
•  Caritas Ambassador training from Salford Diocese, in order to understand and fulfil our roles more knowledgeably.
•  Hosting events and organsign collections for charities including Macmillan Cancer and
• Manchester Shoebox Appeal.
•  Promoting and deciding on our Caritas ‘Love in Action’ Award winners – recognising those who live out the Catholic Social Teaching principles which we promote in school.

Our faith calls us to love God and to love our neighbours in every situation, especially our sisters and brothers living in poverty. Following in the footsteps of Christ, we hope to make present in our unjust and broken world, the justice, love and peace of God

Here at St William of York, we work daily to promote the values of Catholic Social Teaching to our children in hope they enter the wider community and world as followers of Christ. We deliver these teachings in all areas of our curriculum, not just Religious Education.

The Diocese of Salford have presented each school with a Catholic Social Teaching Award. They have asked schools to present it to pupils in recognition for outstanding achievement in putting love into action.

Our Caritas Ambassadors have decided to present the award every half term. We thought about exactly what we were looking for, and will choose a child every half-term, to be presented in our celebration assembly.

Well done to Freya, our love in Action Award winner for Autumn One!

The Dignity of the Human Person

St Paul tells us that each person is a work of art, created by God and chosen for a unique purpose. Ephesians 2:10,

At St William of York RC we recognise the human dignity of others by:

* being respectful

* treating people equally

* raising awareness of civil rights

* celebrating our unique gifts and talents

Family & Community

“You are not making a gift of your possessions to the poor person.  You are handing over to them what is theirs.” St Ambrose (340-397 AD)

At St William of York RC we show we are part of a community by:

* working together

* working for the common good

* participating and engaging

* being active members of our community

Solidarity and The Common Good

Blessed Pope Paul VI taught that “If you want peace, work for justice”. The Gospel calls us to be peacemakers.

At St William of York RC we show solidarity by:

* raising awareness of social justice

* writing to our local leaders

* praying for others

* making connections

* making socially responsible choices

Right and Responsibilities

Fear not for I am with you. I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

At St William of York RC we acknowledge our rights and responsibilities by:

* recognising our duties as members of a community

* standing up for what is right

* following our school rules

Option for the Poor and Vulnerable

‘For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Matthew 25:35-40

At St William of York RC we show a preferential option for the poor and vulnerable by:

* fundraising for charitable causes

* raising awareness

* treating others with dignity and respect

* thinking of the needs of others

The Dignity of Work

Do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honour. (James 3:17) 

At St William of York RC we recognise the dignity of work by:

* respecting all workers

* contributing to society

* making responsible economic choices

* supporting wellbeing and workers’ rights

* sharing our talents with others

Stewardship – Caring for God’s Creation and Gifts

The ecological crisis is also a summons to profound interior conversion…Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or a secondary aspect of our Christian experience. Pope Francis – Laudato Si

At St William of York RC we show we care for creation by:

* taking responsibility for our environment

* making environmentally responsible choices

* having awe and wonder for the natural world