The Common Good

The human person is social by nature and needs others to thrive. The common good recognises that all persons must contribute to life in society, and all persons must share in the mutual benefits of life in society.^[1]

For schools to flourish, we need to maintain the community for the good of all, ensuring special concern for the most vulnerable members of our community. The common good does not just happen. Establishing and maintaining the common good requires the cooperative efforts of many people and must be enshrined in school policies and procedures. The common good should be reflected in all we do.

See (recognising the reality of a situation)

Where might the gaps be in our structures, processes and polices that might hinder the common good and the development of a Christian community?
 

Judge (reflecting in light of our faith)

From Matthew’s Gospel: “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” Jesus said to him, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”^[2]

What are the challenges this scripture passage presents to us as a school board as we endeavour to build a community based on the common good?
 

Act (discerning a response)

What do we need to do as individuals and as a board to ensure that the common good is central in our work?

The Manual for School Board Members challenges us to “work consensually to bring to fruition preferential options for the poor and marginalised within our community”^[3]. How might we do this better?

This Powerpoint will help your board to discuss, explore and deepen an understanding of the principle of the common good. (There are five slides in this presentation).