Guiding Principles
What's the Foundation of Our Work?
Guiding Principles
What's the Foundation of Our Work?
Doing God's Will on Earth
We are inspired by Matthew 25: 14-46 (Jesus' call to use our talents to help the least of our brothers) and Psalms 139: 13-14 (recognition of the uniqueness and dignity of every human life). We commit to doing God's will as reflected in these scripture passages.
Doing God's Will on Earth
Catholic Social Teaching
Catholic Social Teaching
Seven Themes of CST
Life and dignity of the human person
Call to family, community, and participation
Human rights and responsibilities
Option for the poor and vulnerable
Dignity of work and the rights of workers
Solidarity as one human family
Care for God's creation
These themes are associated with the concept of Subsidiarity, which means decisions and plans "should be made [and implemented] at the lowest level possible, with higher... authorit[ies] intervening only if... lower levels [can't] accomplish a task as well or as efficiently." This makes sense, since the unique challenges and conditions communities face often don't have monolithic solutions.
Seven Themes of CST
Life and dignity of the human person
Call to family, community, and participation
Human rights and responsibilities
Option for the poor and vulnerable
Dignity of work and the rights of workers
Solidarity as one human family
Care for God's creation
These themes are associated with the concept of Subsidiarity, which means decisions and plans "should be made [and implemented] at the lowest level possible, with higher... authorit[ies] intervening only if... lower levels [can't] accomplish a task as well or as efficiently." This makes sense, since the unique challenges and conditions communities face often don't have monolithic solutions.
Implications For Our Work
CST guides the causes our work advances. We're about:
- Helping people who find themselves in acute crisis situations
- Supporting those in chronic need (e.g., the elderly and the disabled)
- Lifting people up by empowering them to be self-sufficient participants in society
- Strengthening families and the communities in which they live
- Promoting and protecting the dignity of human life
We focus on issues like hunger, shelter for the homeless, affordable housing, health care, finances, mental and behavioral health, education, literacy, employment, crisis pregnancy, and family services, among others. Populations affected by challenges in these areas are diverse, and every person in need is a neighbor who needs our love. We are all called to willing their good, no matter who they are.
CST also impacts who we serve. We strengthen organizations best positioned to help our neighbors by most efficiently and effectively using their resources to provide the right assistance to those in need. They are as close to the ground as practicable, know the issues and the people they affect, and can tailor services better than can large-scale, centralized entities with monolithic policies and programs.
As such, our first priorities is local: Non-profits, governments, and socially responsible businesses at the center of the action. At times, though, broader approaches are more appropriate for the circumstances, or higher-level entities can enable and support local delivery. We'll also work with state, regional, and Federal-level organizations as it makes sense to best address socio-economic problems.
In summary, CST gives life to our goal of "empowering organizations to transform lives and communities."
Economy of Communion
Implications For Our Work
CST guides the causes our work advances. We're about:
- Helping people who find themselves in acute crisis situations
- Supporting those in chronic need (e.g., the elderly and the disabled)
- Lifting people up by empowering them to be self-sufficient participants in society
- Strengthening families and the communities in which they live
- Promoting and protecting the dignity of human life
We focus on issues like hunger, shelter for the homeless, affordable housing, health care, finances, mental and behavioral health, education, literacy, employment, crisis pregnancy, and family services, among others. Populations affected by challenges in these areas are diverse, and every person in need is a neighbor who needs our love. We are all called to willing their good, no matter who they are.
CST also impacts who we serve. We strengthen organizations best positioned to help our neighbors by most efficiently and effectively using their resources to provide the right assistance to those in need. They are as close to the ground as practicable, know the issues and the people they affect, and can tailor services better than can large-scale, centralized entities with monolithic policies and programs.
As such, our first priorities is local: Non-profits, governments, and socially responsible businesses at the center of the action. At times, though, broader approaches are more appropriate for the circumstances, or higher-level entities can enable and support local delivery. We'll also work with state, regional, and Federal-level organizations as it makes sense to best address socio-economic problems.
In summary, CST gives life to our goal of "empowering organizations to transform lives and communities."
Economy of Communion
