Community and the Common Good

“The common good involves all members of society; no one is exempt from cooperating, according to each one’s possibilities, in attaining it and developing it.” ﹣Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, #167

Discover insightful Catholic Social Teaching (CST) resources on the common good at Education for Justice (EFJ). These resources are designed to help individuals, educators, and faith communities explore and apply this foundational principle of CST, which emphasizes the dignity of every person and the interconnectedness of humanity in building a just and compassionate society.

Hands forming a heart illustrate concept of the common good rooted in God's loveEFJ’s materials on the common good offer comprehensive educational tools and reflections that examine how justice, solidarity, and collective well-being are essential to human flourishing. From backgrounders explaining the theological and scriptural basis of the common good to practical resources that connect this principle to current social issues, EFJ provides a robust collection tailored to deepen understanding and inspire action.

Highlights include a thematic exploration of the common good, featuring key teachings from papal encyclicals and the Catechism, alongside discussion guides and scripture-based reflections. Additional resources, such as Fr. Fred Kammer’s insights on the role of community in achieving justice, and reflections on how women’s solidarity embodies CST values, further enrich the collection.

Whether you’re looking to integrate Catholic Social Teaching into your curriculum, facilitate parish discussions, or deepen your personal commitment to justice, EFJ’s resources on the common good provide a wealth of knowledge and inspiration. Explore how you can promote human dignity and the well-being of all through a Catholic lens rooted in faith and action.

Catholic Case for Pronouns

Reflection
“A Catholic Case for Choosing Your Own Pronouns” was published by Outreach: A LGBTQ Catholic Resource in April 2023. Jim McDermott, S.J., wrote the original article, and Education for Justice...

End of the Year Blessing

Prayer
Take a moment to share this blessing with those around you who have finished the academic year. Acknowledge those who strive for peace, those who are weary in the year’s completion, and those whose...

Ukraine Peace

Reflection
Learn more about a Just Peace Framework to help share a broader vision of human dignity and working for the common good. Examine this framework through the lens of the war in Ukraine to reflect on...

Laudato Si' Spiral

Activity
This reflection utilizes the pastoral spiral to deepen individual and communal reflection around a few themes of Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato si'. Participants discern specific commitments and...

Catholic Nonviolence Initiative Lecture Series 2023

Reflection
This resource is shared from the Catholic Nonviolence Initiative Lecture Series. The series and more information can also be found here - https://cniseries.info The video edits and summaries are...

In Memory of Japanese Internment Camps

Prayer
On February 19, 1942, President Franklin Roosevelt issued an executive order that authorized the evacuation of all persons who were deemed a threat to national security along the West Coast to be...

Peacemaking Activity for Elementary School Students

Activity
Begin the new year by thinking about how we can be peacemakers in our families, classrooms, and communities. This activity is geared toward students in grades 4-8.

When Every Night is Winter

Prayer
A prayer for wintertime and Christmas from CRS.

Atoning for the Sins Against Indigenous People

Activity
A discussion guide based on the article, "Atoning for sins against Indigenous people begins with confronting the past. Red Cloud Indian School is showing the way." The article appeared in America...

An Antidote to Despair Discussion Guide

Fact Sheet & Handout
A discussion guide that walks through an article from Commonweal Magazine highlighting Paul Farmer and his theology of accompaniment. The article, "An Antidote to Despair" ran in February 2022.

Catholic Social Teaching: Rooted and Renewing

Reflection
The Catholic Social Teaching: Rooted and Renewing reflection invites us to consider how consciously making daily decisions from the perspective of CST, in solidarity with all those who suffer and all...

After Buffalo, After Uvalde, After Tulsa

Film Discussion Guide
"After Buffalo, After Uvalde, After Tulsa" is the name of a dialogue hosted by the Georgetown Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life on gun violence in the United States. Use these...