As a school community, we seek to form children who encounter Christ, grow as His disciples and live as missionary disciples in service of others. Dignity is at the heart of all Catholic Social Teaching and underpins all that we do. Whether expressed through seven principles or nine themes, Catholic Social Teaching reminds us that every person is created in the image and likeness of God and deserves to be treated with love, respect and compassion. Through prayer and action, we take seriously our responsibility to care for God’s gift of creation, recognising our role as stewards of our Common Home. As individuals, as a school family and as members of the wider global community, we are called to care for one another, especially those who are poor, vulnerable or in need.
At Sacred Heart, we use CAFOD Catholic Social Teaching resources to help our children deepen their understanding of these principles and put their faith into action. Pupils actively support CAFOD appeals and fundraising initiatives, including emergency appeals following natural disasters and humanitarian crises (Venezuela Appeal 2026), and participate enthusiastically in events such as the Big Lent Walk. Visitors and enrichment opportunities further enhance children’s understanding, including work with Anne Neale (CAFOD), Jane Wright (Mary’s Meals) and performances from RISE Theatre’s Treasure Within, which help bring Catholic Social Teaching to life in engaging and meaningful ways.
Through these experiences, our children develop a strong sense of justice, compassion and responsibility. We hope that they leave Sacred Heart with the confidence, knowledge and faith to become agents of change, working to build a better world where the dignity of every person is upheld and the needs of the poor and vulnerable are never overlooked.
At Sacred Heart, we recognise that prayer and action go hand in hand. Prayer is at the heart of Catholic Social Teaching because it helps us to see the world through God’s eyes and respond with love, compassion and justice. Through prayer, pupils reflect on the needs of others, give thanks for the gifts of creation and discern how they can make a difference in their communities and the wider world.
Prayer encourages our children to move beyond sympathy towards action. It inspires them to live out Gospel values, stand alongside those who are poor or vulnerable and work for the common good. By praying for others and reflecting on Scripture, pupils deepen their understanding of Catholic Social Teaching and recognise their responsibility to be stewards of creation, peacemakers, advocates for justice and witnesses to Christ’s love.
Through prayer, children come to understand that caring for others is not simply an act of kindness but a response to God’s call to love our neighbour. In this way, prayer nourishes the faith that inspires action and the action that gives witness to faith.
CAFOD Catholic Social Teaching Prayers
