1. List two of the Building Blocks of Catholic Social Teaching you see apparent at SLUH; explain each choice. List which two you see missing and explain each:

A principle that I definitely see is the Principle of Human Life. I feel that all of my fellow classmates realize the fragility of life at any age and are thankful to God that they have it. The great majority of Jr. Billikens respect each other and those around them, even stranger and rivals. We pray for those who are living, and for those who are dead, and have a role in encouraging "pro-life" decisions. We celebrate life through CSP sites, our families, and each other, and thank God for it as a gift from Himself.

Another principle I see is the Principle of Association. As far as I can tell 99 percent of Jr. Bills are active in a least one activity with others. They pursue interests alongside one another, helping and getting to know each other all the way. The community family is something strongly emphasized year-round, and I feel this is seen through the interactions between upper- and lowerclassmen. We are told to treat each other as brothers, and I believe that's what we gladly do.

One principle that I don't see is the Principle of Solidarity. Many students are united with each other, and many times they unite on an issue concerning the common good (such as the Penny Wars fundraiser), but at the same time I see many guys neglecting their responsibilites as a human being looking out for other human beings, the earth, and themselves. Although I rarely see it, some juniors do put other juniors down. Many students still don't recycle and simply throw their trash on the ground. A lot of students cheat, too. Although these constitute neglecting solidarity for selfish purposes, solidarity is also broken when students like me, who don't do these things, refrain from speaking out against them.

Somewhat stemming off from what I've just written, sometimes I fail to see the Principle of Stewardship lived out at our school. Very often I see guys throwing away recyclable objects when the recycling bin is right next to the trash cans. Guys waste food or school supplies, and draw on the desks. By not taking care of our enviroment- whether the natural aspects or the man-made parts- many students turn away from being stewards of the earth.

See the third link at the bottom of the page for William J. Byron's article "Then Building Blocks of Catholic Social Teaching" for a list and explanation of each principle.

2. Two major ideas I want to remember and why I want to remember them:

One major idea that I want to remember from this section is that solidarity does not just mean unity among people or groups- which I thought it did. Solidarity has a deeper meaning, a meaning that stems from social justice and requires active concern and love for the common good from each of us. Although individuals make up the concept of solidarity, we must put our individual wants and desires aside for the good of those around us in community. Previously, as I mentioned above, I had just thought solidarity meant the sharing of a particular stance concerning an issue; now I know understand that solidarity in fact unites all humans to each other and is based on virtues: the first and foremost of which is charity. As Father Heinrich Pesch, S.J., said, "One for all and all for one."

Another idea that I'd like to remember is that there are three components under the concept of the common good (as stated by the text, page 155):

"1. Respect for all persons' natural freedom, conscience, and choice of vocation as members of society;
2. Accessibility to each what is necessary for a truly human life to include: work, food, clothing, health, education, participation in culture, the right to establish a family, and suitable information for their spiritual and mental formation; and
3. Peace and stability of a just order with those in authority using morally acceptable means to ensure the security of society."

I want to remember these because I believe they are the basics that every person needs- and has a right to- in order to live a happy, healthy life. The three components reminded me of the line in the Declaration of Independence: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." To me this is just the way of our country's "fathers" of founding the United States on the principle of common good, or the total of social conditions that will allow both individuals and groups to reach their human and spiritual fulfillment more easily. It is comforting to be reminded that the U.S. was founded on the principle of common good- and to now understand for the principle means- so that I can carry it with me as I take on greater leadership roles in my community.

3. One image that captures the chapter for me:

4. One significant question I have from this chapter, whether intellectual or personal, with a possible answer:

A question I had from this section is why, according to Father Ralph Huse, S.J., is pride the ultimate sin?

Once I began to reflect on this question, I realized that the answer is quite an easy one. "Pride" can have many negative components to it, and these components and in turn lead to other ones. Often a person who is proud looks down on other he considers below him, especially those in society who need the most help. With pride comes an "obtuse spirit," and often the proud refuse to recognize their faults and change their ways. If one becomes too proud he may even begin to look at himself as not needing God, or at least refusing to ask for forgiveness for his actions (which, because of his pride, he fails to see as sins). Through pride one turns away from the idea of putting others ahead of oneself- the main thing we are called to do as Catholics.