Recognising the feminine genius 

Cover of supplement  By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI   “I must admit we are a bit late in developing a theology of women. We have to move ahead with that theology.” (Pope Francis, Sept 29, 2015)  The Vatican City State has a daily newspaper called L’Osservatore Romano (The Roman Observer). It reports on […]

Peace as a journey of hope 

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI  This year Pope Francis’ Message for the 53rd World Day of Peace (January 1, 2020) is entitled ‘Peace as a journey of hope: dialogue, reconciliation and ecological conversion’.  The message is divided into five sections:  Opening the fourth point on ecological issues, the pontiff quotes from a […]

Building a virtuous nation 

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI  “…the virtuous finds shelter in his integrity…Virtue makes a nation great; by sin whole races are disgraced.” (Proverbs 14:32, 34)  Today, January 26, we celebrate the first Sunday of the Word of God, established by Pope Francis last year by his Apostolic Letter, Motu proprio, Aperuit illis. The […]

Jesus, our North Star 

St John of the Cross  By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI  On Saturday, December 14 Archbishop Jason Gordon was the chief celebrant at CREDI’s Thanksgiving Mass. Vicar General Fr Martin Sirju and CREDI President Fr Jason Boatswain were the concelebrants. The Mass was celebrated on the Feast Day of St John of the […]

The Holy Family – a model for all families 

Family life is important  By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI  The Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph is celebrated this Sunday. As Pope Francis has said, we are asked to “reflect on the experience lived by Mary, Joseph and Jesus, as they grow together as a family in mutual […]

Continue support for those on the move 

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI   This week Archbishop Jason Gordon will be host to Fr Robert Stark SSS, Regional Coordinator, Migrants and Refugees Section, Dicastery for Integral human Development at the Vatican. We extend a warm welcome to Fr Stark and hope that his stay with us will be fruitful.  On Wednesday, […]

Continue support for those on the move 

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI   This week Archbishop Jason Gordon will be host to Fr Robert Stark SSS, Regional Coordinator, Migrants and Refugees Section, Dicastery for Integral human Development at the Vatican. We extend a warm welcome to Fr Stark and hope that his stay with us will be fruitful.  On Wednesday, […]

Preparing for the Christ-child 

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI  On this second Sunday of Advent we will light the second candle on the Advent wreath—the Bethlehem candle (purple), which symbolises love and represents Christ’s manger.  Sunday, December 8 is also the feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. See our Catechism of the […]

Eliminating violence against women 

Coryal Sylvester  By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI  On November25, the world will observe International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. “Violence against women continues to be an obstacle to achieving equality, development, peace as well as to the fulfilment of women and girls’ human rights.  All in all, the promise […]

Sat Maharaj – remembering a cultural champion 

Sat Maharaj  By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI  It was with great sadness that I learned on Saturday, November 16, about the passing of Shri Satnarayan Maharaj, Secretary General of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha (SDMS). On behalf of my family, I offer condolences to his family and to the Hindu community. My father, […]