Session # 12

BACK

 

Materials Needed

Paper and pencils.

 

Background Main Objective

Major themes from Catholic Social Teaching

Catholic Social teaching is the gem of our faith. It a 'constitutive' or required element of our faith.

This lesson will explore the requirement of all Catholics to be understand and be involved in Social Justice.  Here are some links that provide an excellent background

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Starter

Icebreaker

Ask the kids:

  • To quit ely write down on a piece of paper what type of work to they want to do as an adult.
  • When everyone is done, go around the room and have others guess what everyone wrote down. For example, Let's all guess what type of job Dave said he wanted to do. After everyone guesses have Dave reveal his answer. Move on to the next student.
  • Ask the kids, "Why do they believe that they will be happy doing that particular job or career ?"
  • Share with the class what career you thought you'd like as a High School Student. Are you doing it now? Why or why not?

All of us participate in an economy. Using newsprint take a few minutes to brainstorm the meaning of the word "economy." The give the group the formal definition underline key words from the brainstorm.

Definition: An economy is the social structure of the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services in a country, area or region.

Ask the kids to restate the above definition in their own words. Why should a sophomore care about the economy?

Reflect

Have a volunteer read this passage from Economic Justice for All on "work."

Analyze and discuss the meaning of this message. What are the three fold dimensions of work? List them on Chart paper or chalkboard. Elicit and chart examples of each from the group.

Lesson

Challenge

Distribute, and ask the participants to quietly read a small part of A Catholic Framework for Economic Life found here. When everyone is finished, divide the group into clusters of 3 or 4, have each group discuss how the economy, work, and responsibility interact. After about 10 minutes, ask the whole group to discuss the differences between the obligations or duties of society and those of individuals.

 

Summary

Ask for a volunteer to read Matthew 19:16-25

Discuss the passage in relation to the bishops economic framework. Is Jesus saying that a rich person can't get into heaven? Reflect on the 1st Commandment and the idolatry of material things.

Conclusion

Many of us might not know that work, the right to work, is a basic human right. This right is one of the basic rights that the Catholic Church proclaims and defends.