1. The first Building Block of Catholic Social Teaching that I see apparent at SLUH is the Principle of Human Dignity. This states that every human being is created in the image of God and redeemed by Jesus Christ, and therefore is invaluable and worthy of respect as a member of the human family. I especially saw this principle when Sam King wrote a letter in the Prep News about being a gay student at SLUH. He was respected just as much as anyone in this school, despite the fact that he had a different sexual orientation.

2. The next Building Block of Catholic Social Teaching that I see apparent at SLUH is the principle of Respect for Human life. This states that every person, from the moment of conception to natural death, has inherent dignity and a right to life consistent with that dignity. Our Pax Christi club exemplifies this principle, as well as our Pro-life group, who traveled to Washington to march for Pro-life.

3. The first thing that I want to remember from this section is the Father Ralph Huse video we watched. I especially want to remember what he said about the examen. I had heard what he said before from other teachers, and when the examen was first instituted, but what he said hit home with me. What he said about Ignatius, and about the two standards, Jesus and the Devil, also made a lot of sense to me.

4. The second thing that I want to remember from this section is the story of David Cash. He was at a casino late one night with his friend, Jeremy Strohmeyer, and he witnessed his friend assault a little girl in a restroom, and then left without doing anything. Jeremy murdered her and left the restroom several minutes later. Despite the fact the he told David he killed that girl, he still did not report his friend to the police. At his college, Cal-Berkeley, many have demanded his removal, and the institution of the Good Samaritan Law, which would require one to call the police if one witnessed a crime. I want to remember this story because it showed how just because something is legal doesn't mean it is moral.

5. What is the ultimate sin?

Two weeks ago I probably would have said murder, but after reading O'Malley's article and Father Ralph Huse's video, I now know that it is pride.

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