Reflection on Catholic Social Teaching The most fundamental belief of Catholic social teaching is the belief in the sanctity and dignity of all human life . This core belief then manifests itself in how we choose to structure our civic, educational, and personal communities. When we focus on these two aspects of humanity – the individual and the community – the two become inseparable. Therefore, whenever we offer charity or justice, we must keep these two factors in mind. No community can exist without the individual; furthermore, no individual can truly flourish without participating in a community. We must find ways to balance these aspects of human life to ensure justice, progress and hope for every individual. Catholic Social Doctrine offers a path to accomplish this necessary task. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay In my life as a resident assistant, I also have to find that balance between individual growth and community development. An essential aspect of this teaching is the call to respect rights and responsibilities. This pillar of Catholic social teaching applies to RA status, both large and small. From roommate conflicts to policy enforcement to how we act outside of the dorm, a constant struggle between individual wants and community needs always presents itself. At its core, this means that I must ensure the safety of each individual, both mentally and physically. Beyond these basic needs, I also strive to get residents to think beyond these basic needs and truly consider how specific actions can affect others in various ways. The goal is to promote empathy and create a constructive community for all. In order to promote this constructive community, I should consider participating and providing more social justice opportunities in Schoenfeldt. There are countless ways to serve others and all provide opportunities for individual and community growth. Social justice influences community growth by calling individuals out of themselves and into places that need help. These social justice experiences should create a high level of dissonance among those who serve. This dissonance will undoubtedly lead to exponential growth and many questions about justice. Continued dissonance will cause those who serve to reflect on their beliefs, their own impact on the world, and their place in the communities to which they belong. As an RA, I must provide these opportunities for growth. In doing so, each individual, the community, and the entire world will ultimately benefit from the service and growth provided by these social justice experiences...