The Next Genocide

In the nation of Syria, there is expected that a possible genocide could occur. The Alawites are the possible victims of this. This nation is extremely vulnerable right now and need help to guidance in avoiding this ever happening. Learning from our mistakes in the past, international leaders and the US need to come together in order to prepare for the possible genocide. We need to step in for this group who are helpless during this time. As Catholics, we are called to care for the helpless and protect them from possible harm. We need to prevent the ruler of Syria, Mr. Assad to not inflict death upon his own people. It is important that a country has a ruler that has good morals and respects the people of his own country. This country needs to be ruled well in order for no outbreaks of riots to erupt and rebels start a possible genocide. The CST theme should help us in making the right decisions in order to make everyone in that country feel safe and secure. I believe the CST theme will be a crucial part in making decisions in respect to other nations. It is important we share our message of how we run our country and point other nations in the right direction. Our CST theme can influence our decision making as a nation and individuals. Even without the CST teachings, human nature makes us feel sympathy towards others and we should feel that it is a right for us to help the people of Syria to prevent this genocide. Although the CST principals should be a major component in our decision-making, we need to making logical decisions in helping out this nation. We need to ensure the safety of their people and the safety of our soldiers sacrificing their lives to protect these people in need. We need to make sure that we prevent a future genocide because we should have learned from the Holocaust and the Rwanda Genocide. We should not make this mistake again in not getting involved earlier.

Silence begets violence?

This recent shooting should never be forgotten. It seems like after every national event we say we will never forget and try to learn from our mistakes. However, I feel like we do not rise to the occasion and act after these terrible incidents. More action needs to be taken on these gun laws and our right to bear arms. Not only should we mourn the deaths of these victims but also take action right away. This horrific national event needs to be a wakeup call for political figures to talk and confront these issues. They need to set higher and stricter rules and regulations on possessing a gun. Social justice needs to take place in order to stop this violence and we need to continue to spread the message of love. It is clear action needs to take place and we need to come together to voice our opinions and make it known that something needs to change in order for this to never happen again. Nothing will happen unless we take the first step of voicing our opinions on gun violence and laws.

Factory Fire

I am furious after hearing the news of this factory fire that killed over 100 factory workers. This factory located in Bangladesh has horrible working conditions, and stores that Americans use every day are getting these products and profits from this factory. Some of these stores include Wal-Mart, Disney, and Sears. Since these stores are prominent in the United States, then we are at fault. It is shocking to me that even the Wal-Mart head no comment to make and apparently were still using the factory even without the retailer’s approval. How could that happen? So many things went unchecked and could have prevented this horrific accident from happening. We need to take action for these workers that struggle to stand up for themselves. These companies demonstrate a lack of respect for these workers and the US government needs to set rules and regulations for factories used by the United States, even if they are outside the country. One rule that needs to be put in place is that there needs to be a set number of emergency exits per floor of a building. This eight-story building had not emergency exits. This is not acceptable. This incident reflects poorly on the United States and should be a wake-up call for companies and factories to put into place rules and regulations.

Forgiveness

It is crazy think that I could ever forgive someone who almost murdered me. However, this is what Pop John Paul II did with a man who shot him six times!! I cannot fathom the amount of strength and courage it takes to face the person that almost killed you and say that you forgive them. This action demonstrates the Christian ideal and is the essence of what the Lord did for us when he died on the cross. This is also similar to what Immaculee has done with the men who killed members of her family. She believes these men are good at heart and has the strength to forgive all of them. I have a hard time believing that I could do the same thing that Immaculee and Pope John Paul II did to these men that did horrible things. However, as difficult this must have been for these people, and has hard it is to believe for myself to ever do, they were following the Christian message of forgiveness.

Messy World

When I hear stories on the news, most of the time I don’t let them sink in and they soon leave my train of thought. I think this goes for a majority of people as well. I believe this because this does not directly affect me and I hear these terrible stories so often. Like the article said, I cannot relate to a girl that has been murdered and raped. I have never known anyone in that situation and I believe that is why I do not have a reaction. However, when I hear stories from close friends I can relate to them more because I have a relationship formed with them and it is easier to help them because I know them. This perspective I think relates to a lot of people today and I think needs to change because we need to reach out not only to our close friends but also to people we do not know, who are suffering. This perspective relates to the Gospel message because we should respond to helping people, no matter who they are. The article stated that we should imagine that our own family is suffering and that we would do anything for them, and this is how we should treat everyone who is suffering. For myself, always around the holiday time my father and his company go around house to house giving presents to families who have so little. I always participate in this with him and it is shocking to go into the homes and see how little they have. I am grateful for what I possess but I need to put myself in others shoes and reach out to people in need and who are suffering.

Global Solidarity

Everyday young women are being taken advantage of throughout the world and we need to make more of an effort to end this. Everyone needs to step up and take a stand for these young women who cannot help and stand up for themselves alone. From these principals of Catholic Social Teaching, we are taught to serve and help these people in need. We need to work together as one unit to help these distressed and abused girls. When there are natural disasters around the world, the United States is usually one of the main resources for these disastrous areas to get back on their feet again. We need to not only care for the earth during these horrific times of natural disasters but also for these vulnerable and needy women who are being forced into prostitution. I believe people are so shocked when these sudden natural disasters happen that they show more concern, but we should be showing the same amount of concern for these women. As Catholics, we are called to help and support these women that do not possess their natural rights, and this should be just as important of those affected by natural disasters.

Year of Faith

The Bishop suggests only ten very do-able ways Catholics can live the year of faith. These suggestions should not be a surprise to Catholics. However, if they have not been practicing these ten things, this is the year to start over and begin this year of faith right. I can resolve my year of faith by several different ways. First, I can attend mass more often and encourage others as well, not only just my family members but also friends. Second, I can incorporate daily prayer and reflection into my life by taking just a few minutes out of my day. The third way I could follow the year of faith is I can try to lend a helping hand more often and help people in need. This could be with family members, but also friends and fellow students as well. I could also attend Saint Francis Inn Soup Kitchen more often as I have in past years. Also, I want to help out with my dad’s program at work that gathers presents for families in need around the holiday season. My father and I have dropped bags of presents off to these families in need every year, and this year I want to gather more presents and give back even more. This does not have to be just around Christmas time, this could be all year round. Finally, I will be more appreciative for the things that I possess and grateful to have such loving friends and family. These people mean to a lot to me and I want them all to know that.