Category: columns2014

columns2014

Engaging our youth to build our Democracy

Post author By Web administrator
Post date September 13, 2014

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI

“Democracy is fundamentally a ‘system’ and as such is a means and not an end. Its ‘moral’ value is not automatic, but depends on conformity to the moral law to which it, like every other form of human behaviour, must be subject: in other words, its morality depends on the morality of the ends which it pursues and of the means which it employs.”(Compendium on the Social Doctrine of the Church, No. 407)

Tomorrow, Monday September 15, the world will observe the UN International Day of Democracy (IDD). The theme this year is Engaging Young People on Democracy. Too often we adults underestimate and stifle the contribution that our young people can/wish to make to strengthen our democracies.

Tags democracy, Youth

columns2014

Britain’s Youth 2000 – ‘A gateway back to God’

Post author By Web administrator
Post date September 6, 2014

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI

Participants in this year’s Youth 2000 Walsingham Prayer Festival. Photo Youth 2000 Facebook page — Participants in this year’s Youth 2000 Walsingham Prayer Festival.
Photo Youth 2000 Facebook page

Dioceses around the world are developing strategies to support and encourage the faith journey of young people. I had the opportunity to speak to a group of young people in London who attended the annual Youth 2000 Walsingham Prayer Festival from August 21–25. The theme this year was The Journey.

About 1,000 young adults journeyed from various parts of the country to the outdoor Festival held near the National Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, Norfolk. It included “international speakers, live music, workshops, discussions, prayer, sports, social times, evening entertainment and loads more”.

Tags event, Youth

columns2014

Promoting harmony in Notting Hill

Post author By Web administrator
Post date August 30, 2014

Everyone involved in Notting Hill Carnival (NHC) in London – Europe’s largest street festival, knows that the Mass at St Mary of the Angels RC Church in Moorhouse Road, W2, is an important ‘prelude’ before the masqueraders take to the streets. Our own Fr Robert Christo was the chief celebrant at the Mass on Saturday, August 23, with six other priests concelebrating, including parish priest Msgr Keith Barltrop. Once again, Sr Monica and her team worked hard to ensure it all went well.

columns2014

Making Jesus the centre of our lives

Post author By Web administrator
Post date August 24, 2014

Like Peter, in today’s Gospel (Matthew 16:13-20), Catholics believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. This belief has implications for us as followers of Jesus. If we follow Him, then He will be at the centre of our lives; our morals and values will reflect Gospel values, and we will seek to live as He lived.

To be true disciples/witnesses we have to demonstrate that we are following Jesus’ Commandments, particularly the new commandment He gave to His disciples at the Last Supper – to love one another as He has loved us.

columns2014

Light a candle for peace

Post author By Web administrator
Post date August 16, 2014

As I sat through a candle-light vigil in London on the evening of Monday, August 4, to mark the centenary of the First World War (WWI) (1914-1918), my heart was full – full of pain because of all the armed conflict/wars that are being waged in our world at the moment.

On August 4, services were held around the world, including at Westminster Abbey, where from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. the lights dimmed one by one until only a single oil lamp was left burning on the tomb of the Unknown Warrior. Across the country, lights were turned off during this hour in most public buildings, offices, and in many homes, with each leaving a single light or candle to mark the moment the UK entered WWI.

Tags peace, war