Global Solidarity

It is most definitely the responsibility of the world to protect its inhabiters. We should be protecting each other, not killing each other. When a natural disaster occurs, people from all nations rush to help the nation in need. Of course, it is great that people respond and help the country or city that needs help; however, why don't we rush in to help a family whose daughter was murdered? I think it is because we are scared that the same thing could happen to us. As a people, we are much less likely to help someone else if it puts us in danger. Our common sense leads us to protect ourselves first, which can be good, but not when hundreds of thousands of people are killed each year. It is sad to say, but as a society we are used to hearing about unfortunate, horrific deaths. Natural disasters shock us because they are not so common. It is horrible that we live in a world where it is more common to be murdered than affected by a natural disaster because these disasters are natural. Murder is not. We need to work together to stop this horrible cycle of murder and poor treatment. Every year many women, as well as men, are forced into prostitution. We have people in our world who sell other people for profit. Prostitution is the modern slavery. Many people think prostitution is not very common, but is. Every day innocent people are forced into a dangerous life of prostitution. A 20 year old woman in Afghanistan was killed because she refused to be sold into prostitution by her mother-in-law. Her mother-in-law took revenge on the girl by helping to murder her. We need to focus on helping people like this young woman. Her life was cut short because she refused to be sold and used like a slave. It is our responsibility as people to stop this cycle of prostitution and murder. We need to work on passing laws that protect women and punish those who try to sell them. With this, we are upholding the CST theme of Dignity of the Human person. No one deserves to be treated as if he or she is not a person. Mostly, we need to raise awareness about the very real presence of prostitution in the world. We also need to create a new generation focused of peace, not war. This new motto can start with our generation now. If we create a generation that focuses on peace and respect, we will foster a new society where murder does not have to be common. I know this idea is a big one and probably pretty far-fetched; however, I think it is the only way we will see true change. This generation of peace will practice Solidarity. We will protect each other and fight for each other, instead of against each other. The responsibility to protect our fellow human beings lies with each and every one of us and it is time we have stepped up.

a Year of Faith

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Vatican Council, the Pope calls us to celebrate a year of faith. In this year of Faith, he calls us to make resolutions that celebrate catholicism and virtue. This year of faith, I am 5 resolutions of my own. 3 of my resolutions come from suggestion of Bishop Ricken. The first is to live the Beatitudes. I think we should all make a conscious effort to study and practice the Beatitudes to help us make virtuous decisions. Next, I want to focus on volunteer work in the community. I think giving back is one of our most important responsibilities as Catholics. We are called to "serve the dear neighbor." This includes big acts of volunteering such as soup kitchens and homeless shelters, to small acts of service toward one another. In addition to volunteering my time in the community, I am making a resolution of my own that focuses on helping those right around me. I want to focus on helping my peers, friends, and family anyway I can. Helping a classmate understand class material is a small way we can volunteer our time to help those right next to us. I think service involves helping anyone who needs it, even if what they need is very small and seemingly insignificant to you. A fourth resolution, as suggested by Bishop Ricken, is participating in the mass. With many busy schedules, it can be hard to fit in time to dedicate solely to going to mass. When I go to mass, I will make a conscious effort to be fully engaged in the mass. I will focus on thinking only about the mass instead of my growing to-do list. Lastly, I am making my own resolution to try and become my best person. I want to be a person of faith and virtue, who makes decisions that better the world around her. I will spend the next year trying my best to fully grow into this person.