Exploring Catholic Social Teaching

Lesson LESSON PLAN Plan
Materials
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Handout A: Social Experiment
Handout B: Group Activity
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Handout C: Elijah and the Widow
Handout D: Solidarity
DAY ONE
Warm-Up
A. Project Catechism of the Catholic Church nos. 1878-1879, and have a student stand and read
them aloud.
All men are called to the same end: God himself. There is a certain resemblance between the
unity of the divine persons and the fraternity that men are to establish among themselves in
truth and love. Love of neighbor is inseparable from love for God.
The human person needs to live in society. Society is not for him an extraneous addition but
a requirement of his nature. Through the exchange with others, mutual service and dialogue
with his brethren, man develops his potential; he thus responds to his vocation.
B. Lead your class in a discussion about the quotations and what they mean for our relationships.
Use the following questions/topics for discussion.
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What is the main idea of these paragraphs? Being in relationship with others is an essential
part of being human. The relational nature of man resembles the relational nature of God.
What is meant by “there is a certain resemblance between the unity of the divine persons and
the fraternity that men are to establish among themselves”? God is a Trinity of Persons (Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit) who are in eternal relationship, an eternal exchange of love, with each
other. The relationship human beings are called to have among each other is meant to resemble
God Himself and to be an exchange of love.
Why do you think living in a society is a necessary part of human nature? What do you
predict would happen if humans were isolated? Accept reasoned answers.
What are some examples of how relationships help us to develop our potential? Accept
reasoned answers.
C. Explain to your students the following in a mini-lecture:
A society is a group of persons bound together organically by a principle of unity that goes beyond
each one of them. For example, think of a group of men who belong to a construction company
called on to rebuild after the destruction of the World Trade Center in New York City. They are
called to do something that is “bigger” than them. In fact, what they are called to do is bigger than
the sum of them as well. When we come together for a mutual goal, we can accomplish much
more than we could if we were alone. We are all called to give to society in our own unique ways.
Everyone has special gifts and talents to offer.
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