The State of Kerala

All right, the  inspiration for this post arose from a  Facebook post from +The Economist on  Pope Francis's statements on The Shroud of Turin.  "Making sense of a mystery"  "Hence, perhaps, the cautious but far from anodyne words of the new pontiff, who draws some unexpected conclusions from the Shroud, almost implying that it does not make any difference whose visage appears on the cloth. "This disfigured face resembles all those faces of men and women marred by a life which does not respect their dignity, by war and violence which afflict the weakest… And yet, at the same time, the face in the Shroud conveys a great peace; this tortured body expresses a sovereign majesty." http://www.economist.com/blogs/erasmus/2013/03/pope-francis-and-turin-shroud?fsrc=scn/fb/wl/bl/senseofmyster" 

Since I read several articles which are attached to the link, I was pleasantly surprised to read 

"Mixed fortunes for the daughters of Travancore"

"Modern Kerala is still often upheld as India’s best state for women. It has the country’s highest female literacy rate at 92%, with only four percentage points’ difference between male and female rates. In Rajasthan, a large northern state, only 53% of women are literate: almost 30 percentage points behind their male counterparts. Nationally, only two-thirds of all women can read and write, versus four-fifths of men. Kerala also has India’s lowest rates of maternal mortality as well as a population of 1,084 women per 1,000 men, which makes it the country’s most female state. India’s national population has 940 women per 1,000 men,as couples selectively abort female fetuses or neglect daughters. Haryana, another northern state, has just 877 baby girls per 1,000 boys. Families there have in recent years started sourcing brides from Kerala."http://www.economist.com/blogs/banyan/2013/03/women-kerala

Managing your Food Choices - Update

Coming out of Lent, and trying not to jump back into the "old habits" so that the old life resumes, I decided to review some of the changes which I had made in Lent and try to continue them. This was seen as a worthwhile choice for several reasons, a) a few days ago I saw a "Greek diet" which was based on eating in a certain way for 200 out of the 365 days in the year. The 200 days was based on the recognition of the saints being honored on those days. I now have to pull out my Catholic Calendar and select my saints.  b) is based on an article in our local Catholic News which more or less asked us to take the lessons learnt in Lent and go forward with them. The plus side of this is that I now have to come up with something different to do next Lent.
On checking +Google, I saw the Greek Diet as listed above with the link below and this was seen as the easier option. http://www.mediterrasian.com/cuisine_of_month_greek.htm . However for those who may want to try the "stricter 200 days Greek diet, here is the link to the article as outlined in the article  by +Elena Paravantes RD of +The Huffingtion Post:
"Greeks basically followed their religious fast for those 200 days. While the word "fasting" is usually associated with liquid-only diets or other strict ways of eating, this type of fasting is a bit more lenient and tasty. The Greek fasting practice is unique in that you can actually eat real food. The basic rules are pretty simple: No animal products with the exception of animals that do not contain blood, such as octopus and squid.

Use these rules as a guide:
Allowed: beans, vegetables, bread, fruit, honey, nut butters, rice, pasta (no egg noodles), cereals, octopus, squid, olive oil, honey, and basically anything that does not contain animal products.
Not Allowed: meat poultry, pork, game, fish, dairy, eggs, butter."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/elena-paravantes/mediterranean-diet_b_2961190.html

Litany of the Saints:

The Litany of the Saints is one of my favourite prayers, after the Our Father. No I am not sexist nor do I believe that women are superior to men, although that is something of a challenge on many days. What impacts on my beliefs are the interactions of humans, especially those who cause us to pray.  On a more serious note, the Litany of the Saints has order (read structure), documents the changes in the belief of the church over time (through the recognition of those who contributed to the continuation  of and change within the church), and promotes inclusion of all persons wherever you may live or have lived.
According to wikipedia:
"It is a prayer to the Triune God, which also includes invocations for the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Angels and all the martyrs and saints upon whom Christianity was founded, and those recognised as saints through the subsequent history of the church. Following the invocation of the saints, the Litany concludes with a series of supplications to God to hear the prayers of the worshippers" 

The litany is published in five sections. The first contains a short series of invocations of God, beginning with a threefold Kyrie, followed by invocations of God the Father of Heaven, the Son who redeemed the world, the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Trinity.
The second section lists the saints who are to be included, given in the following order. Within each category, men are listed in chronological order, followed by women, also in chronological order. Distinctive names are given in brackets so the cantor knows which saint is intended, but a directive notes that the bracketed names may be omitted when the Latin is sung. Additional saints, such as the patron of a place or the founder of a religious order, may be inserted in the appropriate place. The official list of recognised saints can be found in the Roman Martyrology. The Virgin Mary and the Angels: Mary is invoked three times, as Holy Mary, as Holy Mother of God and as Holy Virgin of Virgins; the following invocations are: Saints Michael,Gabriel and Raphael; all holy angels.
Patriarchs and Prophets: Abraham; Moses; Elijah; John the Baptist; Joseph; all holy patriarchs and prophets.
Apostles and disciples: Peter and Paul; Andrew; John and James; Thomas; Matthew; All Holy Apostles; Luke; Mark; Barnabas; Mary Magdalen; all holy disciples of the Lord.
Martyrs: Stephen; Ignatius (of Antioch); Polycarp; Justin; Laurence; Cyprian; Boniface; Stanislaus; Thomas (Becket); John (Fisher) and Thomas (More); Paul (Miki); John (de Brebeuf) and Isaac (Jogues); Peter (Chanel); Charles (Lwanga); Perpetua and Felicity; Agnes; Maria (Goretti); All holy martyrs.
Bishops and Doctors of the Church [popes are not listed distinctly from other non-martyr bishops]: Leo and Gregory; Ambrose; Jerome; Augustine; Athanasius; Basil andGregory (Nazianzen); John Chrysostom; Martin; Patrick; Cyril and Methodius; Charles (Borromeo); Francis (de Sales); Pius (X).
Priests and Religious [without further distinction between priests, deacons, and lay religious]: Anthony; Benedict; Bernard; Francis and Dominic; Thomas (Aquinas); Ignatius (Loyola); Francis (Xavier); Vincent (de Paul); John-Mary (Vianney); John (Bosco); Catherine (of Siena); Teresa (of Avila); Rose (of Lima)
Laity: Louis; Monica; Elisabeth (of Hungary); and all Saints of God.
Note that certain names are grouped together by the litany itself (e.g. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael; Francis and Dominic); in the list above a semi-colon always indicates the next line of the litany. Note also that Catherine of Siena and Teresa of Avila, the first women to be named as Doctors of the Church (in 1970) are nevertheless grouped with the Religious, not with the "Bishops and Doctors".

The Litany of the Saints is used: 

• At the Easter Vigil
• At Infant Baptisms 
• At the Election of a New Pope 
• In Other Ceremonies

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Litany_of_the_Saints

I was reading: Research Centers & Partners - UD

I've been reading about the University of Dayton (UD) and Duquesne Unvieristy ( Duquesne). Each university's style of giving seems to differ based on what I have read so far. I do not know if I am comparing apples with oranges or if  I am jumping to conclusions.  Duquense's giving is partially linked to access to scholarships and there is also a variety of Research and Development areas. UD's  research and development areas are also widespread and it appears that they can also link up with other major donors/ projects such as Samaritan Purse http://www.samaritanspurse.org/ for two way linkages, or with  Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation http://www.gatesfoundation.org/.  However those questions are for strategic planning sessions; where entities assess where they are in relation to where they would like to be given the environment in which they operate.

WE MOVE FORWARD
BY STAYING CENTERED.

Our excellence in research isn't limited to just the sciences. We also feature centers that connect the campus community in a common goal—the search for knowledge. The International Marian Research Institute and the Business Research Group are prime examples—and there are more. Across all disciplines, the University of Dayton continues a tradition of leadership and excellence.

The various institutes and centers you'll find connected to the University of Dayton work to advance social justice issues, business leadership practices and ethics and service opportunities for all. By bringing the larger community together to face today's challenging questions, students are exposed to more influences and ways that will ultimately allow them to better adapt in an ever-changing world.

These centers and institutes also enable us to constantly expand and strengthen our community and our intellectual curiosity, helping us to bring innovative solutions to problems of all sizes, all around the globe. http://www.udayton.edu/lead/index.php#2 Here is a bit of info on some of the institutes and centers which are associated with UD:

INSTITUTES & CENTERS

Connecting researchers, students and servant leaders, our centers and institutes unite campus in a multicultural environment to advance social justice issues, business leadership practices and ethics, and service opportunities for all. That's just the beginning of the work done by our pioneering institutes and centers.

 ArtStreet:  http://artstreet.udayton.edu/

Located in the heart of the University neighborhood, ArtStreet is not a residence hall or an academic building. This innovative multi-arts facility and residence connects living and learning through the arts. Explore.

The Rivers Institute:  http://www.udayton.edu/artssciences/fitzcenter/rivers_institute.php

An interdisciplinary cooperation between students, staff, faculty and community partner organizations, the Rivers Institute is focused on building community around our watershed — and preserving and protecting its resources.

International Marian Research Institute: http://campus.udayton.edu/mary/

As one of the most renowned international centers of study and research about Mary, the mother of Christ, the International Marian Research Institute serves researchers and students from around the world who come to study and use the collections of The Marian Library, home of the world's largest collection of printed materials on Mary. Discover this world-class resource.

 Fitz Center for Leadership in Community: http://www.udayton.edu/artssciences/fitzcenter/index.php

The Fitz Center builds partnerships, arranges service-learning opportunities and addresses societal problems ranging from predatory lending to child abuse, among a host of other initiatives. We believe that people working together can transform society. Be a community builder

Curriculum Materials Center: http://www.udayton.edu/education/cmc/index.php

The Curriculum Materials Center is a lending library of professional and practical teaching materials in the School of Education and Allied Professions. Our extensive collection includes many educational materials for use by teachers-in-training in their classrooms, including books, educational audio and video recordings, educational kits, transparencies, charts, models and other teaching aids. 

Center for International Programs: http://international.udayton.edu/

The Center for International Programs supports a diverse and multicultural environment on campus and beyond - whether for students from other countries, students going abroad, faculty members conducting research or staff members planning to volunteer elsewhere in the world. Enrich your education. Expand your borders.

Center for Leadership: http://leadership.udayton.edu/ 

The Center for Leadership partners with leading organizations and top thought leaders in executive development to provide customized educational programs. We're your partner to develop leaders.

GE set to expand research

General Electric said its $52 million center on the University of Dayton campus means something unprecedented for the company and the airplane manufacturing industry.

Instead of waiting for an airplane company to throw a design its way, GE intends to get more involved earlier. This will change the way the company designs, tests, engineers and builds aircraft electrical systems. The idea is to assemble a close consortium of engineers to collaborate throughout the process.

That’s not exactly how it’s done today.

In an exclusive tour Thursday of the facility now in the last phases of construction, the Dayton Daily News got a first look at the cavernous Electrical Power Integrated Systems research and development center, or EPISCenter, off Dayton’s River Park Drive. For more info check: 

http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/news/ge-set-to-expand-research/nW6t8/

Admissions & Aid - Duquesne University

In trying to practice the art of sharing without expecting a return,  I decided to search for information on areas which may benefit others. What's in it for me? I keep learning:

"Our Approach and Commitment

Our staff carries out Duquesne’s mission by helping you learn about and pursue all avenues of financial aid and/or scholarship support for which you may be eligible.

Duquesne University is seeking talented undergraduate and graduate students interested in applying for prestigious national scholarship and fellowship opportunities. Successful candidates are typically in their junior or senior years of study and have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. Most successful candidates for these outstanding opportunities also have a record of achievement in service, organizational leadership, or scholarly research and publication. The process of competing for these scholarships and fellowships also offers the students a great personal and professional developmental experience. If you fit this profile and would be interested in talking to Duquesne’s scholarships and fellowships coordinator, please contact Dr. Kathleen Roberts by email at robertskg@duq.edu." http://www.duq.edu/admissions-and-aid/national-fellowships.

Featured Scholarships include:

The Rhodes Scholarship: http://www.rhodesscholar.org/

The Rhodes Scholarships are the oldest and most celebrated international fellowship awards in the world. Each year 32 young Americans are selected as Rhodes Scholars, through a decentralized process representing the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Applicants from more than 300 American colleges and universities have been selected as Rhodes Scholars. In most years, even after a century of competition, a Rhodes Scholar is selected from an institution which has not formerly supplied a successful applicant.

The Marshall Scholarship: http://www.marshallscholarship.org/

Marshall Scholarships finance young Americans of high ability to study for a graduate degree in the United Kingdom.
As future leaders, with a lasting understanding of British society, Marshall Scholars strengthen the enduring relationship between the British and American peoples, their governments and their institutions. Marshall Scholars are talented, independent and wide-ranging, and their time as Scholars enhances their intellectual and personal growth. Their direct engagement with Britain through its best academic programmes contributes to their ultimate personal success .......
The Truman Scholarship: http://www.truman.gov/

For those who want to make a difference in Public Service

The Goldwater Scholarship http://www.act.org/goldwater/

The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program was established by Congress in 1986 to honor Senator Barry M. Goldwater, who served his country for 56 years as a soldier and statesman, including 30 years of service in the U.S. Senate.

The purpose of the Foundation is to provide a continuing source of highly qualified scientists, mathematicians, and engineers by awarding scholarships to college students who intend to pursue careers in these fields.

The Gates-Cambridge Scholarship:  http://www.gates.scholarships.cam.ac.uk/

The Fulbright Scholarship: http://us.fulbrightonline.org/

The Udall Scholarship: http://www.udall.gov/ourprograms/mkuscholarship/mkuscholarship.aspx

Scholarships are offered in any of three categories:

• To students who have demonstrated commitment to careers related to theenvironment including policy, engineering, science, education, urban planning and renewal, business, health, justice, economics, and other related fields; or
• To Native American and Alaska Native students who have demonstrated commitment to careers related to tribal public policy, including fields related to tribal sovereignty, tribal governance, tribal law, Native American education, Native American justice, natural resource management, cultural preservation and revitalization, Native American economic development, and other areas affecting Native American communities; or
• To Native American and Alaska Native students who have demonstrated commitment to careers related to Native health care, including health care administration, social work, medicine, dentistry, counseling, and research into health conditions affecting Native American communities, and other related fields.

My world today

Currently I work at an instituiton which is Catholic in origin. This institution offers programmes at the undergraduate and post graduate levels. The undergraduate programme is actually a Bachelor of Education with Honours programme with a choice of five (5) specialisations, which are geared towards needs of persons from pre school to pre adolescent or leadership in our primary school system.  Thus if your  aspiration is to become a school principal, then a specialisation of Educational Leadership may be your choice within the Bachelor of Education with Honours.
Our Masters programmes (post graduate programmes) are offered in collaboration with  two  universities  which are also Catholic in origin. These programmes are geared towards persons with a desire to further their education in the field of teaching and this may take the form of a Masters in Educational Leadership, http://www.udayton.edu/ or Master of Science in Educational Studies  http://www.duq.edu/  ( There is also a Masters in Theological Studies with UD).
Here is a little about the University of Dayton and their philosophy, followed by a bit on Duquesne University:
"The School of Education & Allied Professions merges critical reflection with fostering a learning community that focuses on educational theory and practice.  The philosophy and practice of the School of Education & Allied Professions is grounded in the Marianist heritage of the University of  ayton. What distinguishes us is our constant seeking of truth and knowledge in our overall mission to improve the world. As Marianists, we lead and we serve because we believe that the more people we help to develop compassionate hearts and critical minds, the better our world will be.." http://www.udayton.edu/education/about_soeap/heritage.php

"Service is Spirit in Action
Students' service experiences provide them with a new perspective and make an impact in communities close to home and far away.

At Duquesne University, our faculty, staff and students share a deep commitment to making our world a better place. Through Spiritan Campus Ministry, community service projects, and service-learning courses, the Duquesne family has the opportunity to participate in hands-on outreach that makes a real difference right here in Pittsburgh or as far away as Africa."

Be a Part of Something Bigger

Whatever your interest, you’re sure to find a fit with our variety of service and outreach opportunities. You will find fulfillment in helping others and making an impact on the world around you, whether you’re:
Tutoring inner-city youth through the Duquesne University Volunteers
Spending your spring break in Florida assisting migrant workers throughSpiritan Campus Ministry, or
Creating and implementing a marketing plan for a struggling local library through service-learning.

http://www.duq.edu/service

Tamburitzans
Like Nothing You've Ever Seen Beforehttp://www.duq.edu/life-at-duquesne/tamburitzans
America's longest-running multicultural song and dance company, the Duquesne University Tamburitzans is a unique ensemble of talented young folk artists dedicated to the performance and preservation of the music, songs, and dances of Eastern Europe and neighboring folk cultures.

The performers are full-time students who receive substantial scholarship awards from Duquesne University, with additional financial aid provided by Tamburitzans Scholarship Endowment Funds. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.A., the Tamburitzans houses one of the world's finest collections of international folk artifacts and library resources.

The Educational Studies Program

The Educational Studies program is a 30-credit hour program that leads to a Master of Science in Educational Studies from Duquesne University. The program provides considerable flexibility for qualified individuals from a variety of professional backgrounds who seek professional credentials in education. Our graduates come from diverse backgrounds and are engaged in a wide-range of professional careers across the nation and around the world.

The moral of the story? There are many choices and sometimes doors open in unexpected ways...