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 Unit Activities & Answer Key With Your Group Unit Resources  
Entries relate to BLEST ARE WE FAITH & Word Edition © 2008 and BENDECIDOS © 2008. Titles that refer only to BLEST ARE WE © 2002 and ©2004 are indicated in parentheses.    Catholic Social Teaching - Rights of Workers The Church recognizes the dignity of work and with it the reality that workers have rights. Among these rights is a decent wage. The Catechism of the Catholic Church calls for "just wages" (2434). Such wages allow an individual to provide a livelihood for his or her self and family. It connects to the common good. When hard-working people are unable to make a decent wage, all of society suffers. The family is affected negatively in terms of relationships and health. Sometimes the bottom line or profit margin takes precedence over the rights and needs of workers. This reflects workers serving the economy and not the economy servicing the people. Work, a form of continuing participation in God's creation, should be done with dignity, basic rights and fair wages. Many Americans work in sweatshop conditions - low pay, unsafe working conditions, excessive work hours, abuse, and child labor. This does not recognize their inherent dignity. 
 Define a minimum wage as the lowest hourly wage employers may legally pay workers. The federal government instituted a minimum wage in 1938. Discuss the importance of minimum wages. Have the young people find out if Congress in 2007 approved raising the federal minimum wage to $7.25 over a two-year period. Then have them find out the minimum wage in your state. How does it compare with the federal minimum wage?  From Paul's letter to the Romans 4:4, write on the chalkboard: "A worker's wage is not a gift, but is something due." Discuss the message together, and then have participants create mini-posters, creatively including the message in a design on sheets of 8 �" x 11" paper. Display the creations throughout unit study. Have participants take home their creations to share with family members. Links Catholic Campaign for Human Development Source of current issues relevant to issues of poverty Habitat for Humanity Creating greeting cards related to housing for all Books What Kids Need to Succeed - Proven, Practical Ways to Raise Good Kids by Peter L. Benson, Judy Galbraith, and Pamela Espeland Available through Free Spirit Publishing, 1998 A Place at the Table Available through the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, 800-235-8722, www.usccb.org Videos What Makes Us Catholic: What Are Our Politics? ( 28 min.) Thomas H. Groome discusses "Working Justice for All." It involves committing to a faith that does justice with love. Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 1-4182-5331-6 DVD 1-4182-5340-5 Audio CD Music "I Say 'Yes,' Lord/Digo 'Sí,' Señor," "Let Us Go Rejoicing" BLEST ARE WE Music CD 6 Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36657-3 BLEST ARE WE Song Book Words and melodies for songs on the BLEST ARE WE music CDS, Levels 1-8 Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36617-4 BLEST ARE WE Accompaniment Book Accompaniment music for songs on the BLEST ARE WE music CDs, Levels 1-8 Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36618-2 |
