Blog Post #13

Blog Post #13- Pope Francis

1. What were some new things that you learned about Pope Francis from the video clips?
   I learned that he grew up in Buenos Aires, Argentina and can speak both Italian and Spanish. I thought that this was interesting because he was able to interact directly with poor people and an in need population. I did not know that he publicly apologized and recognized the child sex abuse that is present in churches all over the world. I thought that this was particularly striking because this issue has largely been swept under the rug by church officials and has gone on too long with too many children having to suffer because of it.
2. What did you notice about the topics that Pope Francis has written about so far? What do these say about him as a pope?
   Pope Francis has largely written about difficult topics such as homosexuality, nuns, the environment and so on. These topics have not been discussed very often or enough in the church and it is therefore essential that Pope Francis is tackling them at this time. These writings show that Pope Francis is willing to fight for equality and bring light to topics that are urgent and important. It also shows that he is a hardworking and perseverant person.
3. What are different changes that Pope Francis is making to the way popes usually do things?
   Pope Francis is different to the old popes because he embraces the modern era of technology and has a very liberal way of thinking. He has also traveled to the United States and been more open with the public. He is a very popular pope because of his recognition of problems that often flew under the radar before he became pope. By taking St. Francis of Assisi's name he has shown that he wants to tackle and end the corruption that plagues the church.
4. What hopes do you have for the present day Catholic Church?

My hopes for the present day Catholic Church are that it continues to become more liberal and adapt to the modern age, instead of keeping archaic views and practices. Pope Francis has already helped this become a reality and continues to be a model of the modern-day Church and its values. However, I think that the Church still needs to implement more practices that promote inclusivity and love for all people, instead of just certain people who fit the mold. I think that the church would also ideally have to pay taxes and be free of corruption, by making sure all church officials live lives of comfort but also live frugally.

Allison, Gillea. Digital image. N.p., 30 Sept. 2015. Web. <https://www.vox.com/2015/9/30/9417963/lapsed-catholic-francis>.

Blog Post #12

Blog Post #12- Notre Dame Community

1. What did you find interesting about the history of the Sisters of Notre Dame?
   I thought it was interesting that the Sisters left behind their lives and families in Europe to establish schools in the US. This was interesting to me because it showed their dedication to underserved people and their bravery. I also thought it was interesting that St Julie and Francoise were so resilient. They were kicked out of their diocese and they continued with their journey and pursued their goals.
2. What is something that you heard from the Alumnae Panel that stuck with you 
   and why?
   There were a few things that I thought were interesting that the Alumnae touched on. A particularly significant one was their opinions on the strictness of the dress code. They said that they felt that guidelines would be present wherever we go, and that we should accept it and understand the rules as they currently are. They went on to say leggings could make male teachers feel uncomfortable. In my opinion, the dress code is relatively reasonable, other than a few elements, the most prominent being the ban on leggings. The aforementioned comment really struck me because it went against the very philosophy of Notre Dame to empower women. I do not think it is very empowering when we as young women get reduced to sexual objects who would possibly make the male members of our community uncomfortable. The way I see it, the male teachers are here to teach, just as the female teachers are. It seems incredibly sexist to immediately give male teachers the benefit of the doubt at an all-girls school where young women and our empowerment should be the focus, not the comfort of male teachers who should not be looking anyway. I think that it is more reasonable if the ban is due to trying to have students adhere their dress to the business of school, however, in my experience this does not seem to be the real reason.
3. What does it mean to you to be a part of the Notre Dame Community?
   For me, it means connecting with my friends, teachers, and coaches as well as participating in school events. I feel that even in just my two years of being at Notre Dame, I have integrated well into the community and formed connections with incredibly intelligent and kind people. I feel that the NDB community is a very welcoming place and I am happy to be a part of it. It is an especially comfortable place to be because of the support that my coaches, friends, and teachers provide me with on a daily basis.
4. When you leave Notre Dame High School, what do you think are some values that will stay with you?

When I leave NDHS, I will carry the values of respect, empowerment, and kindness. In my experience, these values have been of the utmost importance. Without them it is hard to form a genuine and compassionate community of like-minded people. Notre Dame has taught me a lot and I hope to continue to grow as a person in my next two years.

The Power of "Satsang" or Community. Digital image. Old Town Yoga. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.oldtownyoga.com/the-power-of-satsang-or-community/>. 

Blog Post #11

1. Which event that you learned about from the Church History textbook presentations did you find most interesting and why?

I think that the most interesting events that we learned about were the Crusades. The Crusades were the most interesting to me because they showed the importance of religion in politics and wars. The point of the Crusades was to essentially conquer Jerusalem in the name of religion. This is incredibly interesting to me because it presents the idea that the God from any of the three religions was assumed to urge the people to fight for the so-called Holy Land. Although the people may not have received direct communication from God, they still felt the need to conquer Jerusalem in God's name and make religion a central if not the most important part of their lives.

2. Which person whom you learned about from the Church History textbook presentations did you find most interesting and why?

I found Saint Francis of Assisi the most interesting of all the church religious figures that we learned about. He was extremely influential in the church but was also a good citizen and example in his own community. The most important takeaway from the life of St. Francis is that unity and connections are much more important than material things. He showed that it is most important to give back to your community and to the people in the world than to take from it.

3. If you end up being known as an influential figure in history, what do you want to be remembered for?

I want to be remembered for not always making the most popular decisions but making ones that are the best for the society or community and its people in general. I would also like to be known as a logical, critical, and benevolent leader. These qualities are important to me because I value honesty and sincerity very highly in people, especially political or other types of leaders. It is important to be a respectful and understanding person, but to also take into account the sacrifices and compromises that need to be made so that one can achieve success in one's goals and simultaneously work together with the people around you. I would also like to be known as someone who works well with others and listens to the ideas and opinions of others before voicing my opionion or ideas. This quality shows a great deal of leadership and reflects the idea that no leader or person can achieve success or benefit others without the support of a community or large group of people.

4. How have you personally experienced growth (either mentally, emotionally or spiritually) after your own challenges in life?
After I broke my back while studying abroad in Germany, I experienced great mental and emotional growth. My injury made me appreciate my life more and see my life as precious and fragile. I became much more positive and developed a happier and kinder outlook on life. I was able to grow and realize something that most teenagers do not realize until much later on. I realized that I am not invincible, and that my body and my soul are my temple and that I should treat them with respect. I also learned that every action has its consequence. I will probably never jump off of a high cliff or from a rope swing ever again, and I am okay with that. My health and body are more important than any adrenaline rush I could ever get from doing something like that.

Meditation. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Apr. 2017. <http://solybreath.com/meditation>. 

Blog Post #10

Unit 3: Resilience

1. Could you ever see yourself sharing similar messages that your Letter Writer did on your own social media accounts? Why or why not? What would you say?
   No, I could not see myself sharing messages on social media like Paul sent to the Romans. I couldn't see myself sharing such messages because my social media accounts are mainly personal and do not have much to do with God or other faith related topics. I feel that Paul's messages were good and kind, but I don't think I would start an account like that of my own free will. However, if I did make an account like that I would mainly include inspirational quotes and motivational videos.
2. What were some new things that you learned from the Marian Apparition projects (be specific)?
   I learned about the different types of apparitions and their appearances, for example statue or just a regular apparition. I was also surprised that these apparitions are known to have appeared all over the world. I expected the apparition to only appear in Catholic/Christian majority countries, and found out that this wasn't necessarily true. I also learned that apparitions have to be approved by the Catholic Church, and there are large investigations that have to be made to be claimed as real apparitions.
3. How did you see resilience at work within the Marian apparition that you researched?
   The Marian apparition that I researched was Our Lady of Knock, and her appearance showed a lot of resilience. The woman who first saw the Marian apparition experienced resilience through Mary because she never doubted that she had seen Mary and never changed her story as long as she lived. This shows resilience because there were probably many people, primarily church officials, who doubted her and didn't think her claims were true due to how different the appearance was in comparison to previous Marian apparitions. The people of Knock and the priest of the church in Knock also showed resilience by believing that Mary had truly appeared and accepting it as a sign of Mary's love and faith in them.
4. Do you see yourself as being resilient? Why or why not?

  Yes, I see myself as a resilient person. I believe that I am resilient because I have experienced losses and hardships that have transformed me into a better person. They have also forced me to change and look at life in a different, and more positive way. Everything that I have done and experienced has led me in some way to the person I am today, and I think it would be accurate to say that I'm a resilient person.

Blog Post #9

Acts of the Apostles

1. In what ways did the people you learned about during this unit suffer? What was their reaction to their suffering?
   The people in this unit mostly suffered through persecution, with instances in which they were captured, kidnapped, or jailed for their beliefs. However, they took their persecution in stride and continued to preach their beliefs and not give up. They faced many hardships and difficulties in their lives, and their faith was one of the most important things in which they could always trust. Their determination and dedication made them very virtuous and faithful people.
2. Which story from the Acts of the Apostles did you find most inspiring and why?
   I found Act 4 the most interesting because it showed how ordinary people's faith was tested. The people faced many obstacles by trying to control their boat in the ocean and eventually wanted to give up. However, Paul came to them and told them that he trusted them and thought that they should continue and not give up, no matter how difficult their current situation may seem. This shows how even normal pious people can experience doubt and need a reminder that God and the Apostles believe in them.
3. How have you experienced challenges in your own life and how have you dealt with them?

   When I first arrived in Freiburg, where I was staying for my exchange in Germany, I broke my back while at the lake with my host sisters. I had to stay in the hospital for approximately 4.5 days and was on bed rest for two days. This was probably the most traumatic experience I've ever had and it took a lot of effort to heal and be better again. I overcame this challenge by working hard at physical therapy and depending on my parents and host family to support and help me recover. At this point, my parents wanted to take me back home because they were very worried about me and did not know if I could handle being practically all on my own with my injury. However, I refused to go back because I was determined to finish my time in Germany and better my German language skills. This was probably one of the best decisions of my life, because I met my best friend in Germany and was able to travel to Berlin alone and Paris with my host family. I do not regret a second of my time in Germany and am happy that I made the decision to persevere and stay.
4. Who are people that you can turn to in times of need and why?

  People that I turn to in times of need are my friends and family. My parents are very supportive of me and I have a very good relationship with them. I also lean on my friends in times of need because they are very kind and understanding. Both my friends and family are very kind and have helped me through lots of issues.

  Me and my best friend in Germany

Blog Post #8

Unit 1: Discipleship

1. What did you learn about the original disciples from the group projects?
   I learned that almost all of the disciples were martyred by the Jews. They were very close with Jesus and taught other people about the teachings of Jesus and went against Judaism. I also learned that the disciples were just normal people who were called to Jesus, which I found really interesting. This means that even normal people can develop a deep and profound relationship with Jesus.
2. Which disciple did you find most interesting and why?
   I found Thomas the most interesting of all the disciples. He was the most interesting to me because he questioned his faith and Jesus, and yet he was still able to overcome it and have full faith in Jesus. He showed that the disciples were by no means perfect but Jesus still fully trusted and accepted them. It was also mentioned that he was similar to Jesus, or acted like his twin, and yet had his own flaws but always stayed loyal.
3. Based on what you learned, what are the characteristics of people who follow Christ?
   The main characteristics of people who follow Christ are loyalty, faith, and love. These characteristics are shown in almost all of the apostles, with the exception of Judas. These characteristics are extremely important for the apostles, and really any Christians or people of faith. Loyalty is needed, so that you can gain the trust of people around and form deep relationships. Faith is needed to form a healthy relationship with Christ and God, so that you won't waver in your belief. Lastly, love is needed to understand other people's circumstances and to love Jesus for his sacrifices.
4. Do you feel that you display any of these characteristics? Why or why not?

Yes, I feel like I do display love and loyalty. I am not a very religious person, but I do recognize the importance of faith in many people's lives. However, I am a very loyal person and will stick by the people who are important to me and defend them even in hard times. I am also a very loving person, in that I try to exhibit kindness to most people and understand the hardships they are going through.

http://www.antiochian.org/node/23987