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.

Circle of Protection

The poverty rate in America is overwhelmingly high at 15 percent and 46.2 million Americans remain in poverty. The Circle of Protection group had a great question to ask the Presidential candidates what their view was on poverty and what could be done about it. Both Romney and Obama have similar perspectives on poverty, but have different solutions to this ongoing issue. President Obama has the view of that it is wrong of us to ask more from the poor, sick or disabled, and to even ask the middle class to pay more is not morally right. He also believes that everyone needs to get involved with this problem of ending poverty, while we focus on paying down the nations debt and rebuilding the economy. Romney's view is that when the economy is healthy and growing we will have the resources to provide for those in need. Romney believes that the problem lies with jobs and his 5 part economic plan can help restore a lot of those jobs that were lost. Both Obama and Romney are looking ahead to the future, and trying to solve a long term goal to reduce poverty in America. Each one of them makes valid points on how we could get closer to this goal. This displays that they are each seeking justice for this unfortunate problem, and they are not just trying to be charitable. It is clear that in order to accomplish this, we must restore our economy, reduce our nations debt, and create more job opportunities. I don't find anything wrong with either of their statements and believe that they both give us valid solutions to solve this problem.

Project H.O.M.E

Philadephia is a city that is heavily populated with homeless roaming for food, clothing and shelter. Project H.O.M.E. provides an oppurtunity for these people to find such necessities by bringing them justice and charity into their work and programs. Project H.O.M.E displays justice by pursueing work to end the cycle of poverty and helping individulas getting back on their feet. Their main goal is a life long change for these individuals, unlike other programs which provide temporary solutions, such as housing. By providing these people with the oppurtunity to reach their fullest potential as members of society, this program differs from other organizations helping the homeless. The most important program Project H.O.M.E. offers, I believe, is the oppurtinities for employment. With their several partners across the city, Project H.O.M.E. provides job training, interships, and employment for the homeless. By having a job, this gives one confidence to become a member of society and will hopefully continue these people to keep moving in the right direction. This oppurtunity will truly provide homeless individuals to turn their life around.

It's About Forgiveness

9/11 is a day I vaguely remember. However, now, I am fully educated and aware of what occured that horrible day. The question presented of forgiveniss of Osama Bin Laden, one of the men who is resonsibile for this attack, is hard to answer. This terrible attack has scarred Americans for life and will never be forgotten. So, how could one forgive such a person who did this to us? After reading this article by Mike Hayes, in the first paragraph he states that "forgiveness should be used to heal us from harms done to us by moving forward and not allowing this pain to control our lives." I feel as though this is a good point and believe that the American people have displayed forgiveness. The 9/11 memorial that stands in Southern Manhatten is a testomony to our appriation to those who died that day and a symbol of healing and patriotism. Also, the new up and coming world trade center shows our mentality of American resilience. We do not have to forget what happened this day but the ability to forgive has lead us, and will continue to lead us, to bouce back even stronger. Forgiveness is displayed in the Chrisitian story from Jesus being nailed on the cross. Jesus forgave everyone condemning him when he was dying. Jesus' story can relate back to 9/11. Jesus' emotions in that story are similar to the ones the Americans' were feeling during that horrific day. I feel like Americans need to forgive Osama Bin Laden and continue to show foregiveness by having this mentality of American resilience in order to grow and prosper. The fact that Osama Bin Laden is dead and the Taliban has been dismantled helps in our healing.