"I highly commend this programme to all the lay faithful, as it will greatly enrich the faith of those who are truly committed to systematically deepening their understanding of our Catholic heritage!"
+ Cornelius Cardinal Sim, DD
(passed away May 29, 2021)
(passed away May 29, 2021)
"Many Catholics would love to learn the faith systematically and in greater depth. However, they need a programme that provides flexibility, and it mustn't be stressful. The Splendour Project has now made this possible!"
The Rev. Deacon Prof. Dr Sherman Kuek OFS
The Catholic faith is more than a series of intellectual doctrines. It is the story of God and His relationship with humanity. This means that the Catholic faith can be understood in a systematic and simple way, which will help you to make deep sense of your own existence and life.
The Splendour Project invites you to journey with Deacon Sherman Kuek on this exciting journey of discovery through our GROW Certification Programme. GROW stands for God Redeeming Our World. This course, to be presented systematically, is estimated to take about four years in total, with one topic being presented each month in video format with comprehensive outlines provided for each topic.
The Splendour Project invites you to journey with Deacon Sherman Kuek on this exciting journey of discovery through our GROW Certification Programme. GROW stands for God Redeeming Our World. This course, to be presented systematically, is estimated to take about four years in total, with one topic being presented each month in video format with comprehensive outlines provided for each topic.
Registration remains open. Contact us.
Your questions answered:
Who is it for?
This programme is for anyone who desires to know their Catholic faith in a deep and systematic way, and who is not contented with just a shallow understanding of what the Catholic Church teaches. The programme will be especially beneficial if you are serving in the Church as a teacher, catechist for students or RCIA, community leader, extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, ministry coordinator, or a leader in any capacity. But even if not, you will find it to be truly enriching if you really wish to discover what it means to truly understand your faith.
Will it be heavy and boring?
It will be very engaging and interesting! But more than just being interesting, it will help you to understand many issues that are discussed in scholarly circles about the relevant topics, all these being presented and explained in simple language that you can understand.
How much will it cost?
Participants normally sign up for an entire Period at a time, which costs either RM120 (for participants in Malaysia) or $60 (SGD/BD/AUD/USD for those outside Malaysia). Upon signing up for a Period, which consists of six lessons, you will be given six months of access at a time to each Period on our Splendour e-learning interface.
We are not stingy about extending access durations for participants who are eventually unable to complete their learning of each Period in six months. Just contact us for extension, and it will be generously granted.
We do appreciate those who would be happy to contribute more than the minimum sum, as funds are very much needed to cover the cost of our media infrastructure.
We are not stingy about extending access durations for participants who are eventually unable to complete their learning of each Period in six months. Just contact us for extension, and it will be generously granted.
We do appreciate those who would be happy to contribute more than the minimum sum, as funds are very much needed to cover the cost of our media infrastructure.
What is the total duration of this programme?
This programme may be completed in as short a time as you wish. It depends entirely on how you pace yourself. If you complete one lesson a month, it will take four years to complete the entire programme. If you take two lessons a month, then it takes two years to complete the entire programme. If you do one lesson a week (i.e. four lessons a month), it will be completed in a year.
But we urge you not to look at this programme as a task that you are in a hurry to complete. It is a faith journey. God does not form people in a hurry. Our hope is that you will take this journey as an adventure with the Lord and be open to the Holy Spirit to form you as you give yourself time to internalise in your daily life what you learn through this programme. This programme aims to equip you for eternity, and in the scheme of eternity, four years is a mighty short time!
But we urge you not to look at this programme as a task that you are in a hurry to complete. It is a faith journey. God does not form people in a hurry. Our hope is that you will take this journey as an adventure with the Lord and be open to the Holy Spirit to form you as you give yourself time to internalise in your daily life what you learn through this programme. This programme aims to equip you for eternity, and in the scheme of eternity, four years is a mighty short time!
How much time must I devote for each monthly lesson?
Each lesson requires for you to watch a one-hour lecture on video (sometimes slightly longer, sometimes slightly shorter). Together with watching this video, you should also carefully read the comprehensive outlines that are provided for the lesson. If you have more time, you can watch the video for that lesson several times in order to understand more deeply the contents that are being imparted.
So to answer your question about the time commitment required, you will need to commit to a minimum of about 1 to 1.5 hours a month. But if you find yourself able to devote more time to your learning experience, why not!
So to answer your question about the time commitment required, you will need to commit to a minimum of about 1 to 1.5 hours a month. But if you find yourself able to devote more time to your learning experience, why not!
What if I WISH TO REPEAT WATCHING A LESSON OF A PREVIOUS PERIOD?
You can do so. Just request access from our administrator for any previous lessons that you wish to repeat.
Can I ask questions after going through each lesson?
Yes. You can send in your questions by Whatsapp anytime to our Splendour Hotline (+6016-4432783) and you will usually receive replies to your questions from Deacon Sherman within 24 hours.
Can I get a certificate for it?
Yes! If you complete all the topics in each period and take the quiz at the end of the period, an e-certificate of completion will be issued to you. The quiz will be a very straightforward one based purely on the presentation in the videos and the comprehensive outlines provided. It will consist of simple questions, and the answers may be submitted to us by Whatsapp or email. Upon our verification that you have completed all the topics and answered all the quiz questions for a particular period, an e-certificate will be sent to you.
If you follow every period faithfully, you will have received eight e-certificates of completion by the time you have completed the entire programme. All participants who have received the full number of e-certificates of completion will then be sent a final e-certificate to confirm that they have completed the full programme.
(All certificates will be sent in electronic form. Only the final certificate can be made available in hard copy, and this is BY REQUEST ONLY.)
If you follow every period faithfully, you will have received eight e-certificates of completion by the time you have completed the entire programme. All participants who have received the full number of e-certificates of completion will then be sent a final e-certificate to confirm that they have completed the full programme.
(All certificates will be sent in electronic form. Only the final certificate can be made available in hard copy, and this is BY REQUEST ONLY.)
Who awards the certificate?
All e-certificates will be awarded by the Splendour Project, including the final e-certificate to be awarded upon completion of all eight periods. However, in addition to that, the final e-certificate will also be academically validated by the Christian Institute for Theological Engagement (CHRISTE), which is a Christian theological research institute chartered under the prerogative of the United Nations Treaty Series 49006/49007.
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CHRISTE is an affiliated research institute of the School of Theology and Interfaith Studies belonging to Pôle Universitaire Euclide (a specialised intergovernmental institution established to provide postgraduate education for diplomats and senior civil servants of participating countries as well as employees of the United Nations).
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What if I don't want a certificate?
That is all right. Taking the quiz is not compulsory for those who do not wish to be issued certificates. If you do not plan to be awarded the certificates, it is also possible/acceptable to sign up for only some topics that may be of particular interest to you.
What are the eight periods of the programme?
The list of topics in each period is found below with a synopsis for each period. However, do take note that minor revisions to the topics may take place over time, as research is consistently ongoing and our curriculum will be improved and developed continually.
PERIOD ONE: THE GREAT REVOLT
This period addresses some very foundational questions about faith itself. It begins by asking the big question of whether there is an entity in existence called God. And if He does indeed exist, how can He be known? What is He like? What are some of His most fundamental characteristics? And if He does exist, then why is there evil in this world? How did evil come to exist in the first place? Also, how did this God create mankind? Was there truly a couple called Adam and Eve as the first parents of humanity, or are they just a literary myth? How did the first generation of humanity fall, and what did the fall mean?
Lesson 1: The Existence of God
Lesson 2: The Deposit of Faith
Lesson 3: The Holy Trinity and Communion
Lesson 4: The Invisible World
Lesson 5: Creation and Covenant with the First Parents
Lesson 6: The Fall and Sin
Concludes with a summative quiz (optional)
PERIOD TWO: THE DIVINE RESCUE
This period goes through the narrative of how God did not give up on humanity despite the fall. He activated His plan to save mankind step by step, beginning with the family of Noah. But was there really a great flood that covered the earth? Did Noah really build an ark so huge to house all the species of animals? And then, there was Abraham and his son Isaac, as well as his grandson Jacob, who inherited the blessings promised by God to their father and grandfather Abraham. But why did God test Abraham by pretending to demand that he sacrifice his son Isaac? Also, how did the Israelites end up becoming slaves in Egypt? Did Moses really part the Red Sea (i.e. is it scientifically even possible)? Why did the Israelites rebel against their king?
Lesson 1: Covenant with One Family (Noah)
Lesson 2: Covenant with One Tribe (Abraham)
Lesson 3: Covenant with One Nation (Moses)
Lesson 4: The Ten Commandments
Lesson 5: Entering the Promised Land
Lesson 6: Covenant with One Kingdom (David)
Concludes with a summative quiz (optional)
PERIOD THREE: THE AWAITED SAVIOUR
This period begins with an understanding of the how the history of world civilisations is consistent with the exile of the ancient Israelites as reflected in Scripture. It also covers the role of the prophets who were sent by God bearing some very important messages to the Israelites; what were those messages about? In what way was Jesus the answer to the Messianic expectations of the Israelites? Why did they find His ministry incompatible with their expectations, leading them to ultimately reject Him? How did His passion, death, and resurrection fulfil what Israel actually needed from their Messiah? How do we know that Jesus actually resurrected from His death?
Lesson 1: The Exile
Lesson 2: The Prophets
Lesson 3: The Incarnation
Lesson 4: Jesus and His Mission
Lesson 5: Jesus and the Final Sacrifice
Lesson 6: Jesus and His Resurrection
Concludes with a summative quiz (optional)
PERIOD FOUR: THE DIVINE UNION I
This period begins with an explanation of how the Church was born through the suffering of Jesus Christ, and how she was wedded to Him through His holy sacrifice. But being stuck in time, while awaiting eternity, how does the Church regulate her life on earth? What is the Church waiting for as she continues with her earthly existence? After all that the Church has been through over the centuries, what does she actually believe? What is the meaning of the Sacraments that she frequently celebrates? What are the effects of these Sacraments on those who receive them?
Lesson 1: The Church (The Final Covenant)
Lesson 2: The Liturgical Year & Calendar
Lesson 3: The Last Things
Lesson 4: The Creeds
Lesson 5: The Sacraments (Introduction)
Lesson 6: The Sacraments (Baptism & Confirmation)
Concludes with a summative quiz (optional)
PERIOD FIVE: THE DIVINE UNION II
This period is a continuation of the previous one and is devoted to a detailed discussion on the different Sacraments of the Holy Catholic Church. What are the effects of the Sacraments of Initiation on those who receive them? In relation to the Eucharist, specifically, how can we understand what is actually taking place during the Mass? As for the Sacraments of Service, how are these Sacraments related to the being of the Church? Relating to the Sacraments of Healing, what are their effects on our body and soul? Will the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick definitely heal those who are physically ill?
Lesson 1: The Sacraments (Eucharist)
Lesson 2: The Sacraments (Eucharist & the Mass)
Lesson 3: The Sacraments (Holy Orders)
Lesson 4: The Sacraments (Matrimony)
Lesson 5: The Sacraments (Reconciliation)
Lesson 6: The Sacraments (Anointing of the Sick)
Concludes with a summative quiz (optional)
PERIOD SIX: THE LIFE OF COMMUNION
This period pertains to the Catholic life of prayer and the sacramentals that we are encouraged to surround ourselves with daily in the Catholic life. What are sacramentals and how are they different from the Sacraments? What are the different types of prayers commonly prayed by the Church, both from a liturgical and a devotional perspective? How about our relationship with the saints; do we pray to them too? If so, what is the appropriate way to pray to them? Why, in the first place, are we still in communication with them if they are already dead? The same questions can be asked regarding the Blessed Virgin Mary. But since she holds a special place among the saints, what are the most important things that Catholics are required to believe about her?
Lesson 1: Sacramentals
Lesson 2: The Lord's Prayer
Lesson 3: Liturgy of the Hours
Lesson 4: The Rosary
Lesson 5: Devotion to the Saints
Lesson 6: Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary
Concludes with a summative quiz (optional)
PERIOD SEVEN: THE MORAL LIFE
This period pertains to the moral life that is expected of the Catholic. What does it mean to live a moral life as understood by the Holy Catholic Church? How does this moral life impact upon our sexuality and our relationships with other human beings (even the unborn)? What does the Church think of some of the latest developments in medical science?
Lesson 1: Introduction to the Moral Life
Lesson 2: Sexual Purity
Lesson 3: Marriage and Family
Lesson 4: Gender Issues
Lesson 5: Life Issues
Lesson 6: Caring for the Poor
Concludes with a summative quiz (optional)
PERIOD EIGHT: TELLING THE STORY
This period focuses on how all Catholics are obliged to be witnesses to their faith, often in a world that may not be too welcoming of the Gospel and its demands. In the light of this, what is evangelisation and how can it be effectively undertaken? Can people of other religions be saved if they do not become Catholics? How about Christians who are outside the Catholic Church; is there real communion between them and Catholics? How should we relate with non-Catholic Christians? Furthermore, how is our care for creation also a way of evangelisation? Finally, how can we discover our vocations (i.e. calling) and charisms (i.e. gifts) in service of the Gospel of Christ?
Lesson 1: Evangelisation
Lesson 2: People of Other Religions
Lesson 3: Christians Outside the Catholic Church I
Lesson 4: Christians Outside the Catholic Church II
Lesson 5: Being Lifelong Disciples
Lesson 6: Vocations and Charisms
Concludes with a summative quiz (optional)
You can view a sample introductory lesson of this programme HERE.
IS THERE A DEADLINE TO SIGN UP FOR THE PROGRAMME?
This is an asynchronous programme, which means that every participant can sign up for it at any time and go through the programme at anytime without waiting for anyone else. It is run in an entirely flexible way based on your own time planning. This way, the focus of your participation in the programme can be on the journey itself rather than on completing it as fast as you can.
Who Teaches the Programme?
The facilitator of this programme will be the Rev. Deacon Prof. Dr Sherman Kuek OFS. Click here to learn more about him.
How Do I Sign Up For It?
You may either fill the registration form and submit it to us OR just send us the details required in the form by email ([email protected]) or Whatsapp (+6016-4432783). Upon making your contribution, kindly also send us your payment slip to confirm that your contribution has been made.
You will sign up for one Period (of six lessons) each time, which means that the contribution will be RM120 or BD/SGD60 or USD60 per participant for an entire period.
Kindly note that you will need to submit the form (or the details required in the form) ONLY ONCE. Thereafter, all you will need to do is send in your contributions for subsequent lessons/periods and inform us about it together with your payment slip.
You will sign up for one Period (of six lessons) each time, which means that the contribution will be RM120 or BD/SGD60 or USD60 per participant for an entire period.
Kindly note that you will need to submit the form (or the details required in the form) ONLY ONCE. Thereafter, all you will need to do is send in your contributions for subsequent lessons/periods and inform us about it together with your payment slip.
Click here to download the registration form.
