Schools must be caring communities 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  Schools are a microcosm of the society in which they exist. The violence that is prevalent in our society pervades many of our schools.  In an article in the T&T Guardian of June 7, 2013 on “Student Violence and the Bystander Effect: What You Should Know”, Keagan […]

Living our Christian vocation today   

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  “Let us seek to live in a way that is always worthy of our Christian vocation.”  These words, uttered by Pope Francis last November, should spur us on to become who we are. In many ways ‘religion’ is under siege today. The challenge for us is to […]

Serve others with joy 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  On December 30 last year, the three major daily newspapers in T&T highlighted the way in which two Special Reserve Police Officers, male and female, treated  Robby “Sharky” Ramcharitar, a homeless, disabled man in a wheelchair on Lower High Street, San Fernando.  Swift action was taken to […]

Living our baptismal promises 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  As we reflect on the Gospel Reading today – the Baptism of our Lord by John the Baptist in the River Jordan (Mark 1:7-11), let us reflect on what our own baptism means to us.  Pope Benedict XVI reminded us on October 24, 2012 that: “The basis […]

Are we following the Star? 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  Today, Sunday, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord.  The word “Epiphany” means “manifestation” or “shining forth”.  There are some truly inspirational words contained in a homily by then Pope Benedict XVI at a Mass on January 6, 2012. He said: “He who […]

Lessons of our ancestors 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  “Let us fervently call upon Mary Most Holy, the Mother of Jesus and our Mother, and St Joseph her spouse. Let us ask them to enlighten, comfort and guide every family in the world, so that they may fulfill with dignity and peace the mission which God […]

Nothing is impossible to God 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  Today’s Gospel, the Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38), leads us to reflect on the humility of Mary, the Mother of our Lord. We can learn much from the words she utters to the Angel Gabriel on hearing that she is to be the mother of the “Son of God.” […]

Recommit to live as Christians 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  I recall the late Cardinal Hume urging the faithful during an Advent Service for members of his Committee for the Caribbean Community, C5, which he chaired and of which I was Vice-Chair, that we must all play our part to put Christ back into Christmas.  That was […]

Recommit to live as Christians 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  I recall the late Cardinal Hume urging the faithful during an Advent Service for members of his Committee for the Caribbean Community, C5, which he chaired and of which I was Vice-Chair, that we must all play our part to put Christ back into Christmas.  That was […]

CCSJ told: Dream Big 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  On November 26, CCSJ held its annual general meeting (AGM) to report on its 2013 activities (read report here). Archbishop Joseph Harris joined us and motivated members, not only by his presence and by his words of thanks for the work in which members are engaged to […]