Potomac Council 9259
   •   18825 Fuller Heights Rd.   •    Triangle, VA  22172   •    703-670-3757   •   

2008-2009 Essay Contest Winner for Potomac Council

Emma Berry

Saint Francis of Assisi School

 Responsibilities of a Catholic Citizen in a Free Society

            What are the responsibilities and roles of a Catholic citizen in a free society? This question alone raises several other inquiries, not the least of which is what exactly a free society is. I believe that a free society is one where people have the ability to express themselves without fear of retribution or social discomfort. However, where do you draw the line?  How does a society as a whole determine what is acceptable and what is nonsense?  Does such a society even exist?

 Wherever you turn, you see people being discriminated against for being different. I believe that the most important role of a Catholic citizen is to stand up for what they believe in. So many people today are afraid to be who they really are because they know that if they show their true selves or if they stand up for those who are being discriminated against, they risk the chance of joining the outcasts. Is it worth it? As Catholics, we should know that it is always worth it. In fact, all people should realize that.

We as Christians need to accept others and guide them to making the right choices. We know what to do because we are blessed with the Holy Spirit. We need to take a stand against the evils in the world even though we run the chance of being thought different or weird for expressing ourselves. We choose to ignore the sins that we should work to change. The greatest responsibility of a Christian is to realize that we can change the world and to strive to make it happen. It really isn’t that difficult. All we need to do is let God work through us. How many times do we choose to ignore that little tiny voice inside of us in favor of doing what we believe will make us accepted and popular?  God sent His Holy Spirit to us in Baptism, and renews our sense of right and wrong otherwise known as our conscience whenever we receive the sacraments. All we have to do is listen. We need to do what that voice tells us and stand up for those who are not strong enough to stand up for themselves, refusing to let  abortion, the death penalty, and all the other sins around us and the tragedies that result from them exist. Live, love, and listen. The rest will follow.

 POTOMAC COUNCIL #9259

PO BOX 26

TRIANGLE, VA 22172-0026

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