Reflection on Catholic Social Teaching The most fundamental belief in 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 realize himself without participating in a community. We must find ways to balance these aspects of human life in order to ensure justice, progress and hope for every individual. Catholic social teaching offers a path to accomplish this necessary task. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay In my life as a resident assistant, I also have to find this balance between individual growth and community building. A key aspect of this teaching is the call to uphold rights and responsibilities. This pillar of Catholic social teaching applies to being an RA in ways both large and small. From roommate conflicts and policy enforcement, to how we act outside of the dorm, there is always a constant struggle between individual desires and community needs. Basically, this means I have to keep each individual safe 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 aim is to promote empathy and create a constructive community for all. To foster this constructive community, I should consider participating and providing more social justice opportunities in Schoenfeldt. There are countless ways to serve others, and they all offer the opportunity for individual and community growth. Social justice influences community growth by calling individuals to step outside 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. The continued dissonance will cause those who serve to reflect on their beliefs, their impact on the world, and their place in the communities to which they belong. As an RA, I must provide these growth opportunities. In doing so, each individual, the community, and the entire world will ultimately benefit from the service and growth provided through these social justice experiences..