1. One of the Ten Building Blocks of Catholic Social Teaching I definitely see at SLUH is the Principle of Association. Almost every student participates in a least one activity - whether in academics, faith, sports, or miscellaneous clubs, we pursue our various and sundry interests in one community, and we get to know each other all the way. SLUH's strong community interactions between upper- and lower-classmen and between students and faculty were especially evident in the Spring Fling basketball tournament, where many of the teams included teachers and one team had a freshman, sophomore, senior, and a faculty member.
Another principle I see at SLUH is the Principle of Solidarity. Solidarity is the idea we are all called to help each other to promote the common good in our society. "Brotherhood" banners that hang in all of the school hallways are constant reminders of the unity of the SLUH community. I think that most SLUH students really do look out for each other. It has been my experience that if you ask someone at SLUH for help, they will almost always help, even if they are occupied at the time. Furthermore, in tough times, the SLUH community bands together. For example, this year's sophomore class has gone through a lot of difficulties, but rather than breaking them apart, the hardships have caused them to grow closer (from what I've observed and from my talking to sophomores about this development).
I don't always see the Principle of Stewardship at our school. Stewardship calls for people to give their time, talent, and treasure to the greater glory of God. While SLUH students are talented, I feel that sometimes we let our individual ambitions get in the way of our duty of serving others. I don't think that doing lots of homework is evil, but I also don't think it's a good thing that the workload discourages students from doing CSP.
A similar principle I believe is lacking at SLUH is the Principle of Subsidiarity, which encourages volunteer organizations. While many students do community service, most do not. I believe more students could do CSP even with heavy homework loads.
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2. One idea I want to remember is the three components of the common good:
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.
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 they are essential to living a good life. While many people may live good lives, few realize that the common good does not just happen. Establishing and maintaining the common good require the cooperative efforts of many people. Maintaining the social conditions from which everyone benefits requires the cooperative efforts of citizens. But these efforts pay off - everyone enjoys the benefits of clean air or an unpolluted environment, or any of our society's other common goods. In fact, something counts as a common good only to the extent that it is a good to which all have access. This applies to my life in that when I decide where to go to college, I have to keep in mind not only how well the school suits me but also the tuition, because I have three younger siblings who will in all likelihood attend college, and I don't want to limit their options by going to an expensive school.
I also want to remember the basic Catholic social concept of solidarity. Jesus taught that on the Day of Judgement God will ask what each person did to help the poor and needy: "Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me." The Catholic church teaches that through words, prayers and deeds one must show solidarity with the poor.
I believe that when instituting public policy the "preferential option for the poor" should always be kept at the forefront. I also believe the moral test of any society is how it treats its lowest members. This is why it is so important to elect to office leaders who make important decisions with solidarity in mind. I will hopefully have the principle of solidarity in mind when I decide whom to vote for in any election for the rest of my life.
The purpose of social justice is not to achieve utopia, a perfect society; rather, it is to achieve the highest level of perfection possible in each individual person. Social justice has roots in many of Jesus' teachings, especially on the Golden Rule and the love of God and other peple. Working to achieve perfection is the obligation of each individual Christian.
