Commentary for educators and leaders introducing you to this topic (It is commonly accepted in many parts of Europe and the United States that the world is either overpopulated, or on its way to being overpopulated. This myth has hung on for generations. In fact, the world currently produces enough food to feed every single person on the planet. Unfortunately, Western ideology places blame on the poor for their plight and not systemic issues with economics, politics, equitable distribution, and the likes. Instead, the argument that is often promoted is that in order to solve poverty poor people need to have fewer children. This mentality ignores the root causes of poverty and instead invents one. This often results in forced abortions, sterilizations, or making food aid contingent on population control programs. Not only is this wrong it also has not and will not solve poverty. The Catholic Church does teach responsible parenthood, for each couple to determine how many children they believe they should have. This is where NFP can come into play; assisting with spreading out births. But ultimately, the solution to rising populations is not abortion and contraceptives, or even reducing the number of births each year. It is a more just society where the principles of the dignity of the human person, care for the common good, solidarity, subsidiarity, and the preferential option for the poor and vulnerable are realized. This way, even though the population rises, poverty can still be eliminated by more equitable distribution of resources.)
I. Opening Prayer
God of Justice, open our eyes
to see you in the face of those in poverty.
Open our ears to hear you
in the cries of those exploited.
Open our mouths to defend you
in the public squares as well as in private deeds.
Remind us that what we do to the least ones, we do to you.
Amen
(From Being Neighbor: The Catechism and Social Justice
USCCB, April 1998).
II. Scripture Reading:
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – John 6:1-15
III. Catechesis video questions:
Grades K-6
Domestic Church
IV. Witness video questions:
Grades K-6
Domestic Church
V. Action Steps
Grades K-6
Domestic Church
VI. Closing Prayer
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you
Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Pray for us sinner,
Now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
Archdiocese of Dubuque NFP page
Humane Vitae, especially paragraphs 2 and 23
ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS JOHN PAUL II
TO SCHOLARS PARTICIPATING IN THE STUDY WEEK ON
“RESOURCES AND POPULATION”
MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS
POPE BENEDICT XVI
FOR THE CELEBRATION OF THE
WORLD DAY OF PEACE 2009, p 3.)