Category: columns2013

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John Spence, God’s faithful servant

Post author By Web administrator
Post date April 5, 2013

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI

I was in London when I received the news of 83 year-old Prof John Spence’s passing on March 8. When I was appointed Episcopal Delegate for Social Justice after the first sitting of Synod in 2003, Prof Spence contacted me to share his views about some of the justice issues that needed to be addressed in Trinidad and Tobago.

As my friendship with Prof Spence and his dear wife, Yolande, grew, I realised how blessed T&T was to have had such a great man living in our midst. He exuded a warmth and graciousness that is rare in today’s world.

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columns2013

Witnesses of the Resurrection

Post author By Web administrator
Post date March 29, 2013

Faith in the resurrection of Jesus says that there is a future for every human being; the cry for unending life, which is a part of the person is indeed answered… God exists: that is the real message of Easter. Anyone who even begins to grasp what this means also knows what it means to be redeemed. – Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI (2011)

Happy Easter to you and your loved ones! I shall be in London for Easter and, as usual, I shall be able to share the Easter story with my 14 great-nephews and nieces.

Christ is risen and lives among us – what a wonderful gift from God. We can see signs of His Resurrection all around us. If we really know what it means to be redeemed, if we understand the power of the Resurrection, we will be enthusiastic about being witnesses of the Resurrection every moment of every day.

Tags Easter

columns2013

Holy Week and Justice

Post author By Web administrator
Post date March 22, 2013

During Holy Week, let us reflect on Pope Francis’ message delivered during his inaugural Mass. Inter alia, he reminded us that “… the core of the Christian vocation…is Christ! Let us protect Christ in our lives, so that we can protect others, so that we can protect creation!” He called for the defense of the weakest in society and of the environment, saying that otherwise “the way is opened to destruction and hearts are hardened.”

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columns2013

Learning about our saints

Post author By Web administrator
Post date March 16, 2013

“Trust in the Lord my God and turn to Him with all your hearts since nothing is impossible for Him” (St Patrick, Confessio)

Today, March 17, the fifth Sunday of Lent, is also St Patrick’s Day, which is celebrated in many parts of the world. I hope to join my brother, his wife, and their team at Mahogany Carnival Ltd in London as we take part in London’s annual celebration of St Patrick’s Day.

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columns2013

God’s mercy

Post author By Web administrator
Post date March 7, 2013

Jesus’ parables are sometimes referred to as earthly stories with heavenly meaning. During this Lenten season, I invite you to reflect on the parables in our Gospels. Today’s Gospel, Luke 15:1-3, 11-32, is part of a series of three parables that seek to demonstrate God’s mercy – The lost sheep, The lost drachma (coin) and The lost son (the “prodigal”) and the dutiful son. The latter is one of the longest parables in the Gospels.

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