CST Study Guide

Essay Question:

What CST do you use in your current life? Did you know it was a CST before we learned it? List the CSTs. Do you plan to implement any more?

I use the option for the Poor and Vulnerable as I serve at places like my church. We run food drives and help go into the city to give out food to the homeless. I knew it was a call/thing to do in the church but did not know its name. The list of CST: Life and Dignity of the Human Person; Call to Family, Community, and Participation; Rights and Responsibilities; Option for the Poor and Vulnerable; The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers; Solidarity; Care for God’s Creation. In addition to the Option for the Poor and Vulnerable, I plan to implement the Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers. I believe that promoting fair labor practices is essential for building a just society. By advocating for workers' rights, I can contribute to a community
where everyone is treated with respect and dignity.

Multiple Choice

What do Christians hold is the result when humans fail to love as God loves?
Answer: C - There is disorder, destruction, and suffering.
Which of the following is not a religious truth found in the account of Creation in Genesis?
Answer: B - God brings both good and bad creations to life.
Human beings are not made to be alone. Who are they called to be in relationship with?
Answer: D - All of the above (other people, creation, God).
Which of the following reasons for responding to suffering reflects the realization that everyone in a society benefits when people help one another?
Answer: C - Enlightened self-interest.
Which of the following is not a regulation given to the Israelites in the Book of Deuteronomy?
Answer: B - Turn the other cheek.
What common theme did the prophets preach?
Answer: B - That worship is meaningless if not accompanied by compassion for others.
Which of the following statements about the Kingdom of God is not true?
Answer: A - Jesus invented the idea of the Kingdom of God.
Which of the following is a good image for the structure of Jewish society during Jesus' time?
Answer: A - A pyramid.
When someone encounters suffering, they might say: "There are so many problems, and I'm just one person. What difference can I make?" This is an example of _
Answer: A - Hopelessness.
Which of the following responses to suffering is defined as the belief that each person should take responsibility for their own life, and when people fail to do so, others should not be expected to help them?
Answer: B - Individualism.
When compassion is accompanied by the following state of mind, people can be moved to commit themselves to ease the suffering of others.
Answer: D - Hope.
Which of the following reflects the Christian meaning of love?
Answer: D - To will the good for another.
Which of the following is not a result of humans failing to love as God does?
Answer: A - Reconciliation.
Which of the following is not a component of the account of Creation in Genesis?
Answer: C - We are punished by the pain of childbirth because we fail to imitate God's creative giving.
Which of the following reflects the Christian meaning of creation?
Answer: D - All of the above (We were made good, to be in relationship with God and others, to be free).
Which of the following reasons for responding to suffering is described in this comment: "If I help others, I might receive benefits in return"?
Answer: C - Enlightened self-interest.
Which term is defined as "the basic goodness of human beings that comes from always being loved by God"?
Answer: A - Human dignity.
Christians believe that God created us for what reason?
Answer: D - All of the above (to love us and share goodness with us, to be in relationship with us, to care for and cultivate the gift of God's creation).
In the Book of Genesis, what represents all of creation?
Answer: A - The Garden of Eden.
Which of the following statements is not true in Christian understanding?
Answer: C - We don't truly have free will because God ultimately knows what we will choose.
Which of the following describes a response to suffering based on helping others though we may not receive any benefit in return?
Answer: D - Compassion.
Who brought suffering into the world?
Answer: B - Humans.
Which of the following statements is true about suffering?
Answer: C - Suffering is brought about by the same freedom that enables us to love.
Why do Christians believe that God shows compassion for the poor, the oppressed, the weak, and the outcast?
Answer: A - They are more in need of his attention because of their suffering.
Which of the following is at the heart of all the laws that Moses gave?
Answer: B - The Shema.

True or False:

Many people deal with the overwhelming nature of all the suffering in the world by choosing to ignore it.
Answer: True
Someone motivated by enlightened self-interest would not help others.
Answer: False
The Hebrew word for compassion is the plural of the word womb.
Answer: True
The Book of Genesis was written for the purpose of recording a scientifically accurate account of Creation.
Answer: False
Without free will, people would not be able to love.
Answer: True

Catholic Social Teaching Principles:

We are called to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first. To think about, serve, and know the poor and vulnerable of all different kinds.
Answer: 4 - Option for the Poor & Vulnerable
We all have human rights, and the responsibility to make sure others also have these rights. We have duties and responsibilities—to one another, to our families, and to the larger society.
Answer: 3 - Rights and Responsibilities
Human life is sacred. We believe that every person is precious, that people are more important than things, and that we must accept, welcome, love, and treat all of our human neighbors with the highest dignity.
Answer: 1 - Life and Dignity of the Human Person
We are called to live with, love, and support others in our community. We believe people have a right and a duty to participate in society, working together toward the common good and well-being of all
Answer: 2 - Call to Family, Community, and Participation
We are one human family whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences. We are our brothers' and sisters' keepers, wherever they may be. We must always love our neighbor and stand up for them.
Answer: 6 - Solidarity
We must take care of God's creation. Care for the earth is a requirement of our faith. We are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God's creation.
Answer: 7 - Care for God's Creation
Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God's creation. Workers must have basic rights, such as decent and fair wages. We must understand the importance and dignity of all kinds of work.
Answer: 5 - The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers

Kai has a medical condition where he doesn't have any hair. His classmates tease him and taunt him, saying he shouldn't come to school and call him a "turtle." When it is time to pick groups in class, nobody picks him and when he is assigned to a group, the kids say, "is he even human?" Now that you know about the principles of Catholic Social Teaching, what might you say to the children who are being mean to Kai? What might you say to Kai?
Answer: "Everyone has dignity because they are made in the image of God, and we should treat everyone with respect, no matter how they look. No one should be mocked or excluded."
To Kai: "You are a valuable person and deserve respect, kindness, and friendship."
Catholic Social Teaching Principle: Life and Dignity of the Human Person
Marisol does not like having classroom meetings, and never follows the cornerstones. When asked why, she responds that she just wants to live by herself and doesn't care about community. When people in her community are struggling, Marisol ignores them, and wishes she didn't have to deal with it. If you were Marisol, how might you change your attitude and behavior to best follow the principles of Catholic Social Teaching?
Answer: "I would understand that we are all called to be part of a community, to support one another, and to help those in need. Everyone has a responsibility to care for each other, and working together creates a stronger and more compassionate community."
Catholic Social Teaching Principle: Call to Family, Community, and Participation
Jackson is a 4th grader and loves to live out his rights of respect-he appreciates that his teachers treat him fairly and respectfully, that he can expect respect from his family and friends. However, Jackson calls the teacher mean names to her face, never looks his mom in the eyes, and hits his friends when he is angry with them. How is Jackson not following Catholic Social Teaching, and what might you do differently if you were him?
Answer: "Jackson is not showing respect for others through his actions. Catholic Social Teaching emphasizes the dignity of others and calls us to treat everyone with respect and kindness. I would work on controlling my emotions, speaking kindly, and treating everyone with dignity."
Catholic Social Teaching Principle: Rights and Responsibilities
For Christmas, Jarod gets so many presents that he does not have anywhere to fit them in his room! He has so many presents that he doesn't even remember to play with all of them. Jarod knows that at his church, there are many children who didn't get very many presents for Christmas because they say so in his CCD class. If you were Jarod, how might you use Catholic Social Teaching to help you make decisions about what to ask for, what to say in Sunday School, and what to do with your presents next Christmas?
Answer: "I would consider how many presents I truly need and think about others who may not have as much. I might ask for fewer gifts and use what I receive to help others. I would talk in Sunday School about the importance of giving and sharing with those in need, and donate some of my gifts to children who are less fortunate."
Catholic Social Teaching Principle: Option for the Poor and Vulnerable
When your class is doing a project on families and parents, Tommy brings in a blurry photo of his mother working in a factory line. He tells the class that his mom works very long hours, doesn't get a lot of vacation, and says she is not making enough money for the work she is doing. Katie makes fun of Tommy, saying his mom is "working a useless job" and that "it serves her right to not be making money!" What might you say to Katie to teach her how to act better according to the principles of Catholic Social Teaching?
Answer: "Katie, all work has dignity, no matter what the job is. We should never make fun of others for their work or their struggles. Everyone deserves respect for their contributions, and we should support workers in making sure they are paid fairly for their labor."
Catholic Social Teaching Principle: The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers
In class, Kelly is learning about homelessness and violence that is happening to children and youth in New York. Since she lives in Washington, DC, she says she shouldn't think about things that are happening to New York and that they don't matter to us. What might you say to Kelly now that you have learned about the principles of Catholic Social Teaching?
Answer: "Kelly, we are all part of one human family, no matter where we live. The suffering of others, whether in New York or anywhere else, should matter to us. We are called to stand in solidarity with those who are hurting and work together to make the world a better place."
Catholic Social Teaching Principle: Solidarity
Treyvon is frustrated because his mom leaves on the lights in every room, lets the water run when she is brushing her teeth, doesn't recycle, and drives her car everywhere instead of taking public transportation or walking. She says she likes to live a "luxurious life" and can't be bothered to change her ways. How might you help Treyvon know what to say to his mom, now that you have learned about Catholic Social Teaching?
Answer: "Treyvon, you could talk to your mom about the importance of caring for God's creation. By being mindful of our resources and making sustainable choices, we help protect the earth and ensure that future generations have the resources they need."
Catholic Social Teaching Principle: Care for God's Creation