Living as children of light 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  Today’s Second Reading (Ephesians 5:8-14) urges us to “be like children of light”.  If we do, we will certainly see the effects: “complete goodness and right living and truth.” And remember, even when we drift from His loving arms, He waits patiently for us to return to […]

Use digital media for the common good – Mar 23 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  “We proclaim Christ in the way we behave in the digital realm, and the Holy Father’s message echoes the importance of seeking the face of Christ across all mediums.” (Bishop Peter Ingham, Chair, Australian Catholic Media Council)  The quotation above by Bishop Ingham refers to Pope Emeritus […]

Witnessing to the Lord 

CCSJ Chair Leela Ramdeen and the students of St Joseph’s Convent, San Fernando, with the International Women’s Day mural they created on March 8.  Today’s Gospel (Matthew 17:1-8 – The Transfiguration) is particularly instructive. As Catholics, we believe that Jesus is God’s Son, “the Beloved” who enjoys God’s favour. The challenge for us, though, is […]

Reflections for Lent 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  During this Lenten season, let us find time to reflect on whether, as followers of Christ, we are living as people of the Beatitudes. The corporal and spiritual works of mercy should be uppermost in our minds as we seek to live the Gospel. Reflect also on […]

Bishop Charles approaches milestone 

Bishop Emeritus Charles  By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI  “We are all sent to do God’s work but we must allow ourselves to be like a pencil in His hands if He is to use us effectively” – Bishop Emeritus Sydney A Charles.  On Sunday, May 18, 2014, Bishop Emeritus of St George’s […]

Pray for our new Cardinals 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  I thank God for sending us the 19 cardinals who were appointed by Pope Francis at the February 22 public Consistory at St Peter’s Basilica in Rome.  The Consistory was held on the Feast of the Chair of St Peter.  As you know, among those now joining […]

Need to ‘grow’ our own Police Commissioners 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  Recently I was invited by the T&T Police Service (TTPS) to attend a Stakeholders’ Consultation with members of the Executive as the TTPS prepares its strategic plan for 2014-2016 (see my presentation on CCSJ’s website).  A large proportion of T&T’s budget is spent on national security/crime reduction. […]

Treasure the elderly…not all as fortunate as Aunty Mary 

Aunty Mary at her 100th birthday celebration. Photo by Matthias Marquez  By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ (http://rcsocialjusticett.org) & Director, CREDI  On Saturday, January 25, I attended the 100th birthday celebrations of Mrs Mary Alice Pemberton of Lange Park, Chaguanas. This grand old lady left those gathered in awe at her amazing memory. She addressed us for […]

Workers free to form unions 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) is playing its part in creating a regional jurisprudence. This article is the second in CCSJ’s series to educate the public about the links between judgments of the CCJ and Catholic Social Teaching (CST). In this article, I locate the CCJ’s […]

Confronting a culture of violence 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  “Our society needs both more personal responsibility and broader social responsibility to overcome the plague of violence in our land and the lack of peace in our hearts.”(Confronting a Culture of Violence: A Catholic Framework for Action – US Bishops, 1994).  Violence in our society continues unabated. […]