A major theme of Catholic Social Teaching we have discussed as a class this year is caring for the vulnerable. In the nation of Syria, the Alawites are being targeted and are possible victims of an impending genocide. As Catholics, we are called to protect this vulnerable minority group. We need to encourage our government leaders and leaders of International Organizations, such as the UN, to prepare to fight back if genocide does occur.
The Alawites and Syrian Christians are hated not for their own acts, but for the acts of Mr. Assad. Just as the article suggests, we as Catholics need to urge our leaders need to ensure Mr. Assad as a national leader does not cause the deaths of his own people. We need to ensure the country is ruled fairly and equally, so that no rebels may be tempted to fight back or start a destructive genocide. By doing this, we will ensure that the CST theme of justice is lived out.
In my opinion, we can definitely follow CST guidelines to make decisions on an international level. We can use them to steer us in the right moral direction. I believe CST teachings can guide us in the best direction both individually, and as a nation. Even those who are not Catholic can still live out CST basic principles such as looking out for the vulnerable and making sure justice is served where needed. While we follow CST principles, government leaders must also ensure they are rational with their decisions (we cannot help every vulnerable person – our nation would run out of money). However, by using both logic and CST principles, we can most definitely prevent future disasters such as genocides and lead our world to be the best it can be.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Newtown Shooting: How to Recover
I believe the recent disaster evoked such an emotional response in our nation because the victims were children. Children are often thought of as the most innocent form of human beings. Defenseless, they were taken from this earth. All of us know and love children in our families and therefore, many of us can relate to the families of Newport. We can imagine the pain caused by losing such an important little part of one’s life.
The story is so painful and relatable that many of us feel we are called to action. Every morning on my drive to school, I hear people call into the radios asking how they can help. I think it took such a horrendous act such as killing children for our nation to realize the extensive harm of violence.
As a society, I think it is highly important that we do not evoke fear in other children. School should be a safe place, not a scary one. To prevent other crimes like the Newtown shooting, I believe the key factor is recognizing mental illness before a mentally ill person causes others harm. We need to promote organizations and rehabilitation centers that help those who are mentally ill and get help for our loved ones who are “not acting them selves.” I heard on a news station that Adam’s mom told a friend the week prior that she had begun feeling as if she was “loosing her son.” Imagine how different Friday could have been if Adam’s mom had taken action after noticing her son was acting differently. CST calls us to help our poor and vulnerable. Those who are sick from a mental illness are suffering psychologically and need support from those in their lives. I believe a movement to treat mental illnesses, as well as being there for those in our family during the hard times, may prevent any other horrendous acts such as the Newtown shooting from happening in the future.
The story is so painful and relatable that many of us feel we are called to action. Every morning on my drive to school, I hear people call into the radios asking how they can help. I think it took such a horrendous act such as killing children for our nation to realize the extensive harm of violence.
As a society, I think it is highly important that we do not evoke fear in other children. School should be a safe place, not a scary one. To prevent other crimes like the Newtown shooting, I believe the key factor is recognizing mental illness before a mentally ill person causes others harm. We need to promote organizations and rehabilitation centers that help those who are mentally ill and get help for our loved ones who are “not acting them selves.” I heard on a news station that Adam’s mom told a friend the week prior that she had begun feeling as if she was “loosing her son.” Imagine how different Friday could have been if Adam’s mom had taken action after noticing her son was acting differently. CST calls us to help our poor and vulnerable. Those who are sick from a mental illness are suffering psychologically and need support from those in their lives. I believe a movement to treat mental illnesses, as well as being there for those in our family during the hard times, may prevent any other horrendous acts such as the Newtown shooting from happening in the future.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Bangladesh Fire
The story of the Bangladesh factory fire is as infuriating as it is sad. The way the factory workers were treated goes completely against our CST beliefs of human rights and workers rights. The poor and vulnerable communities are being taken advantage of by big corporations. I find it incredible that the boss of the factory did not fear for his workers’ lives. Instead, he used them as if they were slaves or robots.
After reading the passage, I believe many people are to blame for the harm caused by the factory fire. However, I also completely agree with Josh Green’s statement that “It’s just not feasible” for big corporation leaders to round-the-clock monitor every factory they purchase from in every company. To blame the head manager of a corporation such as Disney or Sears would be like blaming the cardinal for an incident in the religious department at MSJA. The cardinal, like the leaders of Sears and Disney, are so high-up in the hierarchy that keeping up with the lowest level’s safety regulations may not be “feasible” as Josh Green stated.
I view the fault in this incident to be the immediate government and factory owners who are not ensuring their workers’ rights are respected. These leaders lower down on the totem pole have seen the conditions inside the factory. They needed to take a stand and fix the unlawful conditions. I think corporations such as Sears and Disney should have a system set in place where they train the owners of their factories to respect their workers. Inspections from the local government is another solution that I believe can be feasible in the future.
The article comments that as consumers we pressure for lower prices, which in turn results in lower wages for the workers. Maybe if corporations instead considered how much damage could to their reputation from an incident such as a factory fire, they would not follow the “low-price pressure” trend. As consumers, we also need to back off from pressuring big corporations to lower their prices. Is a $10.00 walmart bathing suit really worth someone’s life?
After reading the passage, I believe many people are to blame for the harm caused by the factory fire. However, I also completely agree with Josh Green’s statement that “It’s just not feasible” for big corporation leaders to round-the-clock monitor every factory they purchase from in every company. To blame the head manager of a corporation such as Disney or Sears would be like blaming the cardinal for an incident in the religious department at MSJA. The cardinal, like the leaders of Sears and Disney, are so high-up in the hierarchy that keeping up with the lowest level’s safety regulations may not be “feasible” as Josh Green stated.
I view the fault in this incident to be the immediate government and factory owners who are not ensuring their workers’ rights are respected. These leaders lower down on the totem pole have seen the conditions inside the factory. They needed to take a stand and fix the unlawful conditions. I think corporations such as Sears and Disney should have a system set in place where they train the owners of their factories to respect their workers. Inspections from the local government is another solution that I believe can be feasible in the future.
The article comments that as consumers we pressure for lower prices, which in turn results in lower wages for the workers. Maybe if corporations instead considered how much damage could to their reputation from an incident such as a factory fire, they would not follow the “low-price pressure” trend. As consumers, we also need to back off from pressuring big corporations to lower their prices. Is a $10.00 walmart bathing suit really worth someone’s life?
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Forgiving, not Forgetting
Forgiveness in our modern day world is more rare than it is common. The people of our world, including myself, tend to hold grudges against people who hurt us. In my opinion, the rareness of forgiveness in our society is what makes both Pope John Paul II’s and Immaculée’s so shocking. Pope John Paul II and Immaculée were both able to forgive murderers, and we, on the other hand, find it hard to forgive our neighbor who was rude to us last week.
Although their acts of forgiveness are shocking, I believe that the forgiveness they showed is healthy. I DO NOT believe the killers should ever feel their crimes were okay or that they will be forgotten. However, like we discussed in class forgiving is not forgetting. They need to know they are responsible for horrendous, immoral acts. Forgiving, however, can be beneficial to the victim. On our Junior retreat, Mrs. DeStefano shared a story of forgiveness and told our class, “sometimes forgiving is more for the person who was hurt than the person who hurt.” I believe by Pope John Paul II and Immaculée forgiving their enemies, they were able to find peace within themselves. While I am confident their acts of forgiveness must have taken extraordinary strength, I believe their acts are a healthy way of moving on towards a more positive life.
Although their acts of forgiveness are shocking, I believe that the forgiveness they showed is healthy. I DO NOT believe the killers should ever feel their crimes were okay or that they will be forgotten. However, like we discussed in class forgiving is not forgetting. They need to know they are responsible for horrendous, immoral acts. Forgiving, however, can be beneficial to the victim. On our Junior retreat, Mrs. DeStefano shared a story of forgiveness and told our class, “sometimes forgiving is more for the person who was hurt than the person who hurt.” I believe by Pope John Paul II and Immaculée forgiving their enemies, they were able to find peace within themselves. While I am confident their acts of forgiveness must have taken extraordinary strength, I believe their acts are a healthy way of moving on towards a more positive life.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
The Mess of Our World
Our world is truly a suffering mess. Turning on the news can even be depressing at times. Each news broadcast seems to talk of yet another murder in the city or bombing in a foreign country. I cannot go a day without hearing word of the injustice in our ailing world. This morning, for example, I woke up to my mom’s news that a student at the University of Delaware had been killed.
When I hear stories of immense suffering, my heart hurts for those who have been affected. I find it unfair that some of the world’s greatest, most hardworking people, such as those in Syria, are the ones suffering the most. People in Middle Eastern countries are working long hours at factories with little pay, and getting more and more suffering in return. When a friend tells me a story of hurt, I try my best to lend a helping hand in any way I can. However, it is hard sometimes to lend a helping hand to global issues. Sometimes we need to take help to the next step and seek out a charity that works to solve a certain “mess” in our world.
Gospel messages teach us that even just a small step can make a big impact. For example, just donating five to ten dollars to hurricane sandy relief fund will make a bigger difference than you could imagine. The gospel messages remind us that sometimes the material things, such as donating to a charity, are not the only ways to help. Just listening to a friend who is dealing with personal issues may be extremely beneficial.
The article calls us to take the hurt and make it our own. “Make it personal” it encourages. If each of us feels suffering for those in need, our world could be a changed planet. People are drowning in the “mess” and it is time for us to reach out. Whether by forming our own charity, listening to a friend, or just donating our time, we can together solve every problem.
When I hear stories of immense suffering, my heart hurts for those who have been affected. I find it unfair that some of the world’s greatest, most hardworking people, such as those in Syria, are the ones suffering the most. People in Middle Eastern countries are working long hours at factories with little pay, and getting more and more suffering in return. When a friend tells me a story of hurt, I try my best to lend a helping hand in any way I can. However, it is hard sometimes to lend a helping hand to global issues. Sometimes we need to take help to the next step and seek out a charity that works to solve a certain “mess” in our world.
Gospel messages teach us that even just a small step can make a big impact. For example, just donating five to ten dollars to hurricane sandy relief fund will make a bigger difference than you could imagine. The gospel messages remind us that sometimes the material things, such as donating to a charity, are not the only ways to help. Just listening to a friend who is dealing with personal issues may be extremely beneficial.
The article calls us to take the hurt and make it our own. “Make it personal” it encourages. If each of us feels suffering for those in need, our world could be a changed planet. People are drowning in the “mess” and it is time for us to reach out. Whether by forming our own charity, listening to a friend, or just donating our time, we can together solve every problem.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Global Solidarity
After reading the article summarizing the murder crime, I instantly thought how similar this situation was to Lauren Marconi’s story of Edna’s Maternity hospital. In both situations, women are being left behind and abused in their culture. Women are forced to commit prostitution against their will – violating a common CST theme of human dignity and right. These cultures, to me, seem to be sexist. They treat women as objects or property rather than human beings.
Here in Chestnut Hill, PA we are truly living the good life, receiving an education in a school where we are encouraged to be leaders of society. We need to fight for others’ rights and share our gifts with the poor & vulnerable. I see it as especially our responsibility as an all-girl school to aid hurt women. As CST’s solidarity theme teaches us, we need to feel compassion for these women as if they were our own MSJ sisters. If a girl was killed in Chestnut hill for not agreeing to prostitution, I know our community would be outraged and come together as one to honor her life. Just because Afghanistan is not our home should not change our feelings towards this issue. Women nationwide need to come together as one.
I feel that hurricanes, tsunamis, and other natural disasters attract more attention to the public because we can, in some way, relate to these people. We too hear news of a bad storm heading our way and may become scared. Although we have never experienced a tsunami here, we share some perspective of how frightening and sad that must be. On the other hand, I have never walked through my neighborhood and feared being stabbed because I did not agree to prostitution. A tsunami also kills a multitude of people at once, and is such a natural phenomenon that people draw interest to it. I feel like we just see Afghanistan as a “different culture,” see their practices as their practices, and let them be.
To begin helping, we need to grasp and imagine the terrifying lives and dangers these girls face every day. The first step is to show compassion for them, and spread awareness. Just like a tsunami gets huge coverage, we need to have unjust female murders and discrimination shown on national television.
Here in Chestnut Hill, PA we are truly living the good life, receiving an education in a school where we are encouraged to be leaders of society. We need to fight for others’ rights and share our gifts with the poor & vulnerable. I see it as especially our responsibility as an all-girl school to aid hurt women. As CST’s solidarity theme teaches us, we need to feel compassion for these women as if they were our own MSJ sisters. If a girl was killed in Chestnut hill for not agreeing to prostitution, I know our community would be outraged and come together as one to honor her life. Just because Afghanistan is not our home should not change our feelings towards this issue. Women nationwide need to come together as one.
I feel that hurricanes, tsunamis, and other natural disasters attract more attention to the public because we can, in some way, relate to these people. We too hear news of a bad storm heading our way and may become scared. Although we have never experienced a tsunami here, we share some perspective of how frightening and sad that must be. On the other hand, I have never walked through my neighborhood and feared being stabbed because I did not agree to prostitution. A tsunami also kills a multitude of people at once, and is such a natural phenomenon that people draw interest to it. I feel like we just see Afghanistan as a “different culture,” see their practices as their practices, and let them be.
To begin helping, we need to grasp and imagine the terrifying lives and dangers these girls face every day. The first step is to show compassion for them, and spread awareness. Just like a tsunami gets huge coverage, we need to have unjust female murders and discrimination shown on national television.
Monday, October 1, 2012
My 5 Resolutions
5 Resolutions I would make for my year of faith:
1) Attend Mass – When I was younger, I would go to mass weekly, but now high school, I often find my weekends to be so busy that I often do not make time to go. I can make this year more faithful by setting apart time in my day to attend mass, and even bring my sisters so we can all strengthen our faith again.
2) Tutor others about faith – One of my goals is to tutor more this year at LaSalle Academy or Face to Face. I can be charitable, and also help the children with their religion homework.
3) Spread holiday cheer – I have always wanted to participate in CSC Operation Santa Clause, and this year I finally signed up. I believe it will be a great way to celebrate Jesus’ birth and allow families in need to have a brighter holiday.
4) Go to confession – The last time I confessed my sins was a while ago, so I think it would feel good to go to confession this year.
5) Pray not just in times of need – I tend to pray more before big tests or when I want God to help me/give me something. I think it would be nice to pray times this year when I am thankful for what I do have.
1) Attend Mass – When I was younger, I would go to mass weekly, but now high school, I often find my weekends to be so busy that I often do not make time to go. I can make this year more faithful by setting apart time in my day to attend mass, and even bring my sisters so we can all strengthen our faith again.
2) Tutor others about faith – One of my goals is to tutor more this year at LaSalle Academy or Face to Face. I can be charitable, and also help the children with their religion homework.
3) Spread holiday cheer – I have always wanted to participate in CSC Operation Santa Clause, and this year I finally signed up. I believe it will be a great way to celebrate Jesus’ birth and allow families in need to have a brighter holiday.
4) Go to confession – The last time I confessed my sins was a while ago, so I think it would feel good to go to confession this year.
5) Pray not just in times of need – I tend to pray more before big tests or when I want God to help me/give me something. I think it would be nice to pray times this year when I am thankful for what I do have.
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