Have we lost our educational compass? 

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ (http://rcsocialjusticett.org) & Director, CREDI  From a Catholic perspective, T&T is not promoting authentic integral human development of our children, that is, the development of the young person in all his/her dimensions and of every young person.  As a former Deputy Director of Education/Head of Quality Assurance in a London borough, […]

Working to lift our people 

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI  Which one of you did not weep at the heart-rending cries of Veena Subar, the inconsolable mother of 13-year-old Videsh Subar, when she saw the dead body of her only child – his hands tied behind his back and his throat slit? She had conceived him after […]

A sentinel goes to Grenada 

By Leela Ramdeen, chair, CCSJ (http://rcsocialjusticett.org) & Director, CREDI  “Just as the tabernacle lamp always remains lit in your majestic cathedrals or humble chapels, so your flock must always be able to see in your eyes the flame of the Risen Christ.” Pope Francis to Bishops, 2014  I share with you an extract from the […]

Showing hospitality to widows 

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ (http://rcsocialjusticett.org) & Director, CREDI  On Friday, June 23 the world observed International Widow’s Day. It was first celebrated in 2011 “in an effort to empower widows and help them regain their rights, which have long been ignored and violated. After their husbands have passed, many widows are forced to fight […]

The Eucharist, a call to action 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  “If you cannot find Christ in the beggar at the Church door, you will not find Him in the Chalice.” (St John Chrysostom)  Every Corpus Christi we are reminded that “Holy Mass… concludes with the sending forth of the faithful, so that they may fulfill God’s will […]

What it means to worship a Triune God 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  “The feast of the Most Holy Trinity invites us to commit ourselves in the everyday events in order to be the leaven of communion, of consolation, and of mercy.“ (Pope Francis)  Today, Sunday, we celebrate the mystery of the Most Holy Trinity. We are reminded that having […]

The Holy Spirit – soul of mission 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  “…the Holy Spirit has been poured out upon humanity like a vast torrent of grace” (Pope Francis).  Today’s Gospel reading on Pentecost Sunday (Jn 20: 9–23) should inspire us to open our hearts and allow the Holy Spirit to empower us to go out from our comfort […]

Clothe yourself in kindness 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  Kindness matters! In the Letter of St Paul to the Colossians we read: “…you should be clothed in sincere compassion, in kindness and humility, gentleness and patience” (Col 3:12).  Kindness is a virtue that is sorely lacking in the lives of so many. It was St Teresa […]

Let’s help families to flourish 

y Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  The world observed International Day of Families last Monday (May 15). The United Nations stated that the theme this year, Families, education and well-being focused on “the role of families and family-oriented policies in promoting education and overall well-being of their members. In particular, the Day is […]

Domestic violence – not part of God’s plan 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  On Saturday, April 22, I chaired a forum on Domestic Violence (DV),  held at Holy Trinity RC Pastoral Centre and organised by Hazel Thompson-Ahye, attorney-at-law, mediator and child rights advocate. Fr Dexter Brereton CSSp, parish priest, opened the session with prayer.  Speakers at the forum were: Thompson-Ahye; […]