Over the next several weeks, The Food for Thought column in our weekly bulletin will focus on the seven principles identified by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) as the core of Catholic Social Teaching (CST).  CST is the Church’s detailed roadmap for living our shared life in local, national, and global communities.

CST is drawn from a body of writings by popes, bishops, and other faith leaders that tries to answer these questions.  "What does each child of God need to live a good life? How might we build communities that provide the conditions for flourishing for all people? What are the different threats to the wellbeing of individuals and communities and how should we respond to those threats? What rights does every person have and what are our responsibilities to make sure these rights are protected?"
Next week we will  identify the seven principles of CST as well as six areas of peace and justice ministry outlined in the USCCB’s 1994 document "Salt and Light," which are meant to guide us in implementing CST in our lives as individuals and congregations.  

Source:  The Ministry of Peace and Justice by Michael Jordan Laskey) 
Submitted by Sharon Barron--314-892-2331