Catholic Social Teaching — Becoming a People of the Beatitudes
with Fr. Charles Schmitt

Expectations:  Below, you will find a list of 7 key themes.  We will cover one theme per month from October through April. There will be a final exam in May. Students will be required to write a homily using what we have discussed in these 7 months. Since there is so much information on these subjects, we will spend at least 2 to 3 hours reading about our monthly topic and then we will discuss it beginning with a lead-off question. Each (including me) must be prepared to defend any comments one might make in our discussions.

Course Syllabus - Seven Key Themes:

1. OCTOBER — Life and Dignity of the Human Person

   1. abortion

   2. euthanasia

   3. cloning

   4. embryonic stem cell research

   5. death penalty/care of dying

   6. burial of remains and cremation

   Required Reading:  Oct – Pacem in Terris 1963 John XXIII

2. NOVEMBER — Call to Family, Community and Participation

   1. social

   2. marriage and family

   3. right and duty to participate in:

• seeking common ground

• voting

• education

3. DECEMBER — Rights and Responsibilities

   1. to one another

   2. to our families

   3. to the larger society e.g. politics, Holy Land

4. JANUARY — Option for the Poor and Vulnerable

   1. division between rich and poor

   2. immigration (in America – US Policy)

   Required Reading:  Viewing film – DYING TO LIVE

5. FEBRUARY — Dignity of Work and rights of Workers - Economy is to Serve the People NOT People the Economy

   1. right to productive work

   2. right to decent and fair wages

   3. right to organize and join unions

   4. right to private property

   5. right to economic initiative

6. MARCH — Solidarity – we are one human family

   1. right to call and be peacekeepers

   2. US Military Policy – Torture

   3. god’s gift of freedom

   Required Reading:  Mar – The Challenge of Peace 1983 – NCCB

7. APRIL — Care for God’s Creation

   1. protect people and the planet

   2. moral and ethical dimensions

8. MAY  — Homily – 10 minute: Sunday Scripture with Catholic Social Teaching conclusion

Suggested Resources:

Websites

• The Vatican
• http://www.osjspm.org/CATHOLIC_SOCIAL_TEACHING.aspx 
•  /SOCIAL_TEACHING_DOCUMENT.aspx
•  http://www.onearth.org/greenlight
•  http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/projects/socialteaching/except.shtmlx
•  http://www.nature.org/magazine
•  http://www.NCRcafe.org

Books

• An Intro to Catholic Social Teaching = Study Guide
  by Rodger Charles , S.J.  48 pages $5.95  112 pages $9.95
  ISBN 1871217369  Ignatius Insights 800-651-1531

• Responses to 101? on CST $12.95
  Kenneth R. Himes, OFM