Pilgrims on the Journey

One of the most valuable lessons that I have learned from this class is that everyone's life is different than mine, and I should never judge anyone without knowing their story. I remember hearing stories about families that had an in-vitro fertilization procedure, and learning that for them, the procedure was the only way for them to feel happy. Although I do not fully support IVF, I know that many people view it more positively, and it is not for me to judge whether it is right or wrong. Additionally, just hearing girls' opinions in class made me see the diversity in my school. I did not think that there were girls at the Mount that wanted to be stay at home moms, for example, and hearing girls say that they do made me change my opinion about "typical Mounties." All in all, this class had made me see that everyone has the own "norm" or "typical" in their life, and life is different for everyone. In her article "Everyone Walks Their Own Camino," Rebecca Gallo also reminds me that people's "walks" in life are not the same as mine. I also learned in this class how to form and maintain positive and lasting relationships. Through our discussions about cohabitation and communication, I thought about all that it takes to keep a relationship healthy, and hopefully gained knowledge that will help me as I get older. It was very interesting to hear my classmate's opinions on cohabitation, and about whose parents or grandparents support or disapprove of it. Learning about the different forms of intimacy and the different "love languages" helped me understand my own relationships better. Additionally, with my "Love Story" interview with my parents, and watching everyone else's, I saw really good relationships that last. This class gave me insight into relationships that I never had thought about before.

In-Vitro Fertilization

The pro of IVF is that it brings a child into the world for couples that are unable to have babies otherwise. However, the con is that it is dangerous, expensive, and creates fertilized eggs that can be left as medical waste, which is disrespectful to human life. Before I learned about the Church's reasons for not supporting IVF, I did not see anything wrong with it. Although I would not oppose someone I know having IVF, because it is their decision and not mine, I know now that I definitely would not have IVF if I am unable to have children. I agree with many of the Church's beliefs, especially that it is a waste of life. Additionally, I agree with Sulmasy when he says, "There is this sense that some people have that it’s necessary that they have a biological child to be a complete person. They need to recognize that their value as a person is not connected to their ability to do anything biologically.” I believe that being unable to have a child is nothing to be ashamed of, and that God is not punishing those people, but opening up another door for them. Personally, if I were unable to conceive a child, I would be so happy to adopt a child and give them a family and opportunity. Doing this instead of IVF saves many more lives, in my opinion. However, I do think it is odd that the Church's teachings on IVF is not all correct, as Julie Zimmerman discovered. Additionally, I would not support IVF because of how expensive it is. Although adoption is also very expensive, at least it does not risk spending money the way that IVF does.

Abortion

I believe that this story should have a lot much national story because of the controversy that accompanies abortion. However, I believe that it will start to gain more attention (hopefully) the more drawn out the case becomes, especially when Gosnell's sentencing begins. I believe that he should be given life in prison or house arrest. His crimes have been not only immoral, but also racist, and goes against the Hippocratic oath that he took to become a doctor. Therefore, he should also have his doctor's license revoked. Additionally, another reason why this might not be a well-known is because he is not a well-known man, and his clinic was at an area that also isn't as well known. I do not know if the reaction would be different if this had happened in another area, however. Maybe if it happened on the mainline, more people in that area would know about it, but probably the same amount nationally would know.

Papal Candidates

I think that the Church needs to address the economic crisis that the world is facing, and it needs to convince more people to pressure governments to help the poorest of the poor. The Church needs more support and less criticism, which it can only attain if it loosens up on its traditional and conservative role. Every future pope will face widespread criticism from nonCatholics just do to the bad reputation that most people have towards the clergy. I think that being a woman in the Church is only satisfying for those who are merely observers, and do not feel a need to participate in a special way in the Church. However, most women most likely do feel rejected in the Catholic Church, for the unequal role that we are given. Even though I am not going to be a nun, nor have I ever felt the strong desire to be a priest, I know that some women may, and I sympathize with their frustration at their limited role in the Church. I do not see why men are only given the opportunity to be priests in our Church: many women are religious leaders in other sects of Christianity or faiths, and are just as adequate as men. The one thing that I would change in the Church is its view on homosexuality. I do not think that homosexuality is a sin, because God man humans to love one another, and homosexuality is just one form of love. I personally do not think that God would not want us to love each other. Finally, I do not think that democracy is in the Church very much, because, as we know, the Church does not see everyone as having equal roles, so not everyone has the chance to speak for themselves. Additionally, Catholics sometimes see their priests, bishops, etc. as greater than human and closer to God, so these men have greatest say in the Church than any other lay Catholics.

Becoming Who I Am

I agree with Parker Palmer's belief that becoming who you are is more about reinforcing the way God made you, not becoming a "better you." I have also struggled with the notion of vocation: I believe that it puts pressure on us, especially as we learn about vocations in grade school, to expect to hear a call from an external force. In most people, this never happens, and growing up can be disconcerting when we do not have a lot of tangible guidance in our lives. However, this process of trial and error that young people go through as they are "discovering themselves" is natural and reasonable, and also defines us in its own way. Although I believe that we are shaped by the society we live in a by the people we meet (which many times can be a positive thing), we also should not let ourselves be changed in a way that can create a different person. By "changing," we are actually denying our true selves and the existence that God created. As Palmer says, it is sometimes harder to accept the person that we truly are than to pretend to be someone else. Everyone at some points in their life points on a mask, but it is when this mask replaces someone's natural person that problems arise. Pretending to be someone else results in losing God's gifts to each person. Therefore, it is important to always think about who we are throughout our entire lifetime. Even if we do not pay attention to who we are acting as for a short time period, it could still dramatically change us and make us forget who we are. Thus, I believe that everyone of every age needs to take time of self-reflection so that they may never forget who they are. Staying true to oneself throughout an entire lifetime is truly a success.

My Mission Statement

Based on our class discussion and activity around mission statements, please post your own mission statement. Using this link as inspiration (and you are welcome to do your own research, as well), formulate a 7 sentence (minimum) mission statement. Your mission statement should describe your passions in life, what is important to you and who you are. Have fun! Get inspired! In my life I vow to always be who I am at that moment, and to never hid behind other "Justine's" that myself or others may create. I will be the honest, loud, hard-working, caring, strong, independent woman that I am. I will not let others take advantage of me or my talents. I will utilize my talents to help myself achieve success, but more importantly to help the world in which I live. I will use my talent of good listening to help those around me, and my musical abilities to beautify the world with music. I will use my skills of good time management and learning abilities, as well as my need for knowledge, to enrich and widen my own mind. I will further widen my mind by traveling as much as possible, and never letting that dream die without trying at all costs to achieve it. I will never stop fighting discrimination or ignorance, and never accept offenses against myself or others. Finally, I will never let myself get stuck in a job that is unfulfilling or that I am not passionate about.

Identity

One large part of my life that has come to shape who I am is my family. Although I just have one brother, two parents and a grandmother that live in my household, I have a big extended familY: sixteen aunts and uncles, about 35 cousins, and now my family is growing as my cousins have children. My family has shaped who I am in many different ways. For example, having a large family has put me in my place and allowed my ego to stay at a reasonable level, as I blend in with the crowd at family gatherings. Additionally, my family is very teasing, and so being around my uncles and cousins that may (jokingly) make fun of me has made me a stronger person. Finally, I know that everyone in my family cares deeply about me, and will care even more as a grow up and begin to relate to the "adults." This is not my family, but literally my family is THIS BIG:

Secondly, all the traveling that I have done in my life has made me a more curious citizen of this world, and I am different than I would have been if I never left my home state. I have been to six foreign countries, and visiting other nations has shown me the great diversity of life that one can meet if one tries. This has shaped me in that I will always be a traveler: I believe I will always be moving (when economically possible), or at the very least, visiting other places. Even going to various places in the US has shown me the various people that our country holds that are unlike those around Philadelphia. I have as a result become more interested in society, people, and the interactions of countries with each other, and this will be a part of who I am forever. http://www.100people.org Finally, my faith is a crucial part of my identity that I have become closer to as I grow. In elementary school, I was one of the few public school kids that had to go to CCD on Wednesday nights, and at the time, I hated it. Of course, back then I had no appreciation for Catholicism or the wonderful relationship one can have with God. However, my parents made me go to Church every Sunday, and now it has become so essential to my week that I feel lost without mass. Additionally, entering the Mount has allowed me to see the wonderful parts of Catholicism that I never knew when I was younger. I know have a strong faith and have become a better woman than I would have been without it.