By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI
“…never tire of working for a more just world, marked by greater solidarity!” (Pope Francis).
Today’s gospel, Mark 4: 26–34, reminds me of the way in which the many gifts in our Archdiocese are being harnessed by Archbishop Jason to sow/spread the Word of God.
Founder of Holy Spirit Interactive, Aneel Aranha says: “The Parable of the Growing Seed can be found only in the Gospel of Mark. Although Mark doesn’t tell us what the seed is, we know from other passages that this is the Word of God (see Luke 8:11). And although the growth is gradual, the effects of the word are powerful and transformational, not only in the individual but also in the society…we cannot just be receivers; we need to be sowers too. We need to scatter the seed. We need not concern ourselves with how the seed sprouts and grows; that is God’s work. Our job is just to scatter.”
The CCSJ/AMMR focus our sowing on the priorities identified by His Grace, e.g.:
* The Year of St Joseph and the Year of Amoris Laetitia Family activities
* The Season of Creation with the Franciscan Institute for Personal & Family Development
* Pentecost and the Family
* World Day of the Poor, November 14 (part of Justice, Peace and Community Week: November 13–20).
Our Church’s Social Doctrine is an essential element of our faith. “None of us can think we are exempt from concerns for the poor and for social justice…Jesus tells us what the ‘protocol’ is, on which we will be judged. It is the one we read in chapter 25 of Matthew’s Gospel” (Pope Francis).
Today, with humility, and gratitude for God’s grace, I can say that that CCSJ’s/AMMR’s ‘mustard seed’ has grown.
Our partnership with the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) on a project aimed at the protection and well-being of children on the move (Venezuelan migrant children), has led to the appointment of a number of staff who are working diligently to achieve our goals. They are:
– Darrion Narine, Programme Coordinator (funded by the Archdiocese and UNICEF)
– Matthew Pierre, Community Liaison Officer (UNICEF funded)
– Shelly-Ann Simon, Case Management Officer – Alternative Care (UNICEF funded)
– Ambrosio Valerio Rojas, Migrant Support Officer (UNICEF funded)
– Dominique Heffes-Doon, Research and Social Media Officer (funded by the Archdiocese)
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Our recent partnership with Sharon Mangroo, Chief Executive Officer of the Catholic Education Board of Management for our Laudato Si’ event, Prayers, Scripture, Reflections and Dialogue on Laudato Si’, on care for our common home, on Friday, May 21, was a success.
The video clips of students from some of our primary schools praying, were inspiring. So much so that we are planning an end of term virtual event to showcase their work.
We are planning a joint training programme for youths on the social doctrine of the Church, in partnership with Taresa Best Downes, Episcopal Delegate for Youth and the Catholic Youth Commission. And from November 13–20, we hope that everyone will join us to observe Justice, Peace and Community Week.
Let’s keep sowing seeds!
Calendar of Events
The following calendar of events will enable you to access some of our events via social media:
Wednesday, June 9, 5–6.30 p.m.
Monthly virtual General Meeting with Parish Ministries for Migrants and Refugees (PMMRs).
Friday, June 11, 7–8 p.m.
First Live virtual prayer meeting in Spanish. To be streamed via CCSJ’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ccsjtt/). Further details to be shared regarding future sessions.
Mondays, 1–1.30 p.m.
Live on Facebook: ‘The Migrant Speaker’. See Facebook for guest speakers.
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7 a.m.
Our bodies are gifts from God. Let’s exercise with Helmis Morales’ fitness videos on CCSJ’s Facebook page.
Wednesdays, 1–1.30 p.m.
Live on Facebook: ‘The COVID-19 Conversation’.
First and last Wednesday monthly, 5–7 p.m.
Free Legal Aid Clinic (virtual) – addressing Civil and Criminal matters. Initial pilot to take place on Wednesday, June 23, 5–7 p.m. Open to everyone. Thanks to the Law Association for assisting us in recruiting volunteers from the legal profession.
Thursday, June 24, 6–7 p.m.
Feast of John the Baptist. Virtual launch of CCSJ’s/AMMR’s E-Magazine – The Advocate.
Second and last Friday monthly
Virtual ‘Meet the Doctor’ series, 5–7 p.m., June 11 and June 25.
Saturdays, 9 a.m.
Gardening on Facebook.
