Trinidad & Tobago: Ringing in the new year

Leela Ramdeen

Leela Ramdeen, Chair, Trinidad & Tobago Catholic Commission for Social Justice & the Archdiocese's Ministry for Migrants and Refugees writes:

The count down to 2021 has begun. Oh how I wish that when the ball drops in Times Square tonight, and Big Ben's bongs ring in the New Year in London, and we in TT blow our socially distanced kisses to friends and family, that some powerful New Year's breeze will blow this dreaded virus straight out of our earthly hemispheres. In spite of the challenges we continue to face, let us continue to follow the COVID-19 protocols that are meant to keep us safe and pray that God will be merciful. This too will pass!

Sadly this year, although the programme in New York will take place, the crowds will not be able to gather to watch the iconic ball drop. Similarly, crowds will not be able to gather in Westminster to see Big Ben strike midnight tonight. The bell, which is still under repair and has been mainly silent since 2017 - except for special occasions, is to be reconnected so that it can ring in 2021. The bell will also ring at 11pm tonight - the moment the UK leaves the European Union's single market and customs union. And there will not be much kissing under the mistletoe at midnight! Remember Frank Sinatra's song: Oh, by gosh, by golly, It's time for mistletoe and holly..."?

As the writer, Lindon Dodd said: "I recently saw a news story where there is a bumper crop of mistletoe. The same story lamented that mistletoe sales had plunged this year. In COVID World, kissing is kind of a no-no. Another Christmas tradition gone by the wayside." Citizens of T&T do not need mistletoe. Most of us are by nature a "touchy, feely" kind of people, who love a good "hug-up" when we greet each other.

As we look back on 2020, let us do so with grateful hearts for the many mercies that God has given to us over the past year. At the end of last year I had made a list of resolutions, including a bucket list of places that I wanted to visit. After my stroke in April 2019, I was determined to find a better balance between work and "play". So off I went to London in March to visit my family. Five days after arriving I received a call from my sister in TT telling me that the Travel Agent rang to let me know that the following morning the last flight would depart to TT from London before TT's borders close.

I had missed an earlier call because I had been "gallivanting" having tea with two of my sisters at Pembroke Lodge, Richmond Inn, London. Anyhow, she took action and booked me on the flight. During my two-weeks in self-quarantine in TT, it dawned on me that my resolutions were in shreds! So, tonight, dare I make another list as regards travelling to far-off places? I think I shall wait a while!

Tomorrow, 1 January, the Catholic Church will observe the 54th World Day of Peace. "A Culture of Care as a Path to Peace" is the theme of Pope Francis' message. Vatican News states: "In his message... Pope Francis offers the Church's social doctrine as a 'compass' to foster a culture of care for peace in the world." He appeals to the international community and every individual to foster a "culture of care" by advancing on the "path of fraternity, justice and peace between individuals, communities, peoples and nations." He envisioned this culture of care as a way to combat the "culture of indifference, waste, and confrontation so prevalent in our time."

He calls for "a common, supportive and inclusive commitment to protecting and promoting the dignity and good of all, a willingness to show care and compassion, to work for reconciliation and healing, and to advance mutual respect and acceptance...May we never yield to the temptation to disregard others, especially those in greatest need, and to look the other way; instead, may we strive daily, in concrete and practical ways, to form a community composed of brothers and sisters who accept and care for one another."

He calls on nations to divert money from their military budgets to create a global fund to end hunger and promote development in the world's poorest nations. He rightly states that there can be no peace without a culture of care, of which solidarity is a key aspect, and that we need to educate for a culture of care. Let us work together to build the common good.

As the New Year approaches, I wish you peace, love, joy, and good health throughout 2021.

LINKS

Email: socialjustice@catholictt.org
Website: http://rcsocialjusticett.org
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