Wake up, and act
By Fr Stephan Alexander General Manager, CCSJ There is something comical about choirs using the song ‘Wake Up, My People’ at early morning Masses. This creatively polite way of energising and encouraging muted parishioners to adopt robust responses to prayers is always impactful. At a recent 6 a.m. Mass, I chuckled to myself as the […]
Venezuelan migrant crisis: an opportunity for T&T society to live out Pope’s call
By Fr Stephan Alexander General Manager, CCSJ On September 29, the Catholic Church observed the World Day of Migrants and Refugees (WDMR), an annual event intended to inspire prayer, express concern and raise awareness about the challenges faced by displaced people across the globe. On this 110th observance of WDMR, Pope Francis chose the theme […]
Republic Day: a call to patriotism through care and community
By Darrion M Narine Programme Manager, CCSJ As Trinidad and Tobago commemorates Republic Day on September 24, it is a poignant time to reflect on our national identity and the responsibilities that accompany our status as a Republic. This day does not merely mark a calendar event; it signifies a commitment to fostering an ethos […]
The beauty of Charity: more than just a coin in the cup
By Darrion M Narine Programme Manager, CCSJ When most people think of charity, they picture someone digging through their pockets for loose change or maybe writing a cheque to a good cause. It’s the classic image: you give, they receive, and you both move on, feeling like you’ve done your bit for the day. This […]
T&T’s Venezuelan migrant situation – practise biblical justice
By Fr Stephan Alexander General Manager, CCSJ As the crisis in Venezuela worsens, especially following the widely criticised elections on July 28, thousands of Venezuelans continue to seek refuge in neighbouring countries, including Trinidad and Tobago. The influx of Venezuelan migrants presents us with a challenge. However, it also provides an opportunity for citizens of […]
A Calypso masterpiece for our Kairos moment
By Fr Stephan Alexander General Manager, CCSJ This weekend, as we, Trinidad and Tobago, celebrated our 62nd anniversary of Independence, our nation stands at a critical juncture. On August 31, 2024, the reflections on our past, the challenges of our present, and the hopes for our future converge. For our nation, this is a Kairos […]
The Church and the Venezuelan people
By Fr Curtis Poyer with the kind assistance of Frs Stephan Alexander and Jorge Rodriguez, for the CCSJ The Archdiocese of Port-of-Spain expresses its prayerful solidarity with the Venezuelan bishops in their most recent call for complete electoral transparency. Independent reports by eyewitnesses continue to grow, especially regarding election-ballot and material tampering. The bishops have […]
Reflection point: living in relationship with others
By Fr Stephan Alexander General Manager, CCSJ As we continue to explore Catholic Social Teaching (CST) in these articles, I will often share material that I’ve read. MK Birge’s contribution on Biblical Justice in DM McCarthy’s 2009 offering entitled, The Heart of Catholic Social Teaching: Its Origins and Contemporary Significance commences with the following paragraph: […]
Jubilee 2025 – a time to renew justice and mercy
By Fr Stephan Alexander General Manager, CCSJ In most of our parishes, announcements will soon begin inviting worshippers to engage in a profound spiritual journey, pursuant to Pope Francis’ declaration of 2025 as a Jubilee Year. The theme for this Jubilee, Pilgrims of Hope, beckons the faithful to embrace a deeper understanding of their faith […]
God isn’t ah Trini…He is all ah we!’
By Fr Stephan AlexanderGeneral Manager, CCSJ Many things happen in life that we are unable to control. Natural disasters exemplify this reality. Yet, our response to such events —and to all life’s challenges — is generally within our control. Hurricane Beryl’s trek through our region was a traumatic occurrence, with at least seven recorded deaths. […]
