Emancipating ourselves
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI “We are going to emancipate ourselves from mental slavery, for though others may free the body, none but ourselves can free the mind. Mind is our only ruler; sovereign.” ― Marcus Garvey On Thursday, August 1, T&T will once again observe Emancipation Day. Let’s reflect on what […]
Gifts of the blind and vision impaired
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI “I am too positive to be doubtful, too optimistic to be fearful, and too determined to be defeated”—Helen Keller. On July 28, I shall attend the 6th annual concert organised by T&T’s Blind Welfare Association, organised in collaboration with Naparima College, San Fernando. The event will feature […]
Levelling the education ‘playing field’
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI A just society is inclusive. Years ago, the late Prof John Spence, who established T&T’s Education Discussion Group, of which I was Chair for a number of years, said: “If indeed education is better in denominational schools, then we must ensure that government schools are brought up […]
What makes you happy?
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI “If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a day, go fishing. If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help someone else.”– Chinese proverb Einstein was right: “Only a life […]
Is Parliament fulfilling its role?
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI A democratic parliament is one that is representative, open and transparent, accessible, accountable and effective (Inter-Parliamentary Union) On Sunday, June 30 the world observes the International Day of Parliamentarism—celebrating parliaments and “the ways in which parliamentary systems of government improve the day-to-day lives of people the world […]
Migrants need spiritual support
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI “A spirituality of migration has less to do with ‘being nice to refugees’ and more to do with an awareness that spirituality itself has a migratory character. Taking clues from the parable of the Good Samaritan, it is a spirituality that continuously is prepared to travel, so […]
‘Soufra’ – From refugee to entrepreneur School exclusion can affect life chances
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI This Sunday (June 16) I celebrate my birthday. Each day I thank God for the many blessings He has bestowed upon me. When I hear of the plight of migrants and refugees, I cannot help but be empathetic and compassionate towards them and to use my God-given […]
Welcome Holy Spirit
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI Let us welcome the Holy Spirit on this Pentecost Sunday and open our hearts to be renewed by the Spirit. My heart was filled with joy as I saw images in the media of citizens assisting Venezuelans who were queuing to register. As stated in the Trinidad […]
Religious sisters, our heroines
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI Good news! Pope Francis has appointed the first female Consultors—four, including three religious—to the Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops. In March this year, Ines San Martin of Crux reported that the latest numbers from the Church’s statistical yearbook says “there are over 650,000 religious sisters who […]
A world craving for peace
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI The world is craving for peace. In today’s gospel (Jn 14:23–29), Jesus tells His disciples that the peace that He gives is not the peace that the world offers. The reason why so many of us are “troubled” and “afraid” is because too often we, the followers […]
