Spring 1 - Rights and Responsibility

Rights and Responsibilities

Seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.

Isaiah 1:16

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.

Proverbs 31:8-9

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Matthew 25: 40

The Parable of the goats and the sheep

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.  Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:6-7

"Each person is called to contribute with courage and determination, in the specificity of their role, to the respect of the fundamental rights of every person ... especially [the rights] of those [who are] 'invisible:' of many who are hungry and thirsty, who are naked, sick, a stranger or imprisoned, who live on the margins of society or are discarded."

Pope Francis, December 2023

All God’s people have the right to food, work, clothes, a home, school and medical care. These ‘rights’ are things that every person on earth needs in order to live a full life. But many people do not have them. Jesus wants people who enjoy these rights to help their sisters and brothers obtain their rights. It is not enough to feel badly for others. Jesus says it is our responsibility to see that everyone receives his or her rights.

With rights come responsibilities - we have the right to be safe, but the responsibility to make others safe.  We have the right to be loved, but the responsibility to be loving. The right to be shown compassion, the responsibility to be compassionate.

Every half term, we will be giving children a sheet with activities based on that term's Catholic Social Teaching.  There are QR codes for parents to link to videos, but also activities for children to complete - and a Padlet for them to upload their work, should they wish.

Our chosen Saint - Saint Vincent de Paul

Vincent de Paul was born into a peasant family in France in 1581. Vincent's father encouraged him to study and he became an avid reader and talented writer from a young age. At the age of 16, Vincent's father sold some of the family's livestock to pay for his study of theology at the University of Toulouse.

In 1605, while on a ship travelling from Marseilles to Narbonne, Vincent was captured, taken to Tunis and sold as a slave. For two years Vincent lived as a slave and moved around between multiple owners. In 1607, Vincent escaped and returned to France.

Vincent travelled to Rome to continue his studies. He later returned to France as a parish priest in Clichy, near Paris. It was here that Vincent became acutely aware of the terrible living conditions of the poor. Vincent worked on forming associations of wealthy lay people (people who are not ordained members of the church) in Paris. He persuaded them to dedicate some of their time and money to helping the poor. He used the money raised to provide hospitals for the underprivileged. This work became his passion and he spent his life preaching and providing relief to the poor.

In 1625, Vincent formed a religious group called the Congregation of the Mission. This group, made up of lay people and priests, worked with underprivileged communities, helping them with food and clothing and teaching them about Christ.

Today, we continue the work of Saint Vincent De Paul by supporting the local SVP and running a Mini Vinnies group.

Feast Day:  27 September

What does Rights and Responsibilities mean to Saint James'?