The World's Next Genocide

Because there are billions of people in our world, many different opinions and ideas exist.  Our world needs to be accepting of all different religions in all countries.  Many fear that a massacre like the Rwandan genocide might happen in Syria.  Just like the Tutsi's were being attacked for being Tutsi's, the Alawties are being attacked for being Alawties. It is our job as an international community to prevent a genocide from occurring.  

One of the major themes we talked about in Catholic Social Teaching is helping those who cannot help themselves.  The Alawties have no power in Syria and they need someone to stand up for them.  In order to make a world of peace, we need to make sure the government in Syria is fair.  As we saw in Imaculee's story about the genocide in Rwanda, during a genocide, the government is usually corrupt.  We need to take action now on an international level in order to ensure peace.  By taking action on this potential genocide we are living out the theme of justice.  We are making the world fair and just.

Silence Begets Violence

The school shooting in Connecticut is a tragic event that this country will never forget.  Recently, I feel like we as a country have been saying we will never forget such an event quite often.  Connecticut is not the only state to experience a school shooting.  A few years back Springfield High School experienced a school shooting and Springfield is in our backyard.  We as a community need to stop saying "we will never forget."  We need to start taking action and standing up for what is right and just.   Hopefully the murder of children and teachers will be a wake up call to many political figures.  These people we have elected to represent us need to make sure our country instills stricter gun laws.  

Those in Newtown who just lost their children and loved ones need our help.  Catholic Social Teaching calls everyone to unite and protect each other.  Every little act can help.  The parents who just lost their children need support.  They need hope.  More importantly, they need a reason to wake up every morning.  The community in Newtown as a whole is really struggling and CST tells us that we need to help.  We cannot create stricter gun laws ourselves, but we can make those mourning the loss of their children feel a little better.  

In my eyes, I can't really think of anything worse than a crime committed against a child.  I don't know if I will ever forgive Adam for his actions, but CST calls us to do just that.  As we saw in Dead Man Walking, God calls us to forgive even those who have committed the most heinous crimes.  Sometimes it's hard and it is even harder for those who have lost their young children.  We don't have to forgive Adam right away, but if we try to forgive a little each day, I am sure God will understand.

Factory Fire

The factory fire that occurred in Bangladesh is truly a tragedy.  112 workers were killed after being forced to continue working during a fire.  I think it is not only the companies and the governments responsibility, but also our responsibility to make sure we are using products that were made justly.  Some of the workers in Bangladesh work long hours and receive little pay.  I think all of the workers should at least be paid an amount set by the government.  It is the governments job to make sure workers are being treated with respect.  These people working in Bangladesh aren't even making enough to support themselves.  The government must be aware of this and they need to take action to solve this problem.   If huge companies such as Walmart and Sears are not going to make sure the factories in which their products are being produced are safe, then we as Americans need to stop buying from these companies.  If Americans boycott Walmart and Sears products, they will be forced to make sure working conditions are safe and workers are being paid a fair amount.  Some of these companies are so set on making a profit, they are forgetting what is actually just.  Unfortunately I don't think the entire American population is going to take a stance against this issue because it does not effect us directly.  I would like to think that by publicizing this issue more will want to help those workers in Bangladesh.

Radical Forgiveness

Forgiveness is definitely not easy.  The article from Busted Halo discussed Pope John Paul II's ability to forgive.  The pope visited the attempted murderer after he was shot 6 times by this man.  Pope John Paul II forgave him despite what he had tried to do.  I think Pope John's forgiveness is very similar to Immaculee's forgiveness.  Immaculee forgave the Interhamwe murderers after they had killed her mother, father, brothers, and friends.  The Pope and Immaculee both exemplify Christian ideals.  As hard as it might have been for the two, I believe both are following Jesus' message of forgiveness.

How's the World? Messy...

Whenever I happen to watch the news, I hear horrible stories of people suffering all over the world.  I don't really allow them to sink in because I feel like there is a new story every single day.  I think a lot of people think like this.  Unfortunately sometimes I think that since it doesn't effect me it isn't my job to fix the problem.  This really isn't how I should be thinking.  I should be thinking what can I do to help? Sometimes I just cannot relate to the stories and I don't know how to help those in need.  I don't think anything I can do will help the victims.  For example, the article about the girl who was raped and murdered is hard for me to relate to.  I don't know if anything I can do will help her.  

Whenever my friends tell me a story about a problem they are facing, I tend to be able to relate much more.  I have been close to many of my friends for a long time and most of the time I face similar problems.  It is so much easier for me to reach out and help a friend because I am already so close to them.  Sometimes it might be awkward to discuss such personal events with someone you don't know.  This perspective related to the Gospel message as well.  The Gospel tells us to help anyone in need (not just family and friends).  The article stressed how we should imagine that our own family is suffering and do what we would do for our own family for those in need.

During the Christmas season my family and I participate in an organization where we adopt a family in need for the holiday season.  We buy presents for the children and even some for the parents.  A lot of the time we buy coats, clothes, socks, and underwear, but recently we have contributed toys, books, and even a little something special for the family to eat on Christmas day.  I have participated in this "adoption" for the past 6 years.  Every year I realize how grateful I really am.  I need to start helping other people all year long, not just during the holiday season.  I should put myself in the family's shoes and think of ways I, myself, can help improve their lives.  

Global Solidarity

After reading the article I think the world clearly needs to do more to protect young women who are being taken advantage of throughout the world.  I think the world needs to help these young girls who simply cannot help themselves.  According to the principles of Catholic Social Teaching, we are called to help the vulnerable, work together as one family, and respect the rights and responsibilities we are given from God.  Whenever there is a natural disaster such as a tsunami or a hurricane, everyone in the United States wants to help.  So why is no one helping the young girls who are being forced into prostitution?  I don't know why there is a difference in level of concern/reaction/shock, but there definitely shouldn't be.  I believe we as Catholics are called to help these girls just as we are called to help those affected by natural disasters.

Year of Faith

I believe the Bishop's suggestions are something we as Catholics should really think about.  The suggestions do not seem very difficult.  5 resolutions I will make for myself this year are:

1.  Attend Mass: Sometimes it is hard to get to church every week, but I vow to make more of an effort.  While at mass I will participate openly like the Bishop has suggested.  On my own I can pray everyday asking God for forgiveness.
2.  CSC: I will get more involved in CSC and try my best to visit LaSalle Academy a few times a month.  I will help the students who are less fortunate and spend some of my time helping them with homework.
3.  Donate: I will donate old clothing, toys, and books to those who cannot afford to buy their own.  At Christmas I can buy Christmas presents for the little girls and boys whose parents cannot afford to buy presents from Santa.
4.  Since everyone has a busy schedule it is sometimes hard to sit down as a family, eat dinner, and talk about the day.  I will make more of an effort to stop what I am doing and just enjoy the time we have together.  I can take a few minutes away from my homework and just focus on spending time with my family.
5.  I will appreciate the gifts I have been given.  Sometimes I fail to realize my life is not the "norm".  There are many people struggling and my problems are really insignificant.  I will try and remember that whatever might be going on isn't really as horrible as I might think.  I will value the education I am lucky enough to receive and the house I have over my head.