IT’S NOT A PRETTY SIGHT There is a perception by some males (more than I care to think) that their penis shooting urine is the image of every women’s day, a fulfilled dream.  Sorry guys, it is not. Nothing is more disgusting to see on the side of roads, in front of a wall, or in front of your house.  How can the dignity of a human being make themselves take this action is there no shame? This action comes as no surprise in India the toilet less country.  Toilets for the public use are sparse especially if you are traveling.  Many huts or village homes do not have toilets.  It was the tradition not to have toilets in the home as they are seen to be dirty and to go out in the jungle away from the home was the better option.  However, the jungle is becoming more inhabited thus the open space is very less.   The crimes of going to the jungle (due to news  expose ) of woman/children being ganged raped, murdered or maimed is dangerous.  It is in this light the subject of

 THIS WAS TAKEN AT VADANTHANGAL BIRD SANCTUARY, TAMIL NADU, INDIA BY MY FRIEND FRANCO JOSEPH.  HE ALSO DESIGNED THE BANNER! LINDA MARY LIOTINO FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF ME A SERVANT OF CHRIST MISSION   2015

I SURRENDER ALL TO YOu I look forward to my personal retreats at POONDI MADHA BASILICA and this last time I went was no exception.  To reach the Basilica in India is no easy task the roads are narrow in many places but the picturesque view of the river and dam site is breath taking.  The banana leaves in their richness of color shimmer in the sunlight and on occasion one can see a peacock.  Poondi is a classic retreat place the rooms have only bed, bathroom, ceiling fan, one chair and small table.  The distractions and comforts one might need are null and void after all one is there to reconnect with Our Lord uninterrupted by the noise, entertainment, and problems of one’s personal life or the world itself.  Even the food is plain and basic with few choices from the restaurant on campus.  There are no other options.  This time at Poondi is truly a time of prayer, mass, adoration, and confession.   As for myself although I have a daily prayer life it is often interrupte

LIL DUDE The most important thing at this moment for this three year old is to be a COOL LIL DUDE.  He was not only COOL but had a neat swag when he moved along with sneakers that squeak and lit up.  He bought a smile to my face and a light hearted joy as he paraded around the shrine I visited this week.  It made me think this is what every child’s life should be COOL, free of worry and full of I-M-A-G-I-N-A-T-I-0-N as stated by one famous super star Sponge Bob Square Pants.  Every child has the  inalienable  right to be a child and live life as such full and playful. No child should be a chess piece for adults, society, and or governments to move around at will.  They are to be protected by their families, society and governmental laws enforced to keep them out of harm’s way.  Their lives are to be valued as they are the future of the world and their stability gives hope. MY COMMENTARY: We are a throwaway society but our children are not among that which we disc

MY PERSONAL RETREAT I am going on a personal retreat starting Monday the 12 th and will return by weeks end at Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine, Poondi Madha Basilica, South India.  This is a very special place for me a piece of heaven on earth.  The shrine is beautiful and has one of the four original statues made in Lourdes of the Mother of God.  The shrine is noted for the many miracles obtained for the pilgrims, from their heart filled petitions before our Lord.  The shrine also has a cross that encases a small chip of wood from the original cross of Christ’s crucifixion.  The cross behind a large glass partition is venerated by the many devotes to the shrine. The shrine campus is very peaceful where one can enjoy a park like setting will see ducks, geese, turkeys, parrots, and Emus.  The shrine has several  grottoes  to Our Lady and the Sacred Heart of Jesus among other statues.   Adjacent to the shrine is the Sinna Rani Convent. There is a Eucharistic Chapel on the up

THE FIELDS ARE ALIVE We have been in a drought for the last two and half years in Tamil Nadu, India 2014 being the worst year thus far.  The rivers are dried completely as is the lakes.  Where the water once flowed so beautifully is now filled with bushes, tiger grass and has become the feeding place for cows and goats.   The bustling children enjoying the water as they splashed and played has become a desert silence.  The clothes being washed and spread out to dry are no more there is nothing but a wasteland.  The various migrating birds whom spent their winters in Southern India are but a fleeting memory of watching them and their antics while taking photographs.  The cat fish that were seemingly bigger than life are now gone and passed away. Suffering is never ending for those whom depend on water for their livelihood from the local shop keeper to the farmer.  These farmers lost three planting seasons of rice.  The stillness of the fields that one could see in the pro