Just War?

I think it is unrealistic to think that conflict can be settled with nonviolent means. Our culture is so difficult to change due to the fact that throughout the world it is so diverse. People in Africa and the Middle East may have a gun as their families last line of defense against an enemy. While other people are stock piling them to prepare for a full-fledged attack on something. And even if we do start to make strides toward getting WMDs off the streets and out of irresponsible hands, they will also ways find a way to get more or make their own. I will strive to be an agent of change and nonviolence. I wish to help people see the error in their ways and find their way back home to Jesus. I wish to see our world in thirty years from now being a safer and more loving place than before. If we can reduce the WMDs and guns than maybe we have a real shot at changing our world culture to respect life and honor each other the way that God does. It is important to me that even if we cannot actually change anything that we still try to and never succumb to violent tactics in the removal of WMDs. We cannot fight the fire of guns with the fire of our own.

The events that occurred in Connecticut demanded a call to action because the lives of young innocent children were taken and this could have been prevented. We as a Catholic faith-filled society need to pray for these young children and those adults involved in this horrible event. We can raise awareness to our community about gun safety and proper storage of weapons to keep them away from potentially harmful people. It is our job to bring this issue to people's attention from our dear neighbor to the President of the United State, we all need to take an active role in fighting violence if we actually wish to make a difference. From here we need to continue to push this issue to the fore-front of everyone's minds. It needs to constantly and consistently be on the agenda of as many people's meeting as possible.

Factory Fire

We as American need to be aware for where and what we buy. Too many people use the excuse "out of sight, out of mind," just because we cannot see the monstrosity and we are not directly involved with it. But that should not allow us to pretend it does not happen. I believe that most of the responsibility falls on the corporations but both the people and the governments should take action to raise awareness and combat this horrible issue. Corporations need to take some accountability for the treatment of their workers and be responsible enough to give them decent wages and environments to work in even though it may cost them more. It is not ok to give the workers "non-living" wages. The corporations must understand the hardship these workers live with and take responsibility for providing them a "living wage."

Dorothy Day: Saint?

Saints should be inspiring people who have come from a great change. I don't think that any person just doing daily good deeds is enough. A saint should have come from great trials finding God and learning His works and doing His deeds. This person should have always looking to help others never looking for a reward. They should forgive even the toughest sins and help others do the same.
It does not surprise me that the Archbishop supported Day. Any truly good person realizes that it does not matter where you came from. It is if your intentions to help others and do the right thing are pure then if supporting you is the way to further your cause then it does not surprise me that he helped her. to really be a Catholic saint you probably overcame a great challenge such as dieing for your faith or forgiving a horrible act. Then you must be a role model to others so that they look to you in times of need. And from there hope that God's plan for you includes helping others through miracles.

Circle of Protection

President Obama speaks about how the government cannot accomplish everything that our country needs. But he does address the people saying it is our responsibility to help those that fall behind on all of our ways to the top. It is our duty as people, neighbors, friends, Americans to step up and help those that are trying to help themselves but can't do it alone. The Catholic faith encourages people to reach out and also help those in need as we do this we help not only each other but also God as whatever we do to each other we do unto Him.
Governor Romney continues his campaign throughout this video saying he has a plan of recovery for the economy and that when we get out of this debt we will have the resources to take care of those less fortunate. I believe that waiting to help these people in a solely financial way is wasteful. These people need guidance now not when we have the money to help or when the economy i better so they can more easily find a job. These peoples lives are to going to wait for the economy spiral to stop the are helping themselves get better the least we as americans can do is go help them be the best person they can.

Beyond the Swoosh

We can do things as individuals such as buy non sweatshop items and consciously choose where our products come from. As a communities we can raise awareness throughout our circles. We can tell people about Jim and Leslie work and mission. We can encourage people to do their part by paying attention to what they buy and maybe signing a petition or raising awareness themselves too. I think that bycotting would be an extremely effective way of getting the companies attention but it needs to be on a large scale one hundred people stopping the purchase of those products will not even be registered on the sales chart at the company's office. As a Catholic and a human I feel obligated to stop buying these products. I feel like I should be trying to help in any way I can if that means raising awareness or signing a petition, I will 'just do it.'

Church and Scripture

The Church used to only not be a place or worship but also a social gathering. When people went to church they stayed longer because all of the important people in their lives were with them. They shared stories and traditions, Sunday truly was a holy day. Today, our Sunday's are full of sports, homework, and church if we can find extra time. We are not getting the full experience of church where it is more than looking nice for the parish boys but exploring our faith together and believing in God as one community. Our worlds have grown we talk to people all over the country like they are sitting at the table with us and that innovation is great but we cannot forget the other people actually sitting at the table with us. Our generation has gone global so fast that we do not understand the difference a smile may make in someones life even if you don't know them and even if it's not on a screen. Acknowledging those around us even only for one hour even Sunday means so much more than the :) at the end of a text.