Pilgrims on the Journey

This has been a class for me to reflect and learn about myself and controversial issues in our world. I learned about in vitro fertilization and the different views on whether or not it should be accepted. Even though the Church is against it, I believe it should not be considered a controversial issue. People need to do it for health reasons and don’t have the benefit of having a baby the normal way. I learned about the arguments that can be stirred after a specific billboard is posted. People need to know that it is wrong and honestly stupid to put up a billboard suggesting that it is okay to commit adultery. It is vulgar. I learned about the case of Kermit Gosnell and the improbable reasons that it is not in the media. Also, I learned about the changing gender roles. Although it may seem like unusual, it is not abnormal for the woman to be the working parent and the man to be the one who stays at class More importantly the movie The Way taught me that everyone has a goal in life that they want to accomplish. Whether it is our call to go on the camino, or even go to college, we all have a mission in life. Also, The Way taught me that our experiences and the people we meet shape who we are in life. This was an interesting class and I will not forget about the stories I heard and the lessons I heard.

In Vitro Fertilization

There are many pros and cons that are considered for in vitro fertilization. Many pros are that people who cannot have children have the opportunity to try in vitro fertilization and have a successful pregnancy. Many women who have health complications have the chance to have a child. However, in vitro fertilization can have negative health risks on the mother and the child. Also, in vitro fertilization might not always work. Furthermore, the Catholic Church is very against in vitro fertilization. They believe that the conception of a child outside of sex between a married couple is morally wrong. In my opinion I think that people should have the option of vitro fertilization. I think that the price should be lowered because people who are not financially stable do not have the option of having a baby.

Kermit Gosnell

When I heard the news story about Kermit Gosnell, I was shocked. I never heard of this case. It was horrendous to hear that Gosnell killed seven babies and was convicted for committing late-term abortions. Not to mention, he was convicted of killing Karnamaya Mongar, a 41 year old woman who was given too much anesthesia and died of an overdose. It is frustrating that he is declaring that he is not guilty. I don’t think that this has been a huge news story because abortion is such a controversial issue. Each person has their own opinions about abortion. However, I believe that this case should be addressed in the media because this person needs to be shown justice and the truth needs to be told. I believe that the victims should be reverenced for what happened to them and shown proper respect.

The Changing Face of Marriage

In my experience of the domestic church, my parents have taught my siblings and I to be faithful Catholics. We try to go to mass every Sunday together and on the weekdays we eat together and pray at the dinner table. I think that being part of the domestic church means that parents try to teach their children to be compassionate, respectful and to set good examples as they get older. When I become a parent, I want my kids to have the same experience that I had and establish the domestic church in my home. There are many pros and cons in the changing structure of marriage. For example, unfortunately, there is a larger divorce rate than in the past. However, now more women and men are trying to wait until age 30 to get married in order to maintain a stronger and longer marriage. In addition, more people are getting married after they have earned a college degree. In the changing composition of marriage, more women are making more money than their husbands. It is different from the past when people used to think the fathers were the only breadwinners of the family. For me, I think that it is important that men and women both earn a college degree before getting married. Also, I think it is important that women are seen as equals in marriage.

Dating: Whats the Point?

I think that dating is not “essentially practice for divorce.” It is more about obtaining a close intimate relationship with someone you really like. I think that dating is important because it helps you get to know someone in a deeper and more intimate relationship and obtain a deep trust with that person. To me, “hooking up” is making out, but then advancing to sexual intercourse. Dating is so comparable to “hooking up” because when people “hook up” they don’t get to know each other. It is sad that people think it is okay to “hook up” with people because it is easy and spontaneous, but it can have serious health risks. Unfortunately, I think that most girls in college have experienced “hooking up,” however I wouldn’t be surprised if some high school girls have had random “hook ups.” I don’t believe in hook ups because I think that getting to know someone is more important.

Papal Conclave

For me, some of the issues that the Church should talk about are most likely same-sex marriages, abortion, women’s place in the Church and divorce. I think that some of the challenges the future pope will face is the amount of participation in the Church. After the Church sex abuse scandal, many people have lost their faith and have turned away from participation in mass. People do not trust priests and it is the Pope’s job to lead people back into their faith. I think that the future of the Church needs someone who can pull everyone together and bring order to everything in the church. We need someone who we can trust, and will try their hardest to make the Catholic community better. As women in the Church, we do not have the ability to speak out nor do have the right to participate in any way. Women need to have a bigger part in the Church in order to lead people in serving the Church. If there in one thing in the Church, I would change some of the practices and customs they celebrate. They seem so strict and stupid that I think it is time for the Church to change them. I think there is room for democracy in the hierarchy of the Church because everyone has a voice in the Church and everyone has a right to speak about what they do and do not like in the Church’s practices and customs. I think that the Holy Spirit works through the hierarchy giving the people the empowerment to speak and make changes needed.

Becoming Who We Are

In Let your Life Speak, Parker Palmer brings up many thoughts that I found interesting to reflect on. For example, Palmer says that our vocation is a gift to be received. I believe that it is important for all of us to be our true selves. We all have qualities and personalities that make us unique. I think it is important to accept those gifts. If we were all the same, life would be boring. I think that my experiences at the Mount have helped and shaped me into the person I am today.
Furthermore, Palmer says that we need to grow into our own authentic selfhood. Although it may seem difficult to understand, I think that he is saying that if we grow into our own individuality, we will be happy and successful in anything we put our mind toward. If we find our true selves, we will be able to appreciate the vocation God calls us to do. We will be successful in serving the greater community and achieving our well-being.

My Mission Statement

To me, success is about being happy with what I do and achieving to my fullest potential.  I know that my purpose in life is to be the best person I can be. I am called to be the strongest, compassionate and most courageous woman I know I am. My passions in life are my friends and family. I try to experience every little moment I have with them because every second counts.  More importantly, I want to take chances in life, travel and experience new cultures. I will always stay true to myself and achieve happiness in life.

Sources of My Identity

My family has helped shaped me into the person I am today. They have taught me not to give up and become a more strong-minded person. They have taught me to be a more confident person and have faith in myself. More importantly, they have taught me to be more loving and kind to others. In addition, my parents have taught me to be a more responsible person. Because of them, I have learned to take better care of my things and to keep my life in order. In addition, they have helped me face my fear of heights. When we went to the mountain Whiteface in Lake Placid, New York, I was terrified to ski down the mountain. I was four thousand feet in the air, it was 4 degrees and I couldn’t move. My family gave me the strength and encouragement to conquer the mountain. Because of my family, I try to enjoy all the little moments in life. Although it was the coldest winter I had ever experienced, it was a great trip that I will never forget. As the oldest sibling, it is my duty to take care of my brother and sister. I am always looking out for them and try to be the best example for them to follow. My family and I are very close and I know they will always be there for me whenever I need their advice.

I don’t know where I would be without my friends. I know that I can always count on them if I am stressed or have a problem. I know they will always be there for me. They always make me laugh and give me advice when I desperately need it. I know that I can be my own comical and silly self with them and they will not judge me. They have taught me to enjoy life and not take things too seriously.  Although sadly we are all going off to different colleges next year, I know we will stay in touch. 

I have been playing the violin since I was sixth years old. From playing songs in the Suzuki collection when I was little, to improving from second to first violin, it has always been a part of my life. It is so much fun playing in the Christmas and spring concerts and the fall musical at Mount. Playing the violin at the Mount has helped me become more determined and confident in myself. I always try to improve and become better. As the concert becomes closer, I practice more and more to make the piece better. I have also learned not to be fearful playing in front of others, but to enjoy the experience. I look forward to playing in college.