Catholic Commission for Social Justice
Leela Ramdeen, Chair of CCSJ, recently presented prize money to the winners of CCSJ’s Essay Competition entitled: Improving Respect for Life in Trinidad and Tobago.
Jon-Raphael and Gerard are 9 and 11 years old respectively. Both attend Malabar RC School. Ottrisha, 17, is from the St Martin de Porres, Coryal parish community.
CCSJ thanks Shirley, Beverly and Sr Roberta O’Flaherty, CCSJ Member, who judged the essay competition.
Read their entries on the following pages.
by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ
“Youth Ministry is the response of the Christian community to the needs of young people and the sharing of the unique gifts of youth with the larger community.” (Renewing the Vision, US Catholic Bishops, 1997)
On Saturday, January 15, CCSJ participated in the first ever Youth Expo at the Centre of Excellence. Like many other groups in the Archdiocese, we ran one of the booths at the event. I thank Sr Roberta O’Flaherty, a member of CCSJ, and our dedicated volunteer, Anna Ackbarali, for joining me in the booth.
Last week’s edition of Catholic News reported on the Institute (five days of training) for Catholic Youth Coordinators/Leaders in the Caribbean (read report). I was one of the presenters. The Institute, which was held in St Lucia, was organised by the AEC Youth Commission and focused on the theme: Empowering Youth Leaders to build a Culture of Solidarity and Justice.