RELIGIOUS SOCIAL ACTION COALITION NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR

Pesach (Passover), April 12th – April 20th, 2025

Passover (Pesach ) is one of the most significant Jewish holidays, commemorating the Exodus of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Its name comes from the miracle in which God “passed over” the houses of the Israelites, sparing them from death during the tenth plague on Egypt.

Passover takes place in early spring, beginning on the 15th of the Hebrew month of Nisan and lasting for seven days in Israel and eight days in the Diaspora. During Passover, Jews abstain from all leavened products (hametz) and eat unleavened bread (matzah). The primary ritual of Passover is the seder, a 14-step ritual meal that commemorates the Exodus from Egypt and forecasts future redemption as well.

[From My Jewish Learning]

Holy Week, April 13 – 20, 2025

For Christians, Holy Week, beginning with Palm Sunday and culminating on Easter Sunday, is a holy time in the faith journey. The year Holy Week coincides with Passover (Pesach) of our Jewish neighbours.

Palm Sunday commemorates the biblical story of Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey (a symbol of peace and humility), in contrast to that of Roman warriors, dressed in military splendor, demanding allegiance. Particular stories continue throughout the week and, then, on “Maundy” Thursday, Jesus ate his last meal with his disciples, assumed to be a Passover meal, ending with a washing of the disciples feet and the ‘commandment’ (Maundy, from Latin, ‘mandatum’, command) to follow his example of ‘hospitality’ and ‘humble service’ to others. From this ‘event’, the early Church instituted the Eucharist or the Sacrament of Holy Communion.

Thursday evening and Friday contain the story of betrayal by one of Jesus’ followers, Judas, the arrest by soldiers, and the public spectacle of crucifixion by the Romans. The early Christian Church named the day as “Good” Friday, not because of the horrific act of crucifixion, rather because of the outcome, the Resurrection on Sunday. Numerous themes are highlighted by different Christian denominations: three primary messages are emphasized: our calling to end ‘crucifixions’ (violence and suffering) wherever they are found; our hope-in-action that love has victory over hate and that, from the pain and sorrow of death, new life can rise; a sense of the Divine Presence being with us in life, in death and in life beyond death.

TOGETHER WE CAN END POVERTY

Articles you will want to read re guaranteed livable basic income –

WELCOME

The Religious Social Action Coalition is a gathering of Jews, Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs and others who seek to eliminate poverty in our province and country.

Our focus: A Guaranteed Livable Income to ensure a ‘livable’ income for all in need, in order to raise a vast majority of people above the poverty line.

PRESS RELEASE – February 7, 2025

The Very Rev. Dr. Marion Pardy awarded King Charles III Coronation Medal, nominated for her interfaith and guaranteed living income (GLI) advocacy

The Religious Social Action Coalition (RSAC) of Newfoundland and Labrador is pleased to announce that The Very Rev. Dr. Marion Pardy, Chair of the RSAC will receive the King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition of her leadership and commitment to interfaith community service.

“I am humbly proud to be a recipient because of my multi-faith and guaranteed living income leadership advocacy,” she says.

Since 2007, Dr. Pardy has been a director and chair (since 2020) of the Religious Social Action Coalition of Newfoundland and Labrador. Within the Coalition, she attends significant religious ceremonies and celebrations of each faith community represented, advocates for a guaranteed livable income, and educates the public about interfaith relationships through social media and other avenues.

“From pew to pulpit, to public officials, to public and social media; from synagogue to mosque, totemple, to Gurdwara, Dr. Pardy has spent years in education, consciousness-raising, advocacy and solidarity,” says Haseen Khan, executive member with the Canadian Interfaith Conversation, who initiated the nomination on behalf of the Religious Social Action Coalition, of which he also is one of

the directors. “[Her work highlights] for society the benefits of the pluralistic nature of our country and the necessity for appreciation and understanding of all religions, noting that the many paths to the Divine command respect from all.”

She is a multi-faith social activist who confronts antisemitism and Islamophobia, and addresses all religious prejudice by highlighting the joyous benefits of all faiths, including religious literacy events to improve understanding about Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and Sikhism.

“Dr. Pardy sets an example for all of us for how we should move in the world in relation to others. Her interfaith work builds bridges and mends fences,” says The Right Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne, Moderator of The United Church of Canada. “Her efforts to eliminate poverty lift us all up.” Dr. Pardy was the 37th Moderator of The United Church of Canada (2000-2003).

Her nomination highlighted that her “persistent” work and “patient perseverance”, together with her multi-faith colleagues, is always towards the common good of the community and the greater good of society.

The medal will be delivered in March along with a letter from the Canadian Interfaith Conversation. A presentation is being planned at Masjid-al-Noor (Mosque) St. John’s at a later date.

For media interviews, contact m-pardy@nf.sympatico.ca or Dr. Steven Wolinetz, swolin@mun.ca or Haseen Khan aseenukhan@gmail.com

(Credit: The United Church of Canada)

PHOTO: Diwali celebration, Hindu Temple, St. John’s, NL, Nov. 2, 2024. From left: Marion Pardy, Chair, Religious Social Action Coalition; Jai Ganesh, President, Hindu Temple; Joanne Thompson, MP, St. John’s East.

Credit: Marion Pardy

structure

The Religious Social Action Coalition is comprised of eleven directors. There are representatives from the Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Hindu and Sikh religious communities.

Guaranteed Livable Income - Advocacy

the many facets of poverty

Poverty is general scarcity or dearth, or the state of one who lacks a certain amount of material possessions or money.
It is a multifaceted concept, which includes social,economic political elements.
Poverty seems to be chronic or temporary,and most of the time it is closely related to inequality.
As a dynamic concept,poverty is changing and adapting according to consumption patterns,social dynamics and technological change.