Silence Begets Violence?

The school shooting in Connecticut is a tragic event that this country will never forget.  Recently, I feel like we as a country have been saying we will never forget such an event quite often.  Connecticut is not the only state to experience a school shooting.  A few years back Springfield High School experienced a school shooting and Springfield is in our backyard.  We as a community need to stop saying "we will never forget."  We need to start taking action and standing up for what is right and just.   Hopefully the murder of children and teachers will be a wake up call to many political figures.  These people we have elected to represent us need to make sure our country instills stricter gun laws.  

Those in Newtown who just lost their children and loved ones need our help.  Catholic Social Teaching calls everyone to unite and protect each other.  Every little act can help.  The parents who just lost their children need support.  They need hope.  More importantly, they need a reason to wake up every morning.  The community in Newtown as a whole is really struggling and CST tells us that we need to help.  We cannot create stricter gun laws ourselves, but we can make those mourning the loss of their children feel a little better.  

In my eyes, I can't really think of anything worse than a crime committed against a child.  I don't know if I will ever forgive Adam for his actions, but CST calls us to do just that.  As we saw in Dead Man Walking, God calls us to forgive even those who have committed the most heinous crimes.  Sometimes it's hard and it is even harder for those who have lost their young children.  We don't have to forgive Adam right away, but if we try to forgive a little each day, I am sure God will understand.

Pilgrimages of Life

Over the past 8 weeks, I have learned a lot in VHS.  VHS was definitely information about many hot button topics such as sex, birth control, "the hookup culture," and sexuality in the media.  I enjoyed the many videos and articles on Busted Halo.  While discussing all these issues in class, I feel I clearly learned the Church's perspective on these issues.  I never felt as if the Church's perspective had to be my perspective.  I thought I was able to have my own opinions and express them clearly whether agreeing or disagreeing with the Church.  I thought it was very important that everyone had the opportunity to express their opinions on every matter we discussed.

I also learned a lot about relationships and dating.  Because I will be going to college next year and be faced with the "hookup culture" I think it is important I learned about true relationships in VHS.  Through the love story activity I learned that everyone had a different story and no story is better than the other.  The most important thing is finding someone you want to share everything with.  This is sometimes hard to come by and it might take some time to find the right person.  Lastly, I learned that is it important to accept who you are.  Everyone is different and just because you aren't considered the "norm" doesn't mean you aren't important and special in another way.

Some Say Love...

While seeking love in committed relationships, I think it is important many qualities exist in the relationship.  I think trust, honesty, communication, and understanding are necessary qualities in a relationship.  Sometimes it is hard to find someone you trust all the time, but I believe in soul mates.  I believe there is someone special out there for everyone.  It may take a lifetime to find the right person, but I believe that person is out there!  I don't think being with your soulmate diminishes fighting or disagreement.  Even within the perfect relationship, arguments and problems can occur.  Some days might be better than others.

I think love songs do capture important qualities that exist in relationships.  These 5 songs encompass many characteristics of love I hope to one day experience.  The songs talk about how their love will not allow them ever to give up on each other and their love will not be able to keep them apart.

Alicia Keys "No One"

You and me together
Through the days and nights
I don't worry 'cause
Everything's going to be alright

Jason Mraz "I Won't Give Up"

I won't give up on us
Even if the skies get rough
I'm giving you all my love
I'm still looking up

Carrie Underwood "I'll Stand By You"

I'll stand by you

I'll stand by you

I won't let nobody hurt you

I'll stand by you

"Ain't No Mountain High Enough"

'Cause baby, there ain't no mountain high enough

Ain't no valley low enough, ain't no river wide enough

To keep me from getting to you, baby

"You're Beautiful"

You're beautiful. You're beautiful.
You're beautiful, it's true.
I saw your face in a crowded place,
And I don't know what to do,
'Cause I'll never be with you.

The Changing Face of Marriage

My experience of living in the "domestic church" has been a typically normal experience.  I live with my mother and father whom are married and a younger sister.  My parents were my first teachers of love and trust.  They taught my sister and I to forgive and help the dear neighbor.  The changing structure of marriage could be good or bad.  For homosexual couples, I think the changing structure of marriage is a good change.  I don't see anything wrong with having two mothers or two fathers.  Because divorce and cohabitation is so common today, the changing structure of marriage could be a bad thing.  Some children in families experience a tough time dealing with separated parents.  Some children are even living in an environment where their parents are not married.  This type of family is not stable and could in turn hurt the child.

I think it is definitely a good thing that individuals with a college degree tend to make better choices regarding marriage.  They tend to have lower divorce rates and multiple marriages.  One day I hope to establish the domestic church in my home.  I hope to teach my children the importance of love, trust, and forgiveness.

Marriage and Vatican II

While reading the article I have realized society and Vatican II have many different views on marriage. For example in the article that marriage is a vocation an authentic or divine call.  Today I don't think people really view marriage as a vocation.  Some people in the Catholic church marry, but some do not.    I think today more people view their occupation as their vocation.  The article also mentions how love is supposed to grow over time.  The divorce rate is so high today and sometimes love definitely does not grow!  Some couples find that they cannot stand one another or even that their feelings have not remained the same.  Thirdly, the Vatican discussed the importance of starting a family.  Today some couples do not have any children for many reasons.  Some do not think they would be good parents, some choose simply not to have kids, and other cannot afford children.  The church is not taking into account all of the different circumstances.  I personally think some couples today are making good decisions about reproducing.  Some couples simply might not be good parents and might not be able to make a good life for their child.  Lastly, the article talked about how marriage is between a man and a woman.  Today we have some couples getting married who consist of two men or even two women.  I think the article discussed many good points about marriage, but society today views many aspects of marriage differently.

Dating: What's the point?

I believe dating when you are young is important and is not something that should be looked down upon.  I think dating helps individuals discover who they really are and what they are looking for in a relationship.  People should date when they are young so when they get a little older and start searching for "the one" they know their likes and dislikes.
The article on Busted Halo discussed the prevalence of "hooking up" in our society.  I believe hooking up is very common on college campuses and it can mean something different for every person.  Some might see hooking up as making out, but others might see it as having sexual intercourse.  Although I do not believe everyone is taking part in the random hookup scene, many are.  I don't think this is the right way to find a healthy long lasting relationship.  Unfortunately many are partaking in this and I don't think the outcome is what they are expecting.  After a casual hookup, often times nothing follows because it was just for fun and it didn't mean anything.

Gender and Dating Relationships

Andy Otto's article on Busted Halo brought up many good points.  I think it is definitely important for couples to discuss getting married prior to getting engaged.  Marriage is a serious commitment and a serious and mature discussion should take place.  The Catholic Church teaches that marriage is an "efficacious sign of grace."

In Andy's article he writes about the movie Runaway Bride in which Ike says, "You know, if you gotta dress it up like that it doesn't ring true."  I think Ike makes a good point because it seems like sometimes people have such over the top engagements and it doesn't really mean anything.  Of course many of the wedding traditions are important in my eyes, but I think the couple should make sure they don't lose touch of what is really important.  

My parents discussed getting married before my dad proposed. They even bought a house together and lived together for a few months to see how things would work out.  My mom didn't want to rush into any decisions without knowing it was right.  I think my parents made a good choice by talking about what they both wanted.  This way when my father proposed, my mom knew it was the right choice for the both of them.