Integration One FYE




Catherine Wagner

Moreau FYE

15 October 2021

Seeing Me Through my Beliefs

Root Belief #1: I believe that I cannot survive life without God and strong relationships.

Since I have been at Notre Dame, God’s presence in the world has become increasingly

clear. From the mass at Welcome Weekend to mass in my dorm on Sunday nights, I have been

surrounded by demonstrations of faith. In this transition into college, I have also experienced the

importance of relationships. Leaving my family and friends that I have known my entire life and

grown up with made me realize the importance of them. I did not appreciate how much they did

for me and the extent to which I rely on them. Without these people from my past, I do feel a

little lost and alone. However, the people that I have met at Notre Dame have helped to fill this

hole. I could not get through weeks of midterms, sickness, and the stress of college without them.

After a long day of classes, eating with and seeing my friends always makes me smile. While the

people I have met here can never replace my family and friends from home, I am very grateful

for them and I understand that I could not thrive in college alone. Further, I believe that my

relationships with other people are dependent on my relationship with God. I think these people

are all here for a reason and my ability to see them for who they are is based on how I can

connect to God. God has given me everyone in my life, and the least that I can do is pray for

these relationships. Without God, I would not be here or have the people in my life to which I

can turn. As Father Pete states, “At the core of oneself is the very presence of God” (“The Role

of Faith in Our Story” by Father Pete McCormick, C.S.C - Moreau FYE Week Three). Humanity



can try, but it can never separate itself from God because He is in everyone. I often think that I

can succeed on my own, but I really cannot. My strength and opportunities are God given, and

my friends and family give me the advice and encouragement needed.

Beyond my coming to this belief are the ways that I face it and notice it in my life at

Notre Dame. As much as many of the students here are religious and have a strong faith life, they

are also very dedicated to their studies. This commitment is very honorable and important on its

own, but it can be taken too far. Students often stay up all night studying. To me, this action

seems like a denial of my belief. I think that we can only do so much on our own. At some point,

we have to offer our struggles and worries up to God and trust that he will take care of us. He

holds up our lives, and our thinking that we can survive without Him is a false ideal. On the

other hand, I have seen my belief in action in the positive effect people can have on each other. I

see the ways that my friends bring joy to each other through small favors such as bringing them

food, making them laugh, or sharing their clothes. Friends build each other up, care for each

other, and help one another to become better people: “The best kind of friendships are the ones

where you leave with a smile on your face, knowing you’re both growing to be better people and

that you’re helping each other get there” (“5 Signs You’re in a Toxic Friendship” by Olivia T.

Taylor - Moreau FYE Week Four). Relationships allow us to share our burdens and love with

others, while also helping us to see our faults and ways we can improve. My relationships with

others have allowed me to see the ways that I can be a better friend. I plan to grow by being a

better listener to my friends. I often try to get my points across or tell a story without listening to

what is going on in other’s lives. I want to be able to help my friends to the best of my ability, so

I need to improve my listening skills. As we discussed in class, a healthy, productive



environment is one where people listen to learn, not to respond. I can apply this classroom rule to

my relationships and remember to turn to God and dedicate my joy in my relationships to Him.

Root Belief #2: I believe that I have room to grow.

I love to try new things, so when I saw that Notre Dame has an ultimate frisbee team, I

had to join. I have never played ultimate frisbee or anything similar to it before. When I showed

up to the first practice, everyone on the team was so good. They could effortlessly throw the

frisbee and understood the rules of the game perfectly. I immediately saw that I have a lot of

room to improve and get better, but it will not be an easy process. Likewise, Moreau has also

caused me to see that there are many ways I can work to be a better version of myself. However,

this process is not easy: “You fight that sin and you wrestle with that sin, and out of that

wrestling, that suffering, then a depth of character is constructed” (“Should You Live for your

Resume or your Eulogy?” by David Brooks - Moreau FYE Week Two). The process of

becoming a better person takes more than just realizing that you can improve. It takes hard work,

dedication, and sacrifices. This improvement will not come without its challenges, but it is worth

it in the end. Moreover, I have seen this belief get accepted and denied by students at Notre

Dame. People often act like they are the best or show some sort of entitlement because of the

prestige of attending this university. It can be easy to forget that there are ways that we can all

improve. However, most students willingly admit to this belief. They go to office hours or

tutoring, they ask their friends for help, and they set goals for themselves to improve.

Overcoming our root sins is difficult; it is much easier to just give in to the temptation. But I

want to become a better person. I have made some progress towards this goal since I have been

at Notre Dame by adapting better study and living habits than I had before. I also attend mass



more frequently and consider the consequences of my actions more often. However, I still need

to improve. Specifically, Moreau has inspired me to become more open to emotions and more

open about myself: “The original definition [of courage] was to tell the story of who you are with

your whole heart” (“The Power of Vulnerability” by Brene Brown - Moreau FYE Week One).

Before this class and our discussions, I thought that being vulnerable and showing who I truly

am was weak. I thought that showing my emotions was not necessary and would not make me

happier. However, I now realize that in order to truly be happy, I also have to let myself

experience the bad times. I also see that each of us has a unique story to be told, and it is our duty

to do so. While it may be challenging to show who we really are, it is necessary: “No one else

sees the world as you do” (“Where I’m From” by George Ella Lyon - Moreau FYE Week Six).

Each of our viewpoints and experiences can contribute something to someone else. By becoming

more vulnerable, I can learn more about myself and also help others learn about themselves. I

plan to allow myself to be more vulnerable and embrace the negative emotions so that I can

grow.

Root Belief #3: I believe that it is my duty to help others.

Since I have attended Catholic school for most of my life, I have always been involved in

service projects through my school and church. Ever since, I have grown to love works of service

as a way to put my faith into action. As I was saying in our one on one discussion, I feel my faith

most strongly when I am serving my community. This belief was strengthened by the words of

Carla Harris: “Help anyone anyway anyhow you can simply because you can” (“2021 Laetare

Medalist Address” by Carla Harris - Moreau FYE Week Five). Because I have the means to

assist others, it is my responsibility to do so. If I were not to use my gifts and opportunities for



the good of others, it would be a selfish waste. Whether through service trips or donations, no act

of kindness is too small. Humanity is interconnected and our lives are not separate, so it is my

duty to make positive contributions to others if I am able. While each individual is unique, all of

humanity has to work together: “This shared knowledge should help us discover a shared destiny

and our shared affection for one another” (“How to Destroy Truth” by David Brooks - Moreau

FYE Week Seven). We all have the ability to affect one another for the better, and we are all

united in God. Notre Dame provides an example of the ways that people can serve the

community. Each dorm’s contribution to those around us through charity events, such as the Mr.

ND pageant or McGlinn bubble soccer, are ways that my belief is shown to be affirmed and put

into action. I have made progress in helping others through various projects that I have done,

including Habitat for Humanity and Feed My Starving Children. However, I can experience

future growth by getting involved in more of the service events on campus. I also am striving to

go on a service trip of some sort this summer because I have the time and the means to do so. By

getting more involved in the community and searching out or planning new ways to help others,

I can further live out my belief.