The seven principles of Catholic social teaching show us how to live the Gospel
Posted November 12, 2025
As members of the body of Christ, we are each called to live out the Gospel not only in words, but in action. Catholic social teaching provides a blueprint for how we put our faith into action. This edition of focus presents the seven themes of Catholic social teaching and invites Catholics reflect on how they can incorporate these principles into their lives, so as to more actively proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ both in word and deed.
This edition of Focus looks at how Catholic schools serve a diverse population of students and families, transforming lives by forming children into virtuous members of society. Rich or poor, Catholic or non-Catholic, and children of all learning abilities are welcomed into Catholic schools across Michigan, primarily due to the Church’s efforts to make Catholic education financially feasible to those who want it, and despite constitutional restrictions on public aid for nonpublic schools.
How should Catholics think about immigration and the migrants who land here? This edition of Focus shares how the Church’s perspective on immigration is guided by the fundamental Catholic social doctrines of upholding human dignity and caring for the poor and vulnerable. This publication features the stories of immigrants who have traveled to Michigan, explains why and how the Church serves migrants, and answers frequently-asked questions about Church teachings on immigration.
Catholics can be a light to this state and the nation by allowing the truths of the faith to inform their voting decisions. This edition of Focus is intended to help Catholics in Michigan embrace the vocation of a faithful citizen in the 2024 election and beyond by putting on “the mind of Christ” before voting.
In response to national efforts to legalize and expand assisted suicide, a look at how Catholic end-of-life care promotes dignity and compassion.
Posted May 1, 2024
The Catholic Church calls for honoring and protecting the dignity of human life at all stages until natural death, which makes assisted suicide a direct contrast to the respect for life. It not only threatens the lives of the sick and dying, but also the lives of other vulnerable people. As efforts to legalize or expand assisted suicide continue to surface both in Michigan and elsewhere, this edition of Focus addresses why assisted suicide should be opposed and shows what true compassion for the suffering and dying looks like.
The latest edition of MCC’s Focus publication shares how the Catholic Church in Michigan works to protect children and prevent abuse. In this edition, meet the dedicated professionals working for the Church who oversee safe environment programs for parishes and schools, as well as the victim assistance coordinators who serve abuse survivors and assist them with the resources they need to heal. Read and watch this edition of Focus to learn how the Church is working to heal from the clergy abuse scandal and about the progress that has been made.
Amidst the ongoing news of mass shootings and gun deaths across the country, the latest edition of Focus explores the issue of gun violence and offers a Catholic response as public policymakers continue to propose and enact gun safety legislation, including here in Michigan. The intention behind this Focus is to demonstrate why gun violence is an issue of public concern, inform Catholics about the Church's stances on gun policies, and to invite Catholics to look at gun violence from the perspective of the Church’s social principles.
This edition of FOCUS presents MCC’s latest edition of its Blueprint for the Common Good, which lays out the policies MCC will advocate for during the 2023–2024 legislative session and is comprised of nine advocacy principles that originate from Catholic social teaching and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
