Catholic Commission for Social Justice
By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & AMMR
The CCSJ is currently coordinating activities for our Archdiocese’s upcoming observance of Justice, Peace, and Community Week (JPCW), Saturday, November 13 – Saturday 20.
The 5th World Day of the Poor will fall during this week on Sunday, November 14. The theme chosen by Pope Francis is: The Poor you will always have with you (Mk 14:7). This is also the theme chosen for our Archdiocese’s observance of JPCW.
By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ & Director, CREDI
One of the joys of being a citizen, is the fact that we have learned over the years to embrace and respect the rich diversity of our people who have come to T&T from many parts of the world—not as empty vessels, but with their different cultures, traditions, religions, languages and so on. This diversity is a source of strength.
By Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ (http://rcsocialjusticett.org) & Director, CREDI
Today, October 30, T&T will celebrate Diwali or Deepavali, the festival of lights. In my childhood, my Hindu father taught us, his children, about the significance of this festival. Inter alia, it is a celebration of the victory of dharma, good over evil, light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance.
There are days of house-cleaning before this auspicious occasion to ensure that Mother Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, beauty and prosperity enters the home. Hindu scriptures state that at midnight she enters homes, so Hindus clean and decorate their homes to welcome her.