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Journal 4
1.) One paragraph summary of the key idea summarizing the major idea of the section.
This week we studied the major teachings of the Catholic Church in the Catechism of The Catholic Church. We studied the issues of sin, freedom, and concsience as discussed in the Catechism. We also studied Fr. Knapp's teaching on conscience as a power and a process as well as his methods for making moral decisions. Lastly, we learned about the "10 Building Blocks for Catholic Social Teaching," a list of principles that all Catholics are called to live their lives by.

2.) List and explain three of the most important ideas you want to remember from this week.
A) the first thing I want to remember is the Catholic definition of Freedom. Freedom according to the Catholic Church's Catechism is "the power to act or not to act, and so to perform deliberate acts of one's own." Freedom is about the freedom to deliberately perform an act, take full responsibility for it, nd accept the consequences it might have. The Catechism also says "Freedom attains perfection in its acts when directed toward God, the sovereign Good."

     Another thing I want to remember is the LISTEN method, given by Fr. Knapp.
     Look for the facts. We need to get all the facts surrounding the situation right before we can make any decision. Making a decision based on false facts can turn out bad. Knowing the facts and knowing that the facts are right can help us have more certainty in our decision.
     Imagine the possibilities.Look for all of the possible outcomes of the situation, both good and bad. Knowing the consequences we could suffer can help us move away from our concupicence.
     Seek insight beyond your own. Two people are always better than one. Having another perspective can always be helpful. Another person's objective outlook on a situation can work against any biases you may have in making your decision.
     Turn inward. Go inside youself. Take time to reflect upon your decision. Knowing our thoughts, feelings, insights, motivation, and values hlps us make the right decision.
     Expect God's help. If we follow our conscience and seek the truth, God will assist us.
     Name your decision. Now, taking what we have gained from all of the other steps, we make our decision and follow it through.

The last things I want to remember are the three qualities that I need to have a form a good conscience. They are: uprightness of conscience, interiority, and responsibility. I need the uprightness of conscience, knowing the moral code, to make good moral decisions all the time. The less I know the code, the less I am going to follow it in quick decisions. I also want to possess interiority and know how to turn inward to discover myself, because the decisions I make should be based on my ouw thoughts, values, and morals. I also want to have responsibility and strong moral character because by accepting my own decisions, I can guide myself away from the bad decisions by know the consequences.

3.)Images that remind you of key ideas.

Bonhoeffer in the courtyard of Tegel prison (summer 1944)

4.)One good question you should keep with your to ponder?
Before I make moral decisions, I should ask myself, " Am I using interiority, having uprightness of conscience, and taking responsibility for my actions?"

5.)What should you try to do to make you a better person, a more moral person, from this study of the key moral teachings of the Catholic Church?
From this study, I should try to do alot of things. I should try to remember "10 Building Blocks of Catholic Social Teaching," uprightness of conscience, responsibility, and interiority, and the LISTEN method all the time. We are making decisions all the time and many of them could be morally related. Remembering all these things on a day to day basis could help me make better decisions.

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