Theology- Lucia Stelmach by Lucia Stelmach

01/23/2025 - If money, time, or fear were not a factor, what kind of work would you choose to do in the future?

lstelmach25 — 2025-01-23 14:13:35 UTC

I would want to work in an animal sanctuary or be an animal rescuer if money were not a factor. I have always loved animals, but becoming a veterinary is too much schooling for me. I would like to get married when I'm younger and have a family so the long school hours and then residency would be conflicting. However, working in an animal sanctuary would allow me to work with animals, but I would also have more time to spend with my family. Money is important to me and something I want to have in my future, which is why I am not pursuing this. I want a job that I feel is stable and would provide me financially. I can and I would like to volunteer at an animal shelter, except many of the locations are farther than I would like to travel.

02/07/2025 - Think about a decision you’ve made recently, big or small. What factors influenced your choice? Did you trust your instincts, rely on advice from others, or consider the consequences? Reflect on how you felt after making the decision and whether it aligns with your values.

lstelmach25 — 2025-02-07 19:05:26 UTC

A decision that I made recently was a small one, but yesterday, I was deciding if I wanted to go out to breakfast with my mom and sister. They woke me up at 8:00 and said that they were going to breakfast in 30 minutes. I was debating whether or not to go back to sleep or to go out with them. I decided to go out because I wanted some family time. This was a factor that influenced my decision as I know that it's important to my mom and sister to spend time with me. I had been pretty busy the last few weeks and decided I wanted to spend time with them and I could always have a nap later. This decision does align with my values. I was taking spending time with my family and making connections, and I also was grateful for this snow day and being able to go to breakfast with my mom and sister.

02/24/2025 - What does justice mean to you? Think of a time you’ve seen justice in action, whether in your community, in a story, or in your own life. How did it play out? Did it look the way you expected?

lstelmach25 — 2025-02-24 18:59:31 UTC

To me, justice means that everyone has equal fairness. I think it could mean whether the marginalized as equal rights to an opportunity, or on the side of the law that someone is judged fairly and unbiased. I don't really keep one on the news, I know that sounds bad but there is just so much going on and so much false information being spread that I find it hard to watch. So one instance that I can think of is the Menendez brothers. They made it a show on Netflix and told about their story. I think that during their first trial, they had substantial evidence and witnesses to prove that they were not guilty, but then they needed to have a retrial. I think a lot of their words got twisted in a way that was harmful and the jury was biased, and they ended up being convicted and sentenced. I knew of them so I knew how the show would end, but I didn't know that there were multiple trials. After personally watching the trials, this is not how I expected it to go.

04/07/2025 - As you approach your final weeks of high school, take a moment to reflect on your journey so far. Looking Back: What are some of the most memorable moments from your high school experience? Which challenges have helped shape you into the person you are today?

lstelmach25 — 2025-04-08 00:48:16 UTC

Some of my most memorable high school experiences were freshman year. I came from a public middle school which was very different from a private catholic school. I had new experiences and made a lot of new friends. It was also such a new feeling, meeting people with masks on and then later on seeing what they looked like and being able to actually talk face to face. Looking back, I can really see how I saw myself grow from freshman to senior year. There were of course some ups and downs, and friendship losses. I see how that changed my outlook on finding true friends and good people. In addition to this, I see myself as more assured of myself and confident. I also see how my relationship with God has strengthened and how I connect with my spirituality.

04/28/2025 - Think about a time when you encountered someone very different from yourself — in culture, language, appearance, belief, or background. How did you respond? What fears, assumptions, or invitations did you feel in that moment? In light of Catholic values like solidarity and the call to love our neighbor, what might God be asking of you when you meet those who are different from you? How can encountering the stranger transform the way you see the world — and yourself?

lstelmach25 — 2025-04-28 17:57:27 UTC

I remember I was pretty young, maybe six years old or so, and I was in the University Hospital's waiting room with my family for my sister's appointment. I was sitting at a coloring table with my sister when a girl in a wheelchair with a feeding tube and some other things attached to her came up to the table with a parent. I remember being very scared and looking to my mom, who was nearby. I remember getting up and going to her to ask what was wrong with the girl. I remember her telling me not to stare and to be kind. Now looking back at this, and current moments when I meet those who are not like myself, I treat them with respect and how Jesus would treat somebody. Even if I don't stand for their personal values/beliefs, I will still be respectful. I think God wants us to realize our blessings and to be grateful for what we have. I also think He's hoping to teach us a lesson about kindness and respect when we meet those who are different.