Open Thread: What do you understand by the term “public life”?

I am writing a paper for my Faith and Dominant American Culture class and I need input from Catholics (or even Christians from other denominations) as to what they understand by the term “public life.” Why do I need the input? I need to get an idea of where Catholics stand with regard to the “public”: how do they understand it? How do they approach it? You can take whatever angle or approach you want. Basically, when you think of the “public” or the “public life”, what comes to mind first? Also, how do you personally feel about the “public” or “public life”?

I will be posting my final paper here in May. Please feel free to share your thoughts! Thanks in advance!