Empower youth by example 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  Today’s Gospel reminds me of the joy I saw on the faces of the many young persons – “branches” – who attended last week Saturday’s Catholic Youth Expo 2015 at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya. We should all take note of Archbishop Joseph Harris’ and Winston Garcia’s […]

Alternatives to administering justice 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  CCSJ continues its serialisation of our March 19 response, on behalf of the Archdiocese, to the Ministry of Justice’s (MOJ) Discussion Paper on Restorative Justice in TT. This is Part 3  Prison Fellowship International is involved in Ministry in TT. As is stated on its website: “Prisons […]

No ‘real treatment’ in prison 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  CCSJ continues the serialisation of our March 19 response, on behalf of the Archdiocese, to the Ministry of Justice’s (MOJ) Discussion Paper on Restorative Justice in T&T. This is Part 2.  We need a multi-faceted approach to address crime and violence in T&T as the causes are […]

Embrace Restorative Justice 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  On March 19, on behalf of the Archdiocese, CCSJ submitted a response to the Ministry of Justice’s (MOJ) Discussion Paper on Restorative Justice in T&T. CCSJ collaborated with Fr Robert Christo, the Catholic Prison Chaplain, in preparing our Church’s response. Over the next few weeks, CCSJ will […]

Virtue – a conscious choice 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  Archbishop Harris’ homily at the historic Mass at Westminster Cathedral, London, on March 27 struck a chord in the hearts and minds of those present. He urged us to use the Lenten season to cultivate good habits which would help us to become better people. He asked […]

Living as children of light 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  Today’s Second Reading (Ephesians 5:8-14) urges us to “be like children of light”.  If we do, we will certainly see the effects: “complete goodness and right living and truth.” And remember, even when we drift from His loving arms, He waits patiently for us to return to […]

Use digital media for the common good – Mar 23 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  “We proclaim Christ in the way we behave in the digital realm, and the Holy Father’s message echoes the importance of seeking the face of Christ across all mediums.” (Bishop Peter Ingham, Chair, Australian Catholic Media Council)  The quotation above by Bishop Ingham refers to Pope Emeritus […]

Witnessing to the Lord 

CCSJ Chair Leela Ramdeen and the students of St Joseph’s Convent, San Fernando, with the International Women’s Day mural they created on March 8.  Today’s Gospel (Matthew 17:1-8 – The Transfiguration) is particularly instructive. As Catholics, we believe that Jesus is God’s Son, “the Beloved” who enjoys God’s favour. The challenge for us, though, is […]

Reflections for Lent 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  During this Lenten season, let us find time to reflect on whether, as followers of Christ, we are living as people of the Beatitudes. The corporal and spiritual works of mercy should be uppermost in our minds as we seek to live the Gospel. Reflect also on […]

Bishop Charles approaches milestone 

Bishop Emeritus Charles  By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI  “We are all sent to do God’s work but we must allow ourselves to be like a pencil in His hands if He is to use us effectively” – Bishop Emeritus Sydney A Charles.  On Sunday, May 18, 2014, Bishop Emeritus of St George’s […]