He came to save us all 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ  MY NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION  TO STRIVE TO BE A BETTER CHRISTIAN; TO LIVE THE KIND OF LIFE THAT WILL DRAW ME CLOSER TO GOD, TO MY NEIGHBOUR AND TO GOD’S CREATION.  IT IS ONLY THROUGH RECONCILIATION WITH GOD, NEIGHBOUR, CREATION AND SELF CAN WE BUILD THE CIVILISATION OF LOVE.  LEELA […]

Educating young people in justice and peace 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice  “The world must be educated to love Peace, to build it up and defend it.” – Pope Paul VI, 1968  Today, January 1, we celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God and also World Day of Peace. This year, Pope Benedict XVI’s Peace […]

The true light that enlightens all 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice   Rejoice! The Word, “the light that darkness could not overpower…the true light that enlightens” all is here among us. Stand in awe and gratitude that Jesus, our Saviour “was made flesh” and dwelt among us. And He is still here among us.  See […]

The line to see Jesus 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice  I returned to T&T last weekend feeling a bit sad that so many of those whom I met while I was away, wished me “Happy Holidays” when we parted. However, my heart was lifted when, on my return, I opened an e-mail from Maureen […]

Christ and corruption totally incompatible

by Mike James, member of the CCSJ  “At this time, there are too many scandals and injustices, too much corruption and greed, too many errors and lies, too much violence which leads to misery and to death.”  “Every people wishes to understand the political and economic choices which are made in its name. They perceive […]

A season for giving things, and more 

by Mike James, member of the CCSJ  Catholics as well as other citizens of all different religious persuasions are outstanding for their generosity in giving and sharing with the less privileged and less fortunate during this period of Advent and preparation for Christmas.  Thousands of hampers are being prepared for the needy in parishes, groups […]

Eliminating violence against women 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice  “Violence against women is perhaps the most shameful human rights violation, and it is perhaps the most pervasive. It knows no boundaries of geography, culture or wealth. As long as it continues we cannot claim to be making real progress towards equality, development and […]

‘You did it to me’ 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice  It is significant to note that Respect For Life Week ended shortly before the Feast of Christ the King, today. Last week, through CCSJ’s various activities and those planned e.g. at parish and school levels, we all had an opportunity to reflect on ways […]

Preparing for Respect For Life Week 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice  At the third sitting of Synod in 2009, our Archdiocese agreed on a Mission statement and adopted three Pastoral Priorities (PP): The New Evangelisation; Revitalising Catholic Culture and Identity; and Regenerating the Moral and Spiritual Values of our Society.  Under each of these PPs, […]

Report from Death Penalty Conference 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice  The Community of Sant’Egidio invited me to attend The First International Conference on The Death Penalty in the Great Caribbean. It was held in Madrid from 17 – 19 October, 2011 and was organized in collaboration with the International Commission Against the Death Penalty, […]