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.

Circle of Protection

I believe Circle of Protection is a great idea because so many people are effected by today's economy.  Obama and Romney both have different views on how to find a solution to the problem.  Because there are so many people out of work, Romney has a five part economic plan that will create 12 million jobs by the end of his first term.  He also wants to give more money to the poor and less to the rich.  Obama discussed the problems in the economy as well.  The president wants to make the economy better for everyone not just one section of the population.  Obama believes everyone should have access to food, a good education, and retirement.  Obama also intends to encourage others to help the needy while he plans to pay down the nation's debt.

I believe both Obama and Romney have great plans for fixing the economy.  Both politicians are performing works of justice because they are not just giving to those who are less fortunate.  They are both trying to solve the long term problem.  They plan to create more jobs in hopes that those out of work can change their current financial lives for the rest of their lives.  In my eyes both candidates have strong statements, but they are just words.  I am not sure which candidate will actually carry out their plans solve the problem.  I do not see any faults in either plan.

Project H.O.M.E.

Project H.O.M.E in Philadelphia enables people to help break the cycle of homelessness.  I believe Project H.O.M.E promotes justice rather than charity.  Project H.O.M.E is working to make a life long change instead of a temporary change.  This organization is not simply giving out food or supplies to the homeless, but it is trying to focus on stable housing.  This organization is extremely different from many other traditional homeless shelters.  Many homeless shelters such as Saint John's Hospice provide temporary shelter and provide daily food to those in need.

I believe Project H.O.M.E is a better model because those that are homeless need to be educated and they need to have the opportunity to work in order to turn their life around.  They are providing a permanent solution to the problems these homeless people are facing.

After looking on the website, I believe the most important program Project H.O.M.E offers is the Education & Employment Program.  This program offers a wide variety of services that are customized to the specific needs of the individual.  The homeless people are able to learn in a three-story technology center in the hopes of increasing their educational and employment opportunities.

Should We Forgive Osama Bin Laden?

To be honest, the question of whether or not we should forgive Osama Bin Laden has never really come to mind.  My first response would be no.  Why should we forgive someone who maliciously attacked our country and killed thousands of American people?  9/11 is a day that no American will ever forget.  Although I do not remember the day in great detail, I am aware of the effects it had on this country.  Many people who lost family, friends, and loved ones, are still affected eleven years later.  So why should we forgive Osama Bin Laden?

After reading Mike Hayes post, my view on this topic changed a small bit.  Mike Hayes writes, “…forgiveness does not give assent to the horrible actions committed by another.” He later goes on to write that forgiveness allows us to move on with our lives and break free of the anger that still controls our lives.  I believe Hayes has a good point.  If we the American people forgive Bin Laden, we can try and move on.  We do not have to forget what happened and we don’t have to think what happened was okay, but we can take a step in the right direction.  We can learn from what happened on 9/11.

We as Catholics are called to live like Jesus and follow his example.  When thinking about this question, Jesus nailed to the cross comes to mind.  When Jesus was dying on the cross he forgave every single person condemning him.  This in no way is different.  Jesus was in pain, upset, and betrayed, just like the American people on 9/11.  We need to be like Jesus and forgive Osama Bin Laden.  Like Hayes writes, “…we are indeed called to forgive Osama Bin Laden.  In doing so, we become more like God.”