1. May 5 & 8, 2013

2.  Upcoming Events:  Living Rosary May 18 th @ 11am  GIFT in June 2 & 5 th 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.

3. 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)

4.  Introduction  Opening Prayer  Break Out Groups  K-8 th with Catechists  H.S. and Adults with Fr. Craig  Return for Summary and Closing Prayer  Dismissal

6. 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… Gather

7. Our Gospel is from Chapter 25 of the Book of Matthew Listen

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

9. “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.

10. 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? Respond

11. 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 Forth

12. GroupSunday CatechistWednesday Catechist Kinder/1 st GradeMs. Sharon/Ms. Gigi and Nicole Greenberg 2 nd GradersMs. Jenny & Ms. Susan 3 rd GradersMs. Debbie B. 4 th GradersMs. LauraMr. Michael 5-8 th GradersMs. Sabrina, Ms. Sandy, Ms. Debbie G., Mrs. Rose H.S. /AdultsFr. Craig

14.  A central and essential element of our faith  bring 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)

15.  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.

16.  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.

17.  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

18.  Develop through a series of papal, conciliar and episcopal documents

19.  Human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society.  Abortion and euthanasia  Death penalty  Avoid war

20.  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 Family  Common good for the poor and the vulnerable

21.  Human dignity can be protected and a healthy community can be achieved only if human rights are protected and responsibilities are met.  Right to life  Things required for human decency  Duties to one another, to our families, and to society

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

23.  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 work  Decent and fair wages  Organizing and joining unions  Private property

24.  We are one family whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic and ideological differences.  Core virtue: Pursuit of justice and peace  Gospel calls us to be peacemakers  Promote peace in the midst of violence

25.  We show respect for our Creator by our stewardship of creation.  Care for the Earth tied to our faith  Environmental challenge which has fundamental moral and ethical dimensions

26.  Without a vision people perish (Prov. 29)  Teachings offer guidance for the future  Teachings offer ethical criteria for action  Teachings offer moral direction

27.  Differences and debate have and will occur over how these challenging moral principles are applied in concrete situations.  One Area: Restorative Justice

28. 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. Summary

29.  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?

31. 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. Gather

32. Response: Lord, hear our prayer for dignity of all people.

33. 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 Forth

34.  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.orgwww.stmatthiasparish.org