CCSJ Chair Leela Ramdeen at the September 26 Inter Religious Organisation of Trinidad & Tobago National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving and the Catholic Church “Respect for Life Week” Event, at Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga Centre, San Fernando. The theme for the celebration was, “Respect for Life – United We Stand, Divided We Fall.”
Good afternoon brothers and sisters. I could simply turn around and let you read the words on the back of my jacket and then return to my seat as these words say it all. However, I would like to take this opportunity to share with you briefly the origins of Respect For Life Week and some of the activities we plan for the week and to urge you to observe the Week in whatever way you can – from your own faith perspective.
The Catholic Church in TT has decided to dedicate a week every year to the theme of ‘respect for life.’ We believe that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. Therefore, we are called to proclaim, celebrate, protect and serve the gift of life at all stages and in all circumstances. How often do we search for God and fail to see Him in the faces of those around us? People are our greatest asset. Too many of our people live on the margins of society. It is for this reason that we are urging all people of goodwill to join us as we seek to tackle the many injustices and threats that stand in our way of promoting integral human development.
This is the first year that we are observing the Week. The Commission which I Chair, CCSJ, has responsibility for organizing events around this initiative. When we realized that our Interfaith Service was scheduled to take place on the same day and time as the IROs National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving, the IRO and CCSJ agreed to merge the 2 events – in the spirit of unity. This is certainly in keeping with our theme today: United we stand: Divided we fall. There is strength in unity; therefore it is essential that we find ways of working collaboratively to build the common good and to create conditions that will allow each person to realize his/her potential.
In the midst of all the social ills that plague our nation and our world, we cannot afford to sit on the sidelines and look on like passive bystanders or to work in isolation from each other.
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We recognize that as Catholics, we do not journey alone. We thank God for the richness of the culturally diverse ethnic backgrounds from which our people originate.
We thank God also for religious diversity and the opportunities we have to learn from each other. There are common values that all major religions share. RFLW gives us an opportunity to reflect on these values as we consider the kind of society we wish to build. The road ahead is a long one, but there are enough good people in our country who, if we all put our shoulders to the wheel, can turn things around.
During RFLW reflect on the following questions: “How do I respect myself and others in my community? How do I respect my environment? How do I protect, defend and enhance life at all stages and in all circumstances? How am I using my time, talent and treasure to promote a culture of life in my home, my community, T&T, the world? How will I observe Respect for Life Week?
You will have found on your chair a prayer which was specially written for RFLW – a neutral prayer which we can all use. There are 2 key events which you may wish to attend:
1. Wed. 29 Sept – Interfaith Panel Discussion on the theme: Threats to Life and Opportunities to promote integral human development – Our Lady of Fatima RC Church Hall, Bushe Street, Curepe: 6.30 p.m. – 8.30 p.m.
2. An interfaith procession and prayers (from casuals corner – Queens Park Savannah – just past the US Embassy – to St Ann’s Roundabout. On Sunday 3 October from 3 – 5 p.m.
Please see me after for further information or call me on 299 8945.
And as we leave here today, let us commit ourselves to do as Gandhi said: “Be the change you want to see in the world”. Each of us must play our part in shaping the direction of our blessed nation. Let us go forward together – in unity. Thank you and may the Creator bless us all.
