Sermon for Solemnity of All Saints

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The Saints Inspire, and we can Imitate them

In a homily on the feast of All Saints in 2006, Pope Benedict said the following, recalling the homily of St. Bernard on this very feast: “Why should our praise and glorification, or even the celebration of this Solemnity, mean anything to the Saints?… The Saints have no need of honour from us; neither does our devotion add the slightest thing to what is theirs…. But I tell you, when I think of them, I feel myself inflamed by a tremendous yearning” (Disc. 2, Opera Omnia Cisterc. 5, 364ff.). The Pope then continues, “This, then, is the meaning of today’s Solemnity: looking at the shining example of the Saints to reawaken within us the great longing to be like them.”

In the second reading of today (1Jn […]

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Innovative Capstone Assessment Models Beyond the Thesis in Master’s Psychology Programmes

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Sahaya G. Selvam


Abstract

Master’s degree is a liminal stage at higher education between the bachelor’s and the doctoral degrees. The expected competency outcomes of a master’s degree presuppose a development on the foundations of the bachelor’s level while providing a basis for an original contribution at the PhD level with subject-specific abilities in integration of knowledge, its application, and communication of the same, coupled with a set of skills in self-learning.

A capstone experience that generally marks the conclusion to the coursework assesses these outcomes before a candidate is awarded a master’s degree. Does a thesis or dissertation consisting of empirical research alone assess the programme outcomes, as is the norm in many universities? Could there be an integration of capstone experiences and research with a variety of possibilities, taking into consideration the […]

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CREATION OR EVOLUTION?

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Understanding the Origins of the Universe, Life and Human Beings

1. What Is Evolution?

When we speak about evolution, we need to distinguish four related questions:

Origin of the universe: How did the universe come to be, and develop from its early state into what we observe today?

Development of planet Earth: How did Earth form and develop into a planet capable of supporting life?

Origin and Evolution of life: How did life emerge and diversify into the many forms we see today?

Evolution of human beings: How did human beings emerge through biological evolution?

The central idea is that the universe, Earth, life and human beings did not necessarily appear as finished products. Rather, they developed through processes that unfolded over time.

This brings us to the fundamental question: Is everything the result of chance, […]

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