Sermon for 4th Sunday of Easter – Year A Homily

00110_good_shepherdJesus, the Shepherd, is the Gate to Abundant Life  (Jn 10:1-10)
 Every year, the 4th Sunday of Easter is celebrated as the Good Shepherd Sunday and Vocations Sunday.  Each year, for the gospel reading, we hear one part of John 10. This year, being Year A, we listen to the first part of that chapter. We reflect on the ‘pastoral’ love (Shepherd’s love) of God made visible in Jesus, as we also pray for vocations to priesthood; priests are the ‘pastors’ of the church.
In the gospel text of today, Jesus makes two more of his “I am” statements: “I am the Gate” (Jn 10:9), and “I am the good shepherd” (Jn 10:11). Let us reflect on these two themes.
I am the Gate: This seems like a strange analogy.  Let us look at it in some detail to get a deeper meaning […]

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

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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Commentary on the Liturgy of Easter Vigil

INTRODUCTION
Dear friends in Christ,
Good evening and welcome to this liturgical celebration.
In the Christian tradition, this night is the mother of all nights. We have prepared ourselves through 40 days of lent for this night.  In the past three days we have accompanied the Lord in His passion and death.  We are gathered here to celebrate His resurrection.  Tonight is the climax of the history of redemption.  It is this celebration that was the first to be celebrated in the early church.
The liturgy of Easter vigil is full of symbols; it is a feast to all our senses, and we welcome you to taste it with your hearts.
The liturgy of tonight has four parts:
1. Liturgy of the Light,
2. Liturgy of the Word
3. Liturgy of Blessing of Water and […]

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