Pilgrims on the Journey

Through this course, I have learned and understood the Catholic Church’s viewpoints regarding many of the controversial topics such as abortion and gay marriage.  Recognizing the Church’s perspectives on these important issues is imperative because it helps one to form his or her own opinion.  Through this course, my opinion regarding these issues has been focused.  However, I think it is crucial to note that differing opinions are not wrong, they are just different.

Responding to vocations has been a key element incorporated throughout this class as well.  Vocations are not just in reference to the religious life, evident by Sister Colleen, but rather to the single or married life.  I enjoyed learning information about the papal candidates.  My favorite part was watching history as Pope Francis, the first Latin American/Jesuit pope, walked on the balcony at our papal party! :)

IVF?

The pro of IVF is a couple’s chances of having a child are increased (after previously being infertile). The cons of IVF are the high cost, the third party, and the strain of marriage. The Church’s teaching is that a child is made from a couple’s love, not a third party. I have never realized the cost of this practice. Sure, the financial cost of IVF affects my opinion because the price is so exorbitant. Therefore, a couple has to be sure that it wants to use IVF. However, in addition, the cost is so high probably because of its surrounding controversy with the Catholic Church.

Abortion: Why isn't this a national outrage?

Unfortunately, I have heard about this horrendous news prior to reading this article in class.  However, I did not know the full details, especially regarding the differences between race and economic status.  I did not know that segregation occurred in this abortion clinic.  In general, this abortion clinic was a safety hazard; however, one’s race made one more prevalent to health violations as well. 

I think this has not been a large, national story because abortion is one of the most controversial issues of the twenty-first century.  However, I am surprised that a more liberal news station, news broadcast, etc., did not address this horrific event more frequently in their programs.   However, if this abortion clinic were in a more prestigious area of the city, the national media probably would have been more vocal. 

The Changing Face of Marriage

My experience of the ‘domestic church’ is the dynamic structure of marriage.  Today, many couples do not have their marriage ceremonies at church but rather at vacation spots.  In addition, the media plays an important role in one’s perception of the changing structure and composition of marriage and family.  One show, in particular, Modern Family, features various types of 21^st century families.  On the other hand, Mad Men, features one type of 20^th century family. 

Despite, the changing composition of marriage and family, I think it is important to hold traditional beliefs as well as modernized ones.  However, I do believe modernization tends to make people more accepting of others with different beliefs, etc.  One day, I would want to establish the church in my home with my husband.  I would want a husband who has similar beliefs regarding the Church as me. 

Dating: What's the Point?

In my opinion, the ‘anti-daters’ are not realistic. In order for someone to spend time with a potential love interest, he or she needs to go on dates with that individual. They assume “dating is all about sex.” True, many college students on campus do “hook up,” an ambiguous term; however not all students do. In addition, these students may feel this pressure to “hook up” because of the apparent frequency on campuses. I think many teens, not just college students have a pressure to “hook up” because of their peers. A distinctive line that I read from Chapter 5 was “Falling in love makes people appear to us as gifts.” I believe that a dating relationship with another person makes one discover characteristics that he or she may not have found otherwise.

Papal Assignment

Some topics I think are important for the next Pope to address are sexual abuse issues and the declining number of priests in the developed world. I think the future of the Church needs to become more modernized because there is indifference toward church teachings from the world’s youth. To be a woman in the Church is very restrictive. A woman religious can only become a sister. However, laywomen in the Church can be Eucharistic ministers and altar servers (but so can men). Women in the Church somehow need to have an equal playing field as men. If I could change one think in the Church it would be to take away the literal Latin translations. These translations are not relatable to the modern world because of their foreign speech. Unfortunately, there is not room in the current hierarchy for an organizational democracy. The cardinals pray to the Holy Spirit for inspiration in their daily work and especially when choosing the next Pope.

Let Your Life Speak

Like Parker as a young child, my younger self thought the concept of a vocation or “calling” only pertained to those called to the religious life.  I never realized that lay people had vocations as well.  Now, as a young adult, I realize that everyone always had these vocations that were embedded into our own “sacred souls.”  However, through time and age, one’s vocations are revealed to him or her through her talents, other people, and her prayers.  I agree with Parker’s assertion that our image should not conform to something that it “ought to be.”  My AP Government class and I have discussed the word “ought.”  Who determines how something should be governed?    

I believe that by living one’s vocation, one automatically has success.  However, success is not defined by the amount of materialistic items one possesses but rather the positive characteristics one shares.  Unfortunately, one may not always encounter good fortunes but rather hardships.  Parker’s view states that hardships are “integral to the journey itself” because through these incidents one sees her “weaknesses as well as [her] strengths.” 

Mission Statement

My mission statement is to live my life in a positive and healthy way.  I will remain a strong, confident, independent young woman that my parents have raised me to be that will be represented through my daily actions.  I hope to serve as a positive example, especially to the younger classmen at the Mount, through my hard work and dedication to my studies and three sports. I will remain committed to my passion for Spanish and reach my goal of bilingualism.  I will remain physically active, especially through running, because I am continually taught the importance of motivation, goal setting, and self-confidence.  I will always have an optimistic outlook on life, even when confronted with challenges.  I will always remain grateful to my family for providing me with my morals, private school education, and as a role model.  One day, I hope to model my own family by the values of those of my family.

Sources of My Identity

Mount Saint Joseph Academy: When I was in eighth grade and I found out that I would be attending the Mount, I was enthusiastic! Rarely had anyone in my grade school attended Mount because of the commute, but I was up for the challenge! The Mount imbues self-confidence in all of its students because of its atmosphere. I have developed even more confidence in myself by attending the Mount because I know that I am truly prepared for any future endeavors because of my hard work and that of my teachers. In addition, the Mount has developed my passions for Science and Spanish, both areas I hope to pursue in my career. In my Honors Physiology class, I not only learned about anatomy but also saw it through the numerous cat and sheep dissections. Through taking five Spanish classes, I have developed an appreciation for the Hispanic language and culture, and I hope to be bilingual. Throughout my four years at the Mount, I have developed my time management skills as I am a three-sport athlete, have a one-hour commute, and take numerous AP level classes—things I never thought I would have been able to manage as an eighth grader.

Running: I have always been athletic as a child through my involvement in gymnastics, dance, soccer, basketball, softball, cross country, and track. However, running cross country and track are my favorite sports. Whenever I used to participate in the aforementioned sports, I was never exhausted from all of the running around, making me consider running track in fourth grade and cross country in sixth grade. I have always enjoyed running long distances because I can literally just get lost in my thoughts, especially when I am stressed out from all of my activities. Running has given me a form of goal setting. I consistently set goals for my cross country and track seasons so all of my mileage and efforts work toward a specific purpose. In addition, running keeps me physically and mentally fit.

Muscular Dystrophy Association Summer Camp: This past summer, I volunteered as a counselor at the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Summer Camp in Worcester, Pennsylvania. My cabin consisted of four wheelchair-bound boys, Mohammad, Revanth, Sebastian, and Uva. I was the “newbie” of the group since this was my first year and my campers’ fifth. I assisted them by tying shoes to fixing meals to playing toss. Many times, tasks I thought were simple were those with which campers had difficulty or could not complete. As a counselor, I provided my campers with both physical and psychological support during the week so they could forget about their diseases. Volunteering at MDA Camp provided me with an opportunity to help positively shape my campers’ futures by providing them with a source of hope. By volunteering at the MDA Summer Camp, I am more appreciative and thankful for my good health. I have learned that I enjoy helping others, especially those with neuromuscular diseases, peaking an interest in a career in neurology. I hope to continue battling these diseases with my campers not just for a summer but until they are cured.