Global Solidarity

I think that after reading this article, it is obvious that the world must have more responsibilities to take care of women who are abused or are taken advantage of. People in our world care about those who are hurt, but as a community, we can definitely help more. We need to put everything in perspective. If a woman was killed because she refused to be a prostitute in our area, most likely, the news would be everywhere. We would want to help this woman and offer her anything that she might need. We should be doing this for Mah Gul’s family, and any woman who is abused or taken advantage of. Just because these women live in another country does not make it any different, we need to stand up for what is right.

Three themes in Catholic Social Teaching that really relate to this situation are Call to Family, Community, and Participation, Solidarity, and Care for God's Creation. I think that we are all called to help anyone who is hurt, especially women, because as students of the Mount, we can relate to these women in some ways. Although it may seem like we do not have a lot in common with Mah Gul, or any woman from Afghan, we do, we are sisters and we have to stand up for our sisters. We are all God’s creation, so we must take care of, respect, and help one another.

When there is a natural disaster, like a tsunami or hurricane, our world comes together to support everyone who was affected. There is probably a difference in level of concern/reaction/shock because disasters such as hurricanes may seem different to women being taken advantage of because hurricanes can injure thousands of people at a time. However, in places like Afghan, women are being taken advantage of and abused every day. It is not only affecting these women, but also their families and friends. I think that we all, as God’s creations, are called to help women who are abused and taken advantage of, no matter who they are and how far away they live from us.

Year of Faith

I think that the Bishop’s suggestions on how to live this year of faith are all very good and definitely something that all Catholics can work on. 5 resolutions I will make for the year are:

1. Get involved with CSC. I have field hockey practice everyday after school so I cannot do anything with CSC during the fall. I always think that it is too late to join anything after fall but once the winter comes around and field hockey slows down a little, I am sure any of our CSC organizations would be happy to have me help.

2. Go to Church every week. Between school and sports, my life gets so busy at times. Mass is only one hour a week, I definitely need to make time for it. I think if my whole family goes together, it will bring us closer not only to God, but also to each other.

3. Smile more. I really think that a smile can change someone’s day. If someone is having a terrible day, a smile might really pick him or her up and turn his or her day around.

4. Pray more often. I sometimes feel like the only time I pray is when I am in Church or at night. I can pray throughout the day and I do not have to have a special reason to pray, I can just share my feelings with God.

5. Go on a service trip. I really am interested in helping others and I often say that it would be so great to go somewhere to help those in need but I have never really looked into it. This year, I can do some research and hopefully find a service trip that I could go on.