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Combatting human trafficking

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ

“The trade in human persons constitutes a shocking offense against human dignity and a grave violation of fun­damental human rights. … Such situations are an affront to fundamental values which are shared by all cultures and peoples, values rooted in the very nature of the human person.” (Pope John Paul II)

As we enter Holy Week and journey with Christ to Calvary, let us remember the enormity of the sacrifice that Jesus made for us. This should send us from the images of Christ crucified on Calvary to the images of Christ crucified on the highways and byways in T&T/the world.

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Forming young people in our schools

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ

What greater work is there than training the mind and forming the habits of the young?” (St John Chrysostom).

As I prepare my paper to participate in a panel discussion during the Ministry of Education’s National Consultation on the Primary School Curriculum (Apr 5-6), I ponder over the way in which God works. The topic that I shall address is: “Addressing the need for morals, ethics, virtues and values in society”.

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Regional Consultation on HIV

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ

On Wednesday, March 23 and Thursday 24, I attended UNAIDS Caribbean Regional Consultation on Universal Access to HIV Prevention, Treatment, Care and Support. I was a member of the panel that focused on: The Social and Cultural Environment: Human Rights and HIV (see CCSJ’s website for my presentation).

Interestingly, among the 150 or so persons present – including Ministers of Government from around the region, I was the only speaker/participant representing a faith-based community.

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The gift of living water

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ

As a deer longs for running streams, so longs my soul for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, the God of life…(Psalm 42:1-2)

On behalf of CCSJ, I would like to congratulate Bishop Claude Berkley, who was ordained as Coadjutor Bishop of the Anglican Church in the Diocese of Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday, March 17 in the Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity.

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Good works and God’s grace

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ

Let us join the Holy Father in praying for those who died in Japan’s recent 8.9 magnitude earthquake and the tsunami that followed. He invoked “divine blessings of strength and consolation” on grieving friends and families and expressed solidarity with those involved in the rescue and relief efforts.

If anyone wishes to contribute to the relief efforts, please contact the St Vincent de Paul Society tel: (1-868) 623-4926, 625-3562. E-mail: secretariat@svdptt.org

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