Works of Mercy Student Packet
Faith in Action
The Works of Mercy & Loving Our Neighbor
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Date:
Growing Up and Growing in Faith
As you grow older, you receive more trust and new responsibilities. You might help clean your room, wash the dishes, or take care of pets. Growing up in your faith is very similar!
The great teacher St. Thomas Aquinas explained: "The age of the body does not determine the age of the soul. Even a child can have spiritual maturity." Having a mature faith means saying yes to Jesus' mission: building God's Kingdom of love, peace, and justice right here on earth.
The Two Great Commandments (Matthew 22:37-39)
1. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.
2. Love your neighbor as yourself. When we love our neighbor, we are loving God too!
What are the Works of Mercy?
In the Gospel of Matthew (chapter 25), Jesus taught that showing mercy to others is how we show love for Him. The Church gives us two groups of Works of Mercy:
Corporal Works of Mercy
Caring for the physical, bodily needs of others:
- • Feed people who are hungry
- • Give drink to people who are thirsty
- • Give clothes to those who need them
- • Shelter the homeless
- • Visit those who are sick
- • Visit people in prison
- • Bury and honor the dead
Spiritual Works of Mercy
Caring for the heart, mind, and soul of others:
- • Help those who have doubts
- • Teach others about God and His truth
- • Gently guide someone away from sin
- • Comfort people who are sorrowful
- • Forgive others willingly
- • Be patient when others hurt or annoy you
- • Pray for the living and the dead
Being Jesus' Hands and Feet
These are not just random acts of kindness. When we take care of people in need, we are loving Jesus Himself. We see Christ in every single person and treat them with the dignity they deserve.
Page 1 • Reading: Works of Mercy
Community & Justice
Catholic Social Teaching & Living Together
Study Guide
Human Dignity: Made in God's Image
Catholic Social Teaching is the Church's guide for how we live and love like Jesus in our society. At the very heart of this teaching is human dignity.
Dignity means our immense worth and value. Because every single person is created in God's image and likeness, everyone has equal value. Nothing you or anyone else can say or do can take away that dignity. Therefore, we must always protect and defend all human life, from the very beginning until natural death.
Key Themes of Catholic Social Teaching
Family & Community
Protecting families and helping everyone participate in society.
Care for the Vulnerable
Putting the needs of the poor and hurting people first.
Dignity of Work
Fair pay for honest work and respecting all workers.
Human Rights
Every person has the right to life, safety, food, and shelter.
Care for Creation
Being good stewards of God's earth, animals, and resources.
The Common Good
The common good means creating conditions where all people can live fully, safely, and peacefully. It is not just what helps one person or one group—it is what is good for everyone!
Three Things Required:
1. Respect for every human person
2. Helping society grow and flourish
3. Peace and safety for all
Solidarity
Because God is the Father of all people, we all belong to one human family. Solidarity means standing together and helping carry one another's burdens and sufferings.
Material Goods: Sharing food, clean water, and clothing fairly so no one is left behind.
Spiritual Goods: Sharing prayers, good works, and love for our brothers and sisters across the world.
Page 2 • Reading: Catholic Social Teaching
Comprehension & Reflection
Questions: Part 1
Name:
Date:
Directions: Use the reading on Page 1 to complete the sentences and answer the questions below.
1 In what ways does growing up mean having new responsibilities? Give one or two examples.
2 Fill in the missing words from St. Thomas Aquinas: Word Bank: body • soul • spiritual maturity
"Age of the does not determine age of the . Even in childhood, a person can attain ."
3 What does it mean to have a mature faith, even as a young person?
4 What are Jesus' two Great Commandments?
5 Fill in the blank:
In Matthew 25, Jesus taught that the Works of Mercy are necessary for entering the:
6 Who are we loving when we love others?
7 Complete the sentence from Page 1:
When we love others as Jesus taught us, we learn to see in every person and treat them with the they deserve.
Page 3 • Questions: Part 1
Comprehension & Reflection
Questions: Part 2
Name:
Date:
Directions: Use the reading on Page 2 to answer the questions about Catholic Social Teaching.
8 What is Catholic Social Teaching? What teaching is at the heart of it?
9 Fill in the blanks:
Our dignity comes from being made in God's
and .
10 Because each person has equal dignity, what must we do?
11 In your own words, what is the common good?
12 What 3 things are required for the common good?
13 Fill in the blanks:
We have the responsibility as fellow and as to bear each other's .
14 Solidarity & Material Goods:
Solidarity requires making sure things like and are distributed justly according to need.
15 Solidarity & Spiritual Goods:
When we practice solidarity, we share spiritual goods like and .
Page 4 • Questions: Part 2
