Pray and work for justice
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice “A full Christian life includes both prayer and social action. Without prayer, our apostolic work lacks a solid foundation. But without social action, our prayer is sterile and fruitless” – US Bishop Thomas J Tobin In today’s Gospel (Luke 18:1-8) Jesus uses the parable […]
Give thanks for God’s gifts
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, “thank you,” that would suffice. ~Meister Eckhart Too often we pray to God for all sorts of things and when our prayers are answered, like the nine lepers in today’s Gospel (Luke 17:11-19), […]
Respect Life – invite Lazarus to the table
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice I believe that it is by divine intervention – as we begin Respect For Life Week, that the Gospel reading today (Luke 16:19-31) focuses on Jesus’ parable of the rich man and Lazarus. In 2007, Pope Benedict XVI reminded us that the rich man […]
Ways to observe Respect for Life Week
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice On Friday, September 24, Republic Day, Sir Ellis Clarke TC, GCMG, will share with us from his storehouse of knowledge, the story of our journey to becoming a Republic. Join us on this public holiday at Living Water Community, Frederick St., POS (4.00 p.m. […]
Countdown to Respect for Life Week
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice CCSJ will be sending to parishes copies of the September issue of our Parish Link Newsletter which contains articles to assist you as you prepare to observe Respect for Life Week Sept 26 – Oct 3 The Newsletter is also accessible on CCSJ’s website […]
‘Prayer walk’ to end Respect for Life Week
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice As we come to the close of this year’s Respect For Life Week (RFLW) on Sunday, October 3, I urge you all to join people from various faith communities as we walk and pray around part of Queen’s Park Savannah – from Casuals Corner […]
Reflections on Independence
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice “At around midnight on the night of August 30, 1962, my wife and I stood in front of the Red House, with other Members of Parliament and their wives. We stood with many other dignitaries, including Princess Alice, the Princess Royal, who represented the […]
Entering through the narrow door
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice Today’s Gospel, Luke 13:22-30, reminds us that our Church is universal; it is inclusive – open to everyone. Everyone in this world can be saved. However, Baptism is not all that is required to enter into heaven. It is true, as Pope Benedict XVI […]
Standing in solidarity with our youth
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice Last week’s edition of Catholic News reported on the Institute (five days of training) for Catholic Youth Coordinators/Leaders in the Caribbean (read report). I was one of the presenters. The Institute, which was held in St Lucia, was organised by the AEC Youth Commission […]
Use your gifts to build the common good
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice With the rise of secularism, sadly, many fail to acknowledge the fact, as Pope Benedict XVI reminds us in Charity in Truth, that all that we have is “gift” from God. We live in a world in which individualism, selfishness, greed and materialism lead […]