Seeing with the eyes of faith
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI Today’s Gospel reading about Jesus’ healing of the blind man, Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52), has much to teach us as we begin Justice, Peace and Community Week (JPCW) from Oct 24-31 on the theme: Let’s build inclusive communities. But before I focus on the reading, I congratulate Bernadette […]
How to craft peace
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI In preparation for Justice, Peace and Community Week (JPCW) from October 24–31, let us focus on the word “peace”. I share with you extracts from Pope Francis’ powerful homily at Sarajevo’s Olympic Stadium on June 6, 2015: “In the context of global communications we sense an atmosphere […]
Dare to be saints
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI Today we celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints. From an early age, we Catholics learned what our role in life should be. During First Communion lessons, when the Catechism teacher asked: “Why did God make you?” The entire class would reply: “God made me to know Him, […]
Make space for Civil Society
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI “Civil society is the oxygen of democracy. Civil society acts as a catalyst for social progress and economic growth. It plays a critical role in keeping Government accountable, and helps represent the diverse interests of the population, including its most vulnerable groups” – UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. On […]
Vote for the common good
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI “Political parties have the task of fostering widespread participation and making public responsibilities accessible to all. Political parties are called to interpret the aspirations of civil society, orienting them towards the common good, offering citizens the effective possibility of contributing to the formulation of political choices. They […]
Be proud of the progress T&T
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI …but still a long way to go On August 30 and 31, I will be serving as one of several judges at London’s Notting Hill Carnival – Europe’s largest street festival. God has gifted his people with abundant talent. Artistic excellence is evident each year in many […]
Stand up for Life
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI The scandal emanating from the undercover videos revealing the sale of body parts of aborted babies by Planned Parenthood (PP) in the US should spur us on to stand up for life. About a dozen videos were recorded by a pro-life non-profit group, the Center for Medical […]
What does Emancipation mean to you?
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI On Saturday August 1, TT will once again observe Emancipation Day. On this day in 1985, TT’s Government declared Emancipation Day a national holiday to commemorate the abolition of slavery in the British Empire in 1834. We recall that although The Abolition of Slavery Act was passed […]
Sharing in God’s gift
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI “The miracle was not worked from nothing, but from a first modest sharing of what a simple lad had brought with him. Jesus does not ask us for what we do not have. Rather, he makes us see that if each person offers the little he has, […]
Leaders who care
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI Our world needs leaders who are caring/compassionate. Such characteristics are usually found in individuals who see themselves as “servant-leaders.” Today’s Gospel reading (Mark 6:30-34) highlights this fact. In Mark 6:7-13 Jesus had sent the 12 disciples on mission. After preaching, anointing and healing the sick, they rejoined […]
