tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204560649374834812024-02-21T09:10:26.737-06:00Acting Justly, Loving Tenderly, Serving One AnotherSt. Benedict Preparatory High School - Social Justice and Vocations (Theology 12).
Students share their work from our service reflections. Challenged to see, analyze, reflect, synthesize, and act, their thoughts here will demonstrate their formation as young men and women formed to be the hands and feet of Christ in solidarity with others.Mr. Mastertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03986854285865332333noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-820456064937483481.post-9393027065552820052017-03-02T13:02:00.001-06:002017-03-02T13:02:17.175-06:00Trip #6: Habitat for Humanity (2016-17, T2)<div>
On Friday, February 24, students from our class traveled to the Pullman neighborhood to work on the <a href="https://www.windycityhabitat.org/">Habitat for Humanity</a> houses. Students assisted with painting, cutting, window framing installation, and more, under the guidance of the Habitat team. Part of this block of houses is the Pope Francis Home Challenge house - an anonymous donor put up $60,000 and challenged Habitat and Chicago to match the donation with their own fundraising last year. The 16-lot block of Habitat houses is over halfway done, and we worked on the 3rd set of homes.<br />
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Here are some thoughts from Ryan Hong (who wrote a reflection on Habitat but did not serve on-site) and Kezia Danso (who participated in the service day):</div>
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A post shared by St Ben Campus & Youth Ministry (@stbencym) on <time datetime="2017-02-24T17:29:51+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Feb 24, 2017 at 9:29am PST</time></div>
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<b>Ryan Hong</b><br />
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In Catholic Social Teaching, most of the class went to build houses for Habitat for Humanity. The organization is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry that invites individuals of all backgrounds, races, and religions to build homes together. Habitat for Humanity reminds me of NBA Cares or Build A House Foundation because both organizations work for the benefit of the community to help families find shelter. Habitat puts God’s love into action by having volunteers work to build houses in Chicago. The organization provides an opportunity for society to come together and help families that need shelter. Our country is a melting pot, filled with stereotypes and conflicts, but the organizations brings our diverse community together to help slowly solve a problem. I think everyone who volunteers is benefitting by understanding a new perspective on life and now appreciating their possessions. Habitat for Humanity built 90 homes around Chicago seeking to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness. Building houses provides families a safe place to live along with affordable housing. God created everyone out of love so, by volunteering to help the marginalized it will help society come together. <br />
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Habitat for Humanity invites anyone and everyone to volunteer. The organization offers an opportunity that a person will never forget. After a house has been built by partner families and volunteers, the home is sold to families that are in need but have the eagerness to invest their sweat into the organization's work. Habitat makes no profit off the homes sold, but the affordable mortgage payments are deposited into the Fund of Humanity, that helps pay for the construction of more homes. Society revolves around money and is meant for us to struggle. In recent years, the number of homeless individuals have increased along with unemployment rate in the United States. Individuals tend to leave out the homeless or poor because they have their own problems to deal with. There is an ongoing cycle of neglecting the homeless and poor because people think they use their money for drugs. We all have the option to try and work for our money. The homeless and poor do too, but with their living conditions and hygiene do not allow them to have an appearance to not get judged at an interview. An employer will always look for a good first impression like clothes, scent, handshake, and etc. I think there should be more places for the homeless to keep up with their hygiene. The past will keep repeating itself until multiple movements are formed to help solve an issue. <br />
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The Catholic Social Teaching theme Preferential Option for the Poor and Marginalized is relevant because every individual has the choice to help another. There are many volunteer opportunities to help the marginalized like Habitat for Humanity, soup kitchens, and etc. Preferential Option for the Poor calls us to consider the people who are poor or marginalized in the decisions we make individually, communally, and socially. Sometimes people get judged for helping others, which gives a negative persona that helping others is bad. In reality, we all should help one another no matter what shape, size, color, or religion they are. We are all made in God’s image and should embrace all of our flaws. We have one life to live and are blessed to have the opportunity to breathe. Now, I take advantage of every opportunity I have to help another person out. <br />
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In my opinion, we should all Care for God’s Creation because it will help create a more peaceful community. I personally love volunteering for the benefit of others. Working and seeing the end product is a reward and feeling that cannot be described. Christ calls us to persevere the world by being good stewards of it as God’s gift to humanity. I was always told you cannot judge a book by its cover. In a personal experience in 6th grade, I was made fun of for sitting next to a kid that was sitting alone at a lunch table. I ignored the other immature bullies and went along with my day. By caring for another's well-being you will never know how much it affects the individual being cared for. I love serving people and making others smile because it makes me happy. By putting God’s love into action it speaks the most truth because actions speak louder than words.<br />
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People will keep walking past marginalized individuals until society makes it know that it's okay to help each other. Society creates an image that everything is a competition. I think as individuals we may be too focused on money and the way to make it. Many families and people are not able to support themselves even if they have a job. By creating billboards and posters it will help expand the issue to the community. Everyone will go through a difficult time in their life but not everyone will have someone to help them go through it. By being an upstander in society we can help the marginalized by just giving attention to them. For example, it can mean giving the person sitting on the street money or just by having a conversation with them. I personally love having conversations with people I’ve never met before because I always learn something new. I challenge every individual to care for each others well-being even a stranger. A person can express God’s love everyday by complimenting someone or just by giving them a hug. Every individual is equal and deserves care.<br />
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<b>Kezia Danso</b></div>
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Having the chance to participate in Habitat for Humanity last year during Agora has left such a great impression for me. Participating at Habitat for Humanity two years ago was amazing, and I only hoped to visit again sometime before I graduated and even the summer before college. On February 24, 2017 the Social Justice and Vocations class had the opportunity to help in the finishing of some of the homes. From the first time I participated in Habitat for Humanity to my recent visit, it was rewarding to see some of the homes that were under construction two years ago and are now completely finished. Habitat for Humanity Chicago works hard to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness in Chicago. Regardless of your background, races, and religion, Habitat for Humanity Chicago seeks to help areas that are in need as well as those who are in need. Habitat for Humanity then sells these houses to those in need at an affordable price. In Chicago, especially when one thinks of the south side, the thought that runs through their minds are very negative thoughts. In our society today we often judge others and things based on the outer picture without knowledge of what truly goes on behind closed doors. Just because bad things do occur in the south side does not mean it is acceptable to neglect that area of Chicago or those who come from bad neighborhoods. On the field trip the class was divided into various groups, and each group was assigned to a specific home. With my group, we had the pleasure to work with Jack who was our group leader. In our home we spent the morning cleaning up areas that needed to be cleared up. Hunter and I then proceeded to clean windows and dust certain areas as well as sweep and vacuum the second floor of the home. In the afternoon, Hunter and I were given the task to install knobs on the kitchen cabinets. Though this was hard at first, with practice we soon got the hang of it. <br />
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Judging others is the often the first mistake we as humans make. Habitat for Humanity in general works to help those who want help and are willing to help themselves. They see past the appearance and what society sees as the “norm”. When we seclude others we are preventing many relationships from being built, many great things from occurring, and most importantly we are overlooking others which is incorrect. Judging others because of where they come from whether it be from a bad or poor neighborhood is never the case. The mentality to not help places like the south side and overlooking such places is really hurting us in the long the run. We are all one regardless of the nice home you may live in, your fancy cars, fancy jobs, or your fancy clothing at the end of the day we are all brothers and sisters in christ so if one of our brothers and sisters are in need of encouragement and uplifting then it is our duty to help in that process.<br />
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This situation reminds me of Luke 14: 13-14: “But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed.” In this verse the Lord calls us to include the poor, the crippled, the blind, etc. in everything that we do. Meaning we must include those who are deemed to be the outcasts as Jesus did with the people. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ, therefore, we must stop marginalizing one another and instead start uplifting each other. We are made in God’s image, therefore all of God’s creation is good and beautiful. We must not leave others behind but do everything in our power to uplift and be that supporting system for all people. Christ calls us to love each other, therefore we should not judge a person by their appearance but rather give them a chance. This situation also reminds me of the Catholic Social Teaching theme Rights and Responsibilities. Christ calls us to protect access to the things we need so as to live justly for others, society, and ourselves. In other words it is our duty to provide for the good of others, society, and ourselves. It is also our responsibility to ensure that we are doing everything in our power to improve our society while following in the footsteps of Christ. Though our lives may be great it is important to think of others from all different walks of life. Just because an individual does have the same clothes you have on your back does not mean they do not deserve a home either. Again it is our duty to make sure that think about how our actions whether it be judging will affect others.<br />
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My faith calls me to love everyone as Jesus loved us. My faith also calls me to be of service to others. Anything that I can do to help my community and ultimately make a huge difference is something I am striving towards. I have come to the realization that I do not need to do anything extravagant but making small changes to my life each day will create a big change. The goal that I have set for myself is to be of service to others. Where help is needed I want to present. I want the world to reach a place where we acknowledge each individual and look past our differences. To bridge the gap between social reality and what we hope for we must accept all people. Taking things day by day and loving everyone is the key way to see change. I want to take each day a day at time and work on being positive which will in return exude positive energy. I want to change how see the world, refrain from judging others, and devoting myself to others. Take small days a day will create a bigger impact and that is what I plan to do bridge the gap between social reality and what we hope for.Mr. Mastertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03986854285865332333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-820456064937483481.post-34459769509462923672017-02-28T10:04:00.000-06:002017-02-28T10:04:01.239-06:00Trip #5: Chicagoland Methodist (2016-17, T2)On Monday, January 30, students from our class visited the <a href="http://www.cmsschicago.org/">Chicagoland Methodist Senior Services</a> facility, Wesley Place, on Foster Ave. We collaborated with their activities department to match seniors (high school students) to seniors (elderly residents) for an art activity. Students worked with residents to create decorative birds, custom decorated by the partnerships to be hung around the center. The bird were made of crumpled foil that was wrapped in masking tape and painting by the participants. Here are reflections from Emily Gutierrez and Felixia Rivera...<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BP5qjv-lwom/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Great to be back at Chicagoland Methodist Senior Services to do art with the residents - seniors with seniors! #SoJuVo</a></div>
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A post shared by St Ben Campus & Youth Ministry (@stbencym) on <time datetime="2017-01-30T19:55:45+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jan 30, 2017 at 11:55am PST</time></div>
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<b>Emily Gutierrez</b><br />
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Recently, our Social Justice and Vocations class visited the Chicagoland Methodist Senior Center. Those who inhabit the center are mainly elderly people who are retired and either in their 60s, 70s, or 80s. The first man I came in contact with was an artist throughout his life. He told me he attended Lane Tech and he was accepted into a college for his academic standings and his appreciation for art. The man did not want to paint or decorate the birds because he preferred sketching in his pad where he has completed multiple drawings in the past. As I moved tables, I met another older woman. She suffers from Alzheimer's disease, which made her forget how to speak English. She understood when I spoke to her but when she tried to speak to me, she spoke in Spanish. Majority of the time when she spoke, I was capable of understanding because of my background in Spanish classes. The assistant nurse would help me communicate with. She could still understand when I pointed to thing or by the expression on my face. When I helped the woman paint her bird, she finished her project quite quickly. She painted her bird with a baby blue with a smile on her face. She seemed happy to be living in this center because she was still accepted, loved, and cared for. <br />
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Society is left to believe that those who are left in nursing homes/centers do not have families to take care of them. This is often a problem for many senior citizens. Sometimes they do not have the proper care meeting their mental, physical, and emotional needs insinuating they must be put into certain facilities. Without care for senior citizens, they would not be able to thrive . The elderly are often marginalized because people do not necessarily want to come in contact with them as most are very old-fashioned, opinionated individuals, but society must break that belief to be capable of accepting the elderly. They must be cared for unconditionally regardless of their age and mindset.<br />
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In Acts 20:35, it states: “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” This clarifies that Jesus has stated that it is better to give than to receive because we must work together in harmony to better ourselves. Everyone seeks help, but everyone must be willing to lend a helping hand without assuming one would receive something in return. The elderly are referred to as the “weak” because they can no longer provide for themselves nor can they do every day actions without assistance. <br />
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As a person of the Catholic faith, I do not wish for anyone to be marginalized in society, but it has become a problem that many people of different ages and races must endure. When my grandma became older and fell sick to cancer, I found myself spending more time with her. The elderly deserve the equivalent attention a newborn receives. It’s disheartening to see the elderly in nursing homes, but often it’s the only place where they will receive the proper care and attention. When humans reach a certain age, they can no longer provide for themselves, so they must rely on others, such as families or homes. Most families will have private care for the elderly if necessary, but others might not be able to afford it which would lead them to the decisions of putting them in a nursing home. Most nursing homes are covered by the elders’ insurance. I feel society devalues the elderly because they have lived a full-length life up to this particular point which seems like they no longer have a purpose, which I believe is completely false. <br />
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To bridge the gap between the social reality and what we hope for, we must take into account that the elderly still have purpose. They must be able to cherish their life time from start to end, regardless of their age. As creation of this earth, we must be unified and be willing to help those who feel marginalized in society simply by visiting the elderly who don’t have families who visit them often or those who don’t have any other family living. I long for the elderly to no longer encounter discrimination and and hope people would be willing to reach out to those who are aging meeting with loneliness. <br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BP5xDjGFs6N/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Check out these birds! Seniors with seniors #SoJuVo</a></div>
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A post shared by St Ben Campus & Youth Ministry (@stbencym) on <time datetime="2017-01-30T20:52:31+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jan 30, 2017 at 12:52pm PST</time></div>
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<b>Felixia Rivera</b></div>
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What I saw was that everyone at the senior center was very happy to meet everyone. They all just wanted to share their story and talk to someone new. The way they had the craft set-up for us was very efficient for us. The craft we were doing was very simple, so our senior could participate without it being a struggle. Each group of 3-5 students was paired with 2-3 seniors. The way everyone interacted was also very efficient because the seniors we were with were very open with what they wanted and how they would get things done.<br />
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Looking at the way people are left here it is evident that the people in their lives do not have time for them, or in better words, society left them. Now that they are seen as useless because of their age they are thrown aside like trash. Back in other cultures, the seniors are seen as the wise people you go to if you have a problem with something. Now that society has changed and you can just go on the internet to look things up these people are no longer seen as wise. These people are also sent here if the families do not have the means to support them like they should. Whether that is they cannot take care of them or they just do not have all the supplies they may need, all of this is just based on society and what the abilities of the family are.<br />
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“A gray head is a crown of glory; it is found in the way of righteousness.” (Proverbs 16:31) This shows us that we should respect our elders and give them things that they deserve. They spent all their life giving us things, so we should return the things they gave us. It also says that they are righteous because they have been around for a long time. They have lived life and know what has to be done and what is right and wrong. We should respect that and know that if they tell us something they are a majority of the time right. If we do not believe in their judgement instead of fighting with them we should respectfully decline their idea.<br />
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With seeing these seniors and then comparing them to seniors in my life it made me grateful. It made me grateful that I can see them everyday and talk to them whenever I feel like. Seeing that some of the seniors there rarely see their children or grandchildren made me sad. To see that they are essentially stuck with the same employees everyday that already know their stories. That was just heartbreaking. When we walked in their faces just lite up with joy and enthusiasm that you would see in a young child. That was the best thing I have seen in a long time. <br />
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What we can do to help these people is we can go in and see them. We can set a day aside to spend it with them doing crafts or just to listen to them. That is all they want is to have some listen to them and show them some love. Even though they get that from the staff it is nice from time to time to get attention from other people. So we can act by just going to your locale senior center and volunteer there or even just going and seeing the seniors in your life that you do not always see.
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<i>Note: Minor grammar/style edits have been made to each post not affecting the content or perspective of these students.</i><br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BP5yTcGFTPm/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Look at the birdies! #SoJuVo</a></div>
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A post shared by St Ben Campus & Youth Ministry (@stbencym) on <time datetime="2017-01-30T21:03:26+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jan 30, 2017 at 1:03pm PST</time></div>
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<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>Mr. Mastertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03986854285865332333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-820456064937483481.post-51811834548138637182017-02-07T12:04:00.000-06:002017-02-28T10:03:46.098-06:00Trip #4: Misericordia (2016-17, T2)On Wednesday, January 25, students from our class spent the afternoon at the <a href="http://www.misericordia.com/">Misericordia</a> campus on the north side of Chicago. Students were split up into different assignments around campus, ranging from laundry to bakery to art classes to office work and more. Students partnered with clients and residents from Misericordia to participate in these activities for the day. Here are some thoughts from Ryan Hong and Gary Dodovich on their experience...<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BPs4A5ElYhT/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Seniors spent this afternoon at various programs around the campus of Misericordia #SoJuVo</a></div>
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A photo posted by St Ben Campus & Youth Ministry (@stbencym) on <time datetime="2017-01-25T20:43:12+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jan 25, 2017 at 12:43pm PST</time></div>
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<b>Ryan Hong</b><br />
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In our Catholic Social Teaching class we visited Misericordia. I worked in the Art Department with a teacher. He was going over the Holocaust with the residents and how Jewish people were required to wear the star of David. Kurt then asked for a volunteer and picked a resident. He asked her “How would you feel if every disabled person had to wear a patch like the Jews did?” Before she could respond, he put a handicap sticker on her then asked her how she felt. She responded with “I feel angry.” In that moment I realized some people degrade the disabled because they may not have had the opportunity to truly spend time with someone who has a disability. Also, people exclude the disabled because they don’t fit with what society calls normal and may not have the ability to do certain activities. Some disabled individuals walk different which attracts attention to them. Society needs to become less judgmental and focus on the dignity and value of human life. In my experience at Misericordia the staff was welcoming and I loved interacting with the residents. <br />
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I was painting with a resident, and he told me that he painted a picture that sold for $1,000. He then showed me a painting that he recently painted which was a ship. I was amazed with how detailed the painting was and asked him what inspired him to paint the picture. He shared with me that he gets his ideas from magazines and YouTube videos. I heard more than half of the residents in Misericordia are Catholic. In my opinion, believing in faith helps individuals get through obstacles in their life. He is Catholic, and I told him that “God is my friend and a listener”; he responded with “God is my friend”. I was reminded that a person's religion or beliefs can change an individual's decision because their faith might not agree with what the status quo has become. I learned life isn’t fair, and we have to roll with the punches. We cannot let the obstacles in our lives define us. In society today, change takes time, and by sharing issues with others, it will help make the issues known. Groups of people are still marginalized in the world because some are not open for change and like to follow the status quo. The past affects the present because individuals get caught up in their own issues and may not focus on large scale issues that could affect them in the future. <br />
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I lived out the theme Solidarity, which is loving and being mindful of everyone as a brother or sister. Everyone is created in the image of God and has a purpose in their life. I had a feeling from God that I was in the right place while I was at Misericordia. The time we spent there went by too fast and I wish I was able to spend more time at Misericordia. I felt like I was just hanging out with some new friends. In my opinion every high school should make it a requirement to have their senior class volunteer at Misericordia. I mentioned only seniors because they are more mature and are able to analyze situations and understand how it effects society. God blessed the disabled with a new perspective on life, and I took advantage of the of the opportunity to learn from them. <br />
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In the theme Care for God’s creations Christ calls us to be good stewards to the world by taking care of the earth, caring for others’ well-being and helping others. The theme connects to CST because volunteering makes an impact in someone's life. Actions speak louder than words and volunteering gives attention to the marginalized people in society. Our society is based around money which is sad but by donating to organizations it will make a difference in someone's life as well. Another way to live out the theme Care for God’s Creation is going out of your way to make someone’s day by complimenting them or surprising them with a gift. My experience at Misericordia was a great and I want to volunteer again soon. After, spending time with the residents I really enjoyed their energy and positive outlook on life. <br />
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I personally dislike it when people judge one another because no body is perfect and everybody makes mistakes. Everyone is unique and special in there own way. For example, twins have a similar appearance but may have different beliefs. I’ve gotten bullied and discriminated against for being Asian. A kid in fourth grade said, “Ryan only needs dental floss to cover his eyes.” I know what it feels to be excluded from a group and have no one there for me in a situation when I needed someone. Anytime I see someone being bullied I immediately interrupt the conversation and stand up for the person being bullied. I don’t marginalize the disabled because they are one of God’s creations and have a purpose in life like everyone else. I learned that we need to enjoy life and take advantage of every opportunity we get to make a difference in someone’s life. We need more of our youth to be volunteering so they can comprehend the conflicts that our world is facing and later on can make a difference. <br />
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In society today we can make a difference by treating everyone fairly and equally. Living in solidarity with one another. There should be more special training for the disabled, more job opportunities, and more handicapped accessible buildings. I think with the help of a Misericordia and the Church the issue would gain more attention. Everything starts small so posting fliers around Chicago helps make the issue more known. Also, setting up a peaceful protest or rally makes a huge difference. From my experience at Misericordia I learned that getting out of my comfort is something I really like to do. I am going to start volunteering on my own time outside of school, for the benefit of myself and the community.<br />
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<b>Gary Dodovich</b></div>
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At Misericordia, people with physical and mental disabilities live and receive assistance. This seemed like a great place for disabled people who are not self-sufficient enough to live by themselves. The caretakers and employees here all seemed like great people who were genuinely there to help people and not solely there for a paycheck. The employees here do a great job at assisting the residents of Misericordia to participate in numerous jobs and activities such as working in the bakery or participating in the art rooms or greenhouse. <br />
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Misericordia is provided a portion of the money it needs to continue to be able to run the facility by the government. The money provided by the government is solely for necessities, and none of this money can be used for things such as their greenhouse. It would be unhealthy for these people to live their entire lives without participating in any activities; it would probably feel like jail. Misericordia has to raise a certain amount of money a year by themselves to keep these extra activities running. The majority of this money comes from donations. <br />
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Matthew 10:8 says, “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.” This is saying for anyone in need you should be there to help them. The physically and mentally disabled people at Misericordia need support from others, and this is why we need to help them by either volunteering our time or donating. Without help from others it would never be able for these people to live such an active and healthy life. <br />
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I feel that it is unacceptable to marginalize these people. We are pushing away people in need because society simply views them as “different”. I do not feel personally responsible for marginalizing these people. I have a neighbor named Ricky; he is a few years older than me, and he has down syndrome. I remember when I was younger I used to play video games with him and also do things such as play basketball in my alley with him. I always knew there was something different about him when I was younger, but I never really knew what it was, but I never saw that as a reason to not play with him or spend time with him. I believe Jesus would call us to accept the mentally and physically disabled and help them in any way possible. I believe a very simple way to bridge the gap between mentally and physically disabled people and the rest of society is simply being kind and accepting towards them. As I have learned from my visit to Misericordia these people are some of the kindest people you will ever meet. All you have to do is treat them kindly and they will do the same back. If we simply talk to them, smile, and wave instead of ignoring and marginalizing them it will make their day. It really is not that hard to treat them like we treat everyone else.<br />
<i><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Note: Minor grammar/style edits have been made to each post not affecting the content or perspective of these students.</i>Mr. Mastertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03986854285865332333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-820456064937483481.post-89538486032699209862017-01-31T08:39:00.000-06:002017-02-28T10:03:41.166-06:00Experience #3: Religious & Ordained Life Panel (2016-17, T2)On Wednesday, January 18, our Social Justice & Vocations class hosted three guests in our classroom to discuss their experience in religious or ordained life: Father Robert Pajor, associate pastor of St. Benedict Parish, Sister Helen Marie Kling, parish sister for St. Benedict Parish, and Brother Peter Lamick CSV, a Viatorian brother currently living at Saint Viator High School. The students had an hour to hear their stories and ask questions about their life experience. Here are some thoughts from Lexi Gillen, Hunter Kogen, and Brooklynn Marchan...<br />
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A photo posted by St Ben Campus & Youth Ministry (@stbencym) on <time datetime="2017-01-18T19:16:43+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jan 18, 2017 at 11:16am PST</time></div>
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<b>Lexi Gillen</b><br />
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After discussing discernment and the meaning behind our calling in life, our Catholic Social Teaching class was spoken to by religious figures that feel they have been called to their vocations. Sister Helen Marie Kling, in addition to one of our priests, Father Robert Pajor, and a long time friend of Mr. Masterton, Brother Peter Lamick, enlightened us on how meaningful their journey has been. It was very interesting learning about how each different religious member has embarked upon their journey through life and with God.<br />
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Sister Helen Marie King slowly began to find herself called to her community through visiting the community and naturally becoming drawn to the lifestyle. Not only did taking the vow of obedience strengthen her relationship with God, but it helped also to broaden her life experience. Just as we have about learned in Catholic Social Teaching, Sister Helen acted upon a calling that she feels she has received from God. She felt that her vocation was not just about spreading the words of Catholicism, but by helping people through even the simplest of means. Sister Helen enjoys being a friend to the elderly that are often times forgotten about at the nursing home that Sister Helen works with. Sister Helen also helped answer some questions that our class had about the modern day system of nuns, explaining that the sisters try to accommodate for new generations by giving prolonged exposure that allows for adjustment.<br />
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Brother Peter Lamick, also a history teacher and baseball coach, helped our class to learn about the dexterity that taking vows comes with. He explained that he defines discernment as “coming to a decision that God helps you with.” Like the prophets and other religious figures that were called to their vocations in some way, Brother Peter felt that he was given his sign of confirmation when he was confirmed in the church (no pun intended). Brother Peter began to follow his path set by God as he embarked on various journeys to different parishes and schools throughout the country. Living by the evangelical counsels had taught him that his path would not always turn where he had expected, but he had to just follow his heart that was close to God. In Brother Peter’s intending to maintain his vows for life, he has been able to lead others in discernment and students to victory with God’s guidance.<br />
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Our third speaker, Father Robert, gave us insight into his vocation and journey to becoming one of our priests here at St. Benedict. I was most intrigued by Father Robert’s story about his discernment, and his unexpected path provided evidence for the faith required in the process. Not only was Father Robert only a mildly religious man born in Poland, but he was an aspiring chef with little inkling of spirituality until his mid 20’s. Although Father Robert still has a passion for cooking, amongst other hobbies, his understanding of his faith leads him down his path. Father Robert explained a vocation as “anything that God calls upon you.” This explanation helped relate the meaning of a vocation to those who are not invested in religion, and it taught that being an avowed religious leader does not just involve proper study but real life enactment of those studies.<br />
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Having Sister Helen, Brother Peter, and Father Robert speak to us about vocations and discernment helped me to understand and relate to the reality of being an avowed religious figure. I previously thought that ordained figures like priests would have been extremely religious and involved in their faith throughout their entire life. Father Robert’s story about finding his faith while balancing many different passions with his love for God helped me to grasp the flexibility that religious figures can have. Additionally, Sister Helen and Brother Peter both shared stories about their various hobbies being intertwined with their callings to discernment. Although I do not necessarily believe in God, I do believe that the activities I take part in are meant for me to do. I feel called to do many things in life, and my purpose ranges just as broadly as the speakers’ purposes from Catholic Social Teaching class. Just as we learned about, I do believe that having faith (whatever it may be in) will lead us to follow our journey down various paths that may not always be anticipated.<br />
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<b>Hunter Kogen</b></div>
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On January 18, 2017, Sister Helen, Father Robert, and Brother Peter came to talk to the class about their vocation. All three of them shared their story and experiences with their chosen vocation. Brother Peter had shared his story on how he was called to be in the religious life. He said during high school he started to think about his religious life. Brother Peter felt that he was supposed to serve and help other people. Today, he works with students who have learning disabilities. Brother Peter loves what he is doing because he gets to build relationships with his students and he gets to help them. He also gets to find ways to bring the Gospel values in what the students are doing in their life. Sister Helen told us that she believes her vocation is to serve the poor. She was inspired to be a sister when she saw what the other sisters were doing and how they were helping people. I learned from Sister Helen that the vow of obedience has given her the opportunities she thought she would never have. She got the chance to be creative and to learn more about the senior life and she was able to start up the Senior Leadership Team. Father Robert said he never thought about priesthood in high school and was not sure if he wanted to be a priest. He said that his vocation is to help people maintain their spirituality and to serve God. Father Robert told the class that we should be open to God’s words and to give God a little bit of time each day.<br />
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There are many types of religious and ordained life. There are priests, deacons, bishops, sisters/brothers, and nuns/monks. They all have many differences but they all have one thing in common; they want to help people and serve God. People whose vocation is to be in the religious/ordained life help people in their community. They believe that they are on this planet to help others who are in need of help. Anyone who is in need of help can go to them and they are more than willing to help them out.<br />
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“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you” (John 15:16). This bible verse reminded me of what I had learned last week and what I heard from the panel. God chooses us to what we are suppose to be and to do in life. We might not know yet, but God will guide us in the direction of our vocation. Every priest, sister, deacon, etc. I have met are very nice and helpful. At my parish, St. Hilary, the old priest that was there was Father Eddy. He was always welcoming to newcomers and was always there to help someone in need. He would be at every event that the school held and was always behind a counter helping out. Father Eddy sadly passed away last year and it affected everyone in the parish. Everyone was sad and shocked that he passed away during the time that he did. Even though everyone was sad that he passed away, they were excited to meet the new priest that will follow in Father Eddy’s footsteps.</div>
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<b>Brooklynn Marchan</b></div>
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In class we learned about three different religious perspectives and their religious orders. They talked about all the experiences they have went through and the things that made them chose the path that they did and why. Sister Helen talked about how she went to a place and saw the sisters in their environment, and she then noticed the way they were being and got interested. When she became interested, she asked a sister about her vocation and learned more about it. You could see how happy she is with her vocation and the path she chose. She talked about how her community is evolving and meeting the needs of young women interested in the religious life. She told us how they maintain their job and stay in a home with sisters, and at the end of that year they join an apostolate and then they go to a seminary, which is 18 months of very intense spiritual formation; then they receive the habit, which is a blue skirt and white blouse, and will go on and live on the mission and after seven years they can make vows for the first time. In her community their vows last for one year with the intention for life, but every year they make new ones. Father Robert talked about how he got interested in his path after he finished high school when someone came to visit his school and he suddenly started thinking about his calling more and more and it was drawn to religion. He kept thinking about it. He couldn't get rid of the thoughts. He took action and tried it out but was not 100 percent sure. And once he stepped into the environment and wants to help people and serve god. He sees his vocation as one that helps others to maintain healthy spirituality. <br />
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They are in communities and do not earn money, but they are rewarded by their happiness by giving their time. Sr. Helen is working with seniors and ministers of care, so the people who visit the sick and those who cannot come to church. She encourages these people and visits the elderly, and they are kind of like a friend. Her attraction grew by time, and she wanted to help others more and she wanted to become a part of the community. Father Robert was ordained here, and he has to promise to be obedient to the place he was ordained to. He studied in Poland for three years, one year of English here in the US, and eight years in total with some other years of education in total. After his years of studying he learned more about the Catholic faith, and this changed him and filled his empty box, this helped him understand more about his faith. Brother Peter works with students with learning disabilities; he listens about relationships and issues that people have in their life. He also brings gospel values to what they do every single day, shows them we are trying to live out the gospel, and Confirmation helped him realize he wanted to religious life. A retreat in high school also helped and reinforced it as he saw people living out their faith and he wanted that for himself. He felt an attraction; he liked going to mass, and he also liked praying. <br />
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When they came to speak to us, I was very interested to hear what they had to say about their religious orders. Although I feel as if my calling is to take care of people and look after those who need the help, it was still interesting to hear about how the three of the religious orders chose their paths and why. One of the themes that can connect to this situation would be Call to Family, Community, and Participation. The reason why that this connects with this theme is because we can clearly see how these three people expressed that their calling was important to them. When we are called to family, community, and participation it is important to focus on our family and communities. It is also important to take action in what needs to be done if we are able to act upon what is going on. <br />
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I feel inspired by these people because they found out what they wanted to do for the rest of their lives, and they they learned from the experiences they have been through. For example, Sister Helen said that obedience has given her the opportunity to do things she thought she would never do like working with seniors. Working with seniors gave her a chance to learn more about the seniors. She said some motivating words that could be applied to an everyday life situation: “you do not say no if there is not a good reason to say no, you're going to do what needs to be done unless their is a serious reason not to do it; once you get involved in it you learn from it.” This spoke to me a lot because not only is it true but we can all learn from the opportunities that are brought into our lives whether it is good or bad. The way that we can fix this is by being more open to community and helping out in their environments by donating and volunteering our time. We can also teach people that this path is not a bad path because when we usually hear about people who commit their life to a religious vocation we think that they are crazy because committing to that almost seems impossible. We can show people that this is okay for people to do and it is not about being antisocial or you get away from the world and never get to see anyone. We can see the religious orders as something positive and a path that could be for anyone no matter what.<br />
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<i>Note: Minor grammar/style edits have been made to each post not affecting the content or perspective of these students.</i>Mr. Mastertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03986854285865332333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-820456064937483481.post-90847243557742724452017-01-10T11:27:00.001-06:002017-02-28T10:03:34.539-06:00Trip #2: Warren Park Healthy & Living Center (2016-17, T2)On Wednesday, December 14, students from our class went to the Warren Park Health & Living Center. Residents at this community live with different disabilities, including mental and psychological challenges, and some of them are wards of the state. The staff at the center invited residents down to an activities room, and our students spent an hour and a half playing games and conversing with residents. Here are some thoughts from Seyoum Asefa, Tessa Nykaza, and Kezia Danso.<br />
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A photo posted by St Ben Campus & Youth Ministry (@stbencym) on <time datetime="2016-12-14T20:15:55+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Dec 14, 2016 at 12:15pm PST</time></div>
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<b>Seyoum Asefa</b><br />
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After taking a short bus ride to the Warren Park Health & Living Center, our class had an enjoyable time with the people living in the center. I had a fun time with a nice lady named Suzanne. She told me she was in her forties and has been living there for a little while but has said she has enjoyed her time. Suzanne also mentions her education - finishing her Bachelor's degree at Columbia College. She was journalism major and had a hard time finding a job in that field because of the decrease in the newspaper industry. She didn’t necessarily tell me why she was at the living center, but I did notice she had a somewhat hard time talking. <i>(Editor's Note: Residents are asked not to share that information, and our students are encouraged to limit their conversations to small-talk and general discussions.)</i><br />
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The Warren Park Health & Living Center is a treatment facility to help adults with a variety of medical conditions associated with aging, injury, and psychological health, and while I was there, it wasn’t necessarily easy to notice any of those things. I talked to a good amount of people who didn’t seem like they had any problems, but they probably did. I certainly enjoyed my time there because of the great personalities of the people there. When Stefani and I were playing the card game “War,” there was a time where I continued to win and Suzanne complimented my enthusiasm and wished she could be like that. She also compared me to one of the security guards at the center saying, “Both of you guys are alike. You both have a great amount of energy and are both full of joy. I always wanted to be like that… I admire how you act. I can definitely tell you have a bright future ahead of you.” After Suzanne told me that, I had a little hope in my life to strive for greatness. Despite people having some issues with their mental and physical nature, they are all wonderful people. I truly loved my experience having fun with the people at the Warren Park Health and Living Center.<br />
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“We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, ‘“I love God,’” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.” (1 John 4:19-20) As I was going to the living center, I was a bit skeptical of the area because, usually, I don’t enjoy my time there. I don’t tend to help others because growing up I didn’t have all that help with me so why should I help others. Visiting the people at the living center opened my eyes completely. I guess I was known as a liar because I didn’t help others and I’m hating my brother. I always thought helping people meant giving stuff for people but, finally, I got through my head that just having a nice conversation would help and even make the day of a person.<br />
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After going on the trip, I felt exceptionally happy that I made Suzanne’s day. She told Stefani and me that we were a delight to have, and it certainly made my day. I didn’t have an open mind going and didn’t during the first few minutes I was there, but later I certainly had a great time there. It was definitely an eye-opening experience for me. I don’t know if I would put their people in a marginalized category because they are cared for on an everyday basis. I would think some of the people don’t have the family to talk to since they don’t talk to them or associate with anymore, but I am having a hard time even thinking they are in a marginalized. <br />
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Living in this center for people with mental or physical issues, we should hope for those people to receive the help they might need. In my opinion, I believe just talking to them is the best form of medicine. I don’t know if they have any visitors visiting them on the regular but I believe that would be the best thing for them. Anyone can help because it is easy to give your time for others no matter what is going on in your life. There are a lot of people in the world who have much more problems than you may have and helping others can give you a bit of joy and happiness. <br />
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A photo posted by St Ben Campus & Youth Ministry (@stbencym) on <time datetime="2016-12-14T20:16:35+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Dec 14, 2016 at 12:16pm PST</time></div>
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<b>Tessa Nykaza</b></div>
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On December 14, our class went to Warren Park Health & Living Center, where we spent time with developmentally disabled people. We were able to sit down with them and keep these people, who lived in Warren Park, company. Felixia, Emily, and I formed a group and stayed together for much of the excursion. We played Uno with this lovely lady named Dorothy. Our class was able to see how people with developmentally disabled issues lives. Some people had families, but unfortunately for others, they did not get many visits. It was nice to be able to spend time with them because they seemed very excited to get to spend time with our class, but because of these mental/physical disabilities sometimes their families don’t have time to see them or even view them as a burden. This problem is universal and does not just pertain to the United States. <br />
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The people with developmental disabilities are somewhat dependent on us to try and help them get the care that they need. In this case, the rich have the money and power to make a change. No one specifically decides to be in these positions, but as far as help, we can all chose to help. People who are developmentally disabled are often excluded for their restrictions of movement or speech. Our culture makes it hard for people like this to succeed, and it is harder with physical/mental restrictions. Our influence from community can sometimes make us discriminate towards them because we find fault in their differences.<br />
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Instead of what looking at what makes us different, we should focus on ways we are alike. This bible verse provides us with a valuable lesson about how we should treat marginalized groups (Luke 14: 12-13): He said also to the man who had invited him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind."<br />
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This bible verse shows us that we should treat all people with as much as care as we would our family. Our outing was a good example of how we should spend some time with them and think about what we can do to help them. This situation opens my eyes to the untapped potential we have to help them and make a change to the negligence we showed towards this situation. Personally I have not never been in a similar situation nor have I been exposed to anybody closely related to me in a similar position of developmental disablement. My lack of knowledge about the subject and the need for help these people need shows how much awareness that is yet to be spread. It can start as simply as sympathy that can be extended towards this group. Christ would expect to share our time with these people to treat them as real people and not view their disablement as a difference that sets us apart. <br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BOArpKal2zn/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Enjoying activities period with our friends at Warren Park Health and Living Center. #SoJuVo</a></div>
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A photo posted by St Ben Campus & Youth Ministry (@stbencym) on <time datetime="2016-12-14T20:17:07+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Dec 14, 2016 at 12:17pm PST</time></div>
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<b>Kezia Danso</b></div>
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On December 14, 2016, our class took a trip to Warren Park Health & Living Center. At this facility each student got the chance to hangout with members of the center. Many of us played games with the residents; some spoke to the residents; and others simply listened and easily became a huge support for members of the center. In my group, I was given the chance to play games with my classmates as well as five residents of the facility. When we first walked into the room, it was evident that many of my classmates as well as myself were hesitant to start conversations or did not know to interact. After a while, it all became natural and did not feel like I was on a class field trip. During this trip, I realized people of disabilities are placed in certain categories. Those people are then marginalized because of things they cannot control, which is not right. When playing games with the residents at Warren Park, I learned something from them. I did not know how to play Uno or any of the other card games that we played; however, after I learned it became very enjoyable very quickly.<br />
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In our society, there is a constant mentality that those of disabilities, whether it be physical or mental, cannot do the same things as “normal” people. Placing individuals in certain categories who do not have the same things we have is totally unacceptable. The cycle of labeling individuals is where the problem lies. If we can see others for who they are despite the things they do and do not have, then I truly believe the world would be a better place. <br />
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This situation reminds me of how Jesus always acted amongst the poor. There were many situations where Jesus included the outcasts. For example, in the story when Jesus was at the temple, he said, “My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” (Matthew 21:13) Throughout Jesus’ life he aimed to include those who were the outcasts, whether it was the poor, murders, etc. This story teaches me that we should not think highly of ourselves but rather view each other equally. God says we our each other’s brother’s and sister’s keepers. This activity reminds of the Catholic Social Teaching, Solidarity. This theme calls us to love and be mindful of everyone as our brother and sister. No matter how different we all maybe we are still each other's keeper.<br />
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My faith calls me to love everyone as Jesus loved us. I believe that it is extremely to important treat everyone the same. Although, I am guilty of not including others all the time, this trip really opened my eyes. I learned that at the end of the day, we are all human, and we do need each other. I also learned that in order to help someone, that does not necessarily mean one has to donate money; however, giving my time is all that isI needed. In order to bridge the gap between society and reality we must put our pride aside and be mindful that not everyone has the things we have. Also as a society we must eliminate that mindset that those who are disabled can not do the same things as what society views as the norm. Moving forward, I am going to make it a goal to give everyone a chance. I do not want to judge other because of their disabilities or come to conclusions without any knowledge. We are all human and children of God; therefore, we are each other’s keepers. We must empower one another not tear each other down.<br />
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<i>Note: Minor grammar/style edits have been made to each post not affecting the content or perspective of these students.</i><br />
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A photo posted by St Ben Campus & Youth Ministry (@stbencym) on <time datetime="2016-12-14T20:17:37+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Dec 14, 2016 at 12:17pm PST</time></div>
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<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>Mr. Mastertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03986854285865332333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-820456064937483481.post-24492000335156511952016-12-08T07:49:00.002-06:002016-12-08T07:49:49.749-06:00Trip #1: Urban Immersion Exercise (2016-17, T2)We are officially into Trimester 2 of the 2016-17 school year, so we now have a new group of seniors beginning the course. If you need a refresher on what this blog is, jump back to <a href="http://sojuvo.blogspot.com/2015/12/welcome-to-sujuvo-blog.html">our first post</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLcR1VJkmxn93DdrMp7eq5kpUW5IKhv39fZ-zx_cfufmxsRf74ilk1VNXwxdINx34MynNbTiOhPc8d_Nc8UCaXQTXwKQDQ-Ym7L_7V05yEaNzP_iv3iJyvJQNrlDC1MP5z9dIDpzgeUpw/s1600/IMG_4985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLcR1VJkmxn93DdrMp7eq5kpUW5IKhv39fZ-zx_cfufmxsRf74ilk1VNXwxdINx34MynNbTiOhPc8d_Nc8UCaXQTXwKQDQ-Ym7L_7V05yEaNzP_iv3iJyvJQNrlDC1MP5z9dIDpzgeUpw/s200/IMG_4985.JPG" width="150" /></a>On Thursday, December 1, students traveled to Lakeview to undertake an urban immersion exercise, centered on Clark & Belmont. This activity is inspired by <a href="http://www.thenightministry.org/">The Night Ministry</a>, who have found that homeless teens use this neighborhood and intersection as a frequent meeting point and try to fend for themselves from there.<br />
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Students had the following information:<br />
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<i>Your group will imagine that you together are one homeless teenager – you are roving around Lakeview by yourself, with only the clothes on your bag and $5 in your pocket (without knowing where your next money is coming from). Keep in mind that homeless people often have worn-out clothes, hygiene challenges, and dilemmas over breaking vs. following the laws.</i><br />
<i><br />Starting from this meeting point (Clark & Belmont), your group will explore an area of Lakeview (your adult will follow behind you and let you know if you need to turn around). You have 45 minutes to answer the following questions that face homeless teens every day:</i><br />
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<li><i>Where/what am I going to eat?</i></li>
<li><i>Where am I going to go to the bathroom?</i></li>
<li><i>Where/how am I going to warm up?</i></li>
<li><i>Where/how am I going to sleep? </i></li>
<li><i>Also, as you explore Lakeview, look around and take in the neighborhood: why do you think it is an attractive environment for homeless teenagers?</i></li>
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Representing our class this week on our blog, here are the thoughts of Emily DeMuth, Maisha Kasole, and Stefani Tabar...<br />
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<b>Emily DeMuth</b><br />
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On December 1st, 2016, my classmates and I went on a trip to Lakeview. This is a place where homeless teens come and meet up. While I was on this trip, I had to think about where these teens slept, used the bathroom, and ate. We split up into groups to find these different places that would help. <br />
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In my group we went to three different places. The area that we were in didn’t have many stores or facilities, but there were lots of houses. The first place that we found was one of the public libraries in the area. Here, I was able to talk to a librarian about how this place helped homeless teens. I was told that the teens that came here could have access to the drinking fountain, the bathroom, and the computers. The second place we stopped by was a learning center of a community college. Here, our group learned that anyone who came here had access to bathrooms and, if they wished, could sign up for tutoring. The education they provided there was free. The last place our group went to was the 44th Ward office. The people there said they would not let homeless teens use the bathroom, but they said that they would help send them to a shelter in the area. While I was there, I didn’t see too many homeless people at that time, and I couldn't see any obvious reason that this was happening. <br />
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From an economic point of view, I could see that larger companies had more to provide or give because of their standards. I know that from a social point of view, that the homeless are mostly ignored and are brushed aside because of the state they’re in. I think that teens that are homeless are mostly LGBTQ+ because they are either kicked out of their house or scared to return home. Lastly, from a cultural point of view, I think that the way the public or our society acts towards the homeless only makes it worse, because we are not acknowledging them enough. <br />
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I want to connect this journey with a story when the people told Jesus not to associate with sinners but he did so anyway. I think this relates to the trip because here, the people that we talked to wanted to help the homeless even when others did not want to. This could inspire others to do as he did and acknowledge the homeless more even if it is something small like a simple hello.<br />
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With what I saw and learned, I want to be honest. I feel very sad about how we are treating the homeless and I want to change that. For some reason, I feel like it’s hard to change that. Seeing someone in a state like that makes me feel unsafe for one reason or another that I don't know, and I feel awful. I don’t want to feel that. I don’t directly relate to the homeless in the fact that I’ve been without necessities, but understand what it’s like to be overlooked or ignored. <br />
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I think that we can change this by finding places that people can help in the closest way they can. If we could find shelters or organizations that people could easily provide for, we could close the gap. We could also ask how they homeless are doing. It could help make things more positive and set a good example for others.</div>
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<b>Maisha Kasole</b></div>
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On December 1, 2016, our Catholic Social Teaching class was invited to experience the life and choices of homeless teenagers in the Boystown area of Chicago. After walking around a bit in the neighborhood, we met two crossing guards who told us that a lot homeless teenagers were part of the LGBTQ community, and got kicked out by their own parents. Some homeless teenagers just got out of foster care or could no longer be supported by their family. One of the crossing guards told us that it’s part of why the kids choose to come to the neighborhood. After being repudiated, abused, neglected, or violated by those who are supposed to love them most, these homeless teenagers turn to what they perceive as a safe environment from discrimination. Boystown provides homeless teenagers, whether they are part of the LGBTQ community or not, with a safe and relatively welcoming environment. <br />
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In addition to sexual discrimination, teenage homelessness is also caused by economic reasons. Whether it’s because their families refuse or are unable to support them, most homeless teenagers have no way to provide for themselves. The social stigma against the homeless makes it even harder for them to find a job and lawfully earn money. When they turn to stealing in order to survive, society punishes them through incarcerations, lead by a misguided thirst for justice, instead of trying to rehabilitate them to society. Historically speaking, our judicial system has always discriminated against the poor and vulnerable, because they couldn’t afford good lawyers to argue their innocence or a fair sentence. Homeless teenagers are thrown by our judicial system in-and-out of juvie, which just adds to the common perception that they are untrustworthy. Indeed, many of the small business owners in Boystown said that while they wished to help homeless teenagers and did so through charities, because they wanted to be sure their money went to a good cause. The cycle of distrust between those small business owners and homeless teenagers is just a symptom of the larger problem in our society, when it comes to social stigma against the poor. <br />
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As Christians, we are called to love our neighbors like ourselves, and we are expected to understand that the homeless teenager begging on the street is also our neighbor. The Parable of the Good Samaritan does a great job at illustrating how we should treat the homeless. Christ calls us to show mercy to the destitute, especially the vulnerable homeless teenager. We must act as good samaritans and honor them, perhaps not by pouring oil and wine on them, but by acknowledging them as human beings and lending them a hand. From this directive, two themes of Catholic Social Teaching come to mind: Solidarity and Preferential Option for the Marginalized and the Poor. Through these two themes, we are called to respond with love and mindfulness towards all people as our brothers and sisters, as well as to consider the poor in all the decisions we make as individuals, as a community, and as a society. <br />
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Personally, I believe that nobody should have to live on the street, if they don’t wish to. A lot of homeless teenagers are not given the choice. For my entire life, I have been granted the safety of a home. It’s my duty to not just help them, but realize that the only difference between us is that I was lucky enough to still have a home. I believe Christ calls me to respond with gratitude towards my family and love towards those who aren’t as lucky as I am. In the United States, there are 1.6 million homeless teenagers for a variety of reasons. According to the National Network for Youth, family disfunction, sexual abuse, aging out of foster care, juvenile justice system involvement, and economic hardship are the main causes of teenage homelessness. I believe that the best way to bridge the gap between social reality and what he hope for is to elect officials who actually care about the homeless. We need to create more laws in order to protect them instead of laws to ostracize them. <br />
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<b>Stefani Tabar</b></div>
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Last Thursday was our first activity or outing we did as a class. We got to explore the neighborhood of Lakeview but in a different way. We walked around trying to find shelter, food, a bathroom, and other assistance to survive as a homeless teenager. As we learned in class, this area is very well known for two things; one being Boystown, and the other for the high percentage or rate of homeless teenagers. Even though it is hard for teenagers or anyone who is homeless to get by, this area has some features to help those in need such as late hours, open public bathrooms, and guidance to nearest shelters. Even though I didn’t see any teens in this situation, I can only imagine how hard it can be to live like this at a young age. <br />
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Lakeview is a very popular area due to the LGBTQ community that has a very strong presence in this neighborhood and is still growing. In this area, there are many stores that are common to us like Walgreens, Starbucks, Marshalls, etc. When we did the activity, the area was under a lot of construction, and new buildings are going up that are going to house more common stores. This part of the city is open to anyone no matter what race, sexuality, or gender you are because of the LGBTQ community, but it is still difficult to live as a homeless teenager in this area. Even though there are shelters in place, teenagers most likely would not want to go and stay at a shelter. If they are in a popular neighborhood where they can try to survive, they will, yet it is a challenge. They might feel left out because they might feel different from the others since some teens could be gay, lesbian, or transgender and have no one to relate with. This could be one of the reasons why they would want to stay on the streets rather than being in the shelter. <br />
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In Matthew 25:35 it states, “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” I believe this passage can relate to this situation because we see homeless people everyday and they go unnoticed. It is our duty as Catholics or believers in the faith, to help one another no matter who it may be. I believe if someone were to be walking through the Lakeview area and saw a homeless teen, they wouldn’t do anything about it. It’s times like those where someone can stand up and be a voice to all and to show everyone that it is okay to help someone who needs help. Like in the scripture passage, they were a stranger and they were welcomed; if one person were to help one teen who was struggling, that would help greatly. You don’t need to be part of a faith to help anyone who is homeless or marginalized because it should be a natural instinct as humans to help one another. It is greatly emphasized on Catholics because we are called to be good people and the littlest amount of help can go a long way. <br />
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In some research I have done, I found that 15,000 teens are homeless in Chicago and 3,000 of those are part of the LGBTQ community. One of the most difficult things to hear is that someone who is transgender is not allowed to use a restroom because of their situation. It bothers me even more to think that many of those people are homeless and aren't treated fairly. Knowing that there are that many teenagers in this city who are struggling makes me take a step back from my life and not take anything for granted. The activity really opened my eyes and now that I am aware of the situation, I can do whatever I need to do to help. I wish to sometime in the future to help those teenagers who are struggling to find a place to reside or to call home because everyone deserves a place where they feel comfortable and can be themselves no matter who they are.<br />
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One thing I think we should do as humans if we come across this is to give them guidance. Since the issue we are dealing with is directed more towards teenagers, they need nothing more than guidance. This can be by talking to them and getting to know them or helping them get back on their feet. I think a great thing for those who are in this position is to get active in a church since most churches have food pantries or give out lunches during the day or dinner at night. I also think another way to help this problem is to build a shelter exclusively for teenagers around 13 to 18 years of age. This will help because depending on your sexual orientation or what you identify as, it will eliminate the judgement that some will receive from adults in a regular shelter. They will have a judgement-free environment where everyone is accepted for who they are. <br />
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<i>Note: Minor grammar/style edits have been made to each post not affecting the content or perspective of these students.</i><br />
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<b><u>Check us out on Instagram - @StBenCYM #SoJuVo</u></b><br />
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A photo posted by St Ben Campus & Youth Ministry (@stbencym) on <time datetime="2016-12-01T19:58:17+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Dec 1, 2016 at 11:58am PST</time></div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BNfO1KglFTe/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Checking in with some local food service folks to keep learning in Lakeview #SoJuVo</a></div>
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A photo posted by St Ben Campus & Youth Ministry (@stbencym) on <time datetime="2016-12-01T20:30:25+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Dec 1, 2016 at 12:30pm PST</time></div>
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<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>Mr. Mastertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03986854285865332333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-820456064937483481.post-56063680634535481122016-06-02T08:25:00.000-05:002017-02-28T10:03:14.923-06:00Trip #8: Habitat for Humanity (2015-16, T3)On Friday, May 27, students from our class traveled to the Pullman neighborhood to work on the <a href="https://www.windycityhabitat.org/">Habitat for Humanity</a> houses. Students assisted with painting, cutting, siding installation, and more, under the guidance of the Habitat team. Part of this block of houses is the Pope Francis Home Challenge house - an anonymous donor put up $60,000 and challenged Habitat and Chicago to match the donation with their own fundraising. Check out the status of the challenge <a href="https://my.habitatchicago.org/popefrancishome/">here</a>.<br />
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Here are some thoughts from Randy Hang, Brahim Fall, and Sylvester Trotter...<br />
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A photo posted by St Ben Campus & Youth Ministry (@stbencym) on <time datetime="2016-05-27T15:35:20+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">May 27, 2016 at 8:35am PDT</time></div>
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<b>Randy Hang</b><br />
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For this week's service, we volunteered to help an organization called Habitat for Humanity. Habitat for Humanity is an organization that builds homes for those with low income and sells them for a price that is affordable for families. Many families around the world suffer from having a low income and with organizations like them helps gives every family around the world a chance to live the same. <br />
To be living in a large city like Chicago, it’s hard to be able to afford a house, especially when you are single. With a flexible payment plan, many families could be able to live the same life just like any other family with a income able to purchase a home. Those who are poor have to worry about where they will be living next if they aren’t able to next month’s rent. Habitat for Humanity helps solve this problem. Families are able to take advantage of the help that Habitat for Humanity is able to provide.<br />
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In my theology class, I’ve learned many Catholic Social Teachings. For this service trip, I could tie in Preferential Option for the Poor and Marginalized and Dignity/Value of Human Life. We should all care for each other as if we were brothers and sisters and share what we have. Even if it’s just sharing our time, because through something simply like that we could help everyone to live the same lifestyle. In the Preferential Option for the Poor and Marginalized, Christ calls us to consider the poor and marginalized in every decision we make personally, community, and socially. For Dignity/Value of Human Life, Christ calls us to view and treat all human life as inherently and completely valuable in all forms at all stages of life. </div>
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In order for us all to recognize those who need the help, we need to understand the Catholic teachings. As we understand the teachings, we could then start with giving a hand to the poor and help. Organizations like Habitat for Humanity are a wonderful way to help and enact the teaching that the Church offers.</div>
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<b>Brahim Fall</b></div>
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On friday, I went with my Catholic Social Teaching class members to work on a Habitat for Humanity project. We met at school at 7am and used the school bus. A lot of students were missing, and others chose not to go, but that did not stop us from participating in this trip to volunteer for Habitat on the south side of Chicago. When we arrived, we realized that there were some houses that were already finished, and others were still in the process of construction. For example, one of the new houses just needed to be painted. <br />
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It was our choice to decide to help on this trip and put hard work and effort into it. It was our decision. Some members of my group chose to work outside, some inside, and others were painting the ceiling and the corners of the walls. Randy and I were working as inside painters with Brittany. We each painted the ceiling with the rollers and white paint. We made sure that we were doing the best job we could because we knew these houses were very important. Randy, Brittany and I made sure to take our time, but to work efficiently to make sure that we got done what we had to do.<br />
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After we had been working what seemed like a long time, we took a break around 11:00 am. I was starving, and I hadn’t packed any food because I wasn’t trying to be late on this trip. Luckily one of the people from the Habitat crew got me a nice Chicago Hot dog. I appreciated it very much. Then they explained to us how the houses are fixed up and sold to people who do not earn enough to afford a stable, comfortable, and nice house to live in. Habitat is able to continue this program because of the money that they get from the donations they receive. This allows them to get the proper supplies and necessities to do the work and get it done well. <br />
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“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?” (Matthew 25:34-40). This quote goes really well with our trip because we helped to build homes for people in need. We helped to provide shelter for the less fortunate and it showed us that hard work really does go a long way. <br />
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It felt good knowing that my effort of working in these house as a volunteer will help someone to have a clean house, safe home and to have a better life.<br />
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<b>Sylvester Trotter</b></div>
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Last week me and my classmates participated in Habitat for Humanity. In Habitat, they go to lower income areas and build affordable homes for people in that area. When we arrived, I immediately felt connected to the neighborhood. I live not that far from the houses we were building and as a child went to church right up the street on 119th. It felt great knowing that I was giving back to this community that gave me so much. I know tons of kids and families that struggle to keep a stable household and pay for it too. Many houses on the south side can either be really nice or horrible. Most of the time they’re not in the best condition. Since it wasn’t a lot of us, we had double the work. Most of the houses had been built, so a good portion of my class wanted to paint.<br />
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I somewhat feel implicated in marginalizing these people. This group is pushed to the edge socially since people will not take time of their day to communicate with them; business owners will not allow them into their homes; citizens reject them as they ask for change. However, I believe these people receive much help compared to other groups. For example, Franciscan Outreach gives homeless people in Chicago a place to stay for a night as well as providing for them a nice, warm meal. Similarly, Habitat for Humanity helps low-income persons receive a home with no interest payments. In addition, the government tries to help these people. For example, when my parents were at the verge of losing their homes, they were able to declare bankruptcy, which meant that they could eliminate all or some of their debts such as their house debts, which goes to show that the government tries to help those in need financially. Because of the help homeless people receive, but the way society pushes them off, I am implicated somewhat in marginalizing this group.</div>
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Even though I feel as if this group is somewhat marginalized, I still believe that we should help them in every way we can, since Christ asks us to shelter those who are homeless, and he emphasizes helping those in need, which is seen through the story of the rich young man (Mark 10:17-22). We can help those who are homeless by volunteering at a pantry, helping construct a home for those who need it, or by incorporating these people in our lives by talking to them as we approach the train.</div>
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After this trip I felt that since I live so close and I’m so impacted by the work Habitat for Humanity has done, that I’ll go help just in my spare time.<br />
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<i>Note: Minor grammar/style edits have been made to each post not affecting the content or perspective of these students.</i></div>
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Mr. Mastertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03986854285865332333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-820456064937483481.post-2138036524348391582016-05-25T09:51:00.003-05:002016-05-25T09:52:04.575-05:00Experience #7: Full-Time Volunteer Service Panel (2015-16, T3)On Thursday, May 19, we had visitors from <a href="https://www.franoutreach.org/">Franciscan Outreach</a> come to our class: Dan and Katie, two full-time volunteers, Merrill, the volunteer coordinator, and Megan, the director of the volunteer community. Students had the chance to ask our panelists questions about volunteer life, community life, and working directly with marginalized people. Here are some thoughts from Brittany Parker and Thien Han...<br />
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<b>Brittany Parker</b><br />
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This week four people that worked at Franciscan Outreach came to visit us and talk to us about their lives there. They told us about their living situations and how they live off their money. They don’t pay rent, but every two weeks, they get paid and receive a weekly $50 stipend and $25 a month for public transit. They’re supposed to live off only their stipend so they can connect with the guests that come to stay at the shelter.<br />
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It’s an amazing thing that these people volunteer to help other people that they don’t even know. It’s really incredible to me that they can love random people and want to genuinely help them out of the kindness in their hearts. Nowadays people are so heartless, and they don’t care about anything or anyone. That’s why things turn out so inadequate in life, because people are so darn careless.<br />
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We only care for ourselves, and we don’t care about the world and the people in it because we’re too focused on things like money, power, and all these other materialistic things that don’t mean anything. It’s such a greedy world. There’s no way people should be hitting the lottery for $36 million while there’s people starving in the streets. There’s no way that some people should own planes and yachts while other people don’t have houses. Even if you earned it, you still owe. If I was walking down the street and I had $5,000 on me, I would feel wrong giving a homeless person only a quarter.<br />
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After hearing the volunteers talk about their experience at Franciscan Outreach, it has me thinking a lot about what I want to do with my life. I’m seriously thinking about doing some volunteer work over the summer. I’m not sure what I want to do with my life because there’s so many things that I love to do. I love writing, ceramics, acting, photography, and I love helping people but I can’t seem to think of something to do with my life that involves helping people besides being a nurse or doctor. I don’t do well when I see blood and things like that so that life won’t work out for me. However, some volunteer work actually seems like a good place to start.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BFmUIA_gQyR/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Doug some interactive learning on full-time service with volunteers visiting us from Franciscan Outreach #SoJuVo</a></div>
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A photo posted by St Ben Campus & Youth Ministry (@stbencym) on <time datetime="2016-05-19T18:20:13+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">May 19, 2016 at 11:20am PDT</time></div>
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<b>Thien Han</b></div>
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Franciscan Outreach takes applications before July every year. The community has a soup kitchen from 5:00 to 6:30 seven days a week, a limited number of beds inside of a shelter for those who don’t have a place to sleep overnight, and laundry service for people need clean clothes for their job or just to stay clean. Volunteers in here have to treat everyone with respect; everyone is welcome but they have to watch for the people with alcohol to keep the shelter as safe as possible. The people that cannot stand up or who are acting too abnormal will be asked to leave because the community doesn’t have mental care service. <i>(Editor's note: Franciscan Outreach tries to be all-embracing but recognizes that a small percentage of clients may have to severe of mental disabilities or may to severely addicted to peaceably reside at their overnight shelter and are in need of greater help than this particular service can provide.)</i><br />
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The full-time volunteers have to work 40 hours a week, but they have been provided their own bed to stay without any rent fee. They receive $200 per week for groceries, $50 per week as salary, and $25 per month for transit, and this money comes from charity and donations from other good people. When they work in here, they often feel challenged, frustrated, and helpless, but on the other hand, they have more friends, family, and so much other good things in their own lives. As they work in here, they are also learning through working with other people, they can know more kinds of people.<br />
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There are two themes of CST are relevant here - Preferential Option for the Poor and Marginalized and Dignity and Value of Human Life. We shouldn't prefer to be poor or treat care for the poor as optional but we must remember there has always been poor people around us no matter where. Jesus calls us to consider the poor in every decision we make, personally, communally, and socially. Although we have not have to become poor ourselves, we must consider the consistent ethic of life that calls us to respect life in all forms at all stages from the beginning to the end. Jesus calls us to view and treat all human life as inherently and valuable in all forms at all stages of life.<br />
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First I thought it isn’t fun to have a full-time service commitment, but after talking to them, I have changed my mind, it is fun and also cool when I can make friends with different types of people and become more social, like these volunteers do. I have done some service, but it was only for one day. I know it will feel really good when I help other people and see their smile on their face. Although their outside might not look good, the thing is they often very happy and can be a motivation for me to participate more. We can help these people by donating to the community, ask for help on social media, or just volunteer to these places to give them a hand to help more people without wanting for return. Like Dan (a volunteer at Franciscan Outreach) said, we choose to do because there are massive problems in the society and we must reach our hand out to help.
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<i>Note: Minor grammar/style edits have been made to each post not affecting the content or perspective of these students.</i><br />
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A photo posted by St Ben Campus & Youth Ministry (@stbencym) on <time datetime="2016-05-19T19:54:53+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">May 19, 2016 at 12:54pm PDT</time></div>
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<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>Mr. Mastertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03986854285865332333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-820456064937483481.post-36737286616498259272016-05-13T11:02:00.001-05:002016-05-13T11:02:10.851-05:00Trip #5 & #6: Chicagoland Methodist Senior Services & Franciscan Outreach Marquard Center (2015-16, T3)On Wednesday, May 4, students from our class visited the <a href="http://www.cmsschicago.org/">Chicagoland Methodist Senior Services</a> facility, Wesley Place, on Foster Ave. We collaborated with their activities department to match seniors (high school students) to seniors (elderly residents) for an art activity. Starting from a conversation/interview led by the student, the seniors and seniors got to know each other for a few minutes. Then, each pair gathered some magazines, stencils, stickers, and more and worked on a poster-board collage with their elderly partner. What follows are some thoughts from Antonio Diaz and Andrew Pendergast.<br />
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On Thursday, May 12, students from our class traveled to the <a href="http://franoutreach.org/">Franciscan Outreach</a> Marquard Center to assist the full-time volunteers and staff with various tasks around the center. To support their ministries, which include a 365-day-a-year soup kitchen, shower and laundry facilities, and social work/case management, students pitched in with maintenance, cleaning, clerical work, and more. Since students are entering the big stretch to prepare our final papers, they were exempted from writing reflections for this experience, so pictures are included at the end of this post.<br />
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<b>Antonio Diaz</b><br />
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This week in our Catholic Social Teaching class we took a trip down to a senior center. When we got there we had to participate in an exercise with some of the people there. We had to communicate with one of the people living there and ask them what their hobbies were. After that, we grabbed poster board and some magazines and started cutting out pictures that resembled the person's interests. The people who come to this place live in the apartments above and come downstairs to have a good time and relax.<br />
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The people being marginalized are the senior citizens in society. And it isn’t just happening here in Chicago it is happening all over the world. I don’t know the answer to why this is happening but I think it happens because older people are seen as fragile and not interesting and instead of communicating with them we just push them to the side.</div>
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At first when the people living in the facility came in, it was a little uncomfortable because I thought maybe they wouldn’t want to communicate with us. But a couple minutes in me and and one of my classmates, Brittany, started talking to a woman named Gladys, and she started talking to us about her past, about how she was a public school teacher and how she used to travel to all types of places. She is an amazing human being, but she was a little older and couldn’t walk too well and couldn’t hear too good either. As I was talking to her, it dawned on me that one day my parents are going to be this woman's age, and it terrified me to see my father or my mother living in that home. I can’t imagine myself putting my parents in that place because it seems lonely, and I would feel like I have betrayed my parents because they went through the trouble to raise me when I couldn’t. <i>(Editor's note: Wesley Place is a nursing home, intended for elderly people who need more significant nursing care around the clock. Some residents must live in a facility like this due to their medical condition, but many nonetheless are not visited by family members and friends with regularity.)</i><br />
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A photo posted by St Ben Campus & Youth Ministry (@stbencym) on <time datetime="2016-05-04T19:49:33+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">May 4, 2016 at 12:49pm PDT</time></div>
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Who do you blame for how these people are being marginalized? Do we blame the children or the caretakers of the people living there, or do we blame the people who take care of them in the facility, or do we blame society for putting these people to the side? I understand that there are some people who don’t have anybody to take care of them and they have to be put in these facilities. But what about the people with children, how do they feel about being there? I understand that there are people who can’t afford to take care of their parents, but the feeling of being in that facility and your loved ones are outside I would imagine that it makes them feel upset. I don’t think that there is much that society can do for these people because I think that these people aren’t too worried about making new friends but would rather want to get back in touch with their family and friends.</div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BE_2l3iAQ-C/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Nice work by Vlora and Makeba for their pal #SoJuVo</a></div>
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A photo posted by St Ben Campus & Youth Ministry (@stbencym) on <time datetime="2016-05-04T19:51:00+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">May 4, 2016 at 12:51pm PDT</time></div>
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<b>Andrew Pendergast</b></div>
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The people involved were senior citizens who lived in community. We were able to hang out with some of the people and make them timelines with papers and magazines and just be able to chill with them. They are neglected and ignored because of their age and this is very sad. Some can’t hear as well and some just don’t remember things anymore and we just leave them to die. Mostly because we might not have enough time for them or it hurts to see them get older. This happens everywhere which is pretty sad, but it’s what happens when people get older.<br />
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The greatest thing about Wesley Place is that it was non-profit, which makes all the things they do out of love for that person. It helps out many people who require assistance when they get older which then in return makes a comfortable life for them. Socially it makes things a lot easier because they are then able to socialize with people around them rather than be neglected in their own homes. The staff there were also pretty kind and considerate which was really nice to see. As for history, I believe that by having these facilities it makes it easier on the families to be able to live their lives and not worry about their family which could distract them.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BE_2whyAQ-V/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Great work by our #SoJuVo squad</a></div>
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A photo posted by St Ben Campus & Youth Ministry (@stbencym) on <time datetime="2016-05-04T19:52:28+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">May 4, 2016 at 12:52pm PDT</time></div>
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I feel that what we did would be considered Solidarity, because we are always stepping out of our comfort zone to help spend time with people who normally have no one. Christ calls us to love and act as if we are brothers and sisters to those in need because that is a love that is very deep and hard to break. Also it could be considered part of the Call to Family, Community, and Participation. I believe this because we are able to spend time in different communities and help them realize they are loved and deserve not to be ignored.<br />
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I personally feel that I am very aware of this naturally, and I believe that it should be solved. I have grandparents who are getting old, and it's hard to think about what might happen to them when they get checked into a home like that. I don’t want them to turn into vegetables. I believe that I can use the CST teachings later to help support me in my spiritual journey of trying to find out who I am as a person while loving people for who they are and now how they look.<br />
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This is an issue that will continue, so we should all work together to find a way to make sure that everyone can feel equal when they get older. No one wants to die alone. There's always many ways to make people feel included so there should always be something available. Overall, love is life, and everyone should know how it feels to always have someone there and to be mindful of the people who actually live in those situations. Since they know more, it’s easier to make them a place to stay where it actually feels like home.<br />
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<i>Note: Minor grammar/style edits have been made to each post not affecting the content or perspective of these students.</i><br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BE_x4unAQxp/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">#SoJuVo at Chicagoland Methodist Senior Services today making story boards.</a></div>
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A photo posted by St Ben Campus & Youth Ministry (@stbencym) on <time datetime="2016-05-04T19:09:53+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">May 4, 2016 at 12:09pm PDT</time></div>
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<b><u>Instagrams from Marquard Center:</u></b><br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BFUWC-_AQ0u/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Merrill getting us oriented at Franciscan Outreach! #SoJuVo</a></div>
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A photo posted by St Ben Campus & Youth Ministry (@stbencym) on <time datetime="2016-05-12T18:50:40+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">May 12, 2016 at 11:50am PDT</time></div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BFUZ2yUgQ9W/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Doing work at Franciscan Outreach #SoJuVo</a></div>
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A photo posted by St Ben Campus & Youth Ministry (@stbencym) on <time datetime="2016-05-12T19:23:57+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">May 12, 2016 at 12:23pm PDT</time></div>
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<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>Mr. Mastertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03986854285865332333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-820456064937483481.post-31885500696636180632016-05-05T10:10:00.000-05:002016-05-05T10:10:15.566-05:00Trip #4: Misericordia Candy Days (2015-16, T3)<div>
On Friday, April 29, students from class ventured to the corners of Irving Park/Damen/Lincoln and Irving Park/Western to assist Misericordia volunteers with the Candy Days fundraiser. Volunteers walk around the intersections during red lights to solicit donations from stopped cars. Donors receive some Jelly Belly jelly beans and a hang-tag to support Misericordia. Here are some thoughts from Brittany Parker and Thien Han...<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BEzCu8OgQ9R/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">#SoJuVo doing Misericordia Candy Days</a></div>
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A photo posted by St Ben Campus & Youth Ministry (@stbencym) on <time datetime="2016-04-29T20:26:58+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Apr 29, 2016 at 1:26pm PDT</time></div>
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In case you need a refresher, here's <a href="http://sojuvo.blogspot.com/2015/12/welcome-to-sujuvo-blog.html">the link to our first post explaining what is posted to the blog</a>. And without further adieu, here are some thoughts from Brittany Parker and Thien Han on their experience with their new elderly friends...<br />
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<b>Brittany Parker</b><br />
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Misericordia is a home for mentally unstable people. The employees that work for this organization have many jobs, and people raise money by walking around intersections. I don’t know how these people walk in the street, back and forth, for many hours straight. I was sweating and my legs were hurting for walking around for two hours. However, walking back and forth down the street collecting money from those that would give whatever they could give was fun. I actually felt like I was helping. <br />
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Every time someone donated money, I started smiling so bright because it made me so happy that they were giving money for a great cause. I think people donated to me mostly because I was walking down the street singing “We are the World” by Michael Jackson. People either smiled at me and gave money, or just smiled, or just pretended like they didn’t see me. That made me so mad because I know you saw me see you, so don’t pretend like you’re looking on your phone. One of my peers reminded me to not show anger because then they won’t donate. <br />
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How did it feel when I was ignored? It felt like I didn’t matter because even though it was for a great cause, people acted like it wasn’t worth their time by ignoring us. Maybe I’m being very sensitive but this is how I felt. I understand if people don’t have money but we’re not asking for a lot. A measly penny would’ve been enough. It’s the fact that people cared enough to contribute. <br />
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That is what’s wrong with the world today. People are too careless and then they have the nerve to complain about how our society is and how the world is chaotic. If you don’t contribute or do anything to help make the world a better place then you have no room to complain. This is similar to people that don’t vote. They always complain about Mayors, Senators, Presidents, and other things that consist of voting. Then they have the nerve to complain about who the winner is when they didn’t even contribute their duty of voting. If people can’t put forth something to help out people in need then they should have no right to complain about it, it’s hypocritical.<br />
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How do we act? What would God call us to do? What needs to be done is being able to give anything that you can to help out others in need. Anyone can help out doesn’t matter if you only have a little to give or a lot to give because any little thing is helpful. We can volunteer, donate, or we can do both. People in Misericordia are marginalized because of their conditions but that’s something they just can’t help. They need our help in order to be apart of society. Either way people must reach into their hearts and find the will to want to help because if not, then what's the point?</div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BEy1X5lgQ78/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">#SoJuVo helping Misericordia Candy Days on Irving Park Road</a></div>
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A photo posted by St Ben Campus & Youth Ministry (@stbencym) on <time datetime="2016-04-29T18:30:14+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Apr 29, 2016 at 11:30am PDT</time></div>
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<b>Thien Han</b><br />
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There are people in Misericordia, where they help people with developmental disabilities, community support, etc. We were helping Misericordia to raise money by asking for donation from the drivers who stop at the intersection between Irving Park and Western. We have to wear a thing that looks like a bag with a hole at the bottom and the sides have been cut, but it looks cute and cool - it has two pockets in the front to put jelly bean bags in one and the paper to hang in the car so other people can see who they helped in the other pocket.<br />
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So we stood on the walkway while wearing the outfit with a small can on one hand to collect donations and the paper and the jelly bean bag in one hand. Each time the light turned to red, we had about forty seconds before the light turned back to green, when we had to go back in when the turning light changed to green because the cars will move and the other leaders didn’t want us to get hurt. The people being asked for donations have a lot of types of responses, like ignore us, give reasons, and responding in a friendly way. Some people didn’t even look to see who we are, and I think that some drivers think we are homeless or maybe a fake group so they decided not to help us. <br />
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I think the theme of Catholic Social Teaching relevant here is the Preferential Option for the Poor and Marginalized. We do not need to prefer to the poor; we should not treat caring for the poor and marginalized as optional. But Christ calls us to consider the poor in every decision we make, personally, communally, and socially. And the Dignity and Value of Human Life tells us to respect life in all forms and at all stages from conception till natural death.<br />
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I think what I did there was very good because I can experience the homeless feeling when they try to ask for money and rarely some people give them money. I never been in such a situation, but I know it can really bad because, especially when the temperature outside is chilly and they still have to keep standing there for all day. <br />
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We should help the homeless everytime and everywhere, by just basically sit down and talk to them, asking them how are they are, or even giving them money, even though some of the homeless maybe using our help and use those money not for food but for drugs, alcohol, and other bad things. The safest way to help them is donating to those place like food pantries, disabled center, and all the place that help the homeless.<br />
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<i>Note: Minor grammar/style edits have been made to each post not affecting the content or perspective of these students.</i><br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BEzCx_gAQ9c/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">#SoJuVo doing a great job for Misericordia</a></div>
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A photo posted by St Ben Campus & Youth Ministry (@stbencym) on <time datetime="2016-04-29T20:27:23+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Apr 29, 2016 at 1:27pm PDT</time></div>
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Mr. Mastertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03986854285865332333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-820456064937483481.post-79638085035852748262016-04-27T09:00:00.001-05:002016-04-29T11:01:52.516-05:00Trip #3: Warren Park Health & Living Center (2015-16, T3)On Friday, April 15, students from our class went to the Warren Park Health & Living Center. Residents at this community live with different disabilities, including mental and psychological challenges, and some of them are wards of the state. The staff at the center invited residents down to an activities room, and our students spent an hour and a half playing games and conversing with residents. Here are some thoughts from Thien Han, Henry Skolnick, and Sylvester Trotter...<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BEO3xXQAQ5p/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Playing games at Warren Park Health & Living Center #SoJuVo</a></div>
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A photo posted by St Ben Campus & Youth Ministry (@stbencym) on <time datetime="2016-04-15T19:18:31+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Apr 15, 2016 at 12:18pm PDT</time></div>
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<b>Thien Han</b><br />
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As we continue to study about God, we visited Warren Park Health & Living Center, which is a place for disabled people to live in. The people in here are disabled, and for some their family doesn’t want to take care of them anymore, or just because they don’t have time for their family members. Most of them are funny and friendly even though they are in a challenging situation.<br />
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The workers in there are really nice and friendly to the disabled people. The disabled people are dependent, and some of them even need workers to help them get around, eat, drink, or do personal stuff. There is a guy that even write his own book about life even though he can not walk.<br />
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The Blind Beggar in the Gospel of Mark (Mark 10) is so brave and says out loud to call Jesus, “Son of David, have mercy on me,” even though everyone around him tells him to be silent. Then Jesus tells them to bring that guy to Him and Jesus tells him, “Go, your faith has saved you.” What I mean in here is we have to care for God’s creations by following what Jesus teaches in the Gospels and avoid acting like the people that tell the Blind Beggar to be silent. Even if we are not helping the disabled, we should not stop them from coming closer to God.<br />
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I feel really sad for the people that are being forced to go here or that only want to come here because they seem lonely, but they still can find fun in a lonely place by communicating with others or playing card games. I haven’t been in this situation but I understand how they feel about it, because I have helped and talked to homeless, disabled, and lonely people, and they usually say life is hard but the thing is that do they want to fight against it.<br />
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We can help these people by donating to the center, calling for help in the media, or just to come there and play and talk to them. People can survive without food for a little bit, but the going without emotion can kill them instantly.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BEO30QagQ52/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Playing games at Warren Park Health & Living Center #SoJuVo</a></div>
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A photo posted by St Ben Campus & Youth Ministry (@stbencym) on <time datetime="2016-04-15T19:18:55+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Apr 15, 2016 at 12:18pm PDT</time></div>
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<b>Henry Skolnick</b><br />
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The people that are involved in this case are those with disabilities and mental/developmental defects that bar them from having a normal/easy life. Often considered more as burdens than people, the impaired suffer resentment and abandonment from those without disabilities who want to push them away for the personal gain of not taking the responsibility to care at all for these people. Of course, such a mindset is widespread throughout the world, not just the United States. <br />
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In the sense of people who own and people who decide, it’s once again placed on lawmakers, the rich, and those who are not dependents. Those who are disabled suffer exclusion with the brand of being sub-human, as their noticeable differences cause many to turn these people away. From a historical standpoint, similar exclusion exhibited people who are psychologically and developmentally superior to others with disabilities in the past would treat the disabled even more harshly by employing the belief that the disabled are products of the devil, or monsters, or other forms or superstition which lends another bias to the present day by allowing people to fear the mentally and physically challenged. Furthermore, such fear has given way to an arrogance that prevails in modern culture, a belief that because someone who is cognitively/physically challenged, the person who is not is completely superior and therefore more important than the person who is not. <br />
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From a more biblical standpoint, a sufficient example to be followed is when Christ touched and healed the leper (Mark 1:40-44):<br />
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A leper came to him [and kneeling down] begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.” The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean. Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once. Then he said to him, “See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.”</blockquote>
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It is the example from this story that Catholics may use in conjunction with Solidarity and other themes that they may learn not to reject helpless people like the disabled and turn to help them. To further expand on themes of Catholic Social Teaching, other employable themes include preferential option for the poor and marginalized as the disabled are a marginalized group, in addition to rights and responsibilities, as Catholic doctrine instructs followers to be responsible for their community.<br />
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How I feel about the exclusion of the disabled is disappointed, yet unsympathetically understanding of those who exclude. There’s much ignorance that permeates through many cultures surrounding the disabled, and sometimes people fall victim to it by believing it. While I don’t feel implicated, I do to some degree identify and sympathize with the disabled, as I suffer from the misfortune of having considerable difficulty in applying and memorizing mathematics to the point of having failed two classes and being sent back and forth to tutoring with little to no effect on my grades or understanding. That being said, I don’t find myself called to respond as my place lies with the dead, but I’m not above voluntarily providing to the disabled. It’s my hope others better understand these people and their plight for survival. <br />
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Finally, a solution to address the exclusion of the disabled is to provide more education that dispels myths and misconceptions of them and begin charity events that would go towards research to improve the lives of the afflicted by incorporating the help of like-minded individuals and people who have members of the disabled in their families to dispense more understanding. </div>
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A photo posted by St Ben Campus & Youth Ministry (@stbencym) on <time datetime="2016-04-15T19:19:12+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Apr 15, 2016 at 12:19pm PDT</time></div>
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<b>Sylvester Trotter</b></div>
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Last week, our class visited Warren Park Health and Living Center. As we entered the center, we divided into groups. Each person got the opportunity to talk to the people from this center. My friends and I met a young man, and we were told that he had written a book. As I looked through the pages of the book, I not only could understand his trials and tribulations but I also felt his pain. Just like majority of the patients, he faced a crisis in his life and suffered from a traumatic brain injury in a motorcycle accident that put him in a coma. With his family’s faith in God, he opened his eyes and woke up from the coma on the day of his father’s birthday. His story amazed me and was a huge inspiration to me.<br />
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Through my experience at Warren Park Health and Living Center, I came to an understanding that that centers like Warren Park are located everywhere. The mentally disabled are put in centers like Warren Park in order for them to receive the attention they deserve and need. It is good that there are places where they could receive them, especially in cases where the mentally disabled person doesn’t have family members to take care of him/her.</div>
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By analyzing my experience through the economic angle, I discovered that centers like Warren Park are very dependent on the government to continue running. The government owns and has the money as the government is what funds public centers for the mentally disabled. Warren Park’s employees and its patients are very dependent on the government. The government has all the power to allow these centers to continue running. Without the government’s assistance, there would not be places where the mentally disabled could go to receive aid and medical help. <br />
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Through reflecting my experience at Warren Park, the Bible passage that reminds me of this situation is 1 John 5:4, “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world... And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.” The patient from Warren Park who I met is a great example of how anything is possible if we believe and have faith in God. His story served as a lesson to me and my peers. It helped me personally realize that we should never lose faith in God because with that faith everything and anything is possible. God allowed him to wake up from his coma and has been by his side protecting him ever since. </div>
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By connecting my faith, my life experiences, and my emotional reaction in the visit to Warren Park, I’m really glad I got to visit Warren Park. I enjoyed every part of it because I got so much out of this experience. </div>
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I’m glad Warren Park helps the mentally disabled who cannot take care of themselves or do not have anyone that could take care of them. I believe that what this society could attempt to do is to not isolate them and stop making them believe they are not normal. I understand that they need medical aid from a special center, but I believe we can all attempt to go to centers like Warren Park to educate ourselves about the people who are mentally disabled in order to better understand their needs and to not be scared of their disabilities.<br />
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<i>Note: Minor grammar/style edits have been made to each post not affecting the content or perspective of these students.</i><br />
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A photo posted by St Ben Campus & Youth Ministry (@stbencym) on <time datetime="2016-04-15T19:19:32+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Apr 15, 2016 at 12:19pm PDT</time></div>
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<script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script>Mr. Mastertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03986854285865332333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-820456064937483481.post-37424706633860882152016-04-13T12:32:00.003-05:002016-04-13T12:32:45.927-05:00Trip #2: North Center Senior Satellite Center (2015-16, T3)On Wednesday, April 6, students from our class visited the Catholic Charities North Center Senior Satellite Center. We joined in the weekly Zumba class, spending an hour doing a good cardio dance workout with men and women in their 50s, 60s, 70s, and even 80s!<br />
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Here are some thoughts from Antonio Diaz, Brahim Fall, and Sylvester Trotter:<br />
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<b>Antonio Diaz</b><br />
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This week in our Catholic Social Teaching class, we took a trip down to the senior center on Irving Park and Oakley. When we got there we had to participate in a Zumba class, which a very humbling experience to not be able to keep up with the older people. The people who come to this place either live in the apartments nearby or come from all parts of the city to have a good time and relax. The people being marginalized are the senior citizens in society. And it isn’t just happening here in Chicago; it is happening all over the world. I don’t know the answer to why this is happening, but I think it happens because older people are seen as fragile and not interesting, and instead of communicating with them, we just push them to the side.<br />
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In our society there is a huge culture barrier between the older people and the younger people. We usually put elderly people in retirement homes or provide housing for them, but we don’t pay attention to them. We do this because we think by just providing them with a place to live in we are caring for them but just like us elderly people need love and affection just like we do. </div>
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A bible verse that I connect to this is Exodus 20:12: “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you." I connect this bible verse to the marginalization of the elderly because not that many elderly people go into retirement homes by choice; many are put there by their children. By doing this you are going against God's call because you are not honoring your mother and your father by putting them in a retirement home so you won’t have to take care of them. This doesn't match up because your parents job when you are born and fragile is that they are supposed to take care of you. So, just like how your parents took care of you when you were fragile, you should make it your duty to take care of them when they are older and fragile.</div>
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I cannot make a personal connection to how the older people are being treated because my family has never believed in retirement homes. To us, putting a family member in a retirement home is a sign of betrayal. For example, my Grandma passed away two years ago at ninety-seven years old, but before she passed, she lived in my uncle's home. We would visit her three or four times a week, but every holiday we would go to my grandma's house. This I believe is an example my parents and family set for me because they showed me to not forget anybody in my family, not even the older members. Because of that, I know that as long as I am living, I will never forget about my parents.</div>
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<b>Brahim Fall</b></div>
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From what I learned through my experience with the elderly people at North Center Senior Satellite Center, these seniors seem like happy, motivated, energetic, and positive people. They look more alive than seniors at other centers that I've visited; it’s a different atmosphere. You can tell by just being there that there is a big difference. They don’t just sit around without doing anything, like other centers. It seems like elderly people are sometimes just waiting to for their death to come, but at North Center, seniors have a positive vibe, which is a great fact that like about them. For an example, every Wednesday, the seniors are doing this dance called Zumba, which a great exercise to keep their bodies moving.<br />
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At North Center, they have this system where they charge the seniors who live there depending on their budget and adjust their rates to fit their income.This is good because people have different budgets, sometimes low or high, so they will charge you depending on how much you have in your budget.<br />
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The Bible verse, Matthew 25:35-36 says, “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.” This means that we have to treat everybody equally. Proverbs 19:17 says, “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.” This teaches us to always be generous to people because God is in everybody. <br />
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I believe people should always treat each other with respect no matter how much they make or what they have save in the bank, and that’s what this senior center is applying. I have not been in this type of position before, but I can understand other people’s situations. Becoming involved in marginalizing people is something I stay away from. I know it is never a good thing to do that to people. I do feel like a part of the marginalized people sometimes because of the way I am treated. People treat me differently based on how I act around them. People who are looked on as lower than others should turn to their faith and realize that it is not just them in their own little world. God is there to help protect people and guide them to a good path in life. Everyone needs to learn to respect each other and not judge others on how they look, how they act, where they’re from, or how rich or poor they are.</div>
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We can start by closing the gap between the rich people and the poor by showing them that there is nothing they need to be afraid or ashamed of. Their lives are just as important as every other person’s life in the world. Something people can do to help them is to treat them equal to each other. This is a good way to get a closer look at how they are living with their lives. It is a good thing to get personal interaction with the people to understand how they survive, what they go through, and how to help them. Church communities are also a good place to be because then we can connect our interactions with the marginalized to our faith in God. This type of support for people can’t really be done with just a few people. It really takes a large amount of people to make a huge impact on these people in our society. </div>
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<b>Sylvester Trotter</b></div>
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In this week's service trip, my classmates and I were able to attend a Zumba session at the North Center Senior Satellite Center. The center hosts a fitness program that helps seniors become more active, helps the seniors to go on trips, have senior club meetings, and dance. I was able to dance and get to know more about the seniors who visited the center. I loved the experience. I was able to connect with them and even get some life advice from them. I learned so many new things. Through this experience I was able to unite with this marginalized group. I felt like my presence was enjoyed, and it made the seniors' day to see teens take their time and spend it with them.<br />
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Seniors are truly neglected in our society. They are unaccounted for and are seen as weak and unable. Our respect for them and their hard work has gone down the drain. We forget that we are united and should work as a team, rather than create borders for the people. No one is benefitting from being marginalized. The elderly deserve a voice and should be heard. I felt like that was why we were called to go do Zumba with them. We have to speak up for them. Political leaders have the money and opportunity to shed light upon this social issue but often choose not to. The elderly are often dependent upon the services of which community has to offer them. There should be more local aid. </div>
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This issue relates to many bible stories, such as Genesis 24:1-10. In this story, Abraham was an elderly man, yet God was able to bless him in every way. The idea of aging is prevalent within this story because it is a part of life. It is a natural process that all must go through. It does not make one less able. It allows us to grow and become wise through our own personal experiences. A theme of Catholic Social Teaching that’s relevant here is solidarity. Christ calls us to respond by being mindful of all people no matter how old and to view them as brothers and sisters. The elderly should be seen as equal regardless of their state in life. I believe that we are all created to be united in solidarity. As a society, we should choose to uplift one another rather than exclude. We are all equal in the eyes of God. There are so many things to be learned that we have not yet understood. The elderly hold wisdom and understand the trials and tribulations of life. Their insight can be helpful. They should have a say within the community and around the world. It is unjust to take away these rights from them. Christ would expect us to come together as brother and sisters in unity. We are all created in His likeness, and the judgment should no longer be placed upon this group of people. Christ wants us to work together in order to end the separation that we have in the world. There should be more unity between the people by including the elderly and speaking to them. </div>
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We may bridge the gap between social reality and what we hope for by providing more assistance to the elderly. We can continue to help contribute by donating some of our funds to help build local centers around the city that allow the elderly to be united within society rather than excluded. We may also simply volunteer at a senior home and learn more about them by a simple conversation. Political leaders and the media can also shed light upon this issue due to their large following. The more emphasis placed upon this issue will help others realize that the elderly deserve a say. <br />
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<i>Note: Minor grammar/style edits have been made to each post not affecting the content or perspective of these students.</i></div>
Mr. Mastertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03986854285865332333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-820456064937483481.post-74748565021560903632016-03-23T11:38:00.002-05:002016-04-07T14:06:34.678-05:00Trip #1: Urban Immersion Exercise (2015-16, T3)We are officially into Trimester 3 of the 2015-16 school year, so we now have a new group of seniors beginning the course. If you need a refresher on what this blog is, jump back to <a href="http://sojuvo.blogspot.com/2015/12/welcome-to-sujuvo-blog.html">our first post</a>.<br />
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On Thursday, March 17, students traveled to Lakeview to undertake an urban immersion exercise, centered on Clark & Belmont. This activity is inspired by <a href="http://www.thenightministry.org/">The Night Ministry</a>, who have found that homeless teens use this neighborhood and intersection as a frequent meeting point and try to fend for themselves from there.<br />
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Students had the following information:<br />
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<i>Your group will imagine that you together are one homeless teenager – you are roving around Lakeview by yourself, with only the clothes on your bag and $5 in your pocket (without knowing where your next money is coming from). Keep in mind that homeless people often have worn-out clothes, hygiene challenges, and dilemmas over breaking vs. following the laws.<br /><br />Starting from this meeting point (Clark & Belmont), your group will explore an area of Lakeview (your adult will follow behind you and let you know if you need to turn around). You have 45 minutes to answer the following questions that face homeless teens every day:</i><br />
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<li><i>Where/what am I going to eat?</i></li>
<li><i>Where am I going to go to the bathroom?</i></li>
<li><i>Where/how am I going to warm up?</i></li>
<li><i>Where/how am I going to sleep? </i></li>
<li><i>Also, as you explore Lakeview, look around and take in the neighborhood: why do you think it is an attractive environment for homeless teenagers?</i></li>
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Representing our class this week on our blog, here are the thoughts of Andrew Pendergast and Gabe LaBoy...<br />
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<b>Andrew Pendergast</b><br />
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During this trip we learned about homeless teenagers in Lakeview. This happens everywhere, but in the Chicago Lakeview area, the Clark and Belmont stop is where most teens will go to meet. The area is pretty modern and friendly. It is a welcoming community.<br />
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In the case of money, we are talking about teenagers that have nowhere to go because maybe they ran away or got kicked out for other reasons. They are excluded because they have nowhere to go, so they have to find a way to survive with the resources around them. During all of this, teens struggle to find places to eat and drink and just survive in general. This community of people are very welcoming because some of the teens are part of the LGBTQ community and so is the Lakeview neighborhood.<br />
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In this situation, I believe that the related Catholic Social Teaching theme would be Call to Family, Community, and Participation. In this theme, it talks about how we push marginalized people away so that we look good. This theme says that public goods should be maintained by all. If people actually followed this then it would give homeless people a chance to live lives that would be more comfortable. Also, it says that Christ calls us to uphold the family as the domestic church and the basis for fostering community and active participation in society. By following this, we are upholding the teaching that we should participate in society while giving people chances to learn and grow.<br />
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For me this experience has opened my eyes and it makes me feel sad that people are going though this all the time. One of my best friends was homeless and gay, and we became buddies. I feel that this issue is always overlooked because no one really understands the impacts that it has. Even while volunteering at different places in Chicago, you can see poor teens everywhere suffering. I feel that even though I’m not Christian, I believe that Jesus would have called us to act with love and faith to help those who are less fortunate to be able to make something of themselves and be satisfied.<br />
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As for taking action, you could do many things. You could volunteer at shelters or even fundraise. We could easily make sandwiches and food for the homeless teens so that way they have a meal to eat because even the smallest things will go along way. Like the story with Jesus and the loaves of bread and the fish, if we give back to the community, there is always great benefits. You are helping people who have been marginalized and need help to make sure that they can have a comfortable life.<br />
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Overall, this experience was great to be able to see the things that God calls us to do in action. I am very happy to have been able to participate and be able to be part of something that will change my viewpoint on these current situations so I can try to be helpful to others.<br />
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<b>Gabe LaBoy</b><br />
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My group and I were asked to put ourselves in the place of homeless teens; we had to find a place to eat, sleep, stay warm, and use the bathroom. My group consisted of a few other students and myself. We first started out by figuring out what homeless teens liked the Lakeview area. The area around there and within Lakeview is safer than the other parts of the city around there. We also made predictions on the type of kids that might be homeless teens that might be around there, and we guessed that a lot are probably LGBTQ and feel safer in a community where people accepted it more than others. But this so much bigger than just our city or state or country; this is on a global scale. There are millions of homeless teens all over the world, and I think they want to find a place they know can handle a lot of their needs all in one. I don't know why there are so many teens that are homeless, and it is really sad to think about because I guess there can be a host of reasons why someone can be homeless. That's the scary part - that this can happen to anyone at anytime and it shows you that anything can happen in life. <br />
Being homeless you have a need for food, water, and shelter, so things like phones and going to the movies fade away. It comes down to surviving, to getting things you need, and Lakeview has a lot of money coming in to it where it is easier to ask more people for it. On the other hand, because there is a lot of money coming into the 44th Ward, others are trying to push homeless people out of Lakeview and put them on the lakefront so the people in the neighborhood don't have to see homeless kids everywhere. But there are places trying to help these kids out, like shelters and the church and even the public library. <br />
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In the Gospel of Matthew (25:35-36). Jesus says that we need to support the poor and homeless. He says that the way we treat the homeless should be the same as how you treat Him. Jesus tells you to always to help out everyone that needs it, and that doesn't always happen in this day and age. <br />
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This activity showed me how hard it is to be homeless. You have to worry about everything around you. I don't know how anyone can survive in this situation, and I feel bad for everyone that has to do it. I do not think I could do it. It would be very hard for anyone to become homeless. I understand what it feels like to be marginalized because of being a minority myself. but at the same time, I could never think of how I would make in that position. I personally feel like as a society we should do more to help kids and anyone that is homeless and I would stand with anyone that does. As a response I feel like there should be more shelter and places for people to get jobs and people to stay and live. <br />
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The people should be more aware of the things going on. People may see homeless on the streets and feel bad, but they don't see the people trying to make a difference out there. Anyone can help with donations, service, and volunteering. I can say this activity has made me look forward to going out and helping people out on our future field trips. That's how we help them - we show that we care and are here to help share time and compassion because sometimes that's just what someone needs.<br />
<i><br />Note: Minor grammar/style edits have been made to each post not affecting the content or perspective of these students.</i></div>
Mr. Mastertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03986854285865332333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-820456064937483481.post-34372447068444574172016-03-03T09:22:00.000-06:002016-03-03T09:22:07.704-06:00Trip #8: Misericordia<div>
On Wednesday, February 17, students from our class spent the afternoon at the <a href="http://www.misericordia.com/">Misericordia</a> campus on the north side of Chicago. Students were split up into different assignments around campus, ranging from laundry to bakery to art classes to office work and more. Students partnered with clients and residents from Misericordia to participate in these activities for the day. (Note: this post will not include pictures due to privacy restrictions.) Here are some thoughts from Aileen Juarez and Mariam Mekha on their experience...</div>
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<b>Aileen Juarez</b></div>
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Last Wednesday, our class took a trip to Misericordia. The campus was beautiful pulling up, some of us commenting it looked like a small Catholic college campus or a preppy school. The inside was bright and vibrant, with lots of sunlight coming through all the glass. One woman pulled us into a banquet hall and told us how they operated - money coming from the bakery, activities and programs inside the building, apartments nearby for the mentally ill to live in, and how they received education until 22. I was assigned an art room where they were all painting small wood ornaments. The teacher at first seemed a bit hostile with the patients there but I saw that they enjoyed it, giggling at every one of her light-hearted insults. She was not easy on them - one patient dropped a vase and sat idly just remarking sorry. "Sorry for what? You're going to clean that up, C'mon go, I'm not your maid, sir." Entering the room, I was welcomed with "Hello, I'm the teacher, this is-" "Hi! I'm ALICE*!" "ALICE SIT DOWN!," the teacher responded. It was rather funny, for the entire time the teacher tried explaining what she did and what I was to do, Alice kept attempting to approach me to introduce herself, only to get yelled at by the teacher to go sit down.<div>
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After receiving a smock and deciding where to have me work, the teacher thought I would be better off working with Alice since she was waving her hands frantically in the air to have me sit with her. We colored in wooden ornaments, Alice coloring them in and me decorating them. Soon we were joined by another patient, who was a little shy but very artistic. Alice chatted on about her trip to Florida, how much she loved the color green, and the fun stuff she did with her mom over christmas. The other patient (her name has currently slipped my mind) explained to me how much she loved Mandala art and wanted to learn to draw them and how she was having relationship troubles. They both loved talking, talking about anything really. Alice told me multiple times that her mother bought her a green jacket, at one point with her telling me her mom got her a jacket and me replying, "and was it green Alice?" "How did you know?" "You told me ten minutes ago!" The entire time, other patients were walking about the room, looking at what everyone was doing and trying to get a look at me. At one point, I grew bored of waiting for more green ornaments to decorate, so I started sketching on the paper towel we were painting over. I was drawing a face with dramatic eyes when one patient came up behind me and exclaimed, "Wow! You're really good! Teacher, come look!" The teacher came by and so did a few other patients to take a look. They were all amazed with a mediocre drawing until the other client I was working with got really excited. "That's it! I want to learn that, that's what I was talking about!" A few others joined in and wanted to learn too, so the teacher began ordering them to bring sketch books the following day. I suppose I began a sketching class? Either way, it was time to clean up and my client became preoccupied with making sure her cups were clean. I cleaned my area and headed out. </div>
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<br />Coming in and seeing all those people in the room at first made me nervous. I am really bad at small talk but they didn't seem to mind. They just came up to me and let me know something random about them or asked me random questions. They just loved having me there. It was impressive seeing the way they treated them there. The staff was nice to them, yet they weren't afraid to be blunt with them or make them do things on their own. They were very social, and not too different, just slightly slower, and a little forgetful. These people though, are the most friendly people there are. They were very well mannered and continued telling me thank you for spending time with them. </div>
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<br />I love these people for what they go through and how they handle the situation. They get treated differently - they're laughed at, ridiculed, never taken seriously, and yet they continue smiling and laughing with no problem. They feel pain, and most will tell you they don't like when people do certain things to them, but they quickly forget about it and focus on you, whoever they're with. These people need to be protected. These people need to be told what is not ok, not appropriate, and what to do when other people mistreat them. This was a beautiful environment for them. They were very social with each other and staff, keeping conversation way longer than I could ever hope for. Other reasons I like this place a lot is because I have my own mentally challenged family member. My brother has slight autism and I would like him to be as social and happy as these people. </div>
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<br />I would like to return to Misericordia to help with the art program. I would like to aid in a sketch class if that becomes its own program and bring my little brother here to help and socialize. There was so much energy in the room and so much going on at once. This is a great place. They were all so vibrant. I would like to go into this work some point in college as volunteer work if I could.<div>
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<b>Mariam Mekha</b></div>
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The experience I had visiting Misericordia was amazing in my opinion. This program gives a disabled people a chance to learn a wonderful experience till they are 22 years old. This program got me to meet with one of the students. He is one of the amazing artist, showing great detail with his drawing. We got to talk about art, and the little bit of our backgrounds. One of the cool things is he is vary excited about school, and it surprised me at how positive his energy was.<br /><br />Misericordia gathers people to spend time with others, and it is good so that families know that they are in safe place for the day plus they are learning something valuable such as art, poetry, or cooking. The guy I talked to told me that he lives in this community, but some of his other friends do not have to. They could just come every day like school or college. Either way, the program provides food, a place to talk, read, or play games if you want. Also, they provide garden activities for students who want to walk around. They also provide for other people to take care of them in case if anything happens.<br /><br />"And his disciples asked him, 'Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?' Jesus answered, 'It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is the day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.'" (John 9:2-7) People asked Jesus about the disabled people being sinners and why they are disabled, and Jesus said they are not sinners. I like this story because people once thought that if you are disabled, then something must be wrong with you, but God shows all of us on earth that each one of us have a story to tell and to share with others.<br /><br />The experience I had while working with the class and other people was great for making new friends as well as making me see people's true colors. I learned a lot of amazing things about this program. It helped me a lot to get to know what amazing and talented people they are. It showed me that we are no different than anyone. In fact, my client and his friends made me feel safe to talk to them and share part of me with them. It is sad to see that today many people think and act like kids are unintelligent, and I wish we could do something about it. Maybe we could just ask each person to make time to help by doing something - it does not have to be a major thing but just a small thing like what my class had done, that would make our world better.<div>
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<i>Note: Minor grammar/style edits have been made to each post not affecting the content or perspective of these students.</i></div>
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<i>* Names have been changed or redacted.</i></div>
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Mr. Mastertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03986854285865332333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-820456064937483481.post-84371117171962498452016-02-12T07:20:00.001-06:002016-03-03T09:22:16.675-06:00Trip #7: Habitat for HumanityOn Thursday, February 4, students from class spent a full day as "Winter Warriors" with <a href="http://www.habitatchicago.org/">Habitat for Humanity</a>. HFH is building on a row of 16 lots in the Pullman neighborhood, on Union Ave. between 119th and 120th Streets. One of those homes is being built by the <a href="https://my.habitatchicago.org/popefrancishome/">Pope Francis Home Challenge</a>, for which St. Benedict has now raised around $2,000. Students spent a full work-day building that home and another home on the block. Here are some thoughts from Natalia Kieta, Bryan Padilla, and Liz Ramos...<br />
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<b>Natalia Kieta</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-41g2b3Cwah7Cr5uiXTUAd88arG_pwn-aX0QZ3-c5M4fN3gA73VO8SdRlhhxPc_DV1oXxmRh1hNOKW1MA4_DImEUme0U3zGKeim-o5SLa0OKqZgQGSs3LkJb5_y2-F0KQYMZFs7ZtVM/s1600/IMG_3547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-41g2b3Cwah7Cr5uiXTUAd88arG_pwn-aX0QZ3-c5M4fN3gA73VO8SdRlhhxPc_DV1oXxmRh1hNOKW1MA4_DImEUme0U3zGKeim-o5SLa0OKqZgQGSs3LkJb5_y2-F0KQYMZFs7ZtVM/s200/IMG_3547.jpg" width="200" /></a><b></b>Within the world, there are many individuals struggling daily to eat a good meal, let alone find a place to live. As a society, we try to support these people by volunteering to help cook meals and/or provide shelter for them. One place that helps care for the poor is an organization called Habitat for Humanity. This organization finds a way to get money donations which they later use to build a house. Being able to help build a house for a family in need brought me great joy, and it felt good to know that I was going to make a difference for a family in need.<br />
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On this service trip, I had the privilege to work with and converse with one of the workers who helped me understand who is exactly included or excluded and the types of relationships that are involved at this service site. What I came to understand was that the reason the workers work every day in all weather conditions is because they want to provide a house for a family in need as fast as they can. Building a house is a long process on its own, but the workers try to speed up the work and get as much done as quick as they can. Although the workers don’t get to work with the poor on a daily basis, they do get to meet the family that moves into the houses, which the worker at the site said is the greatest feeling.<br />
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Through this service trip, I was able to connect my experience to a Bible verse found in Psalms 82:3 which states, “Defend the poor and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and needy.” The reason this Bible verse reminds me of my experience at Habitat for Humanity is because we are called to advocate for and protect the poor. God isn’t expecting us to perform miracles; He just wants us to contribute to aiding the poor who can’t provide for themselves. In the end, this is what Jesus calls us to do through opting for the poor. Christ wants to ensure that we consider the poor in every decision we make individually, communally and socially, which is what I, along with my classmates, were doing on this service trip.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUIMLeq_sMsBzjZVx25VJjqr_GNLbwnaliwkoEqOLiIhQ9tzJEZvzo5-rR8oqROvTV3xhHPnSKxi2iZhO5-BdVz1H9BdaqLyn8aKWAvj3_OiltGFnHzoxC-WKpxUzW_daKKqlyxq61g9A/s1600/IMG_3549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUIMLeq_sMsBzjZVx25VJjqr_GNLbwnaliwkoEqOLiIhQ9tzJEZvzo5-rR8oqROvTV3xhHPnSKxi2iZhO5-BdVz1H9BdaqLyn8aKWAvj3_OiltGFnHzoxC-WKpxUzW_daKKqlyxq61g9A/s200/IMG_3549.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
As mentioned earlier, it is heartbreaking to see some people take for granted all that they have while others struggle to find a shelter. Although I have not lived a day in which I haven’t had a place to stay, I have experienced talking with individuals who didn’t have a home. In grade school, I went on a service trip to the Mary and Joseph Homeless shelter, and I had the opportunity to converse with some of the homeless people there. It is very hard to see so many people struggle with not having a shelter, but it is also a relief to see many individuals try to support the homeless.<br />
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Finally, through this experience I came to realize that there is a way to help advocate for the poor. It is simply through volunteering. Sacrificing our time and work to help serve others is a way we can help avoid marginalizing this group of people. Once again, Christ calls us to opt for the poor and to keep them in mind with every decision we make. If we decide to follow Christ and consider the needs of the poor, we can truly help advocate for the homeless.<br />
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<b>Bryan Padilla</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3lw1JzVQN7uq9S6yBgzZVVuwgoV2tE2xeoqQLDbwzdP3RXHz93h4ycYVTxX6Kl0w6mIWBLN-RILgT3qR884LJN_wlpITCqrHX6SwTm3GaNLeJUkvWQy5_dMFHiR6Z40JUfzmar6MkmcQ/s1600/IMG_3535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3lw1JzVQN7uq9S6yBgzZVVuwgoV2tE2xeoqQLDbwzdP3RXHz93h4ycYVTxX6Kl0w6mIWBLN-RILgT3qR884LJN_wlpITCqrHX6SwTm3GaNLeJUkvWQy5_dMFHiR6Z40JUfzmar6MkmcQ/s200/IMG_3535.jpg" width="150" /></a>On the trip I took with my class, we had the chance to help build houses for Habitat for Humanity. This organization helps lower income families get affordable housing. Whether unemployed or underemployed, many people face extreme difficulty in providing a home for their family. Many consider the home as the base from which all community is formed, so it is important to help our fellow brothers and sisters in getting suitable and affordable housing. <br />
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Owning or renting a place to call your own can be very pricey. This price of housing can be raised when you talk about owning an actual house in the city of Chicago. When you are single and have nowhere to live, you at least do not have to worry about your dependents. Poor families have to worry about providing shelter to their family. The cost of housing for a family can be prohibitively expensive for many, and that does not even account for other living expenses such as food and clothing. Families that already struggle to pay for living expenses can greatly benefit from a reduced payment affordable housing, such as the kind that Habitat for Humanity offers.<br />
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I would like to connect the Catholic Social Teaching of the Dignity of Work and the Value of Workers. In an ideal world we would all work hard, we would all make a fair amount of money, and we would all enjoy this life. Sadly, there is often a lack of the dignity of workers when people are paid a wage not great enough to live on. Christ calls us to recognize the dignity of work and the value that each worker has. Now, is not paying a wage high enough for hard working people to afford housing really upholding the dignity of these workers?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoPdAWgz_AbcitMp2o5ouT0Pn_Qr4F5JnxbiQI4oW45eCGOh91yUELH-Ph-nMM4lquxXKwfaU-2OlOC_fxXZFoIF4wLOfAEZrVJKDQXe8J2dMRIb6BIknxjwSFfODTlym3itpup8kTw80/s1600/IMG_3555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoPdAWgz_AbcitMp2o5ouT0Pn_Qr4F5JnxbiQI4oW45eCGOh91yUELH-Ph-nMM4lquxXKwfaU-2OlOC_fxXZFoIF4wLOfAEZrVJKDQXe8J2dMRIb6BIknxjwSFfODTlym3itpup8kTw80/s200/IMG_3555.jpg" width="200" /></a>I feel that the issue of housing is very important. The base for all communities starts in the home. How can you have a good society if everyone cannot even afford a room to sleep in? I am very fortunate to be able to sleep in my own bed, in my own room, in my own house. Using my blessings, I wish to be able to help those who do not have such luxuries.<br />
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To do some actual good, Habitat for Humanity is a very good start. Habitat for Humanity helps to make the issue of no housing apparent. They also allow the average person to get involved in a very direct way by literally helping to build homes for those without. <br />
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<b>Liz Ramos</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEVLpWJDbb9KNAJfYBj_qb2NJQUoa5a2p_1KA3Ut7ZINnI4qmKF4JJmXlBjt3IFC1d8OBMy06OTLsrUmm_hxI4PKJ-h58zqkqcjWeCADAaEHGBJzO8yK_fZms3f4OHqtMJMiRaFgYK-PM/s1600/IMG_3540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEVLpWJDbb9KNAJfYBj_qb2NJQUoa5a2p_1KA3Ut7ZINnI4qmKF4JJmXlBjt3IFC1d8OBMy06OTLsrUmm_hxI4PKJ-h58zqkqcjWeCADAaEHGBJzO8yK_fZms3f4OHqtMJMiRaFgYK-PM/s200/IMG_3540.jpg" width="200" /></a>For this week, we participated in building homes for Habitat for Humanity. As our class was there, we were divided into two groups, and then, each group focused on a house. My group had a one-floor, family house. Since it was mostly composed of the wooden frame, our task was to place the drywood around the frame. Thus, my group had to work together to carry the drywood outside from the garage, cut it into the right measurements, together hold it up, and hammer nails into the drywood, so it could be stable. We did this for one side of the house as well as for the back side. Then, from the inside of the house, we had to cut out drywood that stood in the way of the door frame or the window frame. Although this all seemed like a quick task, it took about six of us to finish this task in about seven hours. Those seven hours seemed to go by slowly since it was so windy and chilly that we couldn’t feel our hands, making the task seem complicated. Despite the mixed emotions and obstacles we faced due to the weather, I felt a sense of gratitude and happiness since I knew that all our efforts were for a good cause: to help those in need.<br />
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On our drive back home, some of my classmates argued that this was a cruel punishment to work in the harsh, cold weather. Although I somewhat agreed, I also began to feel as is this trip helped me immensely. For one, I was able to experience the cold weather that those who do not have homes experience, allowing me to appreciate even more my cozy home. Secondly, I was able to do God’s work. The Scripture and the Church teaches us that in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, we must help those in need. For example, one of the Catholic Social Teaching Themes is to opt for the poor, and one of the corporal works of mercy is to shelter the homeless, which I was able to do through this exercise. Thus, this experience made me feel spiritually healthy and enabled me to open my mind to value my life.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzKaOQboXWhE_qjAnqpJNhlZXMpYy3PQ2VHGO_JwBo54dg8pyEeSIcf4C7lt3bcmejzZJf1H7eUN-JZrXUrr6bzM_VA7xPzBusxsKR8HQHp4N5oTZKwnlpPZjZ5Ut7eh3dhLeNZfGGuKs/s1600/IMG_3545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzKaOQboXWhE_qjAnqpJNhlZXMpYy3PQ2VHGO_JwBo54dg8pyEeSIcf4C7lt3bcmejzZJf1H7eUN-JZrXUrr6bzM_VA7xPzBusxsKR8HQHp4N5oTZKwnlpPZjZ5Ut7eh3dhLeNZfGGuKs/s200/IMG_3545.jpg" width="200" /></a>Now, as I continue to reflect, I try to connect myself with these people through any similar experiences. I have never been homeless, but as I previously mentioned on another reflection, there was a point in my life when my family had a low income. During this period, my family had a mortgage to pay. At the same time, the Great Recession occurred, causing my mother to became unemployed, and my father's income wasn't a lot. With this income, my father could barely afford to pay bills and feed us. Thus, my parents became late on their mortgage payments. After a year of not being able to pay the mortgage on time, the bank had sent my parents an evacuation notice. During this time, I panicked because I loved my home. This was the home I lived in for almost six years, and my ten-year-old mind could not comprehend what would happen to us. Where would we live? How would we pay off that home, or did it mean that we would have to move into an apartment? Would I adjust to living in a small apartment after years of living in a spacious two-story house? This was the closest I ever got to feeling homeless; nonetheless. thanks to my mother’s plans, we were able to afford another cheaper home, and now, we are happily living in it. Because of that experience, I somewhat understand their concerns as they start out this experience, but I do not fully understand the struggles homeless people face. Thus, I can identify myself partially with these marginalized group.</div>
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I somewhat feel implicated in marginalizing these people because society does not push them off to the edge like other groups. This group is pushed to the edge socially since people will not take time of their day to communicate with them, business owners will not allow them into their homes, or because civilians reject them as they ask for change. However, I believe these people receive much help compared to other groups. For example, Franciscan Outreach gives homeless people in Chicago a place to stay for a night as well as providing for them a nice, warm meal. Similarly, Habitat for Humanity helps low-income persons receive a home with no interest payments. In addition, the government tries to help these people. For example, when my parents were at the verge of losing their homes, they were able to become bankrupt which meant that they could eliminate all or some of their debts such as their house debts, proving to show that the government tried to help those in need financially. Because of the help homeless people receive, but the way society pushes them off, I am implicated somewhat in marginalizing this group.</div>
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Even though I feel as if this group is somewhat marginalized, I still believe that we should help them in every way we can, since Christ asks us to shelter those who are homeless, and he emphasizes on helping those in need which is seen through the story of the rich son. We can help those who are homeless by volunteering at a pantry, helping construct a home for those who need it, or by incorporating these people in our lives by talking to them as we approach the train.</div>
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<i>Note: Minor grammar/style edits have been made to each post not affecting the content or perspective of these students.</i></div>
Mr. Mastertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03986854285865332333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-820456064937483481.post-88252874465898747032016-02-05T11:19:00.001-06:002016-02-05T11:19:43.826-06:00Bonus Post: Day of Silent SolidarityOn January 18-22, our school celebrated Respect Life Week. Our focus on the Dignity and Value of Human Life fell on the week when we celebrate civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr., as well as the anniversary of <i>Roe v. Wade</i>, the Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion. Our week honored these moments as well as focusing more broadly on all those people who are marginalized in our society. Our daily prayer centered on different marginalized people, and our central activity during the week was our Day of Silent Solidarity.<br />
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For one day, students were invited to be voiceless in solidarity with all those whose voices are not heard, whose voices are ignored, and who cannot speak for themselves. From class discussions to hallway passing periods to lunchtime, over 75 students opted to try silence for the day. Here are some reflections from some students in our class. Their reflections are shared in alphabetical order...<br />
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<b>Brittany Bejabeng</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times; line-height: normal; widows: 1;">I personally find myself to be very social, so staying silent for the most part of the day was difficult. This activity focused only on remaining silent and no form of communication was allowed; that’s what made it even harder. My first period and second period went well without talking but once I reached my third period, Consumer Ed, I wanted to give up because we were having a class discussion and there was a topic I wanted to defend, but I couldn’t voice my opinion so that was frustrating. Doing this activity did help me to appreciate and understand the situation of marginalized people, because their voices are silenced while we get to speak. This day of solidarity impacted me personally to appreciate the capabilities I possess and stay “not silenced”. After doing this activity I would definitely recommend others to participate in Silent Solidarity Day, because it is important for us to recognize the people that are marginalized in society and how they are neglected. We must learn to appreciate beautiful gifts we so unconsciously take granted.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times; line-height: normal; widows: 1;"><b>Brittany Camana</b></span><br />
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Today, I participated in the Silent Solidarity Day. For me personally, it was very hard to remain silent. I often caught myself wanting to answer questions my teachers ask the class. It was unbelievably frustrating not talking because normally I do not answer questions during class, but today I felt like I could answer many questions throughout my classes than ever before but couldn't because I had to remain silent. I do have a greater appreciation for marginalized people, and I feel it is our job (the people with voices) to step up and assist their needs. I do recommend others try participating in Silent Solidarity Day because it allows you to put yourself in the marginalized world and learn to adjust to their ways of not being heard from the people around you.<div>
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<b>Matt Ciszek</b></div>
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For me, I found it really hard to stay quiet. I actually slipped up and said a few words on accident. I find myself to be a really opinionated person, and I literally almost always have something to say. So it was really hard not being able to profess how I felt about certain things. This whole experience made me realize a lot. It showed me that I am blessed to be able to proclaim my words and have a voice. It also showed me how hard it is for the people who are unable to have a voice in society and are pushed to become marginalized. I also realized that these people are also <i>forced</i> to stay silent all day long because they have no one to talk to either. A lot of these people are alone and lonely and that also makes them unable to represent themselves. Living on the edge of society must be the hardest struggle, but I guarantee the people who make it out of that slump are the strongest people around, because they are the ones who truly experienced a hardship.</div>
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<b>Valentina Cordero</b></div>
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It is very hard to remain silent and to not have a voice. What frustrated me the most of not being to talk was not having the opportunity to participate with group discussion and get my voice across. I never realized how much I participate in class until today because this is what helps me learn more. I felt frustrated not being able to talk in every class. I have a greater appreciation and understanding of the situation of the marginalized. I recommend others to participate in the silent solidarity day.<div>
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<b>Sarah Eden</b></div>
<br />Was it hard to remain silent? This is an understatement, IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO REMAIN SILENT. I think it would be significantly easier if people did not jokingly insult me or try to make me to talk, but other than that, fighting off my urges to participate in class was exceptionally difficult. The only time I was frustrated was when I was trying to write down a question I had for calculus, and translating the question to someone else was difficult. I can't do hand signals. I have always had a deep appreciation for those who are marginalized, and my relationship with them has remained the same. This means I still will seek to do more service work opportunities in the future, so I can give back to the community that has provided me with so much. I would recommend people to try it, but it is ultimately their decision whether or not they wish to participate.<div>
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<b>Antonio Gonzalez</b></div>
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Participating in the Silent Solidarity Day was more of a struggle than I imagined. It was very difficult trying to put out your thoughts without speaking. Language, as I learned today, is very crucial and should be something that should not be taken advantage of. At points, it was very frustrating, almost to the point where I didn’t know how to convey my opinions and ideas. Being a marginalized person must be even harder since I know that I will be able to talk again. These forgotten people have to deal with this for a long time. I definitely recommend trying this event at least once because it really shows that communication is what keeps everyone together, and that Solidarity is more important that one may think.</div>
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<b>Aileen Gonzalez</b></div>
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Today I was to remain silent for the whole day. I thought it would be difficult, but it was actually pleasant. At least for awhile. It was the little things that bothered me. I sneezed at least twice and had people say bless you only to receive dirty looks for not saying thank you. Then there was sitting in class; since I'm very opinionated but to have to sit and stay silent was like having nails driven into my flesh. I was also slightly annoyed with this one joke my friend kept saying, "Stay silent if you think I'm awesome! Stay silent if you're stupid!" People love to mess with you, so perhaps it's the same for others. My friend said it in a joking tone but for some people, it's actually serious. I kept thinking of the mentally challenged today. It's a joke to others, but it's an everyday reality for these people. They've been made fun of in the past, made to look like fools and only able to sit silently everyday without a voice to stand up for themselves. It was a fun experiment to stay silent all day, but it's hard saying what you need or want. I was lucky I had fingers to point at what I wanted for lunch and a very expressive face for how any subject was making me feel but what about others? The deformed or the paralyzed. What about those that become vegetables? They can't express or move. A fun challenge for us, but a sad reality for others. I would recommend to do this again next year, a yearly event of sorts to remind us not everyone can speak. The abused, the mentally challenged, the poor, etc, need a voice.<div>
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<b>Mariam Mekha</b></div>
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First of all, it is very hard to see everyone have the ability to speak but me. Also, it is very challenging to work with a partner on homework or a project. We just give up, and we have to write it down for each other. The part I was really frustrated with was when I was with my group in AP Bio, and we have to work together. The difficult part was me was trying to think how can I do this or act that in order to solve this problem. I do have more understanding of the situation of marginalized people now. I would recommend this to other people I know, because no matter what you been through, you cannot feel or understand others unless you have been in their shoes.<div>
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<b>Bryan Padilla</b></div>
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Initially I thought that to be silent for about six hours of school would be easy; however, I was surprised and found it to be more of a challenge to be silent. I was able to last until fourth period without talking, but then someone sneezed and I, by force of habit, said "bless you." Honestly, I did not feel more understanding of marginalized people. What I did feel however, was a greater appreciation for speech. Without speech, learning becomes a bit more difficult. I also enjoyed the almost meditative silence of the day. Rather than spending my mental energy talking to others, I was able to be more aware of the present. I would recommend people to participate in Silent Solidarity Day.</div>
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<b>Melody Quintero</b></div>
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It was a interesting day to remain silent for the majority of the day. It wasn't hard to remain silent until I got to AP English Literature. It was hard to participate in the big group discussion about a <i>Hamlet</i> soliloquy, one of my favorite parts about AP English Literature. I felt out of place without having a chance to say a word. However, my favorite part about the experience was how much my close friends were still able to understand what I wanted to say or do, without saying a word. Overall, I got a better understanding for the situation of marginalized people. If I wasn't able to stand up or speak up for what I wanted to say or believe in, I would become very frustrated. It makes me want to find way to help the situation of marginalized people. I believe it was a great idea to have the silent solidarity day, and I would recommend the experience to everyone and hope the school will make it an annual event.<div>
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<b>Stephanie Sefah</b></div>
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When I walked into school that morning, I had the intent to not be be a part of the silent solidarity only because I knew that I wasn't going to be able to do it. However, as the tags were being passed out, I decided to give it a try because I had nothing to lose if I didn't, and I realized that this might be my only chance to participate in this from of solidarity. The first hour of silence wasn't has hard as I thought it would be. I kept myself busy so that I wouldn't feel the need to speak with my friends in class, but I soon learned how difficult it is when you have something important to say but you're not able to say it. I experienced this in Ms. Mocarski's class, as we were having a discussion of what a tragic hero is. In that moment, I realized that it is a horrible feeling when you have something important to say but can't be heard; I felt has if I didn't exist. In the end, I gained a better understanding and a greater appreciation for people who are marginalized. I would definitely recommend this to all my friends and family because I think sometimes we take our voice and the power we have in society for granted. When it comes to voting and writing letters to our government officials, these are things we can do to truly help the marginalized, whose voices are being ignored.<div>
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<b>Jada Shelby</b></div>
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I participated in Silent Solidarity Day and it was hard to remain silent. I was really frustrated during second and sixth periods. I was also frustrated during period 4A because we had a head of house meeting with Ms. Fox. During all these times I was frustrated because I wanted to answer so many questions and ask questions, but I couldn't. I was not able to speak my mind, and I really understand the situation of those who are marginalized because of their inability to be heard. The use of words from the mouth is an easier way to get a point across rather than typing or writing. I would recommend Silent Solidarity Day to everyone because it's a really good way to get a better understanding of those who aren't listened to. Everybody needs to learn not to take certain gifts for granted, and I think this could be the first step of doing so.</div>
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<i>Note: Minor grammar/style edits have been made to each post not affecting the content or perspective of these students.</i>Mr. Mastertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03986854285865332333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-820456064937483481.post-18826501546805786942016-01-28T13:01:00.000-06:002016-03-03T09:22:24.052-06:00Trip #6: Warren Park Health & Living CenterOn Thursday, January 21, students from our class went to the Warren Park Health & Living Center. Residents at this community live with different disabilities, including mental and psychological challenges. The staff at the center invited residents down to an activities room, and our students spent an hour and a half playing games and conversing with residents. Here are some thoughts from Brittany Bejabeng, Laura Gaerditz, and Catalina Tueros...<br />
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<b>Brittany Bejabeng</b><br />
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Last week, my class and I went to visit at the Warren Park Health and Living Center. This facility helps to provide for those who cannot stabilize mentally or physically on their own. About 90% of the men and women there do not receive any mail or source of communication from family or friends. They are housed at this facility and care is provided for them such as a warm environment, food, clothing, and activities. Taking the time observe the patients admitted there and also getting the privilege to hear their stories touched and inspired me personally. Some people had mental disabilities and struggled to comprehend me when I spoke to them, and I feel as though the reason for some of their struggle is because they were neglected at a time of need or faced some form of trauma, which broke my heart to see and hear.<br />
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Based off of the social aspects of things at Warren Park Health Center, many are marginalized, neglected, and exempt because they aren’t seen as worthy or desirable. That mentality should be pushed down and should not be the view in society. These are people with voices that cannot be heard because we don’t give them that chance. For a place you would think would be considered depressing, I found the environment to be lively and encouraging. The staff members there were so close to the patients, and their emotions, behaviors, and actions showed they cared very much. There were no lines drawn to say that I am better than you or you are less of a person than I am. They showed they were equal.<br />
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Christ calls us to love and be mindful of every single person as our brother or sister. Solidarity involves us uniting in mutual agreement or support. Service should be performed <i>with</i> and not for because we are not better than they are. We are all equal. We should form relationships and not be strangers to one another. In my perspective we need to humble and distinguish our pride because pride is okay to possess but when that quality is abused or misused then it is no longer attractive or valuable.<br />
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Being humans we have all somewhat felt marginalized in some aspect - for example, appearance, culture, beliefs, religion, disabilities, etc. In my eyes, we have all been marginalized in some way. There is no you are better than I am, but this is how society is. God created us all differently, and our problem today is that we don’t know how to accept diversity. That’s what makes this world corrupt. We should strive to be better. God would call us to love and care for each other. We are all different in some form and that's completely okay. If we were all the same, then it would boring. There would be nothing to learn from in my opinion. Life is gift and a privilege and all you can do is cherish and embrace it not take it and destroy it.<br />
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I always thought the saying, “One person can make a change for the world,” was dumb and not reasonable, but I now think it’s the most reasonable and believable saying I have heard. One person who makes the move to advocate is wise and knowledgeable, rather than just being one who sits and watches. We can learn to pray and ask God for that spirit of motivation to act upon this and be better.<br />
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<b>Valentina Cordero</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKf0nw6zk0ltv4K2fPE6V6-qMz8S1Z16WfqBSSJlPYEfflbB7fg8oVIW_S5_8zlHAvfINxCAPxk8Fdp6z_7JfGud-iwFS73og3IiHiSMCi9EtUAUv9f9aMY4i6EB-ComyUUtZmUyS8OxU/s1600/IMG_3465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKf0nw6zk0ltv4K2fPE6V6-qMz8S1Z16WfqBSSJlPYEfflbB7fg8oVIW_S5_8zlHAvfINxCAPxk8Fdp6z_7JfGud-iwFS73og3IiHiSMCi9EtUAUv9f9aMY4i6EB-ComyUUtZmUyS8OxU/s200/IMG_3465.jpg" width="200" /></a>Last week, our class visited Warren Park Health and Living Center. As we entered the center, we divided into groups. Each person got the opportunity to talk to the people from this center. My friends and I met a young man. We soon realized that he had written the book that he held in his hands. He handed the book to us and as we read the foreword of the book, we discovered his world. His foreword answered all the questions we were scared to ask him. We discovered the reason why he was in this center and his disability. Just like majority of the patients, he faced a crisis in his life. He had suffered from a traumatic brain injury in a motorcycle accident that put him in a coma. With his family’s faith in God, he opened his eyes and woke up from the coma on the day of his father’s birthday. His story amazed me and was a huge inspiration to me because he told me to always have faith in God. My friends and I began to read his book <i>Walk with Me</i>. Through this book we got to discover him and his inner feelings. I enjoyed reading his poems because I got to know how he truly feels in the inside. He then realized how much I admired his work that he gave me his book and told me to never lose faith in God.<br />
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Through my experience at Warren Park Health and Living Center I realized that centers like Warren Park are located universally. The mentally disabled are put in centers like Warren Park in order for them to receive the attention they deserve and need. It is good that there are places where they could receive them. In cases where the a mentally disabled person does not have any family member to take care of him/her, centers for them are located universally to help patients in need. <br />
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By analyzing my experience through the economic angle, I discovered that centers like Warren Park are very dependent on the government to continue running. The government owns and has the money as the government is what funds public centers for the mentally disabled. Warren Park’s employees and its patients are very dependent on the government. The government has all the power to allow these centers to continue running. Without the government’s assistance, there would not be places where the mentally disabled could go to receive aid and medical help. <br />
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Through reflecting this experience at Warren Park, the Bible passage that reminds me of this situation is 1 John 5:4, “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world... And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.” The patient from Warren Park who I met is a great example of how everything is possible if we believe and have faith in God. His story served as a lesson to me. It helped me realize that we should never lose faith in God, because with that faith everything and anything is possible. God allowed him to wake up from his coma and has been by his side always protecting him. <br />
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By connecting my faith, my life experiences, and my emotional reaction in the visit to Warren Park, I feel really glad I got to visit a mentally disabled center. I enjoyed every part of it because I got so much out of this experience. My friend served as a great inspiration to me. He helped me realize that anything could happen in this world and to not take anything or anyone for granted. God never puts obstacles in our path that he does not believe we can not overcome. My friend is a strong, intelligent, and brave man that did not let his accident be the end of his life. He continues to do what he loves, writing poetry. <br />
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I am very glad Warren Park helps the mentally disabled who can not take care of themselves or do not have anyone that could take care of them. I believe that what this society could attempt to do is to not isolate them and stop making them believe they are not normal. I understand that they need medical aid from a special center, but I believe we can all attempt to go to centers like Warren Park to educate ourselves about the people who are mentally disabled in order to better understand their needs and to not be scared of their disabilities.</div>
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<b>Catalina Tueros</b></div>
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As a nation it is crucial for us to unite as one within our society. All lives are significant and matter. Humanity has lost sight of the fact that everyone is granted dignity and a right to life. The mentally ill have no longer had the right to life in our society. They continue to face discrimination and are marginalized. In this week’s service trip, my classmates and I were able to visit Warren Park Health and Living Center. It is a living center that helps provide housing to those who suffer from mental illnesses. During our visit, we were able to meet some of the residents and have some fun by playing games. I was able to learn so much about the residents I was paired up with. It was truly a life changing experience for me. I was able to meet people who were truly amazing and intelligent. I was able to hold conversations that allowed me to reflect upon my own personal life. I will never forget the words, “keep the faith alive.” I intend to live this out forever. The world deserves to see how amazing these people are. They deserve the right to dignity. <br />
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The mentally ill are neglected and hurt within society. They are perceived as incapable and unable. Their voices are stripped away, and they are forever overshadowed. There is no pride or gratitude granted to the mentally ill. They are not benefiting from the treatment of society. They are often forgotten by family members, society, and the government. This is truly a universal issue. The mentally ill are hushed by the world. They are marginalized because of the negative perceptions placed upon them. They are seen as weak and unable because of their illness. Overall, they are still people who are apart of our communities and they should be heard. They are truly amazing people who view life differently than the rest of us. They are judged because of these differences. The media today sheds some light on the negative aspects of these illnesses but never shines the light on the particular person. Many people in our world fear the unknown rather than embrace it.</div>
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Political figures are able to make decisions that can either include or exclude the needs of these people. The mentally ill are dependent on the decisions that are made. The mentally ill are left out socially. There are very few relationships built because of the negativity placed upon the mentally ill. In history, the mentally ill have always been the outcasts of our society. Their conditions were always misinterpreted and this made the people fear them. They were often misunderstood and pushed aside. These beliefs are taught to future generations who continue the horrible pattern. These influences affect behavior by allowing the people to mistreat and marginalize the mentally ill. They are no longer considered in society because of their disabilities. <br />
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The idea of acceptance can be related to various bible stories, such as Romans 12:22. God is accepting of the people as they were. He encouraged the people to not conform to society's words or beliefs but to have faith in him. God is able to love his people and inspire them to have integrity in an ever changing world. This idea ties into the theme of Solidarity. Christ calls us to respond by being mindful of all people and to view them as brothers or sisters. The mentally ill should be seen as our brothers and sisters regardless of who they are. We are all created in God’s likeness. They deserve to be treated as equals within our society. Their disabilities should not give the public the right to place labels upon their lives. The public deserves to be educated so they can better understand the mentally ill. I believe that everyone, including the mentally ill, have so much to offer in different ways. Their lives still matter, regardless of who they are in this world. It is unjust to place chains around those we do not fully understand. I can relate to the marginalized because I am often unheard within my society because I am seen as young. My ideas and beliefs are not accounted for. I believe Christ would want us to come together as one. I believe that these differences should not create borders in our society. </div>
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We may bridge the gap between social reality and what we hope for by advocating for these people. We can reasonably attempt to donate to local centers that help support the mentally ill. The more people who are educated within our society, the more understanding we will have. Political leaders and the media can also help shed light on the issue by using their power to help create a positive influence. More centers should also be funded and created due to the amount of people who need the help within the community. The mentally ill deserve a voice within our society. There are so many things we are able to learn from them. We are able to see life differently and view life through their eyes. We must learn to appreciate life and learn how to lift the nation rather than tear it down.</div>
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<i>Note: Minor grammar/style edits have been made to each post not affecting the content or perspective of these students.</i></div>
Mr. Mastertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03986854285865332333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-820456064937483481.post-56058823090752454842016-01-20T09:54:00.000-06:002016-03-03T09:22:30.506-06:00Trip #5: Catholic Charities North Center Senior Satellite Center<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig3hsrHMlNVhzP4-8kgQzIhPjyP67tXbrhlEGPp19Qh3oCcS7B_RAJwT9iNIb_ClxUae-sbsuY8TEIzAS0eh76_ESsYSLrwYTfMIXzQCPOZC8fbj4xDsaXOnKAUxopxgjEpnRkQJSA7RI/s1600/IMG_3445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig3hsrHMlNVhzP4-8kgQzIhPjyP67tXbrhlEGPp19Qh3oCcS7B_RAJwT9iNIb_ClxUae-sbsuY8TEIzAS0eh76_ESsYSLrwYTfMIXzQCPOZC8fbj4xDsaXOnKAUxopxgjEpnRkQJSA7RI/s200/IMG_3445.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
On Thursday, January 14, students from our class walked down the street to the Catholic Charities North Center Senior Satellite Center. We shared a free-time afternoon with them, geared toward stimulating motor function and brain activity - in other words, we had some game-time! Students spent a few hours with the seniors shooting pool, and playing games like checkers, cards, Monopoly, and Yahtzee! These seniors are a mix of residents on the campus of housing that surrounds the center and other seniors who live in the city. The center is geared toward providing social opportunities for seniors to enjoy. Here are some thoughts from Brittany Bejabeng, Laura Gaerditz, and Catalina Tueros...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjb_EBZMUsvPRywPclRWlPxmR4D1-3aBI5WalqrWv9904pT6JbhQyCfVgar2MLr59Vw10HOUeqYy0hAeXdx95gbsMcnQn7moMENB_T-1p2LVI73mmiSJbUrXK8Vv8H56RaKgNyEef7fw/s1600/IMG_3450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjb_EBZMUsvPRywPclRWlPxmR4D1-3aBI5WalqrWv9904pT6JbhQyCfVgar2MLr59Vw10HOUeqYy0hAeXdx95gbsMcnQn7moMENB_T-1p2LVI73mmiSJbUrXK8Vv8H56RaKgNyEef7fw/s200/IMG_3450.jpg" width="200" /></a><b>Brittany Bejabeng</b><br />
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Last Thursday, the class took a trip to a Catholic Charities North Center Senior Satellite Center to visit elderly people in that community. Based off of my observations and my interaction with the people there, they seem very well put together as a whole. Most of the men and women there were around their mid-sixties or early seventies. There were all able to communicate in some way, either through English or Spanish. My first impression walking in there was that they were a tightly knit community that was surrounded by enthusiasm and diversity.<br />
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Elderly people usually face some form of discrimination because of their physical limits in society. There are placed in the corner and seen as incapable to themselves and to others. Yes, as we get older in some way we are don’t maintain the same strengths as we did in our youth, but ageism should not affect our impression of people’s abilities unless they give you a reason to be concerned. Ageism is the prejudice or discrimination on the basis of a person's age and because of this today some senior citizens feel marginalized. Part of society views them as incapable, so our mentality has been to perceive it that way.<br />
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James 2:2-4 says, “For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, 'You sit here in a good place,' while you say to the poor man, 'You stand over there,' or, 'Sit down at my feet,' have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?” Based off of this bible passage, we as people should not discriminate based on appearance and structural ability. Yes, judgements can be made, but a person should have the opportunity to be capable and to test their own ability.<br />
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God calls us to love one another and to treat others the way you would like to be treated. Reading articles about marginalized groups, visiting senior homes, and reflecting on this topic has personally allowed me to see how that it can somewhat be hard living in a society that sees you as weak, unresponsive, needy, or dependent. Though some of these things may be true on their behalf, senior citizens are pushed to the end of society because some see them as useless. We all will age one day so instead of criticizing or marginalizing them, we should assist in providing for them. It is our turn to give back. Christ would ask for us to help in assisting one another and to not see each other as different creations of the world.</div>
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<b>Laura Gaerditz</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VtQLqyOHoAi5JYNZQUobDaFCE_ZoxfPkFn0xWG6n1azYBoBrqbOp1PBhQTHO2MbW2Ns3NRK6_oA-niJ3370-LrMOdH_vWqHjOUBCYGKPzkxDovnFZ_r0rcKk3Wyfa0VgKB-zlrpOSqY/s1600/IMG_3446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VtQLqyOHoAi5JYNZQUobDaFCE_ZoxfPkFn0xWG6n1azYBoBrqbOp1PBhQTHO2MbW2Ns3NRK6_oA-niJ3370-LrMOdH_vWqHjOUBCYGKPzkxDovnFZ_r0rcKk3Wyfa0VgKB-zlrpOSqY/s200/IMG_3446.jpg" width="150" /></a>Going to the Catholic Charities North Center Senior Satellite Center was an entirely different experience from going to the nursing home. For one, these men and women are in much better health. Secondly, more than half of them aren’t living there. They were much happier and eager to socialize with us! When we went on our field trip, we each broke into groups and played a board game, which in my group's case was Monopoly.<br />
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These men and women are so blessed to have a community center like this available to them. It’s wonderful that this is open to everyone. Being older, they probably don’t get out as much anymore, so this is a great place for them to socialize with one another. Sr. Helen, from our parish, explained to us that the goal of the Daughters of Charity, her religious community, is to aid the poor. But in this case it wasn’t poverty money-wise; in this case it meant that elderly people are often forgotten in society. This is a place where they can feel that they're a part of something.<br />
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“Even to your old age I will be the same, and even to your graying years I will bear you! I have done it, and I will carry you; And I will bear you and I will deliver you” (Isaiah 46:4). This reminds me of the Catholic Social Theme of Solidarity. These men and women weren’t as dependent on the community center as those people in the nursing home. The community center offered a space and games to play while the people came. They met halfway.<br />
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I had a great time at the community center. I’m not entirely sure how they feel, but if I was older I would be happy to have a place to go so I could be with other people. It was great to see all them so happy when we came. It really made <i>my</i> day. I wish there were even more centers like this one available to older people. I truly think that having this socialization in their lives is good for them.</div>
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<b>Catalina Tueros</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuTHGLSKpck3XwQFL1I9QLeua100TmD3hI3ewOV_RkX42qMDDFHsjJP2LNtusKUTR6xYacmtv5cBCIxd4zvN3iADk_6rDFw_ONR32xYzaemTFdGbvp8DgHvFZdjZk_VU3BNdmhXtUmWKw/s1600/IMG_3447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuTHGLSKpck3XwQFL1I9QLeua100TmD3hI3ewOV_RkX42qMDDFHsjJP2LNtusKUTR6xYacmtv5cBCIxd4zvN3iADk_6rDFw_ONR32xYzaemTFdGbvp8DgHvFZdjZk_VU3BNdmhXtUmWKw/s200/IMG_3447.jpg" width="150" /></a>Society has turned a blind side to some of the most important people in our country, the elderly. The elderly hold the key to our history and can help develop our future. In today’s world, we tend to marginalize them and push them to the ends of society. In this week's service trip, my classmates and I were able to volunteer at the North Center Senior Satellite Center. It includes a fitness program that helps seniors become more active, helps the seniors to go on trips, have senior club meetings, and dance. I was able to to play games and get to know more about the seniors who who visited the center. I completely loved the experience. I was able to connect with them and even get some life advice from them. I learned so many new things. We heard similar stories and laughed the entire time. Through this experience I was able to unite with this marginalized group.</div>
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The seniors are neglected in our society. They are unaccounted for and are seen as weak and unable. The lack of respect is prevalent within today’s society. We forget that we are united and should work as a team rather than create borders for the people. No one is benefiting from circumstances like these. This is a universal issue that continues to plague our world. The elderly deserve a voice and should be heard. The elderly are excluded in society because of the negative perceptions placed upon them, which causes the people to marginalize them within society. Political leaders have the money and opportunity to shed light upon this social issue. The elderly are often dependent on the services the community has to offer them. There should be more local aid. Unfortunately, the majority of the elderly population are excluded during this process because of the negative perceptions. Society chooses to exclude the elderly and the future relationships that can be created never happen. The past perceptions of the elderly can affect the future by continuing this pattern of exclusion. The beliefs of the public can influence decisions made in society because the laws are created in favor of the people. The people’s beliefs can mold better decisions for the marginalized. <br />
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This issue can relate to various bible stories such as Genesis 24:1-10. In this story, Abraham was an elderly man, yet God was able to bless him in every way. The idea of aging is prevalent within this story because it is a part of life. It is a natural process that all must go through. It does not make one less able. It allows us to grow and become wise through our own personal experiences. A Catholic Social Teaching theme that is relevant here is solidarity. Christ calls us to respond by being mindful of all people and to view them as brothers or sisters. The elderly should be seen as equal regardless of their state in life. I believe that we are all created to be united in solidarity. As people, we should choose to uplift one another rather than exclude them. We are all equal in the eyes of God. There are so many things to be learned that we have not yet understood. The elderly hold wisdom and understand the trials and tribulations of life. Their insight can be helpful. They should have a say within the community and around the world. It is unjust to take away these rights from them. Christ would expect us to come together as brother and sisters in unity. We are all created in His likeness and the judgment should no longer be placed upon this group of people. I believe that Christ would wants us to work together in order to end this division that we have in the world. I am able to identify with the elderly because my voice is often unheard due to my age. My opinions and ideas are not taken into consideration. There should be more unity between the people by including the elderly and speaking to them. There is so much to be learned.<br />
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We may bridge the gap between social reality and what we hope for by providing more assistance to the elderly. We may help contribute by donating some of our funds to help build local centers around the city that allow the elderly to be united within society rather than excluded. We may also simply volunteer at a senior home and learn more about them by a simple conversation. Political leaders and the media can also shed light upon this issue due to their large following. The more emphasis placed upon this issue will help others realize that the elderly deserve a say. <br />
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The elderly in this nation hold the key to our infinite history and may have the answers to our future. It is up to us to help unite the people in solidarity and to help advocate for the marginalized. It is ultimately up to us to give back to the elderly for all that they have done for society. As a nation, we hold the power to rise above. <br />
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<i>Note: Minor grammar/style edits have been made to each post not affecting the content or perspective of these students.</i></div>
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Mr. Mastertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03986854285865332333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-820456064937483481.post-779257038175133032016-01-12T14:27:00.000-06:002016-03-03T09:22:36.618-06:00Trip #4: Chicagoland Methodist Senior Services<div>
On Wednesday, January 6, students from our class visited the <a href="http://www.cmsschicago.org/">Chicagoland Methodist Senior Services</a> facility on Foster Ave. We collaborated with their activities department to match seniors (high school students) to seniors (elderly residents) for an art activity. Starting from a conversation/interview led by the student, the seniors and seniors got to know each other for a few minutes. Then, each pair received a shadowbox and had access to a buffet of arts-and-crafts materials. The students then helped their resident construct a shadowbox that reflected the residents' interests, hobbies, memories, etc., and many students even added a little something to symbolize themselves.</div>
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In case you need a refresher, here's <a href="http://sojuvo.blogspot.com/2015/12/welcome-to-sujuvo-blog.html">the link to our first post explaining what is posted to the blog</a>. And without further adieu, here are some thoughts from Bryan Padilla and Brittany Camana on their experience with their new elderly friends...</div>
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<b>Bryan Padilla </b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj24s1sjzVHBMCJ3KLUcm8UsnwPoWnsIq5lmpmQoPZy2N8rpCjMDjFQ1UCF9oXoBZe0QxXXHWggDNHUOPDVW3fsNCA0isYHE1hooz7DNG3WsDw4Exm8ZsgPuYnhnIxCwZagfmQGSqr-sFg/s1600/IMG_3446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj24s1sjzVHBMCJ3KLUcm8UsnwPoWnsIq5lmpmQoPZy2N8rpCjMDjFQ1UCF9oXoBZe0QxXXHWggDNHUOPDVW3fsNCA0isYHE1hooz7DNG3WsDw4Exm8ZsgPuYnhnIxCwZagfmQGSqr-sFg/s200/IMG_3446.jpg" width="150" /></a>My class and I got the opportunity to interact with some elderly people at the Chicagoland Methodist Senior Services Home. At the home, we made shadow boxes with the elderly. The elderly are a marginalized group that is often seen, but left alone or cast to the side. Old age is something that people all around the world have had to deal with. With old age often comes disabilities and mental degradation, and these ailments can be burdensome to the elderly’s families. Often, in the western world, our elderly are put in nursing facilities where they can be marginalized by their family as well as society.<br />
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This idea of the elderly's being marginalized can be attributed to the family structure in the modern-day or western world. There are very few senior homes or nursing facilities in developing nations or in times where traditional family structures were intact. In such countries or times, the elderly are/were kept at home where it is/was impossible to ignore them so that they would become marginalized. However, in modern day America, for example, when someone becomes elderly and perhaps burdensome, they are put in a nursing facility. While being away, they become forgotten. <br />
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In the Bible, we are called to be respectful with our elders. “Do not rebuke an older man, but appeal to him as a father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters with complete purity” (1 Timothy 5:1-2). We are called to look towards our elderly as if they were our mothers and fathers (which in many cases they are.) Would we ever intentionally marginalize our mothers and fathers? Or choose to put them away? The Catholic Social teaching of the Call to Family, Community, and Participation is relevant here. This CST theme calls us to uphold the institutions of family and marriage. Family includes our eldest members. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYUzaAw_TDRO2YXji-G4Cp_Ezz5ijwp-gr-JU9svGRR6kMcbZgcepl4uarg6BYjiv7lpfWtoUGvdoET_lqLQNufN8QMt2qHM1Jio8yrefkS3tY_qNG3M2J5LMr8jQYi4PBikSo_I5shk/s1600/IMG_3447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYUzaAw_TDRO2YXji-G4Cp_Ezz5ijwp-gr-JU9svGRR6kMcbZgcepl4uarg6BYjiv7lpfWtoUGvdoET_lqLQNufN8QMt2qHM1Jio8yrefkS3tY_qNG3M2J5LMr8jQYi4PBikSo_I5shk/s200/IMG_3447.jpg" width="150" /></a>As someone with a great deal of experience with elderly people, from a personal perspective, I feel especially connected to our service outing and the marginalized elderly people as a whole. Before my grandmother passed away in the summer of 2014, she had declined in health due to old age. Rather than putting her in a nursing facility, my family responded to God’s call - we kept her in our house to take care of her so that she was able to live the last of her days surrounded by her family. <br />
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Every elderly person was once a little infant; every elderly person is a human. If you have an elderly person in your life such as a family member or neighbor, try to do as Christ calls you to do and stay connected with them. By taking care of our elderly or perhaps visiting a nursing facility, we can make sure that these people are recognized and are not marginalized. <br />
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<b>Brittany Camana</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDmQ82q4qYCsmtd_GZCnNGNh7Hsg6roq5vg62rFeMYqeLikpG3k3IUSJ6Zqf0E2dZPVLU3IsGDAWthQguCCsFivoCUr3HY5570Ax-fxeg6PtSGeoU2LQ_3IESNShkC0tQSsdwdICc9es/s1600/IMG_3449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDmQ82q4qYCsmtd_GZCnNGNh7Hsg6roq5vg62rFeMYqeLikpG3k3IUSJ6Zqf0E2dZPVLU3IsGDAWthQguCCsFivoCUr3HY5570Ax-fxeg6PtSGeoU2LQ_3IESNShkC0tQSsdwdICc9es/s200/IMG_3449.jpg" width="200" /></a>For this week’s service outing, our class went to the Chicagoland Methodist Senior Services. While there, each student, or possibly two, got paired up with a senior resident living there. As everyone was settled down and got their partner, each pair was getting to know each other. Most of the seniors had a hard time talking. My partner, Mary Louise, could barely talk, and when she did talk, her voice was so soft that I could barely hear her. However, I was able to hear some of her words and got to learn a lot about her. For example, I learned that she liked flowers, used to play volleyball, liked the colors green and pink, and lived in Chicago her whole life. I was then able to create a shadow box for her. I added a picture of Chicago, stickers of giraffes, a big red flower, and both of our initials (I wanted to include something so she could remember me) on top of a floral background. After I finished and handed the box to her, she smiled and her face was filled with gratitude and excitement.<br />
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First, society and seniors are involved in this situation. It seems as if seniors are being oppressed by society on a daily basis. Society never places any emphasis on living with the seniors or visiting them often or just taking care of them in general. Society sees it as something that family of the senior <i>should</i> do and it’s nobody else’s business to be interacting with them. However, they do benefit from living within the senior homes. For example, they can socialize with people around their same age for company, have someone to assist them medically, and have someone to cook and clean for them. On the downside though, their are many nursing homes that neglect and treat seniors horribly. They don’t clean after them, help bathe seniors who need assistance, or interact with them, instead seeing them as a bother. This needs to be addressed and handled and put out their more publicly than other news topics being brought up. This is happening predominantly in the United States but other countries also have senior homes as well. The majority of third-world countries would not be able to afford it but countries are coming up and creating places for seniors to live.</div>
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In Acts 20:35 it states, "In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" In other words, we should give back to the people who can't help themselves and should give more to others then expect to be given everything.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHiJm7BuJbJsQWCBz-9bnGCL-JY3vHW-NBORZTWIQHsRRUmeLy2wuPZ1Si1ETjjHG6aIksW2aRysI5uRDpeCFUieIvx6WukRAeltZiT8oyLZeA23_3vcUCT7dL43uk7ZzIKuSbqOPuZzg/s1600/IMG_3450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHiJm7BuJbJsQWCBz-9bnGCL-JY3vHW-NBORZTWIQHsRRUmeLy2wuPZ1Si1ETjjHG6aIksW2aRysI5uRDpeCFUieIvx6WukRAeltZiT8oyLZeA23_3vcUCT7dL43uk7ZzIKuSbqOPuZzg/s200/IMG_3450.jpg" width="200" /></a>There is no obvious reason as to why this is happening since each situation varies. Sometimes, seniors live in senior homes because their relatives are busy working or sometimes relatives aren’t willing to take care of a senior. There are various reasons why each senior is sent to a senior home. However, they all come to the senior home because they need help being taken care of. As a society, we must come together and make this issue easier to see. Many of the elderly have disabilities that prevent them from expressing themselves. so we must go into their shoes and advocate for them since they cannot advocate for themselves. </div>
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<i>Note: Minor grammar/style edits have been made to each post not affecting the content or perspective of these students.</i>Mr. Mastertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03986854285865332333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-820456064937483481.post-27934645463831693472015-12-22T13:45:00.000-06:002016-03-03T09:22:41.923-06:00Trip #3: Volunteer Service PanelOn Friday, December 18, students in our class had a panel discussion and Q&A with our head of secondary school, who did post-grad volunteer service, as well as two volunteers and their coordinator from <a href="https://www.franoutreach.org/">Franciscan Outreach</a>. Students had the opportunity to ask questions about the volunteers' background in becoming volunteers in service as well as what their lives are like as they serve with the poor on a daily basis with their community.<br />
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Representing our class this week on the blog are Natalia Kieta, Catalina Tueros, and Steph Sefah...<br />
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<b>Natalia Kieta</b><br />
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In our world, there are a lot of individuals who struggle to eat a good meal and to find a place to sleep at night. Although we have many who struggle to get through each day, we also have many people who try to support those below the poverty line by volunteering at soup kitchens, shelters, etc. One place that helps care for the poor all year long is the Franciscan Outreach Marquard Center, and last Friday we had the opportunity to speak with two of the ten volunteers who have sacrificed a year of their life to help serve at this center.<br />
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Over fifty years ago, Father Phil was bothered by the idea that many prisoners had nowhere to go after they were done serving their time in jail. In response to his emotions, he decided to open a center that would feed and sleep sixteen people per night. Over the years, the Franciscan Outreach Center grew in numbers, and currently forty-five individuals sleep there per night and around 140 people are served a hot meal daily. What is interesting about this center from an economic viewpoint is that the majority of the food, clothes, toiletries, etc. are all donated. Also, this center hosts a fundraiser where many people donate money to help run the center and to help provide for necessities. In conclusion, society plays a big role in aiding and providing for Franciscan Outreach.<br />
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Listening to the two volunteers talk about their experiences thus far has allowed me to connect them to the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector from Luke 18:9-14. This parable talks about how humility is the greatest trait that God looks for in an individual. In my opinion, both volunteers, Emily and Katie, are very humble in the eyes of God because they do not brag about the service they do, nor do they complain about not getting rewarded for their actions. In this case, they are like the tax collector where they do what they signed up for and act upon what they are required to do. Service is their calling, and they aren’t using this as an excuse to show how wonderful they are through the sacrifices they had to make in order to become volunteers. During the discussion, it was evident that the Catholic Social Teaching theme Preferential Option for the Poor was present. Through this theme, Christ wants to ensure that we consider the poor in every decision we make individually, communally and socially, which is what Emily and Katie do on a daily basis at the Franciscan Outreach Center.<br />
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As one of the speakers, Emily, said, “It is a very rewarding feeling to form a relationship with some of the people that dine or sleep at the center. Sometimes all they need is a person to vent to because their lifestyle is so difficult, and they have no one to turn to in difficult times. It feels good to be able to give someone your time because sometimes that’s all they need.” I wholeheartedly agree with Emily because as we talked about before,<br />
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Sometimes a smile is all a person needs to feel special. To me, it is very hard to see so many people struggle with something that I expect to have every day, such as food or clean clothes, but at the same time, it makes me feel better that there are people like Emily and Katie who do so much to make just a little difference in the marginalized world.<br />
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Finally, after processing Emily and Katie’s words, I came to realize that I do not have to take a year off of my life to help make a difference in the world. I can also simply smile and just say hello to someone I see lingering on the streets, and that itself will make the biggest difference in a person’s face. Sometimes we underestimate the needs of the poor; the simplest task can make the greatest difference.<br />
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<b>Catalina Tueros</b></div>
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As a nation, it is apparent that we choose to strip away many people's human dignity and proceed with our lives. These actions are committed by many in today’s society. There are also those who acknowledge the marginalized people and try in their best efforts to guide them on the right path. In Friday’s discussion panel, my classmates and I were able to go in depth with three full-time volunteers from Franciscan Outreach. We were able to gain new insight on the organization and what each volunteer was able to do. It was an amazing experience to listen to their hopes and their personal feelings about being a full-time volunteer. Franciscan Outreach is a nonprofit organization that provides service to those who are less fortunate. Housing is also provided for men and women. The Franciscan Outreach is an excellent example of people who are willing to dedicate their lives for the common good of others. Service is needed throughout our nation. <br />
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Franciscan Outreach helps provide for the less fortunate. I was able to learn throughout the discussion that each volunteer chose to dedicate one year of their lives to service. Not many people are willing to sacrifice their time to acknowledge the poor. Every year, the number of homelessness continues to increase. Many people go on without proper housing, food, and thrival rights. They are truly affected by the decisions that are made in the community. The volunteers at Franciscan Outreach expressed their gratitude and their love for changing people’s lives. No one is ever denied, and there is always plentiful food and clothing for those who are in need. The less fortunate in Chicago are able to benefit from this organization given the fact that it never turns anyone away. The two volunteers expressed the hardships that come along with the job as well. Many people who come to Franciscan Outreach come from a broken home, family, and life. These people are forgotten from society. Everything that is used in the organization is donated. The city of Chicago helps control and manage inventory through these donations. The city fully supports the organization and the message behind it. The city of Chicago donates money each year to help with costs. Private donors also help with the costs. People in Chicago are willing to work with the less fortunate. Relationships are built with the people and the volunteers given the fact that the volunteers are the only consistent people they have in their lives. The volunteers also form bonds with other volunteer members and they support each other. No one is ever excluded. They are able to connect and establish teamwork. The beliefs and decisions affect the community by setting a positive chain reaction - the more good that is being done, the more people become influenced to do the same. It will affect future generations and allow them to be aware of current issues. A positive impact is imprinted upon the people. <br />
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Coming together as a community can be related to many bible stories such as Mark 12:41-45. In this story, Jesus collected the offerings from the people. Many wealthy people placed their money into the basket. A poor and widowed woman offered all of her savings. The woman was willing to sacrifice. The theme found in this passage is to give. Those who are willing to volunteer at Franciscan Outreach and other organizations are willing to give their time and help those in need. They are willing to sacrifice a year of their lives in order to do so just as the widow did. The Catholic Social Teaching theme this passage is tied to is the Call to Family, Community, and Participation. It is the ability to constantly stay active within family and community, and to participate. One is able to use their faith to form decisions and actions through these callings. Christ calls us to uphold the domestic church as roots for participation and society. We must unite as a nation to help end poverty. I am in awe at the fact that these young people were able to step up and dedicate their lives to help the less fortunate. I was able to give back to my community by donating clothes I no longer use to charity. It is my way to give back to the less fortunate. I believe that Christ calls our nation to be aware and to lift each other up. <br />
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As a community, in order to help influence others to work together we should make them more aware. The people should try to contribute by donating clothes that are no longer being used, toiletries, and provide small donations. Anything truly counts and is deeply appreciated. The people should unite and help establish this. Giving back can help change people’s lives. More organizations should also be provided within our communities with higher rates for homelessness. <br />
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As people, we have the right to thrive and to succeed. We should always keep others in mind who continue to suffer. The Franciscan Outreach organization helps provide a support system as well as shelter that allows people to come together in unity. Ultimately, we are the future of our nation. It is up to us to make a change.<br />
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<b>Steph Sefah</b></div>
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On December 18th, we had the opportunity to speak with a panel of volunteers from Franciscan Outreach. Franciscan Outreach is the home to many homeless women and men in Chicago. The shelter was originally founded as a safe haven for prisoners who just got of jail but now houses 100-180 men and women. In our interview with the volunteers, we were able to find out more about the life of a volunteer at Franciscan Outreach, also about what motivates(ed) or called them to the shelter. The shelter was started by Phillip Marquard, a Franciscan friar who wanted to help fill the gap between the rich and the poor by opening a shelter, a place of welcome for society's marginalized. <br />
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Father Marquard's vision is still alive today. We see this in the countless numbers of people who work for the shelter, which is a nonprofit, and people like Katie, Emily and the other volunteers who have given up their year for the benefit of the less fortunate. We also see this in the hundreds of homeless people who call the center their home. In this section the Katie and Emily started off by telling us what a day in their lives looked like. Katie, who is from Georgia, traveled to Chicago after graduating for college less then a year ago. She left her family and friends to do service and change others' lives. Katie's job is to cook and do the laundry for the guests who stay at the shelter. Katie finds her job very rewarding. Many people think too highly of themselves to wash the clothes of people who might sometime smell bad; I think Katie sees this as an humbling deed. When asked if she loves what she's doing Katie's responded, "Yes, the smile of their faces makes it worth it". The bible states in Mark 12:31 that we should love our neighbor as ourselves - Katie does this every day at the shelter. <br />
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The second volunteer we spoke with was Emily, who spoke to us about how she has always loved doing service as a child. Emily's job at the shelter is to spend the night with the women who stay at the shelter. She makes sure there is peace between the guests and also that all their common needs are met. Emily finds this job very rewarding as well because she meets women her age who are homeless. This humbles Emily because she realizes God's love for her and how lucky she is to be at this point in her life. One thing I loved about Emily was that she feels called to help women who have been abused, and the majority of the women she meets have been abused. Emily's desire to help women is amazing. The bible states in Romans 12:10 that we should be devoted to one another in love and Emily dose this everyday. <br />
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In conclusion, I have learned a lot about service and the importance of it. I am grateful to God for all the blessings I have from my family and for people like Emily and Katie who remind me to stay humble and to be thankful. This interview has opened my eyes about the paths I can take before and after college through service. Service is one thing I can do to make a change to fill the gap between society and its outcasts. I am thankful to people like Katie and Emily who are making a change and doing what God calls them to do.<br />
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<i>Note: Minor grammar/style edits have been made to each post not affecting the content or perspective of these students.</i>Mr. Mastertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03986854285865332333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-820456064937483481.post-80767754512897824722015-12-15T16:22:00.000-06:002016-03-03T09:22:47.206-06:00Trip #2: Franciscan Outreach Marquard Center<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUvi1kvUHngyCuKFQ-qMmkeqwqFM0PMwLJDBgcqA3bPm2eJxuSMW208U8Fu-ZOrUq2Vci3Vze0GezZd2J3JKQApXoSKOfCLFLm2hFDNo-D6008VIBGj0RVdilsgvpUYa3tAfeC955PrZE/s1600/IMG_3266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUvi1kvUHngyCuKFQ-qMmkeqwqFM0PMwLJDBgcqA3bPm2eJxuSMW208U8Fu-ZOrUq2Vci3Vze0GezZd2J3JKQApXoSKOfCLFLm2hFDNo-D6008VIBGj0RVdilsgvpUYa3tAfeC955PrZE/s200/IMG_3266.jpg" width="150" /></a>On Thursday, December 10, students traveled to the <a href="https://www.franoutreach.org/">Franciscan Outreach</a> Marquard Center, near North and Ashland on the north side of Chicago. Students supported the volunteer community that lives there and the many ministries they sustain, including nightly suppers, shower and laundry access, social work, food and clothing donations, and more.</div>
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Representing our class this week on the blog are Liz Ramos, Jada Shelby, and Antonio Gonzalez...<br />
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<b>Liz Ramos</b><br />
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For our second urban immersion exercise, our class went to the Franciscan Outreach Marquard Center, a program where the homeless can eat, obtain clothes, obtain groceries, keep warm, or receive mail. In this exercise, I was asked to organize apparel by sex and size. As I was organizing the clothes, I began to question: who wore these clothes before? did they wash them before giving them away? what was there story behind these clothes? As I questioned the story behind these clothes, I began to sympathize for the poor because they did not have the same abilities as me. For example, they could not wash the clothes they received, and they could not afford new, brand-name clothes, which is something we as humanity take for granted.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiegoHPOiXkjqY4g3IqBcdBqj6Ue24iXqsvL8pdjKEIF-MiXESP-8lJprdJXICXEhWgBxoQ13iEi-jyfrKtVea7so1-BkPK2L9GlpMn9CkaAlLq3K9Y1q_R6iB7T_uLnfAbZ5H-PuEKL9U/s1600/IMG_3262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiegoHPOiXkjqY4g3IqBcdBqj6Ue24iXqsvL8pdjKEIF-MiXESP-8lJprdJXICXEhWgBxoQ13iEi-jyfrKtVea7so1-BkPK2L9GlpMn9CkaAlLq3K9Y1q_R6iB7T_uLnfAbZ5H-PuEKL9U/s200/IMG_3262.jpg" width="200" /></a>However, now that I begin to write my reflection, I realize I was in the same position. Back in 2008 when there was a recession, my father and my mother were unemployed since they were undocumented, and their employers were only seeking people with a work permit. Thus, my mother would pick up freelance jobs, such as cleaning houses or handing out flyers for a company. During that time, my mother would apply at this pantry to receive groceries every Tuesday. Every Tuesday for that year, I would join my mother in a line about the size of one street block, and we would wait until they called out our number to receive groceries. As we waited in line, I felt humiliated and a little ashamed because my nine-year-old mind could only understand that my family could not afford something as simple as one-dollar food items. Additionally, I would wear hand-me-downs from my best friend and from kids that my mom cleaned houses for. Thanks to the experience at the Franciscan Outreach, I feel grateful because it made me reminisce at how many advantages I have now, and I am grateful that I was able to work with others who need it, which is what the Catholic Social Teaching of the Preferential Option for the Poor calls us to do. Because of my experience of being low-income, I feel like I can identify with the marginalized population. </div>
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Because of this experience, I feel implicated in marginalizing these people because they are pushed off to the edge of the world. How do I know? Well, as we were in the building, I noticed there was a few people in charge. There was one lady who was categorizing us students into each department, the desks for social workers were empty, and the front desk person was a homeless person which shows that not a lot of people are willing to help. Additionally, as we passed to our stations, there were boxes of clothes, shoes, and appliances cluttered all over the place, which were also indications that the program did not receive enough help from others. There are some people who do their part and help others, like my best friend who helped me or the lady that assisted us during last week's urban immersion exercise, but it is just a little help in the bigger picture of the number of citizens in Illinois or just in Chicago. For this reason, I am called to marginalize the homeless or the less fortunate population. </div>
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Moreover, I feel like I need to respond in faith because Christ would expect me to. Christ states, <br />
“Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Luke 21:33-34)</div>
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By this, Christ means to find love neither in money nor possessions but rather in helping the needy and doing good deeds. Therefore, I have decided that I shall respond to Christ’s call of love by helping the needy, by giving my attention to the homeless when I am waiting for the public transportation, by donating my clothes, and by giving some of my time at the Franciscan Outreach even for a couple of hours.</div>
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<b>Jada Shelby</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhwo6Affl9L-pHvXrKd9v4wZMzFId1ZPVr_bUCKzUDteXOVoFpGFhQEFdxQdM8N2yEyfGxA-zblRPrqHonV_Na7t2SaJ6fQfl30JaSEEQsJ3YKMxmCAjRJLFXFfR62mLPGgzqnhZr5ltc/s1600/IMG_3260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhwo6Affl9L-pHvXrKd9v4wZMzFId1ZPVr_bUCKzUDteXOVoFpGFhQEFdxQdM8N2yEyfGxA-zblRPrqHonV_Na7t2SaJ6fQfl30JaSEEQsJ3YKMxmCAjRJLFXFfR62mLPGgzqnhZr5ltc/s200/IMG_3260.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
On December 10, 2015, our class went to the Franciscan Outreach, where we broke off into groups. The group I was in included another student, two volunteers from the center, and me. In this group, we cut up fruit for one of the five courses of that night's dinner for the homeless. While cutting, the volunteers gave us a brief overview on what they do at the center. I learned that it is a place for men to come to eat, shower, get toiletry items, and obtain a relationship with a social worker so that they are able to try and get back on their feet. At Franciscan Outreach, there are volunteers who live there full time in order to meet the basic needs for those men. They do not discriminate because at Franciscan they believe that everyone deserves another chance.<br />
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A Bible verse that I believe connects with this would be, “For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’” (Deuteronomy 15:11) This is saying that there will never be a time where there is no poor man on this Earth, but we should be mindful of them by offering them our help.</div>
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This goes along with the Catholic Social Teaching of Preferential Option for the Poor, where Christ calls us to consider the poor in every decision we make individually, communally, or socially. In my opinion, Franciscan Outreach is a wonderful program because the volunteers work five days a week to give men a better life in response to this call.</div>
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I can relate to the volunteers because once upon a time my uncle did not have a place to go, so my mom allowed him to stay with us. It was during this time that he had just had a heart transplant, so he was weak. Therefore, I had to cook for him, go to the store for him, and wash his clothes for him. I could have been considered a volunteer working full time because I did not get paid and it was the summer time so I was not in school. I felt like God called me to do those things because during that time I was truly blessed with scholarship offers from St. Benedict School and I was asked to join the basketball team. It was because of those blessings that I started to realize that helping people who are less fortunate is never wrong because good things will not go unnoticed, though they might be postponed.</div>
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I think as a society we should reach out our hands to all. We should not push anyone aside because <i>what if we were in their shoes?</i> As a society we should find people that can help the poor and be a listening ear. We should do what Christ calls us to do in the Catholic Social Teaching of Solidarity by loving and being mindful of every single person as our brother/sister.</div>
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<b>Antonio Gonzalez</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVEnZMhqXYE-t3M0xbKMzb5InrEkb2PiiaBVrTXyLC5kfQOQtwXj0hT8jF-nYBMCUTgRPK4l0hX8p5BUjbh79DEYQjXeBGrGTRLKGj5PJ2H_9HVOJw8g-GFlW2UZ55jmFyBesXoLnZdfQ/s1600/IMG_3261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVEnZMhqXYE-t3M0xbKMzb5InrEkb2PiiaBVrTXyLC5kfQOQtwXj0hT8jF-nYBMCUTgRPK4l0hX8p5BUjbh79DEYQjXeBGrGTRLKGj5PJ2H_9HVOJw8g-GFlW2UZ55jmFyBesXoLnZdfQ/s200/IMG_3261.jpg" width="200" /></a>In the afternoon of December 10, 2015, I went on a class trip to the Franciscan Outreach Marquard Center with the rest of my Catholic Social Teaching class. It was an interesting learning experience, getting to organize food on shelves and fold clothes as donations for those who need it. This organization was very organized with handling food, clothing, and the distribution of these items. Even though I was there for only an hour, the time that I spent gave me a large impression about how many homeless people there are in the city of Chicago. Not only that, the amount of food there was to organize demonstrated the amount of people that are willing to donate. Homelessness, as it is shown by many news networks and newspapers, is happening all around the world, affecting many single adults and families. It’s hard to avoid this subject, as it can easily be seen down any neighborhood or alleyway. Especially during the Christmas time, organizations and stores try to put themselves out into the consumer world to entice people by saying that they support the homeless and food pantries.<br />
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When it comes down to it, the populations that are wealthy are the one that provide most of the donations in funding. Larger organizations such as the Salvation Army have the advantage of widespread advertisement to the people. These groups not only put in money to different shelters, but they also have a wide array of volunteers to help out at any situation. Of course, this one organization cannot reach out to every single homeless man or woman, but it does its best to help as many people as possible. The Salvation Army along with many organizations in the community provides a healthy motivation for the population to tend to the needs of the homeless and/or the unemployed. Relationships can be created between the volunteer and the needy directly or indirectly based on if one may do volunteer work or purely make donations.<br />
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This can be traced back to Scripture, to the story where Jesus cured a man of leprosy. In Matthew 8:1-4, Jesus comes across a man who is suffering from this deadly disease. Instead of walking away, Jesus confronts the man and saves him from his pain. This is what God would want from his people, to help out the brothers and sisters of the world, no matter in what condition and situation. Passages like this one can help one to grow in faith and in love and service. Jesus, for example, has all the characteristics of a loving person and is not afraid to show it to everyone. The way that he lives is a good way to live life, considering the needy and suffering at all times.<br />
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After reading this passage and attending the service trip, my knowledge about how the homeless are taken care of increased in a variety of different ways. Organizing the food by the storage area showed me how different items are donated all the time like bread and canned soup. Franciscan Outreach was very similar to different places that I have volunteered at like the Lakeview Food Pantry and my local church. As a person who has grown up in the Catholic faith, the reality of homelessness is nothing new, but making personal connections with the needy makes that much more of a difference. Whenever I walk to my job at Jewel-Osco, I run across a couple of homeless men on the street, and I see them talking with other pedestrians. It goes to show that the smallest choice can make the biggest difference.<br />
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These small choices can be made in multiple ways. There are many different organizations and shelters in the Chicago area that are willing to accept anyone who is willing to volunteer. As I mentioned before, the Salvation Army is a great place to donate time or money into when it comes to helping those who are struggling. One can also spread the awareness of homelessness at any local church or among family and friends. Either way, making the effort to spread the awareness of this topic is enough. Having everyone help out with homelessness can lead to the decline of the needy and shows the people that anything can be done with enough support.<i><br /><br />Note: Minor grammar/style edits have been made to each post not affecting the content or perspective of these students.</i>Mr. Mastertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03986854285865332333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-820456064937483481.post-22941492266192810682015-12-09T14:12:00.000-06:002016-03-03T09:22:52.701-06:00Trip #1: Urban Immersion ExerciseOn Thursday, December 3, students traveled to Lakeview to undertake an urban immersion exercise, centered on Clark & Belmont. This activity is inspired by <a href="http://www.thenightministry.org/">The Night Ministry</a>, who have found that homeless teens use this neighborhood and intersection as a frequent meeting point and try to fend for themselves from there.<br />
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Students had the following information:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Ag-SWV6z7WRHM2HpY9IHcMZWBGl3KtkME_1nYSyKMuSqEG4OcjRFhhEDtH9J3KRJmV0C0RO5xg7scDB2MKbFkF-vcwq1lmJSFQ4vDXTplw7lYHq8GROfSGbv77xLdzQKqixb0S5Woqw/s1600/IMG_3249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Ag-SWV6z7WRHM2HpY9IHcMZWBGl3KtkME_1nYSyKMuSqEG4OcjRFhhEDtH9J3KRJmV0C0RO5xg7scDB2MKbFkF-vcwq1lmJSFQ4vDXTplw7lYHq8GROfSGbv77xLdzQKqixb0S5Woqw/s200/IMG_3249.jpg" width="150" /></a><i>Your group will imagine that you together are one homeless teenager – you are roving around Lakeview by yourself, with only the clothes on your bag and $5 in your pocket (without knowing where your next money is coming from). Keep in mind that homeless people often have worn-out clothes, hygiene challenges, and dilemmas over breaking vs. following the laws.<br /><br />Starting from this meeting point (Clark & Belmont), your group will explore an area of Lakeview (your adult will follow behind you and let you know if you need to turn around). You have 45 minutes to answer the following questions that face homeless teens every day:</i><br />
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<li><i>Where/what am I going to eat?</i></li>
<li><i>Where am I going to go to the bathroom?</i></li>
<li><i>Where/how am I going to warm up?</i></li>
<li><i>Where/how am I going to sleep? </i></li>
<li><i>Also, as you explore Lakeview, look around and take in the neighborhood: why do you think it is an attractive environment for homeless teenagers?</i></li>
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The pictures interspersed in this post were taken by student Aileen Juarez and me, during our urban immersion exercise. Representing our class this week on our blog, here are the thoughts of Sarah Eden, Aileen Juarez, and Valentina Cordero...</div>
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<b><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Sarah Eden</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiwAlC9_6cImxxypTF8GKdnrVdO2bpN9TAom3h1pihV0B1ACP3Bp6xX9S-Wds7jm2OYBfiWpx5wyTeEFY3Yxbi-rzOkW4Bd4S6GolsxNgKvMJOpWp1kV-lUY8KxeAewxSjmqKYeSIjIiY/s1600/IMG_3250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiwAlC9_6cImxxypTF8GKdnrVdO2bpN9TAom3h1pihV0B1ACP3Bp6xX9S-Wds7jm2OYBfiWpx5wyTeEFY3Yxbi-rzOkW4Bd4S6GolsxNgKvMJOpWp1kV-lUY8KxeAewxSjmqKYeSIjIiY/s200/IMG_3250.jpg" width="150" /></a>“Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered” (Proverbs 21:13). Essentially, this tells verse from the Bible tells us that whoever does not help the poor will not as easily receive aid when this person becomes in need. In my first immersion experience as a part of my class, Social Justice and Vocations, I witness an indirect denial of aid to a hypothetical homeless teen. But first, a bit of background information about our assignment.<br />
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My class travelled to the intersection of Belmont/Clark, which is known as the main meeting location for homeless teens who live in Chicago. We were assigned to put ourselves in the shoes of a homeless teen, and we were asked to attempt to answer four essential questions within our time window of 45 minutes. These were basic questions that every homeless teen is presented with, and these include questions such as: “Where will I sleep?” or “Where will I get some food?” My group and I went to a number of smaller business who actually seemed the friendliest towards us. We also had the opportunity to go to Illinois Masonic Hospital on Wellington, which was surprisingly the rudest to our group. In the end, we concluded that in terms of finding a place to sleep we would either use the parking garage or train-hop. For food, we said it would be most beneficial to ask around at the local restaurants or travel to a soup kitchen.<br />
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In a brief analysis of this experience, I have concluded that the average small business would be more generous to the poor than those who are a part of a larger corporation. I see this because those who manage a smaller business see how difficult it can be with opening, operating, and maintaining a successful business. Those who work at a larger corporation, such as a public hospital, are more concerned about the money involved in such transactions. Generosity comes easier to those who manage a smaller company because it is also not as regulated as a hospital.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4y4Qbvk0ahyFiocM0HgRZLUfoaL9O2Z2bsy_zUctoovWeszf_Nf9rTsPkAMg_Xo_qiY6hzPIwyAcwp8zaLN2MiXMhom_nxcRi0KYnbaG9SX19F4WZexEFr7zv_Kn7qKT91DDB8D9XVw/s1600/IMG_3251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4y4Qbvk0ahyFiocM0HgRZLUfoaL9O2Z2bsy_zUctoovWeszf_Nf9rTsPkAMg_Xo_qiY6hzPIwyAcwp8zaLN2MiXMhom_nxcRi0KYnbaG9SX19F4WZexEFr7zv_Kn7qKT91DDB8D9XVw/s200/IMG_3251.jpg" width="150" /></a>In my own opinion, I think if anything this scenario should be reversed. I believe that public places, especially hospitals, show be able to offer more than just what's required to follow standard, federal regulations (which is allowing the homeless to stay in the hospital if it is freezing or below). This also reminds me of the Bible parable, The Good Samaritan. It seems that a lot of homeless people (not just teens) have to travel door by door just to see if anyone would be able to accommodate them. This is very similar to the injured man in the parable, in which two men walked passed the injured man until the Samaritan stopped to help this poor man. It just is disappointing knowing that a hospital would deny help to those who need it the most. But let me be clear - I understand that hospitals have a responsibility to take care of those who are injured or sick, but the homeless also fall in the same sort of category.<br />
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Many actions have been taken in order to fix this issue of poverty, but it seems no matter how many programs are started or organizations that arise, there will always remain those who have less than others. In all honesty, there is not much someone like me can do aside from donating my time to help those organizations who cater to the poor. In order to fix the problem on a wider scale, the entire government and economy has to be changed which can take lifetimes in order to accomplish. I wish to end poverty, and I believe it can start with creating proper programs that run through public places, such as hospitals or libraries.<br />
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<b>Aileen Juarez</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4TJF9aNZiDXsBckALp6hiJ4SE_aL9H6dX7kpe2XXjp7TdoCh21ftgODCT8eaIKqKNSVaSoLgGrTjoEF-Bzw7Zob7XZyH8RLJNwGx5CMu_CMn2QqtWRQhPYbR7wPE-LHYpt3xrpyuNE3U/s1600/DSC_2098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4TJF9aNZiDXsBckALp6hiJ4SE_aL9H6dX7kpe2XXjp7TdoCh21ftgODCT8eaIKqKNSVaSoLgGrTjoEF-Bzw7Zob7XZyH8RLJNwGx5CMu_CMn2QqtWRQhPYbR7wPE-LHYpt3xrpyuNE3U/s200/DSC_2098.jpg" width="200" /></a>On Thursday, the class was forced to see what it would be like being a homeless teenager in Chicago, on Clark and Belmont. Things that were already well known about the area was the lively nightlife, the wide variety of restaurants, the heavy population in the area, and the amount of security. Surprisingly, we didn't see any homeless in the area at the time, but that could've been due to how cold it was that day. Either way, we were left to find how we could live there if we had to. What we found was larger businesses were more willing to allow the use of their restrooms and offer discounts or free meals towards the homeless than smaller businesses. Fortunately, the homeless benefit from any sort of donation, but these businesses are most likely helping to seek public sympathy and reel in more customers while smaller businesses can't afford to help the homeless/just don't want to waste their resources. This isn't just in the stores and restaurants of Belmont; this is world-wide. Companies, before considering those in the community that need help, worry for their businesses first. <br />
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Any kind of help that an employee comes from someone of a higher position. So who makes the decisions for companies? Most likely the owner. An owner in most cases, such as at McDonald's, Walmart, KFC, Olive Garden, etc, probably doesn’t have an office in each store, especially considering they have multiple areas of business. They most likely sit in a large office away from all the heavy areas of poverty and may not have to deal with hungry, penniless people asking for a small bite to eat. Perhaps they just don’t know and don’t want employees just giving away free resources, forcing employees to turn away those in need. For smaller businesses, it’s more of a struggle. Usually, an owner will have an office in the building and will already be struggling with keeping the business open. This prompts the owner to tell the employees they just can’t afford to give anything away. Either way, this prompts employees to having to tell the homeless to go away. This creates a cycle, going from shop to shop, seeing whose more willing to give or at least allow them to stay there.<br />
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Sometimes businesses don’t care about what's happening to a person. Some view the homeless as pests that won’t go away. As Americans, when we imagine the homeless, we think of bearded, flea-ridden, raggedy, trash smelling weirdos for the homeless. We always say help the poor or give to the poor, and yet, we mostly walk past them and ignore them. They’re present everywhere and as a society, we appear to have accepted that. We complain and always say, well why don’t they get a job? To already appear invisible, be viewed as a nuisance, and due to no money to care for hygiene, getting a job as a homeless person is extremely difficult. To get off the streets takes time and money, without help from the ignorant, this can result in people dying homeless.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjraf4Z-lBEAnHlEvSSq_PJZrUvc43VbanTFL6vXo8bcK9Fd7Sk-tdlE6aA2Fqjps6WeGK1SLsSXqM96nxYw4fnQwcAsNiXcbAEWdomch6fy9BwjZc7BJKNWkqKqQ2Qc1UQEqYo2ldxwaM/s1600/DSC_2104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjraf4Z-lBEAnHlEvSSq_PJZrUvc43VbanTFL6vXo8bcK9Fd7Sk-tdlE6aA2Fqjps6WeGK1SLsSXqM96nxYw4fnQwcAsNiXcbAEWdomch6fy9BwjZc7BJKNWkqKqQ2Qc1UQEqYo2ldxwaM/s200/DSC_2104.jpg" width="200" /></a>I can compare this to one story that is recited in Mass frequently: a tax collector who climbs a tree to just have one look of Jesus. He’s rich and far above others but not well liked among the people. Everyone is surprised when Jesus approaches him and asks if he can have dinner with him. This results in the tax collector being so happy that he gives away half his possessions and repays those he’s stolen from four times back. Jesus tells the man he is saved. The tax collector didn’t HAVE to give away all his possessions or repay those he’s stolen from but he did a good thing, which made him, a big sinner, stand out from the others who didn’t commit huge wrong doings. We don’t NEED to give to the poor, but if we did, we would definitely stand out in our community to for doing so. I for one don’t really care too much for the bible but this story does have a point. You may be the biggest person in town, the richest, the poorest, the lamest, etc, but giving to the poor will help the community, make you a well liked person, and will make you stand out amongst others who don’t do anything. Christ calls for people to stand out by doing the right thing. By doing the right thing, no matter how tiny, can make a huge difference for those around us.<br />
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By giving a dollar to a homeless man, that dollar can prolong that man's life by a day. By doing even more than that, almost any kind of help can prolong the life of someone in need. Offering a can of food, money, a blanket, a coat, or maybe even a haircut, is a large thing to give to someone without much. By seeing what the homeless go through in about an hour - that they need a place to sleep, eat, keep warm, and take care of hygiene - by helping at shelters, bringing food or offering to buy a meal for someone less fortunate, or even lending your ear to someone can make a difference. If one person does it, it’s bound to pass onto our friends, family, and soon the whole community.</div>
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<b>Valentina Cordero</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgTVSsBDes7sw-wR3OlYj39V7rdoQnX4l8SlYCu-k-Zi5aKg8ouAlZYmS8-LDVGOhp1Ze4eASOEWb1LHnF2EDRGbOcMJOtFcp76JsyW33OvRTQFUppMgL929goFVcvfHw3QeHGaRK39Ew/s1600/DSC_2105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgTVSsBDes7sw-wR3OlYj39V7rdoQnX4l8SlYCu-k-Zi5aKg8ouAlZYmS8-LDVGOhp1Ze4eASOEWb1LHnF2EDRGbOcMJOtFcp76JsyW33OvRTQFUppMgL929goFVcvfHw3QeHGaRK39Ew/s200/DSC_2105.jpg" width="200" /></a>On December 3, 2015, our class experienced how it felt to be a homeless teen. In this activity, we were divided into groups of 6, and we walked around the neighborhood asking local stores and hospitals about what resources they could provide for the homeless teens that live around the intersection. This activity helped us realize how hard it is to find food to eat, something to drink, a place to stay warm, and most importantly where to sleep. We came up with a couple of answers to how homeless people live daily. It was difficult realizing the realities of their situations. This experience was eye opening as I discovered that homeless people don't have the help from others as I believed. Many people declined to help the homeless. As I experienced how to be homeless, I understood that these homeless people are being hurt and neglected by society. They are looked down on because of their appearance and are denied a helping hand. The people that are benefitting in these situations are the successful people who don’t have to worry about becoming homeless. I believe that homelessness occurs universally, but I have seen a lot of homeless people here in the United States because of the country’s ideology. In the United States society, people either succeed or fail, and often times, the successful people don’t look out for the other social classes that need help. I believe that the reason why homelessness occurs in this society is because of competition. In work and everything we do, people are forced to compete and this competition causes one person to win and the other to lose. This ideology of competition and trying to have it all is what causes the situation where people are pushed to the edge and become homeless. <br />
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Through analyzing my experience from the economic viewpoint, the successful people and small business are the ones who own and have the money. The people that are dependent from the resources that they could provide for them are the homeless people. They depend on the successful people walking down the street and on the small business that could provide for them food, water, and a warm place to stay. In the political part of a homeless person’s life the government decides what is to happen to them. The person that picks the deciders is the president or any high authority. The people that are excluded from this process are the people who are homeless as they are meant to obey any dictate that the government. In society, the person who is left out is the homeless person. The people that are included in society are only those who succeed and don’t depend on others. The relationship that is involved is very distant because homeless people are looked down by other social classes.<br />
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Everything from the past helps you become either successful or unsuccessful. Based on previous acts one is able to build a future. Yes, I believe that there is a cycle/structure hanging over the situation; if homeless people have failed in the past, it is much more harder for them to get up and keep trying to build a future. The beliefs, values, and influences of the community affect the behavior and decision of other people in deciding whether or not they want to give a helping hand to those who need it. This affects the homeless people’s life everyday, because based on many factors a person could decide to help these people out or not. The beliefs, values and influences of the communities affect one’s actions toward the rest of the people. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYolrT85hnxd5ZyUf6-5Emc80gXREiUzS3euZuJmbx3XljVuTCbw1v7XttD5gTFCX7WrjElZNynXneZH02xopDm0mrVXXtJZ2wsEg1c_MKrwCMqvk5aJdLGV7bhIiP9Aa1ivgYbBLu0bo/s1600/DSC_2110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYolrT85hnxd5ZyUf6-5Emc80gXREiUzS3euZuJmbx3XljVuTCbw1v7XttD5gTFCX7WrjElZNynXneZH02xopDm0mrVXXtJZ2wsEg1c_MKrwCMqvk5aJdLGV7bhIiP9Aa1ivgYbBLu0bo/s200/DSC_2110.jpg" width="200" /></a>The Bible story that reminds me of this situation is when Jesus sat down with the disciples for the Last Supper. This reminds me of this situation because this teaches us that people should help in any way they can. Jesus serves as a positive example on how to treat everyone like brothers and sisters. I believe that the Catholic Social Teaching theme that is relevant in this situation is the one that calls for family, participation, and community. That calls humans to participate communally with all people. <br />
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I feel very upset on the way society treats the homeless. I have never been in a similar position, but I have always helped others who have not been economically stable. I do feel implicated in marginalizing these people because I have not provided them with help when I have passed by them in the streets. I do identify with marginalized people in this country as there are situations where people discriminate based on my race and ethnicity. I do feel called to respond in faith by helping those I can. Christ would expect me to act generously toward those in need. I believe more people should become aware of the realities of a homeless person’s life in order to respond and help. <br />
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I believe that the way to bridge the gap between social reality and what we hope for is to stop being sorry and start acting by helping. We can make a difference to a person’s life. I believe we can reasonably attempt to do this by working with our communities by becoming educated and then going to provide homeless people with essential resources like food, water, blankets, etc. Everyone who wants to help with this can be involved. I believe St. Benedict Parish can advocate for the marginalized with us.<br />
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<i>Note: Minor grammar/style edits have been made to each post not affecting the content or perspective of these students.</i></div>
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Mr. Mastertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03986854285865332333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-820456064937483481.post-24352829466814747812015-12-09T10:16:00.005-06:002015-12-09T17:35:04.224-06:00Welcome to the SoJuVo Blog!This is the class blog for St. Benedict Preparatory School's senior theology class, Social Justice & Vocations ("SoJuVo").<br />
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About once a week, all the students in this class go off campus to do some experiential learning and/or solidarity-based service. In order to help students process what they've experienced and move toward a greater and deeper faith that does justice, students must write a "Processing Process" reflection. In 300 words or more, students must undertake the following process to help them sort through their experience and integrate it with our coursework, which is rooted in Catholic Social Justice and the ways God calls us to live out our baptismal and personal vocations:<br />
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<b>1. Step One: See - inventory the things you experienced</b><br />
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<i>a. who is involved? who is being hurt or neglected? who is benefiting?<br />b. where is this happening? is it unique to a particular place or more universal?<br />c. are there any obvious or apparent reasons why this is happening?</i><br />
<b><br />2. Step Two: Analyze - examine your experience from many angles</b><br />
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<i>a. Economic: who owns? who has the money? who is dependent?<br />b. Political: who decides? who picks the deciders? who’s included/excluded in this process?<br />c. Social: who is left out? who is included? what relationships are involved?<br />d. History: how does the past affect the present? is there a cycle or structure hanging over the situation?<br />e. Cultural: how do the beliefs, values, and/or influences of the community affect behavior and decisions?</i><br />
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<b>3. Step Three: Reflect - incorporate Scripture and Tradition</b><br />
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<i>a. Scripture: what Bible stories remind you of this situation? what Bible stories could provide insight, lessons, or counterexamples? are there any people in the Bible with similar stories? with similar characteristics?<br />b. Tradition: what theme(s) of CST are relevant here? how do they call us to respond?</i><br />
<b><br />4. Step Four: Synthesize - connect your faith, your life experience, and your emotional reactions</b></div>
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<i>a. How do you feel about this?<br />b. Have you ever been in a similar position?<br />c. Do you feel implicated in marginalizing these people? do you identify with the marginalized people?<br />d. Do you feel called to respond in faith? would Christ expect you to act?<br />e. What do you think should be happening to respond?</i><br />
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<b>5. Step Five: Act</b></div>
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<i>a. How might we bridge the gap between the social reality and what we hope for?<br />b. What can we reasonably attempt to do?<br />c. Who can help/be involved with us? who can advocate for the marginalized with us?</i></div>
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Each week, I will post a few of exemplary reflections from our students to share their thoughts on our service experiences. I will head the posts with a short description of what our field trip entailed and leave the rest to them. Enjoy!</div>
Mr. Mastertonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03986854285865332333noreply@blogger.com