Month: January 2018

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Celebrating the life of a statesman

Post author By Web administrator
Post date January 28, 2018

Professor George Maxwell Richards - served T&T with dignity, compassion, and dedication. — Professor George Maxwell Richards – served T&T with dignity, compassion, and dedication.

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ, & Director, CREDI

On Wednesday, January 17, T&T said farewell to one of our country’s great statesmen, our fourth president, Professor George Maxwell Richards who passed away on January 8, at the age of 86 years. He served his country with dignity, compassion, and dedication, not only during his two terms as President (2003–2013) and as principal of UWI’s St Augustine campus from 1985 to 1996, but throughout his life.

As we mourn his passing, let us thank God for his life and his service to humanity. He lived a purposeful life; he was a true patriot whose life stands as an example of what servant-leadership is all about.

Tags patriotism

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Bullying conceals profound cruelty

Post author By Web administrator
Post date January 23, 2018

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI

Are we dealing with bullying in T&T effectively? Today bullying/cyberbullying — via social media, e-mail, text messaging etc — is a growing trend and a major challenge for T&T’s schools/society. Bullying can take many forms.

In March 2017, Pope Francis expressed his concern about bullying, which he called “an ugly phenomenon in education these days.” In May 2016, he called for an end to “aggression and bullying. Bullying is an aggression that conceals profound cruelty,” he said. On January 9, he stated that “bullying is the devil’s work”.

Tags bullying, Youth

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Bullying must never become the new normal

Post author By Web administrator
Post date January 21, 2018

In March 2017, Diane Montagna reported on Pope Francis’ plea to about 80,000 young people, parents, and educators in Milan, Italy. He expressed “his concern about bullying, which he called ‘an ugly phenomenon in education these days.’

“He warned parents and teachers to be on guard against bullying. He then turned his attention directly to young people… ‘Please … promise the Lord, and never do this, or allow it to happen at your school or in your neighborhood. Do you understand?… in silence, think about what an ugly thing this is, and think about whether you are able to promise Jesus. Do you promise Jesus never to bully?’ ‘Yes!’ the young people shouted.

Tags bullying, Youth

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Come and see

Post author By Web administrator
Post date January 14, 2018

There are many nuggets of wisdom in today’s readings. Reflect on them. I wish to focus on Jesus’ response to the two disciples who asked Him where He lived. John the Baptist told them: “Look, there is the lamb of God.” On hearing this, they immediately followed Jesus. And when they asked Him where He lived, He responded: “Come and see”. They followed Him immediately.

Jesus is forever calling us. The challenge is to hear His voice in the cacophony of noise/ distractions around us. With Carnival in the air, let us not forget to LISTEN to His voice. Remember, as our Second Reading today states: “Your body…is the temple of the Holy Spirit…you should use your body for the glory of God” (1 Cor 6:19–20).

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Let’s follow the star

Post author By Web administrator
Post date January 7, 2018

As we celebrate the solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord this Sunday, let us reflect on how well we followed Christ last year, and resolve to follow Him more closely this year.

According to the Gospel ((Mt 2:1–12), the Magi came from the east, followed the star and found the Son of God, Jesus. As St Ambrose said: “…wherever Christ is, the star is too, for he is ‘the bright morning star’. With his light, then, he points to himself.”

Tags Christmas