In the past month, Governor Bruce Rauner gave two different speeches. Back on January 27, he gave the State of the State Address, followed up by an address on the budget on February 17.
The first thing that struck me was how he lauded the efforts of law enforcement officials to engage with their communities, a bright spot to start off the speech.
The three major themes of the State of the State Address were on creating an environment for job growth in Illinois, making government more efficient, and enhancing Illinois schools. Certainly efficiency was a theme that connected to how schools are run and how government does its part to manage the economy.
His tone definitely came across as urging action to make circumstances better for the people of Illinois, in regards to empowering businesses that provide jobs, and in making sure government stays in its appropriate bounds. I was pleased to hear him call for term limits and redistricting reform. While I'm hopeful for redistricting reform, it's pretty hard to say how term limits legislation might happen given the political composition of the Illinois General Assembly.
The budget address was definitely a call for making some tough choices and taking some painful action.
It's definitely going to take a unique kind of collaboration to fix the budget mess in Illinois and spur greater prosperity for all citizens, especially given the pain people will experience to make proposed budget cuts work.
The only hope for things to get going is to have greater collaboration happen in Illinois government, and less focus on political and special interests. At the very least, the people in government could take action on those easier proposals to enact.
Monday, February 29, 2016
Friday, February 26, 2016
Celebrating Those Who Care
My Mom makes a habit of muting commercials when she watches television. One notable exception of a commercial that she has not only left unmuted, but delights in, is an ad by Johnson and Johnson saluting nurses who "dare to care".
Such sentiments were celebrated in grand style earlier this month on Saturday, February 6, at the Chamberlain College of Nursing Graduation ceremony, at which my Mom ceremoniously marked receipt of her Master of Science degree in Nursing.
I was especially delighted to be present to celebrate this achievement of hers in the second degree she's received in recent years, having borne witness to the hard work she put in for it. (Indeed, someone at the start of the ceremony said it well, about how the graduates may have not fully realized what they had gotten themselves into at first.)
Unlike other graduation ceremonies at the college level, this one was solely focused on nursing degree graduates--and was held at a hotel in Rosemont, since much of the coursework is online. It was indeed an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the profound sense of care that is an integral part of the work nurses do. That was a major part of the address given by the keynote speakers, Bonnie and Mark Barnes, the co-founders of the Daisy Foundation. I had vaguely heard of this organization before, but this was the first time I was fully enlightened about it. And as I discovered quickly, it was a big deal for them to come speak, because the foundation is one of the most prominent organizations in the nursing field.
Mr. and Mrs. Barnes became fully aware of compassionate care nurses make part of their work when their son, in his 30s, was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder, idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura (or ITP), affecting his blood that led to his death a few weeks later. Their foundation now recognizes the extraordinary care nurses show in working with patients. While any nurse would claim it just part of a day's work, the patients, and even those suffering with them, are deeply impacted. Mr. and Mrs. Barnes shared the story of a highly-decorated soldier at Walter Reed hospital who declared his nurse was his hero, to which she replied, "I'm just doing my job."
It is truly a gift that nurses have in the compassionate care they give. As my grandmother said it, not everyone feels moved with compassion when encountering someone in pain. So it was definitely a celebration this day for the vocation these graduates embraced, even the one person who obtained her Bachelor's degree in Nursing, in her 70s.
Quite often, Mom comes home from work with stories of hectic happenings. A few years ago, I finally just had to ask Mom why she went into a career that proves so trying. She replied that nursing gives her an opportunity to make a difference. I'm proud to say that Mom incorporates that spirit into her work, and into what she does outside of work, even for me.
Indeed, her walking across the stage that day made a difference in my life. She was there celebrating her achievement, and it gave me new perspective on the work I'm doing for my master's degree. I'm certainly facing my own set of challenges in my schoolwork. But to witness this celebratory moment was such an encouragement for me, giving me a glimpse of what's ahead for me, when my work is done, and I can celebrate the glory of achieving my master's degree.
Just last weekend was the 2nd Sunday of Lent, the Sunday every year whose Gospel reading is the story of the Transfiguration. It was a chance for the three Apostles, and us, to get a glimpse of the glory Christ would attain after His Death and Resurrection.
Indeed, this graduation ceremony was a wonderful celebration of the vocation of nursing, the compassionate care that is part of it, and a "Transfiguration" experience for me as I press onward in my work, embracing my vocation.
 |
| WAY TO GO, MOM! |
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
A Spiritual Pilgrimage to Mexico
With great anticipation I looked forward to the apostolic visit of Pope Francis to Mexico, as something that means much to me personally. Indeed, for me, being half-Mexican and Roman Catholic go hand-in-hand.
So when my Abuela called me on the evening of February 12 to tell me to turn on Univision channel 66 to watch the coverage of Pope Francis's arrival at the airport in Mexico City, I dropped what I was doing, and spent nearly 30 minutes in front of the television. In the midst of viewing the proceedings, I knew this apostolic trip was definitely something I should make time for in my schedule, because it speaks to my heritage.
Similar to his visit to the United States last September, excited throngs were drawn to greet Pope Francis during his visit in Mexico. It was quite a lively scene when he stepped off the plane at the airport, and then to see various performers put on a wonderful display of Mexican culture through music and dancing.
The displays of Mexican culture that were offered up in tribute to His Holiness were an aspect of this visit that stood out to me.
And Pope Francis offered his own tribute to Mexican culture as he spoke of the significance of La Virgen de Guadalupe while celebrating Mass at the the Basilica of La Señora on February 13. In his homily, he spoke of how La Virgen is a sign that God desires to be present to the people He created, and wants them to know they have value in His sight and a place in accomplishing His work of salvation.
On Monday, I watched the Mass in Chiapas on live television in its entirety, celebrated with indigenous people, with parts of the Mass done in three different indigenous languages I had never heard of before, , Tzotzil, Tzeltal, and Chol. An incredible moment came at the end of the Mass, when representatives of the local indigenous peoples presented Pope Francis with two copies of the Bible, one in Tzotzil, and the other in Tzeltal. The readings and the homily spoke about God's life-giving word. And here was a sign of how God's Word gives life, not matter what human language it is in, because the power of God in His Word is just that great in revealing to us Jesus Christ, who does a marvelous work of faith in us.
Then, on Wednesday, I watched part of the Mass celebrated in Ciudad Juarez. I was struck by the connection Pope Francis made in his homily between the violence plaguing Nineveh and the violence plaguing places in Mexico like Ciudad Juarez. Some of the language he used calling for an end to the violence reminded me of a similar call Archbishop Oscar Romero made in El Salvador, especially in a homily he gave the day before he was assassinated. The Pope's words were well said in calling for us to turn to God who is rich in mercy as we seek to be cleansed of the violence plaguing our world. (He expressed similar sentiments in an address to the bishops of Mexico, encouraging them to make the light of faith shine forth in the darkness they presently face.)
Of course, it wasn't just the words spoken at this Mass that amazed me, but furthermore the setting. The fairgrounds were situated within sight of El Paso, Texas, in the United States. As I watched, I wondered if anyone was watching this Mass from across the border. It turns out that a crowd was gathered to watch the Mass live on screens at the stadium at the University of Texas-El Paso. It was so incredible to think that people on two different sides of an international boundary were able to experience the same Mass, the same ritual celebration of Christ's Paschal Mystery, and be joined together as His One Body, which transcends all time and, in this case especially, space.
Indeed, there were many powerful and joyful moments during this apostolic trip. I reminded myself of them when more troubled instances arose in the days to come, like Pope Francis's scolding of someone who pulled at him in the crowd, and his response to a question about Donald Trump's stance on building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. I was indeed filled with a joy that rose above all that as I followed the proceedings of the Holy Father's visit to Mexico. For Mexico is the land that feeds into the fibers of my being, and whose strong sense of religion helped forge my sense of faith. I rejoiced in having this chance to connect with Mexico and its people as they rejoiced in the visit of Pope Francis.
So when my Abuela called me on the evening of February 12 to tell me to turn on Univision channel 66 to watch the coverage of Pope Francis's arrival at the airport in Mexico City, I dropped what I was doing, and spent nearly 30 minutes in front of the television. In the midst of viewing the proceedings, I knew this apostolic trip was definitely something I should make time for in my schedule, because it speaks to my heritage.
Similar to his visit to the United States last September, excited throngs were drawn to greet Pope Francis during his visit in Mexico. It was quite a lively scene when he stepped off the plane at the airport, and then to see various performers put on a wonderful display of Mexican culture through music and dancing.
The displays of Mexican culture that were offered up in tribute to His Holiness were an aspect of this visit that stood out to me.
And Pope Francis offered his own tribute to Mexican culture as he spoke of the significance of La Virgen de Guadalupe while celebrating Mass at the the Basilica of La Señora on February 13. In his homily, he spoke of how La Virgen is a sign that God desires to be present to the people He created, and wants them to know they have value in His sight and a place in accomplishing His work of salvation.
On Monday, I watched the Mass in Chiapas on live television in its entirety, celebrated with indigenous people, with parts of the Mass done in three different indigenous languages I had never heard of before, , Tzotzil, Tzeltal, and Chol. An incredible moment came at the end of the Mass, when representatives of the local indigenous peoples presented Pope Francis with two copies of the Bible, one in Tzotzil, and the other in Tzeltal. The readings and the homily spoke about God's life-giving word. And here was a sign of how God's Word gives life, not matter what human language it is in, because the power of God in His Word is just that great in revealing to us Jesus Christ, who does a marvelous work of faith in us.
Then, on Wednesday, I watched part of the Mass celebrated in Ciudad Juarez. I was struck by the connection Pope Francis made in his homily between the violence plaguing Nineveh and the violence plaguing places in Mexico like Ciudad Juarez. Some of the language he used calling for an end to the violence reminded me of a similar call Archbishop Oscar Romero made in El Salvador, especially in a homily he gave the day before he was assassinated. The Pope's words were well said in calling for us to turn to God who is rich in mercy as we seek to be cleansed of the violence plaguing our world. (He expressed similar sentiments in an address to the bishops of Mexico, encouraging them to make the light of faith shine forth in the darkness they presently face.)
Of course, it wasn't just the words spoken at this Mass that amazed me, but furthermore the setting. The fairgrounds were situated within sight of El Paso, Texas, in the United States. As I watched, I wondered if anyone was watching this Mass from across the border. It turns out that a crowd was gathered to watch the Mass live on screens at the stadium at the University of Texas-El Paso. It was so incredible to think that people on two different sides of an international boundary were able to experience the same Mass, the same ritual celebration of Christ's Paschal Mystery, and be joined together as His One Body, which transcends all time and, in this case especially, space.
Indeed, there were many powerful and joyful moments during this apostolic trip. I reminded myself of them when more troubled instances arose in the days to come, like Pope Francis's scolding of someone who pulled at him in the crowd, and his response to a question about Donald Trump's stance on building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. I was indeed filled with a joy that rose above all that as I followed the proceedings of the Holy Father's visit to Mexico. For Mexico is the land that feeds into the fibers of my being, and whose strong sense of religion helped forge my sense of faith. I rejoiced in having this chance to connect with Mexico and its people as they rejoiced in the visit of Pope Francis.
Sunday, February 14, 2016
Addressing Marriage Soundly
We've reached the conclusion of National Marriage Week, aptly ending on St. Valentine's Day, which is an effort to strengthen marriages and marriage culture, according to the official website.
This kind of celebration is definitely needed in light of what happened last June, when the Supreme Court handed down its decision in Obergefell vs. Hodges, and established a nationwide "right" for homosexual couples to marry, striking down all the laws of states that defined marriage as a union between one man and one woman.
I think Chief Justice Roberts put it well in his dissenting opinion when he said that this decision's establishment of homosexual marriage rights something to celebrate for some, but it had nothing to do with the Constitution or sound legal, democratic processes.
The decision of the court fails to recognize how profound of an issue homosexuality is, and that it has complex roots deep within people that is spawned by particular circumstances in their lives. The way to address it is not giving in to the demands of homosexual couples and other activist-minded individuals to allow them a right to marry. Marriage is not solely about rights, but about an institution established to foster a healthy society by facilitating marriages that provide solid families for child to be raised in a nourishing environment. Children come as the result of the complementarity of man and woman that is deeply embedded in human experience extending back thousands of years.
It's not just about the loving desires of people--because any two people can be in love. Marriage is something sacred that pours forth love from a man and a woman into a family.
Furthermore, the U.S. Constitution doesn't explicitly address marriage. It is only by a stretch that its mentions of equal rights could possibly apply to homosexual marriage. That is why I feel that some day, this decision will eventually be regarded like the cases of Dred Scott and Roe vs. Wade, regrettable, because they were based on phony reasoning, and unleashed a Pandora's box effect on society.
There are better ways to address the real concerns of the LGBTQ community. And it starts by taking a firm stand for what marriage: a God-ordained institution between one man and one woman, an inviolable standard.
This kind of celebration is definitely needed in light of what happened last June, when the Supreme Court handed down its decision in Obergefell vs. Hodges, and established a nationwide "right" for homosexual couples to marry, striking down all the laws of states that defined marriage as a union between one man and one woman.
I think Chief Justice Roberts put it well in his dissenting opinion when he said that this decision's establishment of homosexual marriage rights something to celebrate for some, but it had nothing to do with the Constitution or sound legal, democratic processes.
The decision of the court fails to recognize how profound of an issue homosexuality is, and that it has complex roots deep within people that is spawned by particular circumstances in their lives. The way to address it is not giving in to the demands of homosexual couples and other activist-minded individuals to allow them a right to marry. Marriage is not solely about rights, but about an institution established to foster a healthy society by facilitating marriages that provide solid families for child to be raised in a nourishing environment. Children come as the result of the complementarity of man and woman that is deeply embedded in human experience extending back thousands of years.
It's not just about the loving desires of people--because any two people can be in love. Marriage is something sacred that pours forth love from a man and a woman into a family.
Furthermore, the U.S. Constitution doesn't explicitly address marriage. It is only by a stretch that its mentions of equal rights could possibly apply to homosexual marriage. That is why I feel that some day, this decision will eventually be regarded like the cases of Dred Scott and Roe vs. Wade, regrettable, because they were based on phony reasoning, and unleashed a Pandora's box effect on society.
There are better ways to address the real concerns of the LGBTQ community. And it starts by taking a firm stand for what marriage: a God-ordained institution between one man and one woman, an inviolable standard.
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