World Youth Skills Day 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  On Wednesday 15th July the world will celebrate the first World Youth Skills Day. “On 18th December 2014, the United Nations General Assembly adopted by consensus, a resolution, spearheaded by Sri Lanka, declaring 15th July as the World Youth Skills Day. Sri Lanka initiated this resolution, with […]

Would Jesus find faith here? 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  Today’s Gospel reading (Mark 6:1-6) gives us much food for thought. Jesus returned to his own home town in Nazareth and was “amazed at the lack of faith” among the people. They would not accept him. Was it because they remembered him as being a carpenter and […]

Justice, Peace and Community Week 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  Over the past few years, the CCSJ has taken the lead to organise activities for Respect For Life Week. In order to ensure that society is aware of the broad pro-life view of our Church, the week will now be known as: Justice, Peace and Community Week […]

Tackling elder abuse 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  Tomorrow the world will observe elder abuse awareness day. One of the foundational social justice principles in our Church is the need for us to recognise and promote the dignity of each human person at all stages and in all circumstances – from conception to natural death.  […]

Women: playing our part to transform society

Leela Ramdeen (centre) sits with Prof Rima Malek, Faculty of Education, Lebanese University, Lebanon (left) and Sr Constance O’Brien of the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary, a senior lecturer in the Dept of Social Development, University of Cape Town, South Africa, and other conference participants as they await the start of Mass on Pentecost Sunday.  by […]

Women and developmental issues 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  On this Pentecost Sunday, let us open our hearts and minds to allow the Holy Spirit, our Comforter, to work in and through us to renew the face of the earth. It is the power of the Holy Spirit working in and through us that will make […]

Towards a new Caribbean 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  Disruptive Thinking. Bold Action. Practical Outcomes! This was the tagline for the recent Forum on the future of the Caribbean (May 5–7). More than 400 persons attended the Forum which was co-hosted by UWI and T&T’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the UN, regional inter-governmental […]

Reflections on Mother’s Day 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers!  Motherhood is a gift from God and one of the most blessed of vocations. Let us truly celebrate, affirm and honour our mothers – not only today, but throughout the year.  What does your mother mean to you? What kind of […]

Politics for the common good   

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  Before returning to T&T recently, I attended two major events in London. One was entitled Marginalised No More – A Celebration of Black Political Representation Past and Future and was held at Bernie Grant Arts Centre, Haringey on April 8. It was organised by the Bernie Grant […]

Protectors of God’s creation 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI  “Let us be protectors of Creation, protectors of God’s plan inscribed in nature, protectors of one another and of the environment” – Pope Francis, Earth Day 2013.  On April 22 the world will observe the 45th anniversary of Earth Day. All that we have is gift from […]