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Showing hospitality to widows

By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ (http://rcsocialjusticett.org) & Director, CREDI

On Friday, June 23 the world observed International Widow’s Day. It was first celebrated in 2011 “in an effort to empower widows and help them regain their rights, which have long been ignored and violated. After their husbands have passed, many widows are forced to fight for their human rights and overcome many obstacles to ensure their social and economic development. It is estimated that there are over 245 million widows worldwide, nearly half of which live in extreme poverty and are subject to cruel violence. Vast numbers of women are widowed due to armed conflict. It is estimated that 7–16% of all adult women in the world are widows.” (www.wincalendar.com).

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The Eucharist, a call to action

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

“If you cannot find Christ in the beggar at the Church door, you will not find Him in the Chalice.” (St John Chrysostom)

Every Corpus Christi we are reminded that “Holy Mass… concludes with the sending forth of the faithful, so that they may fulfill God’s will in their daily lives.” (CCC 1328–32).  The Eucharist, “the source and summit of the Christian life,” (CCC1324) is a call to action; it is inextricably linked to social justice.

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What it means to worship a Triune God

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

The feast of the Most Holy Trinity invites us to commit ourselves in the everyday events in order to be the leaven of communion, of consolation, and of mercy. (Pope Francis)

 

Today, Sunday, we celebrate the mystery of the Most Holy Trinity. We are reminded that having been baptised: “In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,” we are part of the Family of God; we are interdependent and are supposed to use our various gifts to build the common good, and to demonstrate that love is at the heart of the Trinity.

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The Holy Spirit – soul of mission

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

“…the Holy Spirit has been poured out upon humanity like a vast torrent of grace” (Pope Francis).

Today’s Gospel reading on Pentecost Sunday (Jn 20: 9–23) should inspire us to open our hearts and allow the Holy Spirit to empower us to go out from our comfort zones and live our faith in the market places. Jesus’ words to his disciples apply to all of us: “Peace be with you…As the Father has sent me, even so I send you… Receive the Holy Spirit” (Jn 20:21–22). 

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