My views on leaders and leadership Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

My views on leaders and leadership - Essay Example It is worth mentioning that effective leadership is vital for organizations in order to survive in today’s challenging business environment (Jackson, 2011). The paper will describe a reflective essay on the conception of leadership which I have observed during my career progress. The objective of the paper is also to describe the most competitive and effectual leadership approach which I have undergone during the journey of my professional life. My views on leaders and leadership According to my perception, leaders guide the followers. If no one follows a particular person willingly, then he/she cannot be termed as a leader. The word â€Å"leader† in my sense is that person who perceives an overall understanding of the operational and managerial duties to be accomplished within an organization (such as a school or a business establishment). Leaders always take the key position in fulfillment of responsibilities or series of tasks. However, the imparting of the title â⠂¬Å"leader† alone is not sufficient to define the philosophy of true leadership. It is my subjective opinion about the leader that a person’s distinct and specialized strengths can place the basis of his/her leadership achievements to be labeled as a leader. Contextually, the central leadership power and personalities are related with personal and special strengths. The leadership strength is again observed to be linked with a particular career, the assigned job roles and duties of a person (Jackson, 2011). In this regard, I have found that no precise and replicable association subsists between individuals in the leadership role and the certain personalities or strengths of those individuals associated with leader. In an organization today, the leadership and followership are positioned in the progressively complex, undefined and dynamic business context with numerous realities on the basis of several values, urgencies and requirements (Jackson, 2011). My views on follo wers and followership According to my viewpoint, the ideology of true leadership necessitates decent followers. Followers can be personified in numerous ways, who are employees, citizens, investors and individuals having faith in their leaders. My belief is that leadership cannot happen without an effective leader-follower association. Yet, at times, frequently followers are given less priority in the leader-follower relationship and are observed with a negative implication. Several professionals believe that becoming a follower is the second appropriate alternative for a person to become a leader. However, my viewpoint perceives that being an effectual follower is just as significant and necessary as being a successful leader. Often, it can be observed that before a person ends up as being an effectual leader in an organization, he/she initially had played the vital role of being a follower with efficiency. Essentially, followership is the capability or readiness of a person to fol low the leader. As leadership is incomplete without followership, no matter how the followers are labeled, they are just central to the ideology of leadership, being equivalent to the importance of organizational leaders (Ricketts, 2009). Leadership theories and experiences The leadership theories serve as a framework

Strategic intelligence Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Strategic intelligence - Essay Example e matter is the fact that seldom do target or host countries declassify sensitive information and this makes accessing important information untenable. With the failure to access sensitive information, comes the making of inaccurate decisions, especially in the field of foreign relations, protecting, consolidating and perpetuating state interest and security. The place of the United States could be very different in international relations, if the US never treated strategic intelligence seriously. The menacing threat of terrorism and the ideological threat of religious or political Islam underscore the instances that have the power to curtail America’s interests, safety and political and socio-economic strength, in the absence of the United State’s commitment to strategic intelligence. In this effect, the value of strategic intelligence is exemplified by: the elimination of US enemies such as Osama bin Laden, Anwar Al Awlaki, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, Muhammad Atef, Abu Layth al-Libi, Atiyah A. Al-Rahman, Abu Ayub al Masri; and the capturing of likeminded criminals such as Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Abu Faraj al-Libi, Ramzi Bin al-Shibh, Abu Zubaydah and Walid bin Attash, among many others. It is also because of strategic intelligence that the US has been able to identify points of priority and to make timely, appropriate and accurate response. Some of the response that the US has made to strategic intelligence breakthroughs have included legislation, diplomacy, funding, engaging in direct or proxy war, issuing state-to-state warnings and even issuing travel advisory. It is necessary to cover all the five basic components as an integrated study [instead of separating the components into separate stove-pipes so as to allow learners come up with a more comprehensive scope, and not a fragmented one. For this reason, I like other students have been left with a greater ability to: examine the purpose, significance and role of strategic counterintelligence; deconstruct

Marriott Corporation” the Cost of Capital Essay Example for Free

Marriott Corporation† the Cost of Capital Essay What is the weighted average cost of capital for the Marriott Corporation and cost of capital for each of its divisions? – What risk-free rate and risk premium did you use to calculate the cost of equity? – How did you measure the cost of debt? – How did you measure the beta for each division? Solution What risk-free rate and risk premium did you use to calculate the cost of equity? – Risk-free rate proxy The risk-free rate is determined using the yields of U. S. Treasury securities, which are risk-free from default risk. U.S. Treasuries are subject to interest rate risk, therefore, the selected maturity should correspond to an investment horizon[1]. – Investment horizon According to the cost-of-capital calculation methodology used by Marriott Corporation, lodging division was treated as long-term, while restaurant and contract services divisions were treated as short-term because those assets had shorter useful lives. – Expected return proxy Arithmetic average return is more suitable than geometric mean as it is better in estimating an investment’s expected return over a future horizon based on its past performance (geometric mean is a better description of long-term historical performance of an investment). – Risk-free interest rate Taking into account the above, arithmetic average annual returns of long-term U.S. government bonds for the period 1951-1987 (4.88%, see Appendix 1) is  considered to be risk-free rate for lodging division. Arithmetic average annual returns of short-term U.S. government bonds for year 1987 (5.46%, see Case Exhibit 4) is considered to be risk-free rate for restaurant and contract services divisions. – Market proxy SP 500 index is selected as a market proxy as it is believed to be close to the true market portfolio. As it is important to use historical returns for the same market index used to calculate beta (which is given), an assumption is made that the given leverage data is calculated based on the same SP 500 index. – Market risk premium Market risk premium should be calculated for the same horizon as that used for the risk-free interest rate. Thus a spread between SP 500 composite returns and long-term U.S. government bond returns for the period 1951-1987 (7.88%, see Appendix 2) is a market risk premium for lodging division. A spread between SP 500 composite returns and short-term U.S. government bond returns for year 1987 (-0.23%, see Case Exhibit 5) is a market risk premium for restaurant and contract services divisions. How did you measure the cost of debt? Marriott Corporation and each division are given market value-target leverage ratios and credit spreads as well as U.S. government interest rates as of April 1988 (see Case Tables A and B). According to investment horizons discussed above, the following cost of debt is estimated: How did you measure the beta for each division? Ideally, when estimating beta by using past returns, time interval should be consistent with an investment horizon. Betas given in Case Exhibit 3 are estimated over 1986-1987 period. As these are the only betas given, they are assumed to be relevant for both long-term and short-term investment horizons. Equity betas of each division are calculated from comparable hotel and restaurant companies. Equity betas are then unlevered taking into account financing structure of each company according to the following formula: [pic], where Tax = 40% An average of unlevered betas of comparable companies is assumed to be a proxy for unlevered betas of Marriott divisions. For calculations of unlevered betas for each division see Appendix 4. What is the weighted average cost of capital for the Marriott Corporation and cost of capital for each of its divisions? WACC is calculated according to the formula given in the case taking into account the tax shield. Cost of equity is calculated according to CAPM model.

A Management System For Shopping Malls Computer Science Essay

A Management System For Shopping Malls Computer Science Essay 1.1 Introduction: Therough this system to design system to orgnize the work of Shoppiing Mall contain many shops belong to the same company of this mall. Through this system we can manage the work of all shops in this mall and monitor all activities in all shops. In this system we have tow sections, the first is Management, and the second is Shops,Each section hase different features. we have in this system tow level of privilleges, administrator or manager , and the employee of shops. The manager or administrator can add new administrator for this system, add new employee dor shops, add new shop, and see report of all shops in this mall. The normal user of employee of shop has the privillege to perform sale operation,add new goods to the store of this shope, update the balance of exicting goods in the store of this shope,monitore the daily sales operation done, onitore the monthly sales operations done, and monitore the balance of goods in the sotre of this shope. 1.2 Aims Of The Project Through this system we work to achive the following objectives: Organize the Registration of new shope: in this objective we orgnize the registeration of new shope and enter the relative information about this shope. Organize the registration of sales operation: in this objective we orgnize the registeration of sale operations informtion and try to do it in less time with less effort. Orgnize the registeration of new goods information: in this objective we allow the normal user to enter the information of new good in the store of his shope. Allow the user to add extra quantity of an excting food in his shopes store. Enable the user to get information about sales operations done through this system (daily and monthly) printable format. Enable the user to get information about goodss balance in his shope in printable format. Enable the administratore to get information about all shopes in the mall. 1.3 System Tools To design this system we use Visual Basic 6.0 as programming language to design the GUI (Graphical User Interface), and we used Microsoft Access to build the database of this system. We selected Visual Basic because it is easyto use. We can create forms (interfaces) using drag-and-drop techniques. A tool is used to place controls on the form (window). We can enter the default value for the attribute of any control we add to the form (interface). Many attribute values can be modified during run time based on user actions or changes in the environmentFor examplewe can cange the date of sale always to the current date even if we run it after 2 years after finish design Microsoft Access database management system was also used in designing the database of the system. It is used to create simple database solutions. Access tables support a variety of standard field types, indices, and referential integrity. The system also includes a query interface, forms to display and enter data, and reports for printing. The underlying Jet database, which contains these objects, is multiuser-aware and handles record-locking and referential integrity including cascading, updates and deletes. Microsoft Access also offers the ability for programmers to create solutions using the programming language Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), which is similar to Visual Basic 6.0 (VB6) and used throughout the Microsoft Office programs such as Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint. Most VB6 code including the use of Windows API calls, can be used in VBA. Power users and developers can extend basic end-user solutions to a professional solution with advanced automation, data validation, error trapping, and multi-user support. Applications that simply view data or have simple data entry can support considerably more users. 2.1 Structure of the system: In this system we have tow main sections first for managemetn and second for shopes. 2.1.1 management section: In management section we have four featurs Add new administrator: in this feature we allow the administrator to add anothor administrator (administrator = manager), in this feature the asministrator enter the user name and password for new administrator. Add new user: in this feature the admin can add new use (we mention here in user to the employee of the shope), to add new user the admin need to enter the user name and password and the shope which this user will belong (or works for), here we mention that we cannot add new user to a shope not there in the mall. Add new shope: in this feature we allow the admin to add new shope to the mall, to add new shope to the mall the admin need to enter the name of this new shope and the type of it (e.g optics). Report of all shopes in this mal: in this feature we allow the admin to get information about all shopes in this mall in printable formate. 2.1.2 shope section: This section available to the emmployee of shopes in the mall, we have to mention that the administrator of this system must add this user then he can login to this section.in this section we have six features New sale : in this feature the user can enter the information of new sale operation, these information includes the customer name, customer mobile number, saled good,ordered auantity,unit price, and discount if there is any discount. Add new goods: in this feature we allow the user to add new goods to the store of this shope, the information needed to do this task includes Good name, Purchae price,sale price,Quantity,andmeasure. Update goods : in this feature the user can update the quantity of any exeicting goods in the store of his shope, the relative information requested here is good name, added quantity,purchase price, sale price. Goods report: in this feature the user can get report of all goods and its balance in his shope. Daily sale : in this feature the user can get report of all sale operation done through this system in current day. Monthly sale: in this feature the user can get report of all sale operation done through this system in selected month. 2.2 Systems Tables: In the previous section we explained the main structure of this system, now we have to show the building of the systems database (the database of this system was designed using Microsoft Office Access as mentioned before) The following tables are designed in the database of this system: ADMIN : this table created to save the information of administrator login data (Table 2.2.1) USERS: this table is for saving the information of users of this system. (Table 2.2.2) SHOPS: this table is for saving the information for shops in this mall. (Table2.2.3). GOODS: this table designed to save the information of goods. Table(2.3) 5-SALE_INFO: this table desgined to save the inormation of sale opertation. Table(2.2.5) 2.3 Connecting between systems database and users Interface: There are many ways to connect between visual basic and MS Access but in our system we depend on the connection by the code and connecting the object directly to database not by adding object on the form at design time. It depends on the connection string for ADO library, at first a new ADO Connection and ADO recordset items is created then define the connection path (path of database in this system) as connection string After that the recordset is opened by sending a query for specified table name. Dim rs As ADODB.Recordset Dim con As ADODB.ConnectionThe following shows an example about the connection way in this system Then write the following code where connection to database is wanted to retrieve, send or view data Set rs = New ADODB.Recordset Set con = New ADODB.Connection rs.CursorLocation = adUseClient Constring = Provider=Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0;Data Source= App.Path MMS.mdb con.Open (Constring) Chapter 3 Implimntation of the system 3.1 Main Features Of The System: The aim of this system is to achieve a number of objectives. These objectives are: Registration of new shops: in this feature, the administrator need to register the iformation of new shop, this information include the name of shop and the type of this shop (shops activity). Orgnize the operation of create new user: this feature allowed for administrator only, in this feature the administrator can create new user, this new user works in selected shop while the administrator create this user. Orgnizing the registeration of sale operation: in this feature the user must register the information of sale operation, this information include the shop name,goods name,order quantity, the discount, customer name, customer mobile, and some information will be automatically loaded when the user select the good name like available qantity, and unit price. Orgnizeing the registeration of new goods: This feature allow the user to add new goods to the shop where he is working, this information include the name of goods,purchase price, sale price , and the purchased quantity. Orgnize the operation of updating the quantity of goods: in this feture the user can add quantity of any goods in his shop. Preparation of detailed reports : theadministrator and user can get these types of Reports: All shops: this report shows the information of all shops in the Mall. Daily sales: this report displays the information of all sales operation done in selected date. monthly sales: this report displays the information of all sales operation done in selected month. Goods report: this report show the information of all goods in the shop. We have to mention that the first report allowed for the administrator only, while the other reports allowed to the normal user 3.2 Implementation Of The System: In presvious section of this report we explaineed the structure of this system and talk about the objectives of this system, now we will talk about how t use this system, or how this system works. First there is introduction window, in this window the user select the section heshe wants to use Management or Shops as shown in figure 3.1 Figure 3.1 Introduction window 3.2.1 Management Section : If the user select Management from the introduction window heshe will get the login window where heshe must write the user name and password of administrator in this system, as shown in figure 3.2 Figure 3.2 Administrator Login window After fill the sorrcet username and passowrd of administrator, heshe will get the main window of adminstrators task, as shown in figure 3.3 Figure 3.3 Administrators task windw If heshe wants to achieve th feature of New administrator, heshe must click on New Administrator button, then heshe will get the following windw, as shown in figure 3.4 Figure 3.4 New Administrator window After fill the requested fields , the system will connect to the databse and go into the table Admin and save new record with the information of new administrator. If the administrator wants to achieve the feature New User, heshe must click on New User button on the Administrators task windw, then will get the following window, as shown in figure 3.5 Figure 3.5 New User window In this window will need the username and apssword for new user , also we need to select the shop where this new user will work, the list of shops will automatically loaded to the window by going through the database and go to Shops table and bring the name of all shops in this mall. When the user fill all rewuested fields heshe must click on Save button to save the data of new user, in this operation the system will connect to the database and go to USERS table and create new record conatin the information of the new user and give him an autonumber as ID, the administrator can cancel the operation or close this window by click on Close button. In case the administratore wants to achieve the feature Add New Shop, hezshe must click on New shop button on Administrators task windw to get the following window, as shown in figure 3.6 Figure 3.6 New Shop Window In this window we can see that we have only tow fields about new shop, these fields are shop name and shop type, after the administrator fill thee fields, heshe must click on Save button to go through the database and create new record in table Shops and give this shop an autonumber as ShopID. The administrator can cancel the operation or close this window by click on Close button. Finally, if the administrtor wants to get report about all shops in this mall, hese can click on All Shops button on Administrators task windw, the get the report as shown in figure 3.7 Figure 3.7 All Shops report window 3.2.1 Shop Section : This section specified for the normal user (the employee of the shop), the user can go into this section by clicking on Shop button in Introduction window, then heshe get the folloing window, figure 3.8 Figure 3.8 user Main window As we see, in this window there are six buttons, each one for different feature. If the user want to perform sale operation, heshe must click on New Sale button, then will get the following window, as shown in figure 3.9 Figure 3.9 Sale window In this window the user will find list of all goods available in this shop and the balance of this goodsand the unist price also, ths information brought by the system when load this window, the system will go to the database and go to goods table and bring the name of all goods which belong to that shop, after that when the user select the goods name and its balance nd the unit price. After the user fill the requested fields then click on calculate button to cacuate the total price, then the user clicks on Save button to save the information of sale then he can click on Bill button to get the bill of this sale. If the user wants to add new goods heshe must clicks on New Goods button then heshe get the following window, as shown in figure 3.10 Conclusion Using this system we organize the work in the Hall, also we reduce the time and effort spend to achieve the following task : Register customers information in this system. Register the relative information of reservation in this system . Organize the operation of updating the information of reservation. Organize the confirming and caneling reservation in this system. Getting the reports of all reservation done through this system. Getting the reports of all reservation done through this system accoring to selected month. Getting the reports of all reservation done through this system accoring to selected month and year. After using the system we can say that work of Hall reservation can be organized through this system. As we explain in the body of this report the use of this system is easily and any one with simple knowledge of computer usage can use this system and finish the task without any mistake. there is no perfect system and each system contain some notices either the analyzing or the scenario of work, but in this system we try to cover the most important task or features of store department work. Before we build the system we have to analyze the system and detect the work flow of working and see what are the rules that control work in Hall reservation operation to start building the tables and see what windows we need and how any windows we must have in our system after that we search for tools enable us to program the system in best way, we find that the easiest tools to do that is VISUAL BASIC (VB) for program the user interface and Microsoft Office Access (MSACCESS) as database management system, these tools are easy to use and easy to be used in developing the system in future. When start to build new system the designer face tow types of problem technical and official. The technical problems was to find the suitable and useful tools (programming and database management system) enable the designer to build efficient system and enable the user to store many records in database able to be retrieved in few seconds without any problems. After we choose the programming language and database management system and connect them together and start build the database and table and start writing the code that will be executed while system running in order to achieve the tasks of this system.

Transcendentalism And A Belief In A higher Power :: essays research papers

Transcendentalism and A Belief In A "Higher Power" We do not have good reasons to believe in something transcendental. Most of the arguments in favor of God, or a so-called "higher power" are based on faith and emotion, and not a clear logical argument. In fact, these arguments are often in favor of throwing logic out the window. In many ways, this question is similar to someone attempting to prove the existence of an invisible elephant. It is far easier to prove that the elephant does not exist than it is to prove that it does. Socrates' principle of examination states that we must carefully examine all things. The tools we humans use to do this are logic and the scientific method. In order to believe in something transcendental, you cannot examine your beliefs using logic and science. If you do, there is no way to prove the existence of a higher power. The primary argument against the existence of a Judeo-Christian all- knowing, all-powerful, righteous God is the argument from evil. This argument argues against the presence of a higher power using facts of ordinary life. This argument states that most would agree that some of the pain and suffering (evil) in this world is unnecessary. To be considered a necessary evil, the occurrence must be the only way to produce something good, which outweighs the evil. Many events, such as infant deaths, would not be classified in this category. If such an all-knowing deity existed, it states, He would know that this evil was occurring. If He was all-powerful, He would have the power to stop this evil. If He was righteous, He would stop the evil from occurring Therefore, the existence of evil cannot be compatible with the existence of this type of God. The primary response to the argument from evil is the appeal to human freedom. This argument states that God sees evil as necessary so that we humans may be free to choose our own path. The fatal flaw in this argument is that there are evils that exist not as a direct result of human choice. Natural evils such as floods, earthquakes, and tornadoes serve no purpose according to this definition, and are therefore unnecessary evils. A theist might respond to this with another weak rebuttal, stating that every evil produces compassion and understanding in others, and creates good in that regard. This is an overly positive, almost delusional view of evil. Almost everyone will be able to come up with at least one example of someone who has suffered an evil that has not directly or indirectly led to anything good.

Mandatory Physical Education I :: essays research papers

Current high school students are becoming fatter, slower, and less motivated than past students. Many of these young people would prefer to be sitting passively in front of the television rather than to do something physically active. Most high school students believe they do not have sufficient time, opportunity or guidance to participate in physical activities. The ideal place in which students would be able to find adequate time, opportunity and guidance are in the high schools themselves. Politicians and educators responsible for the mandatory physical education program at the junior high school levels (grades eight to ten) should be applauded for this, but frowned upon for not enforcing it on senior high school students (grades 11 and 12). Physical Education is defined as â€Å"the process of education that develops the human body, specifically fitness and movement skills† (Baker, 1990, p. 14). This teaches students valuable skills that would be applicable to life, present and future. Students also learn how to work and interact with others to pursue goals in a way which academic subjects, such as mathematics and science, may not provide. Physical Education should be a requirement for all British Columbia high school students because it provides physical skills necessary for effective social functioning, offers educational value and teaches healthy habits reducing health risks. Opposition of mandatory Physical Education in high schools believe that if a student has not developed a desire for voluntary physical exercise by the time he or she reaches high school , he or she may not ever (Eberhardt). It is true that individuals should not be forced into something they don’t want to participate in, but if these students don’t get any exercise outside of school, where will they receive an appropriate amount of fitness? Paul Eberhardt, athletic director, intramural director and head coach of the McNair Marlins basketball team in Richmond, B.C., believes â€Å"that students don’t care about participating in P.E. anymore and we have to educate students on the benefits of Physical Education†. In the 1994-1995 school year there were 1,133 students enrolled at McNair High School but there were only four P.E. classes available, which meant approximately 120 students attended in these classes. The remaining 1013 grade eleven and twelve studen ts had no Physical Education at all. This is an astonishing figure. â€Å"Many students participate in sports and recreation activities outside of school, but most of them get hardly any exercise at all. Mandatory Physical Education I :: essays research papers Current high school students are becoming fatter, slower, and less motivated than past students. Many of these young people would prefer to be sitting passively in front of the television rather than to do something physically active. Most high school students believe they do not have sufficient time, opportunity or guidance to participate in physical activities. The ideal place in which students would be able to find adequate time, opportunity and guidance are in the high schools themselves. Politicians and educators responsible for the mandatory physical education program at the junior high school levels (grades eight to ten) should be applauded for this, but frowned upon for not enforcing it on senior high school students (grades 11 and 12). Physical Education is defined as â€Å"the process of education that develops the human body, specifically fitness and movement skills† (Baker, 1990, p. 14). This teaches students valuable skills that would be applicable to life, present and future. Students also learn how to work and interact with others to pursue goals in a way which academic subjects, such as mathematics and science, may not provide. Physical Education should be a requirement for all British Columbia high school students because it provides physical skills necessary for effective social functioning, offers educational value and teaches healthy habits reducing health risks. Opposition of mandatory Physical Education in high schools believe that if a student has not developed a desire for voluntary physical exercise by the time he or she reaches high school , he or she may not ever (Eberhardt). It is true that individuals should not be forced into something they don’t want to participate in, but if these students don’t get any exercise outside of school, where will they receive an appropriate amount of fitness? Paul Eberhardt, athletic director, intramural director and head coach of the McNair Marlins basketball team in Richmond, B.C., believes â€Å"that students don’t care about participating in P.E. anymore and we have to educate students on the benefits of Physical Education†. In the 1994-1995 school year there were 1,133 students enrolled at McNair High School but there were only four P.E. classes available, which meant approximately 120 students attended in these classes. The remaining 1013 grade eleven and twelve studen ts had no Physical Education at all. This is an astonishing figure. â€Å"Many students participate in sports and recreation activities outside of school, but most of them get hardly any exercise at all.

Catholic Baptism

Roman Catholicism relates itself to broader and more dominant religion of Chrisitinity. They share a large number of similarities in terms of biblical references(Contender Ministries, 2005). From the immaculate conception of Mary to the trinitarian belief. They share the deity of Jesus Christ who died on the cross and was resurrected after three days. Its history started with Peter the Apostle. Being the rock where Jesus Christ appointed his church, Peter along with the other apostles started their â€Å"ministries† and traveled around Europe and to other continents to spread the Word of God and life of Jesus Christ(Religion Facts). From then on the appointment of a pope became a necessity in the survival of the church. Peter being the first pope and considered as the spiritual heir to the leadership of Jesus, Catholics subject themselves in its ruling. The pope administers and heads a hierarchy of religious leaders from the lowest parish priests to cardinals. Also, the crusades have contributed greatly in the acceptance of the Catholic church around Europe. Almost all of the beliefs of the Catholic church is similar to the beliefs of other â€Å"varieties† of Christianity. Being based from a central bible, it follows the teachings of prophets, apostles, and disciples. Also, the concept of a single god with three personas, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and Jesus Christ as both divine and human are shared among Catholics. Examples of distinctive beliefs are the leadership of the pope, the existence of purgatory in afterlife, and transubstantiation or the use of bread to represent the body of Christ (Religion Facts). Also, catholics venerate saints as intermediaries to their prayers to God. Catholics gather in their Eucharistic celebration called mass. The mass is usually held weekly, specifically on Sundays, to commemorate the gospels and teachings of Christ. It constitutes gospel readings, a homily or sermon, utterance of certain prayers like The Lord's Prayer, songs, sacrifices, and communion. Communion symbolizes the last supper where Christ shared bread and wine to His apostles. The structure of a Catholic Church is patterned from that of St. Peter's Bassilica. It has a large facade that resembles a large altar due to the presence of stone statues of saints. Inside it has a dome over the altar where the ceremonies are being held. Churches also commonly have a grotto in veneration of Mary's apparition in Lourdes, France (Queen of Peace Productions). Similar to other â€Å"varieties† of Christianity, Catholicism practices baptism. Baptism is included in the seven sacraments they follow to attain eternal salvation(Contender Ministries, 2005). The practice originated from the story in the bible where the Apostle John poured water on Jesus. It is believed that through baptism we are cleansed of our original sin and are now welcome to the chruch of God. In baptism, a person is being poured with holy water over a large basin under the sign of the cross. This marks the acceptance of the person being baptised to the church of Christ. Before the person is poured with water, the presiding priest asked the people present to renounce the devil and the sins accompanying it and follow the teachings of God. On this respect they show their rejection of evil and thus cleanses them particularly the person being baptised from their original sins (Cathechism of the Catholic Church). Also, the utterance of the Apostle's Creed is done for this purpose. The person being baptised wears white clothes to signify his acceptance of Christ. The whole ceremony is very solemn, though there were jokes on the number of guests which become the godparents of the person being baptised. there feeling of oneness is present among the attendants. The ceremony suggests a feeling of relief for the person being baptised, because again another person is introduced to a religion with its moral and spiritual teachings.