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Children learn what they live

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI

“It is time for fathers and mothers to return from their exile, because they have self-exiled from the education of their children, and to fully reassume their educational role…this can only be done with love, tenderness and patience.” – Pope Francis

We must consider also the importance of home, school, community partnerships in the education process. Pope Francis has also said: “…the educational pact today has been broken; and thus, the educational alliance between society and the family is in crisis because mutual trust has been undermined. There are many symptoms. For example, at school relationships between parents and teachers have been compromised.”

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JPCW 2017 focusses on the development of peoples

 

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI

CCSJ urges all parishes and Catholic institutions in the archdiocese to plan/attend some of the events for Justice, Peace and Community Week (JPCW) which will run from Saturday, October 21to 28. The theme for the week is A Catholic perspective on the development of peoplesThe theme commemorates the 50th Anniversary of Blessed Pope Paul VI’s encyclical Populorum Progressio (On the Development of Peoples) which was published in 1967.

Inter alia, he said: “Development cannot be limited to mere economic growth. In order to be authentic, it must be complete: integral, that is, it has to promote the good of every person and of all humanity”.  

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Youth building peace

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI

Saturday, August 12 is International Youth Day. The theme this year is: Youth Building Peace. As the UN states, “there is growing recognition that as agents of change, young people are critical actors in conflict prevention and sustaining peace. International Youth Day 2017 is dedicated to celebrating young people’s contributions to conflict prevention and transformation as well as inclusion, social justice, and sustainable peace.

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Discover and develop ‘your treasure’

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI

Today’s Gospel is replete with messages for us (Luke: 12: 32-48 on being ready for the Master’s return). I wish to focus on a particular line which is of key importance in today’s world: “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

One can interpret these words in many ways. I want us to reflect on the virtues that should underpin our lives. Our treasure lies in Christian virtues – a habitual and firm disposition to do good. If we inculcate these in our hearts and live by them, we will surely be ready for the Master’s return. As St Gregory of Nyssa said: “The goal of a virtuous life is to become like God.”

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Love Jesus – Love Youth

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI

Today marks the final day of the 31st international celebration of World Youth Day (WYD) in Kraków, Poland (July 25-31). More than two million people from around the world were expected to take part in the celebration which was launched by St John Paul II in 1985 and which takes place every two or three years.

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