Building inclusive parishes 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  As you reflect on the draft Archdiocesan Pastoral Plan, consider what needs to be done to make your parish more inclusive and accessible for persons with disabilities. They are part of our community and we must demonstrate that we respect their inherent, inviolable, and inalienable dignity as […]

Are we apathetic about HIV and AIDS? 

World AIDS Day is December 1.  By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI  Today, Sunday, December 1, is World AIDS Day. The theme this year is: Communities make the difference. “A record 38 million people are living with HIV…More than ever we need to harness the role of community‑led organisations that advocate for their peers, […]

Caring for His kingdom 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  Today, the last Sunday of the liturgical year, we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ, the King of the Universe. Each time we say the “Our Father”, we pray “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done…”  It is you and I, His instruments here on earth, who have […]

Time to eliminate violence against women 

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.  By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI  On Sunday, November 25, the world will observe the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. As the UN states: “Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human […]

Reflections on Children’s Day 

Universal Children’s Day  By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ  On Tuesday, November 20, the World will observe Universal Children’s Day, a day that also marks “the anniversary of the date that the UN General Assembly adopted both the declaration and the convention on children’s rights.”  Pope Francis has said that “a society that abandons children and […]

Spoken Word on the state of the world 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  CCSJ and the Youth Commission are pleased to share with you the contribution of the 2nd prize winner of our recent Spoken Word Competition. See last week’s issue for Emmanuel Joseph’s winning piece.  We are the World by Mark Howell-Paul  This may sound a bit unorthodox but you don’t […]

Spoken Word on the state of the world 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  CCSJ and the Youth Commission are pleased to share with you the contribution of the 2nd prize winner of our recent Spoken Word Competition. See last week’s issue for Emmanuel Joseph’s winning piece.  We are the World by Mark Howell-Paul  This may sound a bit unorthodox but you don’t […]

Observing World Day of the Poor  

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI  On Sunday 18th November, the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Catholic Church will observe the 2nd World Day of the Poor – an annual observance established by Pope Francis in November 2016, at the end of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy. Two key social justice principles […]

Youth speak out on caring for creation 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  CCSJ would like to thank all those who observed Justice, Peace and Community Week (Saturday, October 20 to Saturday 27) on the theme: Caring for Creation: 8th Work of Mercy.  The week was launched with a live one-hour programme on TCN in which Archbishop Jason Gordon and […]

Literacy transforms lives 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  “Literacy is the skill that unlocks the gates of opportunity and success” —Barack Obama  As we celebrate the achievements of those who gained one of the 376 CAPE (formerly A’ Levels) scholarships this year, let us not forget those who continue to live in the ‘dark’ because […]