ANSWER by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM on June 9, 2004

Dear Gabrielle: Given the super-charged nature of sex in our culture I think more should be done to avoid such occasions. As the old saying goes, "you can't put a juicy steak in front of a hungry dog and not expect him to grab it (perhaps with your fingers along with it)." Most of the bathing suits that are fashionable are designed specifically to create the most sexual arousal possible. The women's bathing suits that are designed to expose the expose the upper hip on each side are not only immodest, but frankly are ugly. The purpose I am told of those styles is to bring to notice the crotch area. So, my opinion is that there should not be mixed bathing sponsored by the school unless there is a dress code that designates an acceptable and morally proper style of bath suit. As for yourself, if you feel this event would create a near occasion of sin, then you have an obligation to follow your conscience on this and refrain from attendance. Your soul is more important than your job. Which reminds me.... I was confronted with this sort of decision in a former job that I had. I use to work for a copy center. Planned Parenthood used us as their printer and would sometimes come into the shoppe at 3am wanting workshop manuals printed up for an 8am workshop they offered. I worked nightshift so this situation was bound to come up, and it did. I refused to work on the job. My boss threatened to fire me over this. I told him that next time I would call him at home at 3am and he could do the job, but that I would not. I said, "I'd rather be fired by you, than by God." I never did work on Planned Parenthood's stuff, and I was never fired... but I did lose promotions, pay raises, fellow employees threatened me, one fellow employee vandalized my car, and I was made to "pay" for this and other decisions of ethics and morality. That was okay. I stood firm on my faith. We will be in pray for you as your make your decision. God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary