The Way

I liked in this film how Tom does something that he would have never expected to do in his life. At first he was hesitant, but he realized that it good to go out of his comfort zone. He also found the perfect way to honor his son because he did not always appreciate Daniel's ideas of traveling through Europe. I also liked the companionship that was formed between Tom, Sarah, Joost, and Jack. I like the idea of a pilgrimage in that everyone is going to the same place but everyone has different reasons for doing so. Sarah and Joost said they were going to quit smoking and to lose weight but we realized that the pilgrimage had a deeper meaning for them. Tom at first did the pilgrimage for his son but by the end we had realized that it was also for himself and to find a purpose in his own life.

Mixed Messages

The church sends positive messages to young women by women being able to participate as altar servers, lectors, lead service trips, participate in youth groups, or become pastoral associates or teachers of religious education. However, women cannot become priests, which often brings along differing opinions on this issue. The article also points out that official church teaching honors women as equal in dignity to men. In terms of sexual relationships, official church teaching affirms the need for intimacy, mutuality, consent, and respect for the dignity of one’s partner. I have learned especially at the Mount, the importance of empowering women and how women are capable of anything that men are. There are less negative messages today about women because women are not supposed to be as quiet and reserved as we once were supposed to be. The Catholic church is moving in a positive direction regarding the role of women (not just taking care of the home), but women still are not able to do all of the same jobs (such as become a priest.)

Abortion

The rates of unhealthy abortion was 97 percent in Africa and 95 percent in Latin America. In these countries, the abortions are often being done illegally. These unsafe abortions are causing problems to not only the unborn baby, but also the mother. One difference between the developed and developing worlds seems to be access to modern methods of contraception. The pro-life movement in the United States, and the U.S. bishops, have largely focused on changing laws governing abortion. Many people should be more informed when making these decisions which can end up ending two lives. However, like the article points out, preventing unplanned pregnancies in these countries may be more beneficial.