Sermon for 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year C Homily

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Lk 1:1-4; 4:14-21)
Good News to the poor
One of the popular books that have inspired me a great deal is The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey.  Supposedly, the book has sold more than 25 million copies in 38 languages since its first publication in 1989.   I must say, the book has played an important role in improving my effectiveness, and I have used it to train many young people in Africa and India. The second habit of highly effective people, according to Stephen Covey is to, “Begin with the End in Mind!”  This, simply means having a personal vision of life, setting realistic goals, and even writing out a personal mission statement.
We are in the beginning of the ordinary time of the liturgical year.  Today we are beginning to listen to the […]

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Educating to the Spirit of Fratelli Tutti through Service Learning: An African Perspective

{{unknown}}EDUCATING TO THE SPIRIT OF FRATELLI TUTTI THROUGH SERVICE LEARNING: AN AFRICAN PERSPECTIVE
Selvam, Sahaya.
Marist International University College, Nairobi
Kiema, Brenda.
Tangaza University College, Nairobi
Abstract
Fratelli Tutti is the third encyclical of Pope Francis on fraternity and social friendship. In
this encyclical, the Pope invites ‘all brothers and sisters’ to an improved global cooperation,
human fraternity, and universal solidarity. How can this noble philosophy trickle down
to the younger generation? The document proposes education and formation of young
people. The objective of this chapter is to explore the potential of service learning in
building the spirit of Fratelli Tutti among learners in institutions of higher learning. This
aim is realised in five major sections of the chapter.
The first section of the chapter presents an overview of the basic tenets of Fratelli Tutti.
It offers a summary which is a synthesis of the eight chapters of the document. The second
section reflects on those parts […]

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Pedagogue.21: Teaching and Learning in the 21st Century

This is one of the flagship programmes of Don Bosco Youth Educational Services, Nairobi. The programme is a brain-child of Sahaya G. Selvam, sdb.
We have trained 184 teachers in Kenya and Tanzania – in 7 workshops.
Recently (5-7 January 2021), we trained some of the teachers of Kiambu Loreto Girls High School. Thanks to the enthusiasm of Mr Paul Kioi, the chair of the School Board the we were able to reach out to the school.
OUR PROCEDURE in Implementation of Pedagogue.21

Step 1
(Optional)
Needs Assessment
We visit your institution, sit in some of the classes and interview some teachers, carryout an online survey among your staff, and propose a tailor-made training content.
 
1 day

Step 2
Registration of participants (teachers) on LMS
Learning in a flipped classroom model commences for your teachers!

Step 3
Three-day Face to Face Training
An interactive, […]

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Sermon for Baptism of the Lord

Baptism of the Lord:
Called to be Active Participants
 As a priest while administering the sacrament of baptism to groups of infants, I have often noted with much curiosity the variety of infant-reaction to the ceremony of the baptism itself. There are basically three types of behaviour as infants react to, the priest, the water, the oil, the white cloth, the light, and the crowd itself that is around during the celebration of the sacrament of baptism:

There are the sharp-eyed infants, who watch every movement with keen curiosity. They are like the spectators at the tennis court, moving their head towards every stimulus.  They are generally quiet but active. When the parents and god-parents are presented with the candle, for instance, these infants would also try to reach out and insist on holding […]

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Sermon for New Year – Year A, B, C – Homily

New Year – Mary, Mother of God
“May the Lord Bless you” (Num 6:24)
 Today is a day of blessing.  In this New Year, God has blessed us with another opportunity to grow in love, to come closer to Him, and to experience Him in the person of Jesus.
Today is a day of blessing. We honour Mary – she who was blessed among women – as the mother of God.  “When the appointed time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman…” (Gal 4:4).
Today is a day of blessing. On this eighth day after Christmas we remember the naming ceremony of Jesus.  We bless and honour the holy name of Jesus.  We acknowledge that there is power and blessing in the name of Jesus. As St Paul tells us in Phil 2:9, 10: “And for this God raised him high, […]

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