by Leela Ramdeen, Chair of the Catholic Commission for Social Justice
At the third sitting of Synod in 2009, our Archdiocese agreed on a Mission statement and adopted three Pastoral Priorities (PP): The New Evangelisation; Revitalising Catholic Culture and Identity; and Regenerating the Moral and Spiritual Values of our Society.
Under each of these PPs, there are a number of resolutions that were adopted. Certain strategies were suggested by the faithful as to how these resolutions can be implemented. CCSJ has lead responsibility for PP#3 above. Resolution 3 of this PP reads: Be it resolved that each Catholic parish and school become a community celebrating the dignity of human life, from conception to natural death, affirming and developing the whole person. The three strategies related to this resolution are as follows:
1. The Archdiocese to dedicate a week every year to the theme of respect for life;
2. Develop programmes to educate all Catholics in schools and parishes on the Church’s teaching on the death penalty, abortion, euthanasia, artificial birth control (and other pro-life issues).
3. Each parish to conscientiously, honestly assess how it respects life, in terms of facilities for and service to persons from all walks of life and implement systems accordingly.
CCSJ seeks to implement these strategies, and takes responsibility for organising activities for Respect for Life Week (RFLW) which is listed as an Archdiocesan “event” on the Archdiocese’s Calendar of Events. All Commissions, Departments, Parishes, Schools, Catholic organisations, and Religious Congregations are encouraged to observe the week, to join with others to plan relevant activities and to participate in activities planned by CCSJ.
This is the second year that the Archdiocese will be observing RFLW – from Saturday, November 12 to Saturday, November 19. The theme this year is: Respect Life: Promote Justice. We plan to observe the 40th Anniversary of the 1971 Synod of Bishops document: Justice in the World. You can read the document and comments on it via a link on CCSJ’s website. A key quotation from the document reads as follows: “Action on behalf of justice and participation in the transformation of the world fully appear to us as a constitutive dimension of the preaching of the gospel.”
CCSJ thanks all those who have supported us in planning for RFLW. Look out for the Youth Commission’s banners promoting RFLW. CCSJ’s posters (Tree of Life) and some copies of CCSJ’s newsletter containing extracts from Justice in the World have been sent to parishes and newsletters have been sent to schools, and Departments. These can also be downloaded from CCSJ’s website – See Parish Link. Please note that the deadline for CCSJ’s Youth Essay Competition is Nov 15. Theme: Improving Respect for life in Trinidad and Tobago.
The Calendar of Events for the week include:
SAT, NOV 12: Sir Ellis Clarke Memorial Conference 3.00 p.m. – 6.00 p.m. at Living Water Community, 109 Frederick Street. Theme: The relevance of the document, Justice in the World, today. Archbishop Edward J. Gilbert CSsR will open the conference.
Speakers include: Coadjutor Archbishop Joseph Harris CSSp, Victor Scheffers, President of the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace, Netherlands, and Executive Member of Justitia et Pax, Europe, and me. Admission is FREE. Refreshments will be served.
SUN, NOV 13: Interfaith Serviceat St Benedict’s RC Church, La Romaine 3.00 p.m. – 5.00 p.m. Theme: Respect Life: Promote Justice . Parish Priest of St Benedict’s, Fr David Khan, will welcome participants. Leading the Service will be:
Brother Emrol Gould -President of the Inter Religious Organisation
Otun Iyalode Awo Agbaye – Ifa/Orisha
Brother Stephen Burris – Baha’i Faith
Deacon Mike James – Catholic
Pundit Bramdeo Maharaj – Pundits Parishad
Imam Haji Abzal Mohammed – ASJA
Sister Nandi – Raja Yoga Centre
See Prayer Supplement in Catholic News for use during the week.
MON, NOV 14: Prayer Session organised by Eternal Light Community, St Charles RC Church, Tunapuna. 7.00 p.m. – 9.00 p.m.
TUES, NOV 15: CCSJ’s Ask Why TV programme on TCN, Channel 10 from 8.00 p.m. – 9.00 p.m. Please watch and call in as it is a live programme. Theme: Why should we respect life? Panellists: Fr Martin Sirju, Sr Christine Walcott, and Deacon Mike James. Moderator: Leela Ramdeen
WED, NOV 16: Panel Discussion to observe the UN’s International Year for People of African Descent – Our Lady of Fatima RC Church, Bushe St, Curepe 5.00 p.m. – 7.00 p.m. Theme: Respect Life: Respecting the contribution of People of African Descent in our multi-ethnic society. Panellists include: Dr Rita Pemberton, Senior Lecturer, former Head of the Department of History, and Deputy Dean, Student Affairs in the Faculty of Humanities and Education at UWI; Emrol Gould, President of the IRO; Rubadiri Victor, President of the Artist Coalition of T&T. Moderator: Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ. FREE admission. Refreshments will be served.
THURS, NOV 17: Parishes, schools etc are encouraged to plan their own activities.
FRI, NOV 18:Vigil for Life: Emmanuel Community, 46 Rosalino St, Woodbrook, 6.00 p.m. – 9.00 p.m.
SAT, NOV 19: Holy Hour. Parish priests are asked to encourage youths to take the lead in parishes before Mass.
May we be faithful witnesses to the Gospel of Life.
